Ride to Singing Pass?

true, but beside the point, this plan deals with Garibaldi.

I think they are using this to help justify their position. Which sucks…

I think they are using this to help justify their position. Which sucks…

it's true, and it's a lame copout.

Another comment I have…Apparently they made this decision because they are "very very conservative" in regards to negative environmental impacts and impacting "values"…yet somehow putting up 3 30 person huts and developing a summer trail around the spearhead is okay and doesn't have negative impacts, but for some reason mountain bikes threaten the park irreparably. It just reeks of hypocrisy to me.

The frustrating part is that they don't even want to put in an amendment that says they'll at least sit down and talk about it, that maybe in the future, working and partnering with a group like WORCA, and explore the options and scenarios for opening it to the benefit of all. No one is saying a free for all unfettered access, but at least sit down and have an honest discussion about how it could work, and what it would take, and how the mtb community is willing to step up. We share conservation values, we value well maintained trails, and we want safe user interactions.

I think that the trail itself isn't in as good of shape as they want to believe (musical bumps at least), and that the mountain bike community could help restore it to something highly sustainable and safe. Toss in uphill only, or even seasonal (after labour day), or whatever it's decided upon, maybe a one season trial….etc, and so forth.

but, they don't want to talk about bikes…

Presumably it is public service employees who are making these recommendations but who actually has the authority to implement the changes being proposed?

Im new to Canadian politics so its all a mystery to me:confused:

it's true, and it's a lame copout.

Another comment I have…Apparently they made this decision because they are "very very conservative" in regards to negative environmental impacts and impacting "values"…yet somehow putting up 3 30 person huts and developing a summer trail around the spearhead is okay and doesn't have negative impacts, but for some reason mountain bikes threaten the park irreparably. It just reeks of hypocrisy to me.

don't forget, helicopters are ok…

don't forget, helicopters are ok…

no, it gets better, because they're "very very conservative" they have to keep helicopters because they've been already there for a while

open house TONIGHT in Vancouver! Please go out and comment, make sure they hear that it's unacceptable to ignore that 85% of respondents want mountain bike access explored further. WORCA is working on their response, and it's focusing on the need to meet with Parks and discuss the options available for managing this resource for hikers and bikers, and help make the trail system safe and sustainable for the long term.

Vancouver - Monday, November 26, Robson Square - Room C–150, 4:00pm–7:00pm
Whistler - Thursday, December 6, Whistler Conference Centre, Garibaldi A Room, 4:00pm–7:00pm

Reminder, Whistler open house is this Thursday.

from WORCA today…

**WORCA'S APPEAL TO BC PARKS!

2013 Management Plan Amendment for the Spearhead Area of Garibaldi Park

This year BC Parks has undertaken an update to its 1990 management plan for the Spearhead Area of Garibaldi Provincial Park (the “Park”). Following extensive consultation from a wide variety of interest groups which included WORCA, in November 2012 BC Parks published a Draft Management Plan Amendment for the Spearhead Area of Garibaldi Park (the “Plan”) for public review. While increasing mountain biking access was considered as part of the management plan update process, the draft Plan concludes that there will be no change to the policies established in 1990 and that no expansion of mountain biking access in the Park will be considered moving forward.

WORCA is advocating for a change to BC Parks policies on mountain biking in the Spearhead Area that would open the door for the possibility of increasing mountain biking access in the Park over the next planning horizon. WORCA understands the challenges associated with increasing mountain biking access and are respectful of BC Park’s conservation values and the importance of maintaining what is currently a high value wilderness experience in the Park. WORCA recognizes that very careful planning, design and management are critical to the success of multi-use trails, particularly in alpine environments. WORCA supports the concept of expanding mountain biking in the Park in a manner that adheres to internationally recognized trail design standards, minimizes conflicts with hikers and provides a low environmental impact, high value recreation resource. WORCA would like to be recognized by BC Parks as an active partner and resource for issues and new development relating to mountain biking access in the Park.

The Spearhead Area of Garibaldi Park is adjacent to and accessed from, the Resort Municipality of Whistler, a world leader in mountain biking and multi-use trail stewardship. Mountain biking is a well-established, growing and highly valued form of non-motorized recreation for residents and visitors to the Whistler valley. The 2013 Management Plan Amendment presents an opportunity for BC Parks to acknowledge their close proximity to the world’s premier mountain biking destination and develop a management objective moving forward that keeps an open dialogue with WORCA and other local stakeholders supportive of mountain biking access.

WORCA strongly urges its members to attend the Management Plan Amendment Open House at the Telus Conference Center on December 6th between 4pm and 7pm. Parks representatives will make a formal presentation at 5pm during the Open House. Please comment on the Draft Management Plan Amendment for the Spearhead Area of Garibaldi Park at the link below before January 10th 2013. http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/planning/mgmtplns/garibaldi/garibaldi_mp.html
**

Bob Barnets Editorial in the Pique Doesn't sound too supportive.
Just because the people gave their opinion, doesn't mean the bureaucrats have to listen…
http://www.piquenewsmagazine.com/whistler/bc-parks-plan-for-spearhead-sounds-the-right-notes/Content?oid=2442091

I
OPINION » EDITORIAL
BC Parks' plan for Spearhead sounds the right notes
by Bob Barnett
It's been suggested, by more than a few, that the folks at BC Parks are trampling democracy with their recommendations to: a) continue the ban on mountain biking in most of Garibaldi Provincial Park and b) continue to allow heli-skiing in part of the park.

The evidence is found in the responses of 945 people to an online questionnaire about the Spearhead area of the park. Stakeholders and First Nations were also invited to provide their input. Those responses have been incorporated — or ignored — in the draft plan for the Spearhead, a horseshoe-shaped series of peaks made up of the Spearhead and Fitzsimmons ranges extending from Whistler Mountain to Blackcomb and including their lower slopes from Wedge Creek to Cheakamus Lake.

Responses to the questionnaire, which was online for 45 days in February and March, show that 68 per cent of respondents were not in favour of heli-skiing continuing in Garibaldi Park. As well, 85 per cent of respondents were supportive of full or limited mountain biking in the Spearhead area of the park. Only 15 per cent of respondents were opposed to any form of mountain biking in the park.

Despite these responses the draft plan recommends heli-skiing continue to be allowed in the Spearhead range. The draft plan also recommends mountain biking continue to be prohibited in the Spearhead area.

How can this apparent throttling of democracy take place, some wonder.

Firstly, it should be stressed again that the document currently available is a draft plan. Public input on the draft plan is now being sought and will be accepted up to Jan. 10. A public open house was held earlier this week in Vancouver and another one will be held Dec. 6 at the Whistler Conference Centre.

But importantly, BC Parks has sought to hear from members of the public. That doesn't mean they were soliciting votes to determine what activities are most — or least — popular.

Democracy includes the right to say what you want and to vote for government representatives in free elections. That's not the same thing as participating in a survey or poll and expecting the "results" of that survey will determine direction.

The recommendations in the draft plan are based not just on feedback from the 945 people who took the time to make their voices heard, but also on historical demands, practicalities, environmental and economic considerations. And then the needs of the various users of the park must be weighed against one another.

For instance, the draft plan recognizes the importance of hiking — the most important summer activity for guests visiting Whistler, according to a Tourism Whistler survey. More than 30 per cent of visitors engage in hiking during their stay.

The draft plan states: "There is strong support for improved hiking trails and supporting facilities within the study area to control and focus visitor impacts and enhance the recreational opportunities available in the park."

The demand for alpine mountain biking is also recognized but the draft plan suggests that in this area of the park it may be in conflict with hikers and detract from the hiking experience. It also notes "there are significant challenges associated with managing mountain biking in the alpine areas where there is potential for off-trail use, which may result in unacceptable environmental impacts to fragile alpine and sub-alpine ecosystems."

The Whistler Off Road Cycling Association believes that with proper design and implementation mountain biking can be incorporated into the Spearhead area. WORCA will have an opportunity to make its case to BC Parks.

Heli-skiing, which has taken place in the Spearhead range for decades, is opposed by a majority of respondents but it's likely to continue. And it should.

The Spearhead range isn't the only area for heli-skiing in Whistler but its relatively easy access and close proximity mean there can be heli-skiing there when other areas are "weathered out." This extends the number of heli-ski days in a season and adds to the Whistler experience.

Few other ski resorts can offer heli-skiing as an alternative or in addition to lift-serviced skiing. It's one of the activities that helps distinguish Whistler from other ski resorts.

The percentage of Whistler visitors who actually go heli-skiing is not huge but the option to go heli-skiing during a vacation may help persuade some people to choose to visit Whistler.

Finally, 93 per cent of respondents were in favour of a system of huts being built in the Spearhead area. BC Parks is recommending the management plan for the area "…be amended to provide clear direction to allow huts, with provisions including a safety plan, careful citing and phasing, and a model which ensures the huts are affordable and accessible for all park visitors."

Whistler Search and Rescue, in its submission to BC Parks, emphasized the importance of the heli-ski operator's presence in providing a measure of public safety and assistance with emergency response, particularly if a hut system is built.

BC Parks may not be winning the popular vote but its draft plan for the Spearhead area is heading in the right direction.

Whistler open house tonight, if you're there and can make it, if not be sure to send in your comments!

WORCA - Whistler Off Road Cycling Association

** PLEASE ATTEND BC PARK'S GARIBALDI PARK OPEN HOUSE TONIGHT!

WORCA urges members to attend tonight's presentation at the Whistler Conference Centre (Garibaldi Room A). The open house runs 4-7pm and there will be a formal presentation at 5pm with a question period afterwards. The current draft still does not allow mountain biking in the Spearhead Range.

Go to http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/planning/mgmtplns/garibaldi/garibaldi_mp.html to view the draft and to submit your comments. Deadline to comment is January 10, 2013. The last time the management plan was updated was 23 years ago so now is the time to voice your opinion before the next plan is put into place.

We hope to see you tonight!
**

Interesting meeting.

Don't hold your breath that they will allow mountain biking in Garibaldi Park.

In classic BC Parks bureau speak, yes we are listening, we are taking into consideration all your input but after looking at the big picture we don't feel mountain biking can be accommodated in Garibaldi park.

They do have a point, it is busy, will only get busier. So they only want to accommodate hiking.

They said they had previous stake holder meetings with 40 groups. Not sure if mountain biking was included. They said they talked to SORCA and WORCA, I was sitting beside a WORCA guy and he didn't know about this meeting.

They said they have numbers regarding the increased hiker visits and these numbers are available. I couldn't find them.

go here for the plan:
http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/planning/mgmtplns/garibaldi/garibaldi_mp.html

Here is the comment form;
http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/planning/mgmtplns/garibaldi/garibaldi_mp_amend_comments.html

Ask for mountain bikers to be included in the stakeholder meetings. Sure they won't be accommodated but if they're included at least they can pass the message along as to why.

Don't hold your breath that they will allow mountain biking in Garibaldi Park.

Sharon, don't you mean allow more access beyond what is currently allowed via skidder road to Elfin Lakes and the short bit from the parking lot to Cheakamus Lake?