o Restrictions / rules / common sense not being followed ie) campfires, garbage, human waste, impact on environment / access( related to crown, private land)
• Logging: o User clash on roads with logging trucks o Private ownership, lack of logging rules o Clear cuts / logging impacting viewscapes, recreational assets and access, waterways, environmental and wildlife o Replanting obligations?
• Backcountry / Forest Service roads( ie Hartley, Coal Creek): o Speeding o Road maintenance / safety( grading, width, dust control, snow / ice)
• Off-road vehicles o Lack of rules / awareness, uncontrolled, damage, using non-motorized trails
• Housing o Access, availability, affordability
The Area A / Elk Valley residents also provided comments on the top 3 priorities / actions for the RDEK Area A
Sustainable Tourism Project to consider in your immediate area. The top responses were: 1. Install amenities( washrooms, bear proof waste bins) 2. Address high use by expanding trail system, camping sites, parking areas, and improving access. 3. Manage volume through a user-pay system and more monitoring / enforcement 4. Increase respect / etiquette through education, communications, signage
DRAFT
The Area A / Elk Valley residents also provided comments on the top 3 priorities / actions for the RDEK Area A
Sustainable Tourism Project to consider in the Elk Valley. The top responses were: 1. Add and improve amenities / facilities / clean-up 2. Personal responsibility / communication of values 3. Funding to support needs( fees, govt, user-pay program) 4. Enforcement of rules, heavier fines 5. Road safety 6. Protect wildlife, water quality and green spaces 7. Increase designated camping options, user-pay 8. Expand / improve trail system 9. More sustainable logging practices
The Area A / Elk Valley residents also provided comments on the most simple, fast and cost-effective actions to consider. The top responses were:
• Signage, communications, education
• Amenities
• Enforcement / monitoring
• Create / expand / upgrade official camping areas
• Fee collection for trail use, camping, motorized trail use
• Protect the environment( flora / fauna)
Some final / official comments by respondents:
• Locals can’ t pick up the tab for management
• The valley is a gem that needs to be shared
• More people to enforce the laws
• Tourism is important to the economy of the valley. However so is the affordability of living here for local residents. Tourism should not be prioritised over livability.
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