Challenges to Ongoing Access to Riding Areas
We’re fortunate to live in beautiful British Columbia as we have access to some of the best backcountry riding anywhere. Unfortunately our continued access isn’t assured, more people are enjoying a myriad of outdoor recreational pursuits placing increased pressure on the environment we all treasure.
Quad Riders ATV Association of BC on Caribou Recovery
The Quad Riders ATV Association of BC (ATVBC) supports requests by local governments and key stakeholders in the Peace River Regional District for planned consultation sessions with local and regional government, industry, recreationalists and other stakeholders in the region that may be impacted by the Caribou Recovery Program.
ATVBC also supports the 2018 UBCM Resolution brought forth by the Peace River Regional District and endorsed by UBCM, requesting that the provincial government consider the impact of actions proposed to assist with the recovery of the Southern Mountain Caribou.
ATVBC continues to be an advocate for environmentally responsible riding and is working collaboratively with other trail user groups to protect trail access. ATVBC supports reasonable, evidence based caribou recovery efforts developed through consultation with all relevant stakeholders.
ATVBC letter to Premier Horgan
Sign #Stop the Closure Concerned Citizens for Caribou Recovery Petition
Concerned Citizens for Caribou Recovery Petition – click to sign
Resources – Access closures due to caribou recovery programs
- Concerned Citizens for Caribou Recovery #stoptheclosure FB page: https://www.facebook.com/stoptheclosure/
- Caribou continue to decline as provinces fail to meet protection deadline (Oct 2017) https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/boreal-caribou-province-deadline-1.4380050
- Ottawa Orders BC to save threatened Caribou (May 2018) https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/british-columbia/article-ottawa-orders-bc-to-act-to-save-threatened-caribou/
- UBCM Update from provincial officials Nov 28, 2018 https://www.ubcm.ca/convention-resolutions/resolutions/resolutions-database/southern-mountain-caribou/
Related documents
- SARA Section 11 Conservation Agreement – Southern Mountain Caribou- November 2017
- Press Briefing: Overview of the Status of Provincial Boreal Caribou Protection – May 1, 2018
- Joint Statement: Canadian Government’s First Long-Awaited Critical Habitat Progress Report Shows Caribou Habitat Unprotected
- British Columbia Snowmobile Federation Caribou Update – December 2018
- British Columbia Snowmobile Federation Caribou Update – December 21, 2018
- BC Wildlife Federation North East Caribou Update – December 14, 2018
- Ecojustice Southern Mountain Caribou letter – November 2018
- Environment Canada Imminent Threat Assessment for Southern Mountain Caribou
- Briefing Note: Conservation Agreement for BC Southern Mountain Caribou by Louisana Pacific, Conifex, West Fraser and Canfor
What do you do when you see this? Report it!
The Joss Tsuius Mabel Mountain area was open to ATV activity but is now closed. Ride responsibly!
We all know this isn’t right, this trail in the alpine is in the now closed Joss-Tsuius-Mabel Mountain area (see below). Years ago the trail was a responsible trail, just wide enough for an ATV or pickup but over the years the trail has become a muddy disgrace.
ATV Club Members – Respectful Riders
As members of an ATV Club you’re likely not the cause of the problem, the vast majority of our club members understand the rules and respect others and the areas we ride. There are a number of things that you can do every time you ride to help keep riding areas open including:
- don’t ride in closed areas
- stay on the trail
- respect other trail users and neighbours
- be mindful that you are making noise, keep it to a minimum
- ensure you’re not transporting noxious weeds from one area to another
- stay clear of wildlife
- ride safely and look out for others
Stay on the Trail or Stay Home!
One of the key principles of protecting our riding areas is to always stay on the trail. If there is a tree across the trail you cut it, you don’t ride around. If the puddle looks deep you either ride through it or turn around, you don’t ride around. If you’re out riding and you see people damaging the environment get a photo (if you can safely do so) so you can report the offender. ATV Clubs supported the implementation of license plates so we could have a way of identifying problem makers.
Hidden cameras
Conservation and forestry are employing more hidden cameras to catch idiots but the reality is we need to police ourselves or we’ll be shut out of more riding areas.