Rail Trail Conflict Resolution Committee Update
April 2012
The Province of BC, in partnership with local and provincial representatives of KVR user groups, has initiated a conflict resolution process on the KVR between Naramata and Myra-Bellevue Provincial Park.
Early this year the Province convened a provincial-level steering committee to oversee the development and implementation of a framework to address rail trail use conflict in specific communities. The Steering Committee includes representatives of the Province’s Recreation Sites and Trails Branch, responsible for the management of large portions of the trails, representatives of Trails BC, the provincial organization representing the Trans Canada Trail, representatives of Quad Riders ATV Association of BC and a representative of the BC Off-Road Motorcycle Association.
The Provincial level Steering Committee has developed a framework for undertaking a focused, community driven process for resolving conflict. This steering committee has chosen the KVR near Naramata as the first area to employ this strategy.
The Naramata KVR Users Working Group had its first meeting on April 17, 2012. This working group is made up of motorized and non-motorized users of the KVR in the Naramata area including representatives from the South Okanagan Dirt Biking Association, Quad Riders ATV Association of B.C., Trails BC, the Naramata Woodwackers, the BC Off Road Motorcycling Association, the Penticton Area Cycling Association, the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen and Recreation Sites and Trails BC. The local working group has started to work together to identify opportunities to resolve the conflict while still meeting needs of the various users. The KVR Users Working Group will utilize the RDOS Regional Trails Master Plan as a guiding document and will further evaluate the recommendations. An opportunity for broader public input from the community will be available once specific options and potential solutions have been identified.
It is the intention of the Steering Committee to subsequently utilise the framework, once demonstrated to be successful, in other communities along the Trail.
The Working Group looks forward to collaborating with all interests to ensure the long term viability of this important local, regional, provincial and national trail.
