If the provincial government’s decision to scale back the size of the South Chilcotin Mountains Park was a test of the government’s commitment to industry, as many have suggested, then the Gordon Campbell government passed with flying colours.
According to the Mining Association of B.C., the decision to scale the park down to 56,500 hectares from more than 71,000 hectares and to allow mining and recreation in the14,600 hectare area cut from the park – designated a Tourism Mining Zone – was positive for all of the stakeholders involved.
"This was probably the best decision that could have been made, and it was such an important land use decision for the whole province," said Brian Battison, the interim president of the mining association.
"It proves that tough land use decisions can be concluded in B.C. – I think that’s an important signal that needs to be sent to investors, whether in mining, or tourism and recreation, that everything’s not being held in limbo."
The Environmental Mining Council of B.C., a watchdog for the mining industry, says there is little evidence of mineral potential in the area, and believes that the mining industry’s opposition to the park is a "litmus test case of how much clout the mining industry has with the new government."
In an investigation of the most recent 15 mining assessment reports made in the park region, including reports by Placer, BHP-Utah Mines, and Cominco, the EMCBC determined that the mineral values within the proposed park boundaries are low, despite the existence of other mines in the region.
"Our conclusion is clear," wrote the EMCBC. "It is unlikely that a significant mine would be established in the area. Contrary to industry propaganda no mine would be precluded by keeping the South Chilcotin Park. EMCBC’s conclusion is consistent with the original socio-economic and environmental study of the land use plan."
The fact that mining is unlikely in the area should benefit the local tourism and recreation industry, which is valued at over $10 million a year and growing. Stakeholder will now have tenured access to the 14,600 hectare Tourism Mining Zone that was left out of the park boundaries for mountain biking, horseback riding and motorized recreation.
Gus Abel, the president and owner of Tyax Mountain Lake Resort, says the government’s decision was the right one.
"We were glad to see that the didn’t listen to the loggers in Lillooet or the enviro’s in the Lower Mainland – for once they listened to the people who live and work in the South Chilcotin Mountains," said Abel.
"It was a very wise decision. The Liberals didn’t accept the NDP decision for the area, and we knew they were going to change something in the area."
Tyax currently runs snowmobile and ATV tours into the Taylor Creek area, which was left out of the park. Because of the Tourism Mining Zone designation, they will be able to continue those types of operations, says Abel.
Official park status for the South Chilcotin Mountains will limit the types of activities that are allowed there, so Abel is waiting to see the official management plan to find out if it will affect his business.
"Right now nothing has changed, we’ve not heard anything that limits activities," he said.
While motorized tours take place outside the park, Tyax offers horseback trips, mountain biking, fly fishing, heli-skiing and other recreational activities that sometimes use areas of the proposed park.
"It’s a problem because B.C. Parks is not accountable when they make a decision of what kinds of things can take place and what can’t… and you have two decisions of your own, you can take it or leave it. When the area is not a park, the public has input, but once it’s in the parks system, there’s no more input from the public."
Although there’s a chance that Tyax might have to change the way it operates in the future, Abel is hopeful that the government will look at the contributions that his company and others make to the economy. He also hopes that the government will improve access to the park, bringing more visitors to the area. The public will need a better road, a parking lot and a camping area, says Abel, and the park will need to continue to allow horseback tours, float planes and mountain bike access.
"Right now the park is not very accessible. There are only a few ways in, and they are long hiking trails for very serious backcountry types with huge knapsacks. The only way to get into Spruce Lake without a float plane is a four or five hour hike, so you have to bring a tent, there’s no accommodation to rent. And I really wouldn’t want my wife and kids camping in there because of all the bears, the grizzly bears," said Abel.
"If they are going to make a park in there, then it should be a park for everybody. Right now they just don’t have the access."
The government took almost three years to reach a final decision on the South Chilcotin Mountains Park area, after reopening the Lillooet Land and Resource Management Plan in response to criticism by local governments and industry about the decision making process.
Reactions to the government’s decision:
"This announcement is yet another example of how government is facilitating the rejuvenation of the mining industry in B.C., which has seen exploration spending rise from between $90 and $120 million this year compared with expenditures of $29 million in 2001… In addition the mining and tourism industries should be congratulated on a memorandum of understanding that underpins this agreement as an example to be replicated of co-operation and compromise between two industries in the interests of the greater good."
John Winter, President and CEO, B.C. Chamber of Commerce
"This plan strikes a true balance that will provide job opportunities for those families that work and live in the region, while still protecting the natural environment that is such a draw for this area."
Dave Chutter, Yale-Lillooet MLA
"This reversal is a travesty, which undermines government-public planning and decision making process… If there is a saving grace it is that the promised Bill 46 designation of this zone will prevent logging in these critical areas even though it will allow for mineral development. On the other hand, if a mine were ever developed in this zone it would be a disaster for the Park."
Michael Pitt, Chairman, South Chilcotin Mountains Wilderness Society
"The only positive where I stand is the prospect of getting this resolved. I’ve been involved in this 25 years… but eternal vigilance is what’s required to protect our parks. They still have a whole First Nations process to go through, so we’ll be watching this very closely."
– Jay Macarthur, SCMWS president and founder
"The certainty and access that the Lillooet proposal provides will ensure tourist dollars continue to flow into the region and that five star areas like the South Chilcotin Mountains Park will stay a magnet for visitors worldwide… The province has come up with the best possible proposal to further sustainable growth of opportunities and allow for the ongoing balance of everyone’s economic, social and environmental needs."
Deane Strongitharm, Vice-President, Council of Tourism Associations of B.C.
"I can’t believe they have the audacity to spin this new plan as ‘park creation’. The NDP created these parks and ever since the Liberals gained office they have been trying to dismantle them… The consensus that emerged from the (original) planning process represented an enormous amount of hard work. To throw this out and erode the core components of the consensus is a slap in the face to those who dedicated years to the process."
Lisa Matthaus, Sierra Club of Canada, B.C. Chapter
"It is inappropriate and in bad faith that this government has caved in to resource industry lobbyists to reduce the park significantly. Minister (of Sustainable Resource Management Bill) Barisoff recently stated that this government is committed to a parks system that is second to none, yet dismantling one of B.C.’s precious parks in response to industry lobbyists is not the way to show that commitment to British Columbians."
Eva Riccius, Ecosystem Specialist, Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, B.C. Chapter
"People are astounded. We had been hearing rumours about the proposed (park boundary) cutbacks for months, but everyone was hoping that the government wouldn’t cave in to the mining lobby. This is unprecedented. We haven’t lost a park in B.C. since the 1960s. It’s a disastrous decision and shows that no park is safe in the province under (Premier) Gordon Campbell… Is this what the government means when they say that B.C. is open for business? They are carving the province up piece by piece and selling it to the highest bidder."
Joy Foy, National Campaign Director, Western Canada Wilderness Society
