Area A NGO Survey top challenges of tourism to your NGO / Group:
• Human / wildlife conflicts
• Backcountry closures due to increased use or poor user behaviours
• Limited capacity / amenities / support to meet demand and address needs
• Lack of funding, support, collaboration, enforcement as demand and usage increases
Area A NGO Survey top locations in Area A where there are needs / challenges related to tourism and recreation:
• Elk River access points – facilities, education, safety, signage,
• Silver Springs- facilities, education, safety, signage
• Trails in generals in relation to maintenance, user education, safety, trail etiquette, camping issues, facilities( garbage / toilets), wildlife conflict, access, road improvements – impact on environment / wildlife o Heikos, Silver Springs, Coal Creek, etc
• Winter recreation areas, motorized – more education / safety / proper behaviour, wildlife conflicts
• Koocanusa closures effecting local use
• More accommodations needed in Sparwood / Elkford
• All recreational areas need more COs
Area A NGO Survey top priorities / actions for the Project to consider?
• Balancing tourism / recreation with ecological
DRAFT
values( protecting natural environment, wildlife)
• More funding and support for trail maintenance, trail and river access points, education / enforcement
• More collaboration between all stakeholders to support sustainable tourism and recreation opportunities and challenges together( Govt, user groups, residents, NGOs, First Nations, etc)
• Safety and education of users( water, land, wildlife, mapping)
• Improve Infrastructure & Amenities( washrooms, access, roads, parking, garbage, accessibility, other recreational activities)
• Improved data, tracking, surveying to inform decisions
• Government needs to step up – local, regional, provincial, federal
10 years from now tourism / recreation should be:
• Sustainable / responsible, net-positive impacts, contributing to the ecological and community health of the area
• Balanced / Carefully Managed( e. g., growth)
• Accessible, Affordable
• Community-oriented
• Enjoyable, embraced
SECTION 5- RDEK‘ AREA B’ RESIDENT SURVEY – 203 participants
Area B was included in the engagement process since there are key natural assets within Area B visited by local recreationalists and visitors associated with Area A and Fernie, such as Silver Springs and Koocanusa.
About the respondents:
• 61 % lived in Area B full time versus seasonally or part-time( ie 2 nd home owner).
• 40 % live in Elko / Baynes Lake area, 48 % in Jaffray area, 13 % in Grasmere / Newgate area
• 74 % were 51 years or older and 18 % were between 41 – 50 years of age.
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