10/11/2008

Working with the District The District of North Van wants our help. Cam McRae

This may not come as a shock to you; many mountain bikers tend to be from the loose end of the cannon spectrum.  Maybe we aren't moving to Montana and joining the militia, but we are probably less likely than your average Joe to toe the line.  Without this bent there probably wouldn't be any mountain bike trails anywhere because most builders didn't break ground with a permit in hand.  Within this sphere freeriders are probably looser than your average leg shaver which brings us to Fromme and the District of North Vancouver. 

From 1980 until the turn of the century this free-spirited nature wasn't a problem in this neck of the woods.  There were no access issues to speak of and we pretty much stayed below the radar.  With the increased popularity of the North Shore trails those days are gone.  Some residents of Upper Lynn Valley have been unhappy with mountain bikers parking near their homes - particularly when some riders have been inconsiderate - occasionally to the point of displaying a cannon of a different sort when changing after a ride. 

Because of these issues the climate has changed and as a group we are going to need to be more responsible and accountable if our sport is going to be allowed to continue. We can no longer ignore warnings from District staff or pretend there was no moratorium on trail building agreed upon.  We're going to have to become more organized, more disciplined and more responsive to the wishes of landowners; in this case the District of North Vancouver

Along with Peter Campbell representing the nsmbA, I was called in to a meeting with North Van District staff in early March.  They told us they would like us to work with them to ensure the moratorium on trail building on Fromme is respected and they would also like to be informed about any trail maintenance work that's going on (policy below).  If you are doing maintenance District of North Vancouver Trails and Habitat Coordinator, Graham Knell will be the contact person.

With the current tenuous state of affairs it only makes sense for us to become stewards of the land on Fromme and other places where we ride.  If the District sees that we are on their side and that we are willing to work with them to manage and protect the forest they will be more inclined to cooperate with us.  To that end Peter and I agreed that there should be a way for us to monitor what is happening in the forest so we can intercept potential problems before the District has to deal with them.  If you discover a newly cut trail on Mount Fromme or anywhere else in the District we are asking you to email the nsmbA with the information.

We were also informed that fines for illegal trail construction will be issued.  These can be either $100 or $250 depending on the infraction.

If you see a new trail being constructed please inform the nsmbA and if you are currently doing trail maintenance or if you plan to in the future please use the procedure below to notify and get approval from the District. Thus far everyone who has applied has been given permission so it's largely a rubber stamp and a way for the District to monitor work done on their land.

Our access to the trails we love has been threatened lately.  Please help us keep what we've got by becoming the eyes and ears of the forest.

Below please  see the procedure to apply for trail maintenance as well as the District policy regarding new trail construction.

Cam McRae

All maintenance requests for trail work by volunteers in District-owned property on Fromme Mountain are to be reviewed and approved by the District of North Vancouver, prior to any work being conducted on site.

REASON FOR POLICY
To standardize the application process for trail volunteer maintenance, and improve communication between the volunteers and the District of North Vancouver.

PROCEDURE
All requests for trail maintenance on District-owned areas on Fromme Mountain must be forwarded in writing to the District of North Vancouver Trails and Habitat Coordinator, Graham Knell, for review and approval.  Graham Knell’s office is located at the Operations Centre – Parks Department on 1370 Crown Street, North Vancouver. Phone number is 604 990-3806; E-mail knellg@dnv.org. Applications can be received through E-mail.
All applications must be cc’d to the District of North Vancouver Parks Ranger, Andy Robinson (604 990-3811; E-mail arobinson@dnv.org) for information purposes.

Trail maintenance requests should include:
1. Location of trail maintenance (trail names on map, if applicable)
2. Scope of trail maintenance work (drainage, resurfacing, replacing structures, planting, signage etc.)
3. Dates for trail maintenance
4. Number of volunteers working on trail maintenance (if applicable)
5. Name and contact information for key volunteer contact, including telephone and e-mail
6. Description of tools to be used for volunteer trail maintenance activities
7. Proof of insurance (membership in the nsmba for example)
Trails and Habitat Coordinator will review and discuss proposal with applicant.  If project is approved, the applicant will receive a park permit to conduct trail maintenance, as per terms agreed upon between Trails and Habitat Coordinator and volunteer(s).
All volunteers must adhere to regulations outlined in the District of North Vancouver Park Control Bylaw 2733, and Environmental Protection & Preservation Bylaw 6515.

FROMME MOUNTAIN - UNAUTHORIZED TRAIL & CONSTRUCTION IN MOUNTAIN OR PARK AREA

1. Prohibition of Unauthorized Trail and Any Other Construction in District Mountain or Park Areas

The District of North Vancouver prohibits all trail or any other construction, or maintenance thereof, within its forested mountainside lands, bounded by the Capilano River to the west and Indian Arm to the east, unless authorized by a District of North Vancouver permit.

In order to curtail possible trail or any other construction within its lands, no trail building tools of any kind, specifically power tools, are permitted in the mountain areas, without written approval from the District of North Vancouver.

Exceptions to this regulation may include:

1.1) those persons who possess a valid building permit for their mountain side property, or can prove that they are undertaking work on their own property within the restricted area.

1.2) under special conditions, trail volunteer(s) may be granted a permit to use power tools, if approved by District staff and a permit issued, providing that the specific volunteer has the required WCB qualifications to operate specified equipment, and produces documentation to prove qualified status. In such cases, the required insurance, such as an AD&D policy must be provided to the District of North Vancouver.

2. Confiscation of Tools

Any unauthorized tools located on the mountain side will be confiscated by District of North Vancouver staff. Confiscation notification will be posted at the work site, advising the owner the date of confiscation, and the location where tools are confiscated. This activity may result in ticketing as outlined in relevant District of North Vancouver bylaws.

3. Use of Private Vehicles On Gravel Service Road at North End of Mountain Highway

No unauthorized private vehicles are permitted beyond the drop off area at the north end of Mountain Highway, without a permit from the District of North Vancouver.

No unauthorized parking is permitted between the gates at the north end of Mountain Highway and the gate located at the drop off area, beside the water tanks, without a permit from the District of North Vancouver.

Exceptions to this regulation may include: those persons who own or manage property within the mountainside, including:
1. Grouse Mountain Resorts,
2. GVRD
3. Van Tan, and
4. other public agencies who access the mountainside to service infrastructure.

REASON FOR POLICY
On July 28, 2003, Council approved the following motion:

“That the policy on vehicular access north of Mountain Highway, as contained in the July 28, 2003 report of the Manager – Regulatory Services be approved.”

This policy will begin to address Council’s stated goal of prohibiting unauthorized trail building or any other unauthorized construction on Fromme. The Park Control Bylaw 2733 and Environmental Protection & Preservation Bylaw 6515 regulate activity in District of North Vancouver lands.