City of Revelstoke Environmental Advisory Committee REGULAR AGENDA. May 1, Commencing at 4:15 PM Development Services Boardroom.

Transcription

1 City of Revelstoke Environmental Advisory Committee REGULAR AGENDA May 1, Commencing at 4:15 PM Development Services Boardroom Page 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. ADOPTION OF AGENDA 3. ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES 4. BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES 5. DELEGATIONS & PRESENTATIONS 6. CORRESPONDENCE 7. OLD BUSINESS 2-27 a. Wandering Wheels Tenure Application 8. NEW BUSINESS 9. ADJOURNMENT Page 1 of 27

2 Tenure Management Plan Wandering Wheels Amendment Application February 2018 Wandering Wheels Tenure Application Page 2 of 27

3 TABLE OF CONTENTS Section A - Project Overview Section B - Project Description Background 3 Location 4 Trail Access 4 Projected Client Days and Trail Usage 5 Utilities 5 Section C - Additional Information Environmental 5 Land Impacts 5 Atmospheric Impacts 6 Aquatic Impacts 6 Fish and Wildlife Habitats 6 General Wildlife Measures 7 Invasive Plants 7 Socio-Community 8 Land-use 8 Socio-Community Conditions 9 Public Health 10 First Nations 11 Risk Management Plan 11 Contingency Plan 11 Section D - Maps General Location Map 12 Trail #1 - Mt. Cartier Trail - Map 13 Trail #2 - Joss Mountain NE Trail Map 14 McKay Creek Goat Habitat 15 Section E - Appendices Appendix A Statement from Rec. Officer Marcia Bennett 16 Appendix B Letter of Support from BC Enduro Series 17 Appendix C Letter of Support from Shred Sisters 18 Appendix D Letter of Support from Eagle Pass Heli-Skiing 19 Appendix E Letter of Support from Revelstoke Cycling Association 20 Appendix F Statement from Shuswap Trail Alliance 21 Appendix G Statement from Revelstoke Mountain Resort 22 Appendix H Statement from Selkirk Tangiers Heli-Skiing 23 Appendix I Letter to Residents at Airport Way and Cartier Rd 24 2 Wandering Wheels Tenure Application Page 3 of 27

4 Wandering Wheels - Management Plan Amendment Application Wandering Wheels shall hereinafter be referred to as WW. Section A - Project Overview WW is a small, sole proprietorship Adventure Tourism company based in Revelstoke, BC. WW has been in business for 4 years and has successfully enhanced the local mountain biking community and the mountain bike tourism market in Revelstoke by offering guided mountain bike trips and tours, lessons and skills clinics, kids camps, and shuttle services for riders of all abilities. WW has established a positive reputation as an industry leader in the mountain bike guiding and instruction sector in British Columbia. WW is currently requesting a tenure amendment to bring 2 additional trails into our License of Occupation. Section B - Project Description I. Background WW is operated by owner, Matt Yaki. WW has a small team of 1 office staff and 3-5 guides and instructors who are certified and insured to the highest of industry standards, holding all legal documentation. WW has a maximum client to guide/instructor ratio of 6 to 1. WW s operating season is April 1 to November 1, with the majority of business taking place in June through September. The 2 additionally requested trails would only be used in July, August and September. WW currently holds a Licence of Occupation for many trails in the areas of Revelstoke, Golden, South Canoe, and New Denver BC, and also holds relationships in good standing with all overlapping tenure holders as well as all cycling clubs and trail associations in the abovementioned areas. It is projected that by adding these 2 trails to our tenured inventory we will add an additional 50 to 80 client days annually. Both of these additionally requested trails were a part of WW s original tenure application, but were requested to be removed during the initial stages of the application by the Columbia-Shuswap District Wandering Wheels Tenure Application Page 4 of 27 3

5 Rec. Officer, who at the time was Ken Gibson, because they were hiking trails. Ken has since retired and Marcia Bennett is now in that role. In actual fact these trails are not hiking trails; they are shared use non-motorized trails, which are open to mountain bikes. In fact, a commercial mountain biking precedence has been set by FrontCounterBC when heli-ski operator Selkirk Tangiers applied for and was awarded a commercial tenure of the Mt. Cartier Trail (trail #1 in this application) for the purposes of guided mountain biking in WW has worked as a subcontractor of Selkirk Tangiers in the past in order to operate commercially on this trail. Aside from the abovementioned, there are no other businesses in Revelstoke offering services similar to those of WW. WW also makes every effort to not displace the public when it comes to parking areas at trailheads. On busy days, or when parking areas are getting full, WW finds suitable parking in areas further away from trailheads that do not interfere with traffic on public roads or commercial vehicles on forestry roads. II. Location WW is proposing to add 2 trails into our currently tenured trails inventory. Trail #1 - Mt. Cartier Trail - is located immediately to the South of Mt. Mackenzie and Revelstoke Mountain Resort, just outside of Revelstoke City Limits. This is an established Rec. Trail under S56 of the FRPA. Other notable stakeholders include BCTS and Selkirk Tangiers Heli-Skiing. Trail #2 - Joss Mountain NE Trail - is located to the South of Three Valley Gap, off of the Wap Creek FSR. This is an old dominion fire lookout trail which is not currently established under S56 of the FRPA. There are no known stakeholders of this trail. Both the Revelstoke Cycling Association and the Shuswap Trail Alliance claim to have some form of stake in the trail but there is nothing that is actually legally established. It is noted that this trail may be located within Splatsin First Nations land. The services that WW would offer on these trails will help to continue the growth of the adventure tourism market in Revelstoke and surrounding areas and contribute to the growth of area economy as well as providing a much needed service to help accommodate education and safety for backcountry trail users. III. Trail Access WW is proposing to access these trails via helicopter drop off. We work closely with Glacier Helicopters and Arrow Helicopters to provide this drop off service. Flight paths are included in the attached General Location Map (page 11). WW will also access these trails from the bottom trailhead using a common practice called hike-a-bike which involves hiking up the mountain while pushing or carrying bikes, and then riding back down. Wandering Wheels Tenure Application Page 5 of 27 4

6 The majority of rides on the Mt. Cartier Trail would be accessed via helicopter drop off, where the Joss Mountain Trail would be a closer split between helidrop and hike-a-bike. See projections for trail usage below. IV. Projected Client Days and Trail Usage Mt. Cartier helidrop Mt. Cartier hike-a-bike Joss Mountain helidrop Joss Mountain hike-a-bike V. Utilities No utilities other than already established and maintained roadways and trails are needed. All drinking water will be packed and brought into locations. All garbage will be packed out. Section C - Additional information I. Environmental a. Land Impacts WW will have little to no negative land impacts. WW will encourage and instruct all riders to abide by the following International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA) Rules of the Trail: 1. Ride open trails only 2. Leave no trace 3. Control your bicycle 4. Yield appropriately 5. Never scare animals 6. Plan ahead WW will undertake the following trail stewardship tasks: 1. Encourage good riding habits by educating all riders about trail usage policies and proper trail riding etiquette 2. Assist other trail users in a courteous manner 3. Collect left behind litter 4. Report safety hazards and maintenance issues to the appropriate authorities Wandering Wheels Tenure Application Page 6 of 27 5

7 5. Perform on the spot minor trail maintenance (clearing branches/debris) 6. Have a plan for emergency situations 7. Encourage all trail users to put safety first WW will make every reasonable effort to stop at appropriate locations for rests/regroups/lunch stops etc. Appropriate locations include: 1. Obvious, hardened areas and rest spots off trail 2. Cabins, benches or other manmade structures in hardened areas 3. Trail crossings at logging roads or other crossings such as ATV trails 4. Never off trail in sensitive alpine environments or forested areas By holding a maximum group size of six plus guide and by riding open trails only which are already heavily used and established mountain biking trails as well as the above stated guidelines, there should be no adverse impacts to the environment surrounding the proposed areas of use. b. Atmospheric Impacts Noise created by helicopter shuttle. c. Aquatic Impacts There should be no adverse impacts to any stream, lake, or any other body of water by WW or its clients. All drinking water will be tap water or bottled water brought into riding areas and then appropriately removed. All stream or river crossings will be on bridges or other raised crossings which are already built and in place. d. Fish and Wildlife Habitat There will be very little impact to fish or wildlife habitat as WW will obey all seasonal wildlife closures and only use trails which are already used by the public. However, each trail and access route for proposed use by WW has the potential for wildlife sightings. Black bears, grizzly bears, elk, deer, caribou, and other wildlife are known to inhabit some areas nearby the mountain biking trails for proposed use by WW. It is noted that trail #1 - Mt Cartier Trail - is located nearby a known mountain goat habitat located on the southern slopes of Mt. Mackenzie (see map section D). Our heli approach path, as outlined in attached map, will stay clear to the south of this habitat area. We will record and report any sightings. It is noted that trail #2 - Joss Mountain NE Trail - may run through an area of Grizzly Bear habitat. To our knowledge, Grizzly Bear are most active in this area during the springtime and early summer months. Generally this trail is not accessible until late July or early August due to snow melt, which will lessen the potential disturbance of sensitive Grizzly Bear habitat. Wandering Wheels Tenure Application Page 7 of 27 6

8 WW has read and understood, and will continue to adhere to the following desired behaviours as described in the Wildlife Guidelines for Backcountry Recreation/Tourism BC: 1. Record wildlife encounters, actions taken, and responses of animals. 2. Remain on established trails where they exist. 3. Obey all signs and area closures. 4. Do not harass wildlife. 5. Do not feed wildlife. 6. Do not handle wildlife. 7. Do not allow dogs to be at large and harass wildlife. 8. Pack out all garbage. 9. Yield to wildlife on trails and roads. 10. Focus activities in areas and at times of the year when wildlife are least likely to be disturbed (seasonal closures might be necessary). 11. Remain still or retreat when animals are encountered and react to your presence. 12. Stay at distances sufficient to prevent changes to the behaviour of animals (at least 100m in open areas is the default for large mammals). e. General Wildlife Measures Some of the trail networks in our plan may overlap with Ungulate Winter Ranges, home to Mountain Caribou, Mule Deer, Elk, Moose, and White-Tailed Deer. We understand that the protection and conservation of these animals is a priority, especially the endangered Mountain Caribou. Objectives: Promote healthy and diverse wildlife populations and their habitats. Protect and conserve UWR areas and the species within. WW meets these objectives by the following measures: 1. Minimize disturbance during critical periods (birthing, etc) 2. Manage the risk of interaction with wildlife 3. Maintain plant community of all seral stages 4. Remove all litter 5. No construction of new trails or roads in UWR areas f. Invasive Plants There are several known invasive plant species in the proposed tenure area. WW does its part to prevent the spread of these plants by: 1. Cleaning all bicycles between each ride and trail system 2. Staying on the trail to avoid disturbing vegetation and soil 3. Reporting all sightings of invasive plant infestations to the Columbia Shuswap Invasive Species Society (CSISS) Wandering Wheels Tenure Application Page 8 of 27 7

9 We have images and best practices for each invasive species in this region, which every guide and employee must familiarize themselves with. The full list of species: II. Socio-Community Blueweed (Echium vulgare) Burdock (Arctium spp.) Common Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) Hoary Cress (Cardaria spp.) Meadow Knapweed (Centaurea pratensis) Orange Hawkweed (Hieracium aurantiacum) Sulphur Cinquefoil (Potentilla recta) Baby's Breath (Gypsophila paniculata ) Himalayan Blackberry (Rubus armeniacus (also: Rubus discolor)) Himalayan Balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) Leafy Spurge (Euphorbia esula) Knotweeds (Polygonum spp.) Yellow Flag Iris (Iris pseudacorus) Scotch Broom (Cytisus scoparius) Dalmation Toadflax (Linarea dalmatica) a. Land Use No adverse effects of shared land use are expected in the trails proposed for use by WW. All trails, access routes, and parking areas are already in place and used by the public, for the activity of mountain biking. Both trails in the application are open to the public but continue to see very minimal use in comparison to the vast majority of trails in the area. WW will never displace access or experience of public recreation use in any way. Both trails in this application will undergo regular trail maintenance and improvements by WW and our partnering businesses as well as local community volunteers. WW already works closely with Rec. Officer Marcia Bennett to promote sustainable trail use including maintenance and improvements. WW has a proven track record of organizing trail maintenance days and successful fundraising events which go directly towards trail maintenance and improvements. We always ensure to give back to the trails we ride. WW will perform regular trail inspections to identify any erosion, drainage, and safety issues which may arise due to increased trail use. Each year WW will organize a minimum of 2 general maintenance days with worker groups of 6 to 10 people (volunteers and/or employees) to address these issues. This maintenance and improvement effort will only grow in the future as use increases. Wandering Wheels Tenure Application Page 9 of 27 8

10 WW will also ensure to avoid using the trails in times of excessively wet weather or any other conditions which may cause excess damage to the trail over and above the regular impact of mountain bike riding. WW acknowledges the fact that other resource tenures may overlap the proposed areas of interest and that coordinating access and activities with other tenure holders may be required. Overlapping stakeholders include, but may not be limited to: Trail #1 - Mt. Cartier Trail BCTS - There are currently no developed FSR access points to this trail and it is mostly located in an area of little value for harvesting, including tight valleys and steep terrain, which is not likely to be of interest for BCTS harvesting. Selkirk Tangiers Heli-Skiing (STHS) - As previously stated, STHS was awarded a commercial tenure for this trail in 2015, setting a precedence for commercial mountain biking. WW believes there is room for both companies to be allowed tenure and to co-operate on this trail. o WW has a proven track record of working co-operatively with STHS for mountain operations as well as maintaining and improving the trail by coordinating annual trail maintenance projects. o WW will maintain a relationship in good standing with STHS to ensure open communications regarding the use of this trail. o During operating times when both companies are actively using the Mt. Cartier Trail, WW will always notify STHS in advance of using the trail. WW will release all information regarding group size and approximate time of use. Any winter tenure holders for this area, such as Revelstoke Mountain Resort, will not be affected whatsoever. Trail #2 - Joss Mtn NE Trail No known stakeholders aside from Splatsin First Nations Band Both the Revelstoke Cycling Association and the Shuswap Trail Alliance claim to have some form of stake in the trail but there is nothing legally established. Any winter tenure holders for this area such as Eagle Pass Heli-Skiing, will not be affected whatsoever. b. Socio-Community Conditions The flight path used by WW to access trail #1 - Mt. Cartier, has been chosen to minimize any noise impacts to residents in the area near the base of Mt. Cartier on Airport Rd. Our main flight path from the Glacier Helicopters hangar, which is located 5km west of Revelstoke, will put the helicopter at an elevation approximately 4000 feet above ground level when flying over this small Wandering Wheels Tenure Application Page 10 of 27 9

11 residential area, helping to eliminate any potential noise issues. As well, WW will only operate flights within the hours of 9am to 3pm. The residents of 4496, 4456, 4418, 4441, 4350, 4202, 4070, and 4050 Airport Way, as well as 4450, 4401, and 4447 Cartier Rd. have been identified as having the most potential for noise impact. A general referral letter has been mailed to all of the above addresses. This letter can be found below as Appendix I. The services offered by WW will have no negative affect or influence on existing community services or infrastructure. There are currently no community services offered which are similar to that of WW's offerings. In fact, WW has a positive effect on community based programs such as the annual Revelstoke Bike-Fest, and Revelstoke Cycling Association community events through donated use of WW shuttle services and/or guiding services. Infrastructure will not be affected as WW only uses already established trails, roadways and parking areas. The public recreational experience and public use of these trails will not be affected whatsoever. Wandering Wheels runs only small guided groups and is always friendly and courteous to public trail users. c. Public Health WW will have no negative effect on public health. WW will always pack out what we pack in, as well as removing any other litter found in the area. WW will not pollute nor affect any water source in any way. The fact that WW offers only day trips from town, there will be no need to remove sewage or human waste from any area proposed for use by WW. Public health and client safety is always our number one priority. These trails are challenging, technical, and steep, black diamond rated trails, located in a big-mountain backcountry environment. All WW guided groups will be led by an experienced, certified, and professional guide who rides in control at all times, always looking far enough down the trail in order to see any other trail users coming up, and come to a controlled and comfortable stop allowing for safe and courteous passing at all times. All groups will have a designated sweep rider who will be given a radio to keep in contact with guides should any situation arise. All guests of WW are required to read and understand the skill and fitness level ratings found at and to sign off as possessing a minimum rating of 4 Skill and 3 Fitness in order to ride these trails. WW also ensures to verbally and visually communicate the difficulty level of the trail and the surrounding mountain environment to all guests prior to booking. Wandering Wheels Tenure Application Page 11 of 27 10

12 Any guests in question of possessing the skills to safely ride these trails will be required to undergo a comprehensive riding test at nearby Boulder or MacPherson singletrack trails prior to embarking up the trail or boarding the helicopter. In addition to the abovementioned safety requirements for our guests, WW will also contribute to the safety of the general public who are also using the trails by having an experienced and certified guide and first-aid attendant on the mountain equipped with appropriate communications and emergency response plans. The majority of our heli-accessed tours will depart from the heli hanger mid to late morning (11:15am), after the vast majority of public trail users have already flown up and started their decent. Our guide and guided group will therefore essentially act as a sweep for any riders already on the mountain. We will be able to help with any mechanical or safety issues and help to organize or initiate emergency response plans. d. First Nations No contact with First Nations officials has been made regarding this application. III. Risk Management Plan A Risk Management Plan has been prepared by WW and is available for review upon agency request. WW Risk Management Plan includes client pre-screening, evacuation procedures with maps for potential incidents and accidents as well as information on the nearest and most relevantly equipped evacuation destinations such as clinics, hospitals, or first aid stations as well as their hours of operation and complete list of medical services offered. WW will use two way radios and cell phones for communications between guides and drivers. Spare cell phones will be carried as well as a satellite phone for emergency calls in areas with no cellular coverage. IV. Contingency Plan WW acknowledges the fact that other types of resource-based activities may overlap with the proposed areas of use by WW. WW will always be courteous to other land users and will always obey trail closures for any other activities, such as club use for group rides or sanctioned races, trail maintenance or trail building, logging activities, etc. WW has a solid history of supporting such events and will continue to do so. Section D - Maps Wandering Wheels Tenure Application Page 12 of 27 11

13 Wandering Wheels Tenure Application Page 13 of 27 12

14 Wandering Wheels Tenure Application Page 14 of 27 13

15 Wandering Wheels Tenure Application Page 15 of 27 14

16 Wandering Wheels Tenure Application Page 16 of 27 15

17 Section E Appendix A 16 Wandering Wheels Tenure Application Page 17 of 27

18 Appendix B 17 Wandering Wheels Tenure Application Page 18 of 27

19 Appendix C 18 Wandering Wheels Tenure Application Page 19 of 27

20 Appendix D 19 Wandering Wheels Tenure Application Page 20 of 27

21 Appendix E 20 Wandering Wheels Tenure Application Page 21 of 27

22 Appendix F 21 Wandering Wheels Tenure Application Page 22 of 27

23 Appendix G 22 Wandering Wheels Tenure Application Page 23 of 27

24 Appendix H 23 Wandering Wheels Tenure Application Page 24 of 27

25 Appendix I 24 Wandering Wheels Tenure Application Page 25 of 27

26 City of Revelstoke Council Report File No.: To: His Worship Mayor McKee and Members of City Council From: Nicole Fricot, Director of Community Economic Development Date: March 19, 2018 Subject: Referral for Wandering Wheels Tenure Amendment Application RECOMMENDATIONS: THAT the Wandering Wheels Tenure Amendment Application, dated February 13, 2018, referred by the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development to the City of Revelstoke, be referred to the Environmental Committee and the Economic Development Commission for review and comment. CAO Comments: Approved for Council consideration. AC Background: On March 1, 2018 the City received a referral for review and comment on an amended tenure application from Wandering Wheels to the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development (See attachment I) 1. Wandering Wheels application is to request two additional trails be added to their tenure: The Mt. Cartier Trail and the Joss Mountain Trail. Mt. Cartier Trail is located immediately to the South of Mt. Mackenzie and Revelstoke Mountain Resort, just outside of Revelstoke City Limits. Currently, Selkirk Tangiers has a commercial tenure for the Mt. Cartier trail for the purposes of guided mountain biking. Joss Mountain Trail is located to the South of Three Valley Gap off of the Wap Creek Forestry Service Road. Wandering Wheels is a small Adventure Tourism Company based in Revelstoke, BC that provides guided mountain bike trips and tours, lessons and bike camps for riders of all abilities. Wandering Wheels currently holds a Licence of Occupation for many trails in the Revelstoke area. Options / discussion: There are potential economic, social and environmental effects of increased summer helicopter 1 The City did not receive the original tenure application submitted to the Province by Wandering Wheels. Wandering Wheels Tenure Application Page 26 of 27

27 City of Revelstoke Council Report activities on the Mt. Cartier Trail and Joss Mountain Trail that need to be considered when reviewing Wandering Wheels application. The potential for increased employment activity, impact on noise levels, impact on community users and effects on local wildlife are just some of the impacts that need to be considered. Staff recommends that Wandering Wheels tenure application be referred to the Environmental Committee and the Economic Development Commission for review and comment. Financial / Risk Implications: There is little financial or risk implications to the City from having the Environmental Committee or the Economic Development Commission review and comment on Wandering Wheels tenure application. Strategic Plan Reference: This initiative is consistent with the 2016 Council Goals and Objectives: 2. Planning for the Future The City of Revelstoke will ensure that City services encourage and support community vision towards development for the future. 4. Economic Development and Business Support The City of Revelstoke will take initiatives to attract, promote and support economic development. Others Consulted: Provincial Government Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development Director of Engineering Director of Development Services Attachments: Wandering Wheels Tenure Management Plan Amendment Application (February 2018) Respectfully submitted, Nicole Fricot, Director of Community Economic Development Wandering Wheels Tenure Application Page 27 of 27