South Okanagan Off Road Vehicle (ORV) Open Houses – Discussion SummaryDRAFTv1.1

May 12, 2015

The Thompson Okanagan Ecosystems Section of the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations hosted public forums to identify concerns regarding off road vehicle (ORV) use on sensitive grasslands near Oliver Mountain and the Osoyoos West Bench area in the South Okanagan area of BC. These forums were well attended, with approximately 90 people turning out in Osoyoos on March 11, 2015 and 120 people in Oliver the following night.

Participant surveys were provided to the meeting attendees. Results from the survey as well as a summary of the survey results will be posted on the website:

The following is a summary of the questions posed at the meeting, and answers from the Thompson Okanagan Ecosystems staff. (Note: over the two sessions there were almost 100 questions asked) Below is a summary of questions and responses to provide more clarity regarding inquiries and concerns raised during the open houses. The questions have been grouped into general information questions,Osoyoos specific questions and Oliver specific questions.

General Information:

  1. Question: What is the Provincial over-arching goal for ORV use in the South Okanagan?

Answer: to identify ORV opportunities that minimize the impacts of ORV use on the sensitive species and ecosystems of the area.

  1. Question: Why has ORV use in these South Okanagan areas been identified as a concern?

Answer: lower elevation grasslands provide habitat for a variety of rare species and ecosystems, and most are extremely sensitive to disturbance. Increased ORV use has become an increasing concern to Provincial agencies.

  1. Question: is your intent to ‘shut down’ ORV use in the South Okanagan?

Answer: the Province intends to direct ORV use to existing sanctioned areas or areas where the impacts will less severe. This could include some closures of trails or sites.

  1. Question: What planning has gone into the government considerations, and is it adequate to move forward?

Answer: there was strategic level plan (Okanagan Shuswap Land and Resource Management Plan - LRMP) that resulted in broad land use zoning and objectives. Provincial agencies continue to use the LRMP to provide guidance in resolving land use issues.

  1. Question: how has the public been involved to date in ORV discussions, and how will they be involved in the future?

Answer: the public, via sector representatives, was involved during the LRMP discussions. Agencies have used their stakeholder networks to initiate discussions with the public. These forums are being used to identify contacts from the various interest groups, to engage in further discussions.

  1. Question: rare species still appear to be using these areas, can it be demonstrated that ORV use is really impacting these areas?

Answer: unconstrained ORV use has been identified by the scientific community as being a real threat to maintaining the suitability of an area for many wildlife species. Combined with the sensitivity of grassland ecosystems to disturbance and the timing of use, ORV is considered to be a significant impact to the identified areas.

  1. Question: Current legislation does not restrict ORV use in these areas, why are changes to our existing use patterns being suggested?

Answer: Provincial legislation is continually evolving, with further requirements [regarding ORV registration] coming in June 2015. Existing legislation prohibits causing ‘environmental damage’, and additional requirements can be brought in to force where needed. The Province has opted for voluntary stewardship, which promotes education and the use of ‘best practices’ as the foundation for users to control their own actions. One of the cornerstones to ORV best practices is the avoidance of sensitive sites, such as grasslands.

  1. Question: do you plan on following up on these sessions with further actions?

Answer: the immediate next steps will be to place signs at strategic points to ensure that ORV users using these areas are aware of the concerns, best practices for ORV use and the ORV sanctioned sites. This will be followed by information being posted on local web sites, including key information from these meetings, and further media releases through local outlets. We will also seek public input regarding preferred ORV routes, potential ORV alternate sites, or other suggestions. The final phase will be to monitor use to determine the success of our recent outreach efforts.

  1. Question: How can the public help?

Answer: The public will be key to meeting the Provincial goal. The public is encouraged to promote ORV best practices to their fellow riders, encourage the use of ORV sanctioned areas, work internally to identify individuals to represent their collective interests, and be willing to work towards solutions.

Osoyoos Specific Questions:

  1. Question: Will there be an opportunity to maintain anORV trail network on the Osoyoos West Bench area?

Answer: Ecosystems staff would like to work with representatives of ORV users to identify trails where impacts to species and ecosystems will be minimized and to determine if and where ORV trails are feasible.

  1. Question: why are there already existing signs in place that indicate that ORV use must not go off marked trails?

Answer: these signs occur within the South Okanagan Grasslands Protected Area which is managed by BC Parks. It is illegal to use any motorized vehicles within the protected area, unless on a designated trail or road. The Protected Area was established in 2002, and includes several ORV designated trails/roads.

  1. Question: we ride this area frequently and would like to assist in the proper management of the area. What can we do to help?

Answer: In the immediate term, encourage others to stay on the existing trails. In the mid-term, work with folks you know, or use the area, to identify the key ORV trails being used and make that information known to Ecosystems staff. If possible, establish group representatives to allow for further discussions with agency staff, which would include monitoring.

Oliver Specific Information:

  1. Question: will it be possible to meet the intent of the LRMP and provide for ORV use in the Oliver Mtn. area?

Answer: ongoing ORV use will maintain the level of habitat/ecosystem degradation, and perhaps see damage increase over time. Limiting the type or location of use in the Oliver Mtn. area would appear to favour one user group over another. Identifying alternatives for all types users may be the best approach for all interests.

  1. Question: the amount and type of ORV has increased in the last 10 years. Do you think you will be able to find an alternate site to meet the needs of all the motorized user types?

Answer: To date finding an alternate site has been very difficult, and finding one that accommodates all interests may be even more difficult. Our original intent was to meet the LRMP direction of finding an alternate site for a ‘motocross track’. We will now be exploring opportunities to meet the LRMP direction, and present alternate sites or options for other types of ORV use.

  1. Question: Is it possible to have local clubs who want to be involved, be involved in the monitoring?

Answer: We have not finalized a monitoring strategy, but do see an opportunity for the public to be involved in certain aspects. This will require that contact names of those interested be provided to Ecosystems staff.

  1. Question: Is there baseline data of ORV use in the Oliver Mt. area?

Answer: There is anecdotal information on ORV use at Oliver Mt. for the past decade, and this season there are vehicle counters installed at the site.

  1. Question: An area near Sawmill Lake has been identified as potential ORV use area. Has the historical and ecological use of that area been considered? Aren’t there similar values to Oliver Mt. there?

Answer: There is evidence of an increasing level of ORV use at the proposed area near Sawmill Lake. We have done some preliminary conservation assessments of the proposed alternate site. However, not to the degree as those that have occurred at Oliver Mt. The values are similar; however the extent of the rare plant communities is much less at the proposed site near Sawmill Lake than at Oliver Mt.

  1. Question: Were any user groups involved in the 2013 search for proposed alternate ORV sites?

Answer: Local moto-cross riders, as well as ranching and environmental interests were involved in discussions regarding alternate sites.

  1. What stakeholders were involved in this plan? What is making the decision to close these areas?

Answer: There has been no decision to close the area. The Okanagan Shuswap Land and Resource Management Plan (OSLRMP) recommended the Oliver Mt. area as a protected area. The OSLRMP included over 40 stakeholder groups, representing a variety of interests including recreational, wildlife, forestry, ranching and local and senior levels of government.

Further Contact Information:

Please email Grant Furness if you want to be included in further discussions regarding motorized use at Oliver Mountain and potential ORV alternate sites, or would like to participate in monitoring use of the area. Please contact:

Given the anticipated numbers of public to be involved, we request that provide the following information:

  • Area of Concern (Oliver Mountain Area or Osoyoos West Bench Area)
  • Type of Riding Experience (moto-cross, Quad, trail riding, etc)
  • Who you are representing, or could represent (e.g. club or group of individuals)
  • Contact information (email preferred)

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