By David Savage

Despite many challenges, a lack of funding and judgments from the outside, a group of 19 continues to commit themselves to a daunting task.

On the evening of September 10, the Columbia Valley Recreational Access Council (CVRAC) spent close to four hours as volunteers working toward a shared and balanced recommendation to the province on land access in the area surrounding Invermere.

According to its Terms of Reference, “the CVRAC will work towards the development and implementation of a collaborative and cooperative Columbia Valley Recreational Access and Use Plan that is based on preserving and enhancing ecological values of the area and to identify ‘best practices’ for recreational use in the backcountry and front country.”

The 19 participants attending the latest session come from their ‘day jobs’ with diverse perspectives including the Columbia Valley Hut Society, Ktunaxa First Nations, Windermere District Farmers Institute, the Regional District of the East Kootenay, Wildsight, Nipika Mountain Resort, District of Invermere, Community Forest Columbia Headwaters,  the Village of Radium Hot Springs, the Summit Trail Makers Society, the Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce and members of the public,.

Priorities were identified with members willing to implement them: find recommendations related to elevation/alpine, finalizing the sectors, identify values of each sector, defining and clarity on what the term impact (carrying capacity and the limits) of the land is; look at other plans, pull together the Landscape Units and produce maps, look for greater participation from the motorized interests and identify funding sources. CVRAC is creating a work plan that will give the group guidance of priorities and scheduling for next two to three months.

If you wish to find out more and participate in the CVRAC, contact [email protected] .

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