Withdraw current Winter Motorized Recreation Management Plan in the South Peace

Withdraw current Winter Motorized Recreation Management Plan in the South Peace

Started
May 31, 2021
Petition to
Honourable Katrine Conroy (Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development) and 10 others
Signatures: 8,120Next Goal: 10,000
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Why this petition matters

Started by BC Snowmobile Federation

I am asking you to withdraw the current draft Winter Motorized Recreation Management Plan in the South Peace immediately.  This plan is a clear attack on the sport of snowmobiling in the South Peace.  The recommendations provided to you by the South Peace Snowmobile Advisory Committee (SPSAC) were focussed on Primary Core Use Caribou Habitat and areas of overlap with snowmobile access in the region.  Instead, the Province is proposing a plan that uses a broad based elevation closure that will have a devastating effect on the people of the South Peace and their way of life.

The SPSAC has a significant representation in the South Peace that includes the mayors of the affected communities, the snowmobile clubs and the signatories to the Partnership Agreement.  This committee dedicated more than 450 hours to the creation of their recommendation report which included scientific review, herd habitat usage data, snowmobile usage overlap and resulted in the SPSAC recommending protection for 74% of Primary Core Use Caribou Habitat.  

I want to be clear.  I am not opposing the objective of recovering caribou. 

What I am objecting to is the plan you have drafted to reach that goal and the fact that you have disregarded the time and efforts of the SPSAC.  I do not believe that this plan will be successful without the support of the communities, snowmobile clubs, and outdoor recreationists in the South Peace.  The Partnership Agreement spoke to this need and added Clause 37 to speak specifically to this.  This was not added so that the Province could continue to move forward with widespread elevation closures across the landscape.  It was created so that Province could hear from the communities and snowmobile clubs in the region and work to create a plan that was supported by all and resulted in significant benefit to caribou in the region.  I am asking the Province to go back to the table with the South Peace Snowmobile Advisory Committee (SPSAC) to continue to seek a plan that supports caribou recovery and has the support of the communities and snowmobile clubs in the region. 

Finally, it is apparent that this plan and the consultation period being provided is not providing adequate time for the public to participate.  It is being brought forward at a time where COVID-19 prevents decision makers from travelling to hear directly from the communities and the digital process does not allow for people to share with others how they are feeling or their areas of concern.  

Therefore, I am asking the Province to do the following:

  1. Withdraw the current proposed “Winter Motorized Recreation Management Plan in the South Peace” immediately.
  2. Return to meeting with the SPSAC with the intent to bring forward a recovery plan that supports caribou recovery but is also supported by the communities and snowmobile clubs in the region. 
  3. That future public consultations include the following:
    1. Ample time for the public to participate in a consultation process not just six weeks;  
      A process that includes the opportunity for the public to actually make changes to what is being proposed not just generate a "what we heard report";
    2. Public in person meetings to capture comments from people that are not comfortable with a digital only process and which allows people to hear each other; and
    3. A consultation process that is supported by a transparent digital process and ensures that people can see anonymous comments and mapping data submitted by others.

If these things are not implemented then it is apparent that the Province intends to move forward with their plan.  If that is the case they should stop wasting people's time and money doing sham consultations with stakeholders and the people of BC. 

Support now
Signatures: 8,120Next Goal: 10,000
Support now
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Decision Makers

  • Honourable Katrine ConroyMinister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development
  • Honourable Nathan CullenMinister of State for Lands and Natural Resource Operations
  • Honourable George HeymanMinister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy
  • Honourable Murray RankinMinister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation
  • Hon. John HorganPremier of BC