The Voice of BC Snowmobilers

THE RESPONSIBLE RECREATIONAL SNOWMOBILER IN THE BRITISH COLUMBIA BACKCOUNTRY

With the ever increasing demand on the backcountry resources in British Columbia it becomes ever more apparent that the Recreational Snowmobiler has come under more scrutiny, and is being subjected to more rules and regulations and restrictions, as each season passes.

Our backcountry resources are used in many ways, and by numerous groups. Some of these groups or organizations remove some of the natural resources in the form of timber, mineral and coal deposits, oil and gas, to name a few. During this process roads are constructed for this commercial development. The landscape is visually and ecologically changed, and in some cases, leaving scars which may last for years.

Other users such as out of province and out of country environmentalists are buying up large tracts of land in the name of conservation, (I.e. The proposed rehabilitation and preservation of the Y2Y corridor), when in reality they wish to exclude all human encroachment into these wilderness areas. The same may be said of a number of our provincial environmental organizations as well, with regard to "keeping humans out of the backcountry environmental mix"!

There are many other forms of backcountry recreation such as commercial ski operations that develop large properties, and in the process, construct large communities, ski lifts and commercial accommodations which have a direct impact on the land and the surrounding environment. The commercial heli and cat ski operators are also involved in development in our wilderness areas, albeit on a smaller scale, in the form of constructing backcountry lodges, etc. to accommodate their clientele.

Summer motorized users; the responsible 4 wheel drive enthusiasts, quadders and dirt bikers are much more prone to leaving some form of evidence of their travel in the backcountry due to the nature of their equipment and the terrain they travel over.

Snowmobilers on the other hand don't build roads, nor do they remove resources or build commercial accommodations or play areas. They do not buy property with the intent to keep everyone else out, or make application to government for exclusive rights to public lands. Nor do they leave evidence of their travel as most snowmobilers take nothing but pictures and leave nothing but tracks, which when the snow is gone, leave no evidence that they were ever there!

The organized snowmobile community promotes responsible use of our backcountry resources, promotes good stewardship and behaviour with respect to other users, promotes and supports the protection of wildlife, provides educational material such as local area maps, avalanche awareness and safety programs, and yet, WE ARE THE GROUP MOST SCRUTINIZED AND CRITISIZED!!!!!!!

Unfortunately, with the conditions encountered during this snowmobile season there was a great deal of avalanche activity in the backcountry which resulted in the loss of life to a number in the snowmobile community which has saddened and affected us all. This type of loss is not precedent setting, as it has happened in the past within the backcountry ski community, but in many cases we believe it is avoidable. We can only hope that valuable lessons have been learned and that we won't see reoccurrences in future years. We are all aware of the fact that there are risks associated with many forms of backcountry recreation, and we in the snowmobile community are all committed to continue the development of our safety and training programs to deliver sound and understandable messages to backcountry recreasonists to aid in reducing these risks. We don't need to refrain from our enjoyment of our backcountry resources, but simply ensure we properly manage the risks involved.

It is imperative that the organized recreational snowmobile community be heard at every opportunity, and that WHO AND WHAT we are is clearly spelled out to all concerned.

WE ARE NOT IRRESPONSIBLE, NOR ARE WE THE ENEMY, AS SOME VERY MISSINFORMED INDIVIDUALS TRY TO REPRESENT in promoting their own agendas!!!!!

Responsible scrutiny of the use of our backcountry resources is definitely necessary, but it must be fair and equitable, and can be accomplished without added regulations being imposed on the recreational snowmobile community.

The Association of British Columbia Snowmobile Clubs

Box 48

Valemount, BC,

V0E 2Z0