The draft Garibaldi Park master plan amendment for the Spearhead/Whistler/Blackcomb area of the park is now available at http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/planning/mgmtplns/garibaldi/garibaldi_mp.html Note: deadline for comments is January 10, 2013.
Unfortunately, it doesn't look like heli-skiing will be going away in the park. How does this impact the hut proposal?
At the FMCBC Southwest Recreation and Conservation Committee on November 19, this was discussed. It was noted that the public came out 68% against heli-skiing in the park, but the amendment allows heli-skiing to continue because it states that it is a benefit to the economy and for safety.
January 10 is the deadline for comments on the proposed amendments. The committee will be submitting its concerns; it would be great to hear what BCMC club members have to say as well!
I have some personal issues with the proposed amendments, expecially regarding continued heli-skiing:
1) Heli-skiing near whistler takes place both within and outside of the park. If heli-skiing was removed from the park, what percentage of the total Whistler heli-skiing are we really talking about. My understanding is that the Heli-skiing tenure near whistler is very large and that the Spearhead portion is a very small portion. Without more data, I find it difficult to accept the argument of economic hardship should heli-skiing be removed from the Spearhead.
2) The spearhead has potential to become a world-class ski tour, in a category of its own like the Haute Route in Europe. Heli-skiing is not allowed in Europe for obvious reasons of user conflict. What makes the Spearhead so different that Parks would believe that user conflict can be managed as the touring traffic in the spearhead continues to increase? What happens if user conflict does in fact become unmanageable, but that both ski touring and heli-skiing are entrenched users in the parks master plan? As all non-motorized users can attest, motorized access by helicopter takes away a significant portion of the enjoyment of being in the backcountry. Garibaldi Park is one of the last bastions near Vancouver where non-motorized access can be protected, but continuation of heli-skiing in the Spearhead is in direct violation of this ideal.
3) The draft amendment makes a reference that hut location mayneed to take into consideration heli-skiing interests. It looks to me like the tail may be wagging the dog! Why should heli-skiing considerations affect the location of ski touring huts? Isn't it hard enough to find the right location for the huts given all environmental and touring requirements without having to accommodate the needs of a highly mobile, motorized user?
4) Finally, I don't understand how one can justify heli-skiing in the spearhead, regardless of user conflict, but in the same document turn down mountain biking in the same limited portion of the park, based on user conflict and cost of trails. In my experience, user conflict with mountain bikes can be managed, just as it is done in many parts of Colorado, Utah, Oregon, and other states. As for the argument that trails would be costly to build and maintain, how is that consistent with authorizing construction of huts which will be more costly to build and maintain (and are not funded yet either).
I understand that Parks is in a difficult position to respond to increasing pressure from competing user bases. I think, however, that the rationale needs to be more consistent with the goals of a Park in preserving a wilderness environment, and managing user conflict.
Club Members should consider submitting their views to Parks as part of the Review Process.
Note that these are my personal views and do not represent the views of the BCMC or its executive.
Time is running out if you wish to comment on the draft plan. They may not listen to you if you comment, but they definitely will ignore you if you don't comment.
http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/planning/mgmtplns/garibaldi/garibaldi_mp.html
John Baldwin's comments served as a model for my response and are worth reading, even if you don't agree with him (I do).
How about this?
Below is what you submitted on 2012 12 31, at 17:40:47
q3a-section6-2-1-support: I support trail building for hikers and wheelchair users in the park. There should be public parking that is physically separate from Whistler-Blackcomb so that park users are not harassed by company employees and not threatened with out of control ATV users. I would like to see a paved, wheelchair accessible trail up Fitzsimmons Creek that goes to a hut destination where there would be tea service such as at St Agnes in Banff National Park. I would like to see more trails suitable for families with young children.
q4a-section6-2-3-support: I strongly support mountain bike trails in the park. I would like to see an alpine bike trail around the Spearhead Range and valley bottom trails that connect to it.
q5a-section6-2-4-support: I would like to see beer and food served in the huts and packed lunches. The only thing I should have to carry is a sleeping bag. The huts should be heated like in Kokanee Provincial Park.
q5b-section6-2-4-do-not-support: I do not support minimalist hut accomodations. I think there should be large patios as in the European huts where guests can relax over a beer and enjoy the surroundings.
q6a-section6-2-5-support: I support continuation of the heliskiing licences within the park. It will make for less pressure on surrounding non-park areas.
q8nearestTownCity: Vancouver
representation: Individual
If someone would like to submit a comment on the plan:
Your submissions must be received by January 10, 2013
You have an opportunity to provide input on the proposed Garibaldi Management Plan amendment by:
November 26, 2012, 4-7 PM (Vancouver) UBC Robson Square, Room: C-150
December 6, 2012, 4-7 PM (Whistler) Whistler Conference Centre, Room: Garibaldi A
Jennie Aikman, Regional Planner
BC Parks
PO Box 3010 Cultus Lake, BC, V2R 5H6
Phone: (604) 824-2316
Fax: (604) 858-4905
Email: Jennie.Aikman@gov.bc.ca