• Amenities, activities, dining, shopping, variety, trails
• Improves physical and mental health, lifestyle, connecting with family / friends
• Community benefits such as identity, bonding, vibrancy, culture, nightlife, dining, services
• Appreciation and awareness of nature / environment
The 149 Area A rural residents also provided comments on particular places within Area A front / back-country where they felt there were needs and / or challenges / issues related to increased recreation and / or tourism activity. The top responses were:
• Area trails / trailheads related to amenities, garbage & human waste, maintenance, camping, parking, washrooms, access / roads, safety, wildlife pressure / conflicts, signage, education, enforcement, trails / areas for certain activities: o Within RDEK Area A boundary, most commented locations: § Ammonite Fossil / Coal Creek Drainage § Heiko’ s / 3 Sisters( also lies partially in Area C backcountry) § Josephine Falls § Grave Lake / Round Prairie § Snowmobile Staging Areas o Within RDEK Area B boundary: § Silver Springs
DRAFT
• Elk River, related to multi-use( fish, boat, paddle, tube): o Access improvements( launches, parking) o Amenity improvements( garbage, washrooms) o Education / Safety( signage, communications) o Additional boat launches
• Round Prairie / Camping: o Illegal short-term and seasonal camping, including worker / non-tourism squatters( Round
Prairie / up to Elk Lakes / Along Elk River / Coal Creek) o Restrictions / rules / common sense not being followed ie) campfires, garbage, human waste, impact on environment / access( related to crown, private land) o Lack of availability- everywhere
• Roads: o Speeding, Signage, Road maintenance / safety( grading, width, dust control, snow / ice)
§ Hartley, Coal Creek, Cokato, Silver Springs
• 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?
• Koocanusa: o Local access limits
• Off-road vehicles o Lack of rules / awareness, uncontrolled, damage, using non-motorized trails o AB closed off its bush roads, now they come here, bad behaviour – no rules, enforcement
The 149 Area A rural residents also provided comments on the top 3 priorities / actions for the RDEK Area A
Sustainable Tourism Project to consider. The top responses were: 1. Install / improve amenities( washrooms, bear proof waste bins, parking, camping sites, access) 2. Road safety / signage
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