MY COMMENTS:
**This looks very bureaucratic although you've made some efforts to stress that trail plans don't require engineering-level drawings.
Asking groups to adopt trails with this kind of administrative headache is a non-starter. Trail groups simply aren't this organized and you will ask people to set themselves up for a fall.
Why the requirement for insurance when the government has the ability to amend the Occupiers Liability Act to make it impossible to sue the government for any injuries occuring due to a stunt/technical trail feature. Insurance is expensive; trail groups will never be able to raise that money.
I read this policy as such - Government basically wants groups to adopt and maintain trails for everyone, then government will market those trails without any obligation to give anything back to the trail groups. Meanwhile, government also wants trail groups to take on public liability for all trails (since almost all trails in BC have stunts).**
For North Shore - no effect as very few trails are on crown land. Will affect Woodlot, Vedder, Squamish, Whistler and other places.
http://sorca.ca/pages/posts/trail-strategy-for-bc122.php - Policy is here
Policy on website also at http://www.tca.gov.bc.ca/sites_trails/docs/Provincial_Trails_Strategy/Trail_Strategy_Background_Report_May23.pdf. (Note - couldn't find it)
Direct comments to Bill Marshall, Director of Recreation Sites and Trails Branch, Ministry of Tourism, Sport and the Arts [email protected]
Comments:
1. Trials of the policy in Squamish, Chilliwack, Burns Lake, Terrace, Nelson, Invermere, Kamloops and Williams Lake
2. Applies to crown lands (ie Provincial lands) NOT municipal lands.
3. Will remove trails from crown lands if no organization adopts trails
4. Trail groups have to "apply" to adopt trails. May have to consult with other stakeholders and public. May have to submit land use plans
5. Have to be an organized trail group to adopt trails. Individuals can only get one-off permission for specific projects.
6. SHORT TERM trail work is for one year projects. Simple application process
7. LONG TERM trail work is for up to ten years. Complex application process (organization's resume and past experience; how to deal with other users; environmental mitigation)
8. All new trails must be multi - use (ie no purpose built bike trails - must allow motoX, hikers, horses etc).
9. If trail group builds stunts must get $ 2M third party liability insurance; must appoint trail safety coordinator; must file annual report with MOTSA about trail and stunt inspection and repair plan, Must follow IMBA and Whistler standards
10. Any trails with stunts must have multi-year agreement. All multi-year agreements must have annual operating plan (Submit 1:20,000 map; Plan with nature and timing of proposed trail work)
11. Trails without stunts that are not adopted may become legally sanctioned. Any trails with stunts that is not adopted may be deactivated.