Province And Snowmobilers Work Together to Save Mountain Caribou

Wednesday, January 06, 2010 03:57 AM

VICTORIA - Snowmobile clubs in the Thompson, Kootenay and Cariboo regions of the province have signed stewardship management agreements with the Province that will support the recovery of the mountain caribou population

(at right Kootenay Pass Caribou, photo courtesy Ministry of Forests and Range)

The B.C. government completed 12 stewardship management agreements with snowmobile clubs in communities including Blue River, Clearwater,Valemount, 100 Mile House, Williams Lake and Cranbrook. The goal of the agreements is to minimize the risk of disturbance and displacement to mountain caribou from snowmobile activities.

British Columbia's mountain caribou are the world's southernmost caribou population and the only remaining population that lives in rugged, mountainous terrain. Mountain caribou in B.C. have declined from approximately 2,500 in 1995 to about 1,900 in 12 herds today. The recovery objective is to return caribou numbers to 1995 levels within 20 years.

The agreements commit sledders to a code of conduct while riding in specially designated areas. Clubs are responsible for providing snowmobile users with information and education on the mountain caribou, and riders will monitor the areas for compliance. The clubs will also provide an annual report detailing caribou, goat and wolf sightings, as well as the number of snowmobilers using the areas.

The agreements were developed in collaboration with biologists and conservationists, the B.C. Snowmobile Federation and the Association of B.C. Snowmobile Clubs.

"Our clubs have worked with government towards solutions that will help provincial recovery efforts and yet maintain snowmobiling riding areas in B.C.," said Les Auston, executive director of the B.C. Snowmobile Federation. "We're privileged to have access to these spectacular backcountry areas where we can enjoy our sport, and we're committed to doing everything we can to ensure snowmobilers riding in these areas honour their stewardship responsibilities and support the recovery of the mountain caribou."

"Responsible snowmobilers care about our environment," added Terry Watt, secretary of the Association of B.C. Snowmobile Clubs. "We have been actively involved in the process to protect mountain caribou habitat and historic snowmobile recreation areas and we've worked co-operatively with government to reach stewardship agreements that satisfy the needs of all stakeholders."

Under the plan, the government has acted to limit disturbances to the animals in a large portion of the province's mountainous backcountry. The plan protects more than two million hectares of mountain caribou habitat from logging and road-building, and prohibits snowmobile use on one million hectares in the B.C. Interior. The snowmobile restriction went into effect in February 2009.

To view a map of areas closed to snowmobiles visit:

http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/fw/wildlife/snowmobile-closures/.

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Posted on Wednesday, January 06, 2010 03:57 AM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: Eagleone on January 6 2010 5:38 AM

I support the concept or working together to protect the Mountain cariboo, but I find some of the closures hard to swallow. I question if its really about the mountain cariboo in some locations or just an avenue to get land removed from snowmobiling access?

Those that enjoy the back country should take a hard line on those they see willfully harrassing any wildlife, because its idiots like that that ruin it for everyone... in addition to their impact on the wildlife we all appreciate being able to see from time to time. Shame those you ride with if they are doing the harrasing will be the most effective means of protecting the wildlife IMO.

Posted by: workinguy on January 6 2010 9:43 AM

As an avid snowmobiler who is active in the local club it must be pointed out that I have never seen or even heard of an intentional or even unitentional instance of wildlife harrasment. In response to Eagleone's suspicion regarding land use issue's we all must be wary of underlying motives. When dealing with government it is all about control and the inital stance taken by govt representatives is they are doing what they are doing and that is that. There is some deep predjudice against the snowmobiling fraternity that is fueled somewhat by the fact we enjoy a motorized sport. The mountain Caribou numbers have been in steep decline well before the latest technology has allowed a greater number of riders to reach the backcountry. It is also significant that the Caribou numbers are NOT declining in OUR particular areas, a fact which is rarely mentioned by the doomsdayers who often have other agenda's.

Posted by: seamutt on January 6 2010 9:56 AM

Few years riding the mountains and I have not seen anyone harass any wildlife. Everyone has enjoyed seeing any wildlife. I have not come across Caribou while on a snowmobile but have seen them from a helicopter, and they do not like helicopters. They start running hard.

Forest fairies have an uninformed issue with snowmobiles and wildlife. I have ridden past moose deer and wolves and they have hardly taken notice. The wolves would start to trot away and then stop once I was past and continue with what they were doing.

Take Mountain Equuipment Co Op in Vancouver, that place is full of forest fairies. Mention buying some gear to use snowmobiling and you might think you just stepped out of a sewage lagoon.

Posted by: Dragonmaster on January 6 2010 11:51 AM

Snowmobiles are banned in all the areas listed to protect the Caribou. Heliski operators still have free access to these areas.

Posted by: Palopu on January 6 2010 6:43 PM

Anyone who thinks that Snow Mobiles do not harass animals is just fooling themselves.

This is a huge Country. Why do people have to go to the Mountains and ride around like a bunch yahoo's. Especially if it is in Cariboo Country. Whats the big deal. Run up the Mountain. Run down the Mountain, Run around the Mountain, Run into an Avalanche, Run Away from an Avalanche, Dial 911.

I suspect that if these rules are not adherred to the Government will institute stiff fines, and eventually ban snow mobiles from being in the surrounding areas.

Posted by: seamutt on January 7 2010 8:59 AM

Palopu lets ban skiing, up the mountain down the mtn. up the mtn down the mtn. Also you show your ignorance about snowmobiles. What about ATV's, 4 wheeling even hikers? I could go on and on but I hope you get the picture.

Posted by: Dragonmaster on January 7 2010 11:38 AM

Palopu, what do you do for enjoyment in your life? I bet what ever it is you do, you do it with a bunch of other yahoo's.

I would hazard a guess and say you are a cross country skier yahoo that detests snowmobiles and their riders.

Seamutt has it correct, you show your ignorance about snowmobiling.

It's no different than gun's...snowmobiles don't harass Caribou, ignorant people harass Caribou!

Posted by: Palopu on January 7 2010 8:12 PM

You guys obviously defend snowmobiles because you use them.

When have you ever heard a skiers, or hikers making noise like snowmobliles, ATV's of Trail Bikes. Give me a break.

These machines in the bush especially in sensitive areas would be as bad as someone running a power saw in your bedroom.

Rationalization is a wonderful thing. It allows you to reiforce bad behaviour.