Survey Question: The benefits of tourism in an around the RDEK outweigh the negative impacts:
Area B residents also provided comments on what types of benefits they observe or receive associated with recreation and tourism in the area. The top responses were:
• Economic benefits – Small business sustainability, employment, diversification
• No benefits
• Greater access to activities and trails
• Increased tax base for services, hospitals, schools, infrastructure
• We have enough to share
Area B residents also provided comments on particular places within Area B 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:
Specific Locations:
• Silver Springs
• Koocanusa – multiple areas
• Rosen Lake
• Burton Lake
• Elko
• Tie Lake
Issues / Challenges / Needs:
• Overuse / misuse of crown land. Illegal / random camping. Lake of monitoring / enforcement
• Garbage and human waste
• Lack of washrooms and parking
• Improved access
• Danger / user clash on roads with logging trucks
• Multi-user / activity clashes
• User-pay system
• Safety / etiquette / respect – roads, trails, user behaviour, boating behaviour / lack of rules, driving speeds, unleashed dogs, off-road vehicles, education
• Lake water quality for swimming
• Elk River access
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