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BCConservationOfficerService
AccessManagementComplianceandEnforcementProgram(AMCEP)2013ReportCompiled by Conservation Officer Patricia Burley May 15‐Nov15, 2013
Wigwam Flats AMA – View of Purple Canyon
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Table of Contents
Introduction ............................................................................................................. 3
Maps ........................................................................................................................ 4
Contact Information ................................................................................................. 4
2013 Results – Tables/Charts ................................................................................... 5
Access Management Areas ...................................................................................... 9
Alexander Creek .................................................................................................... 9
Barnes Lake ......................................................................................................... 11
Chauncey Todhunter ........................................................................................... 12
Corbin ................................................................................................................. 14
East Flathead ....................................................................................................... 15
Galton Range ...................................................................................................... 17
Grave Prairie ....................................................................................................... 19
Sheep Mountain ................................................................................................. 21
Upper Elk Valley .................................................................................................. 22
Upper Flathead ................................................................................................... 24
Upper Wigwam ................................................................................................... 25
Weigert Creek ..................................................................................................... 27
Wigwam Flats ...................................................................................................... 28
Education and Outreach ........................................................................................ 30
Other Work Projects .............................................................................................. 31
2014 Recommendations ........................................................................................ 33
Summary ................................................................................................................ 33
Appendix ................................................................................................................ 34
Pictures ............................................................................................................... 34
Survey ................................................................................................................ 37
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Introduction
The 2013 Access Management Compliance and Enforcement Program (AMCEP) Report is the sixth and final report for the sixth month Access Guardian position. 2013 was the third year that the Elk Valley has had a dedicated Conservation Officer (CO) working as an Access Guardian for a commitment of 5 years. The Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) worked in partnership with the Conservation Officer Service, District of Elkford, District of Sparwood, City of Fernie and the Columbia Basin Trust to provide funding and support to continue with a designated CO as the Access Guardian. The Letter of Agreement between the RDEK and the Conservation Officer Service was signed in January 2012. In the following results section, results are broken down in charts explaining where, when and how much time was spent in each Access Management Area (AMA) within Electoral Area A in 2013. The Access Guardians (CO Burley) primary goals were to spend most of her time providing outreach and enforcement in the AMA’s from May 15‐November 15. For the remainder of the year, CO Burley continued her regular full time duties as a CO stationed in Fernie. Some office time was committed to raising money, redesigning, ordering and widely distributing the free Outdoor Access Guide. This guide was funded by a variety of industrial and stakeholder groups in 2013 such as Tembec, Elkford ATV Club, Fernie Trails Alliance, Sparwood Fish and Wildlife Club and Teck Coal Operations. In addition, educational presentations and stakeholder meetings were conducted throughout the year to open the doors to communication between the recreating groups and the Access Guardian, including groups from Alberta. Aside from the committed AMA compliance and enforcement work, CO Burley had other responsibilities to conduct when working in the East Kootenay’s. Responsibilities such as; assist with problem wildlife, public safety concerns and environmental protection issues including the extensive mud bogging in the Koocanusa area during particular weekends. “The Conservation Officer Service is a public safety provider focussed on natural resource law enforcement and human wildlife conflicts prevention and response. Our Vision: To be a progressive and respected leader in environmental compliance and enforcement, shared stewardship and public safety. The Conservation Officer Service Motto is: Integrity, Service and Protection.”
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Maps To reduce this document size, AMA maps have not been included in this report. If required, maps of individual AMAs are available from two sources, the Ministry of Environment website: www.env.gov.bc.ca/kootenay/eco/accessmaps.htm and the Hunting Regulations Synopsis. The hunting synopsis is available in print and online: www.env.gov.bc.ca/fw/wildlife/hunting/regulations/ the maps available from the MOE website are in colour and contain much greater detail. As per the Letter of Agreement, CO Burley provided monthly AMCEP Reports to the RDEK for review. The reports from May to November 2012‐2013 are now available for the public to view and read at the following website: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/kootenay/eco/accessmaps.htm Please see the attached Excel 2013 Stats for more detail of the Access Guardian’s patrols and outreach efforts from January to December 2013.
Contact Information Questions and concern can be forwarded to CO Burley at the following information: RAPP 1‐877‐952‐7277 Desk 250‐423‐4264 Cell 250‐423‐1888 [email protected] 1621A 10th Avenue P.O Box 2877, Fernie, BC, V0B1M0
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2013 Results Table 1: Overall results of the 2013 Access Program. Total number of patrols and time spent within each AMA was recorded along with the number of persons contacted, number of charges, warnings and education delivered.
Table 2: Overall outreach results provided to the public for the 2013 Access Program.
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Table 3: Estimated time spent travelling to various AMAs. Travel time calculated by multiplying travel distance by the number of patrols conducted. (ex: Alexander Creek: Travel distance (1) x Patrols (6) = 6 hrs. of travel time). This is time over and above time spent in the AMA
Table 4: Summary of 2013 statistics. Filtered numbers are for the months of Oct‐Dec.
It should be noted that Officer Presence is calculated as the time Officer(s) were physically present in an AMA and the outreach time provided for presentations, it does not account for travel to or from the areas.
People that are educated are those defined as being encountered by a CO and discussing specific AMA facts and requirements for which the person in question was previously unaware. It should be noted that the AMCEP and general AMA facts are discussed with more than 80% of contacts.
The above tables include the time spent on the preparation of the slide show presentation, Outdoor Access Guide, follow up paper work, media articles, brochures
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and phone conversations with questions regarding AMA’s. Investigation time on AMA violations has been incorporated in the charts for 2013.
From January to December 2013 the COS conducted 146 patrols within the Electoral Area “A” AMAs. These patrols did not only include the Access Guardian, but other CO’s from around the East Kootenay Zone and elsewhere in the Province.
Officers spent 549 hours within the AMA boundaries alone. The travel time on top of that was 135.64 hours to get to and from the AMAs. An additional 279.75 hours were spent providing education to the public and follow up time on investigations. Patrols that took place within the AMA’s were by truck, ATV, snowmobile or foot.
A total of approximately 970 hours were committed to the AMCEP.
The public had reported many AMA activity/violation reports to the COS, which takes additional time to investigate. In 2013 a total of 59 AMA files were investigated by the East Kootenay CO’s in Electoral Area A. These violations involve the illegal vehicle operation within the closed boundaries of an AMA.
Other violations that were found while in the AMA’s were; loaded firearms, improper documentation (hunting licences), missing Firearm licences, hunting out of season, fishing during closed time, illegal possession of wildlife/fish, hunting/fishing without a licence, fishing with prohibited gear/bait etc.
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Table 5: Summary of statistics of the AMCEP results from 2011 to 2013
Since the AMCEP started in August of 2011 the results of the program have been growing in success. The number of patrols conducted, educational events, hours in an AMA, hours spent on investigations and educational presentations, contacts and violation tickets issued have all increased.
More people have been contacted and educated while in the field or from educational talks.
The public have made more AMA violation complaints to the Conservation Officer Service in 2013 than ever before. Therefore the word is being spread throughout the area on the importance of the AMA’s; more people are coming forward to make those non‐compliance complaints to the COS. Also, most of the complaints reported to the Conservation Officer Service have resulted in convictions.
More community groups have come forward requesting CO Burley to provide AMA presentations. CO Burley has been contacted directly by numerous recreationists wanting more information on the AMA’s. She is the go to person for Access questions.
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Access Management Areas Alexander Creek
Table 6
Alexander Creek AMA is one of the more complex AMA’s in the East Kootenay’s. It has a large range of road networks in the north end that is hard to keep track of for mapping and sign purposes. Alexander has the highest number of different seasonal road closures. There have been a high number of noncompliance complaints from the public and violations found by the CO’s within this AMA. Closed seasonal roads are being driven on and gate locks are being cut.
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CO Burley conducted patrols up the Deadman’s Pass closed roads on the May, August and September long weekends. The busiest day was August 31 where CO Burley checked 44 ATV’s driving in the closed AMA from the Alberta Atlas Staging Area to BC Deadman’s Summit within a 4 hour period. CO Burley issued 3 violation tickets and 15 warning tickets to Alberta residents that day.
Crown Mountain, which is on the north end of Alexander, has a higher noncompliance rate in the fall when it is closed for hunting. Snowmobiles are allowed in Alexander during the winter. There were no complaints from the public for Crown Mountain during 2013.
Alexander Creek AMA has a high cliental of Alberta residents that frequently carry out quad trips (ATV and dirt bikes) from the Atlas staging area in the Crowsnest Pass. CO Burley met with the Alberta (AB) Quad Squad ATV Club Directors and Executives on October 25 to clarify their maps on the correct seasonal closures on trails from Alberta. They posted a notice on their website for their users to read. The local Outdoor Access Guide was also posted on their website. http://www.quadsquad.ca/?q=node/53
More surveillance tools and techniques were utilized during 2013 to help catch the violators on the closed roads in the AMA when CO Burley was not present. Burley purchased two new infrared trail cameras that she posted in the Race Horse and Deadmans Pass areas. Numerous photos were taken of ATV’s and trucks throughout the summer and fall. Without a visible plate number, CO Burley cannot follow up with an investigation. One violation ticket was issued to a hunter captured on camera driving his truck on the Deadmans Pass closed road. Canfor Ltd. ditched approximately 1.5 Km’s up the Deadmans Pass Road in support of the AMA.
Recommendations: CO Burley will continue to patrol the area when it is most likely to have a high number of non‐compliance motorists. Late afternoons, Friday‐Sundays, with nice weather would be the most practical time to encounter motorized recreationists from AB and BC. Continuous education and communication with the Alberta Quad Squad (southern Alberta Rockies ATV club), Elk Valley and Cranbrook ATV Clubs will be utilized. CO Burley will publish an AMA article in the Pass’s local newspaper in 2014. CO Burley will continue to help investigate violators of the AMA’s with the use and support of the trail camera photos and videos. Alexander AMA is well signed with non‐motorized closure signs, but is in need of a large coloured AMA maps. The request has been forwarded to the Forest Land and Natural Resources Office‐ Habitat Biologist Doug Martin‐ to order a large new sign at the junction of the Alexander Creek Rd and Hwy 3 entrance.
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Barnes Lake
Table 7
Barnes Lake is a beautiful alpine bowl full of wildflowers and lush plants. Once on ATV, it is a 30 minute ATV ride from the Flathead Forest Service Rd; not far from the Corbin Mine. Once in the bowl area, the open road closes and the public is required to hike 15‐20 minutes to the lake. This is one of the more remote AMAs to access – time to drive to, unload the ATV and then hike into the Lake. Barnes Lake has good fishing opportunities for all abilities and ages.
Unfortunately, ATV’s are now pushing their limits in the riparian ecosystem with larger machines which result in more environmental damage. The Sparwood Fish and Wildlife Club members have spent a considerable amount of volunteer time to ditch out the
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closed road to deter motorized activity. In time these ditches wear down making it easier for people to cross the ditches and access the closed area.
The main open trail that leads you into the bowl was washed out during the June 2013 flood. CO Burley had not received any complaints during the summer for this AMA; therefore she did not conduct a patrol to Barnes Lake. Later in the fall, some of the Sparwood Fish and Wildlife Club members reported to her that there were still ATV’s riding into the lake. CO Burley reminded the groups that if she does not have any complaints from the public for these areas, then she is not as justified to go there compared to the AMA’s where there are a higher volume of complaints that are being reported.
Recommendations: For 2014 a patrol will be focused in this area on a long weekend and during nice weather in the summer. Organised group/family ATV trips to Barnes Lake would be recommended to the public to help promote the AMA. The trail is somewhat challenging in places, so it would require more experienced riders. As recommended from 2011, a sign indicating the distance and time to walk to the lake could be put up at the closed section of the road. A Report All Poacher and Polluter (RAPP) sign would be suitable at this location as well (although there is no cell service there information could be reported to the CO at a later time). Barnes Lake would be good to patrol for anglers on a regular basis.
Chauncey Todhunter
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Table 8
Chauncey Todhunter is northeast of Elkford towards the Fording Mine. It has easy and quick access for the local community to get to by horseback riding, ATV, hiking or driving. This AMA is the busiest during the elk and sheep hunting season. A number of public complaints were made where vehicles were seen driving on closed roads in the AMA. It is frustrating for the hunters that hike/horseback to remote areas then to find someone drive by on the closed road. Vehicle licence plates are needed in order to track the suspects down for follow up investigation.
There are no entrances from Alberta into this AMA. It was found that most motorized traffic was from local BC residents. There were hunting camps that set up for weekly periods that were checked during the hunting season. The local Outdoor Access Guide was handed out at each camp.
This area is also heavily used by industrial workers. Teck Coal and Canfor Ltd. were given brochures before hunting season to hand out to their employees and contractors to carry in the field with them to know what to do if they encounter someone violating in an AMA. New employees for Teck and Canfor should be briefed on AMA boundaries.
The Elkford Rod and Gun Club received an approved permit from Forest Lands and Natural Resource Operations to install two new gates within the Chauncey Todhunter AMA. Volunteers from the club helped install and paint the new East Ewin (Seasonal Road) and Chauncey Forest Service Road (FSR) gates in September. The gate project was in collaboration with Teck for their support and funding. Bighorn Welding from Sparwood also helped with the project. Unfortunately, someone vandalised the gate in late October making it defective. It will be repaired in the spring of 2014.
Recommendations: The Todhunter FSR was the most abused seasonal road closure within the AMA. The road closes September 1 to motorized traffic. Numerous RAPP complaints came to the CO’s attention; many were followed up with plate numbers. Patrols conducted on the road were not productive as it was a hit and miss check; being at the right place at the right time. That is why CO Burley used trail cameras in support during the busy hunting season. Unfortunately, the vehicles viewed on the trail cameras were unreadable.
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With the Elkford Rod and Gun Club setting a strong positive example with installing the gates in the Chauncey Todhunter AMA, the Sparwood Fish and Wildlife Club are following in their footsteps by applying to have a gate installed on the Todhunter FSR. They are hoping to have it installed before September 1, 2014. The program could not be as successful as it is without dedicated and supportive community members like this.
Corbin
Table 9
Corbin Creek AMA was patrolled mostly at the end of July through to the end of the elk season in late October. It was relatively quiet and looks to not have been abused as much during the summer months, but that changed during the hunting season.
Michel Creek twists along the Corbin Road which makes it convenient for CO Burley to check anglers while also verifying compliance within the AMA. Many fishing guides were met during the busy fishing months; their guiding licences are also checked. A
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number of fisheries tickets were written on Michel Creek for prohibited fishing gear (barbed hooks or bait). There are many anglers on this creek and some of them come from as far away as the USA, United Kingdom, and Europe.
Many camps park along Michel Creek on the opposite side of the AMA closure, but CO Burley still stops and educates them on the AMA, given the Outdoor Activity Guide and the toll free 24 hour RAPP number to call if they see trucks or ATV’s in the closed area. There is an open road to the south end of the AMA closure where ATV tours come through from Alberta called the Tent Mountain Road.
CO Burley and CO Garay responded to a number of RAPP complaints in the AMA. CO Garay had issued violation tickets to a number of people from his follow up on the complaints.
Recommendations: Recreation camps with visible ATV’s near Michel Creek will continue to be checked and educated. Corbin is patrolled while driving to Barnes AMA, so the ATV groups camped there will most likely make a trip to Barnes Lake. The public camping in the Corbin area are also encouraged to report violations to help CO’s. There are a number of gates that are left unlocked or open where people are accessing the closed roads for hunting. Logging and mine exploration has been and will continue to be active in the area and with this high amount of authorized activity there will be more eyes and ears out there to witness and report violations.
East Flathead
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Table 10
East Flathead is one of the most remote AMA’s to patrol to and from Fernie. It is a recreational haven for the outdoors enthusiasts. There are three different entrances the public can take to get into the East Flathead AMA; from Corbin, Morrissey and Ram/Cabin Rd. The Flathead FSR was washed out with the flood in June, which restricted access from the Corbin Rd. ATV’s were reportedly making it through by mid‐summer.
The East Flathead seems to have a steady flow of recreational users year round. There are open roads for snowmobilers to utilize during the winter, which many of them also bring back country skiers into. During the spring, summer and fall, it is continuous traffic for camping, fishing, hiking and hunting. It was observed that the Flathead is becoming busier than ever. New logging roads have been constructed within the AMA and as a result of increased industrial activity the roads have become more drivable for a variety of recreationists. There were not as many hunting camps in the southern Flathead area this hunting season which must likely was due to the busy industrial activities.
There are a number of BC Forest Recreation Sites within the AMA that are beautiful areas to camp in; the public is reminded that they are not entitled to leave a camp set up at a Forest Recreation Site for more than two weeks.
Middle Kootenay Pass is one of the most utilized illegal entrance routes that Alberta residents can access into BC. Middle Pass road is closed other than for snowmobilers. Alberta has the Castle Mountain Special Management Unit on the AB/BC border which is closed from the summit of Middle Pass to a gate. A high number of non‐compliance motorists are in this area during the summer and early fall season. CO Burley and CO Connatty patrolled to the Pass from BC in July where it was determined that they were the first ones to drive into that area from BC for 2013. The summit was heavily abused with motorized dirt bikes and ATV’s from AB. CO Burley had to replace the new sign she had posted in September 2012. Communication sharing between AB and BC Officers will continue throughout 2014.
Guide Outfitters, Assistant Guides, Trappers and local members of the communities in the Elk Valley frequent this area almost weekly throughout the year. There are large
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networks of open roads on the south end of the East Flathead, where education will continue to be provided to the recreating groups in the field.
The CO’s worked on avalanche safety and orientation with the US Border Services Officers in Montana, Environment Canada and the RCMP in February 2013. While patrolling the group encountered 2 snowmobiles in the closure at the summit of Sage Pass. The snowmobilers fled the area back into AB. These snowmobilers were right on top of the rocky mountain peaks immediately where there are mountain goats. This activity is a concern for Wildlife Biologist due to the potential stress on Mtn. Goats.
Recommendations: More truck and ATV patrols will be conducted in the Upper and East Flathead during the summer and fall months of 2014. New signs will be put up by Canfor on newly developed logging roads in this AMA. CO Burley is to keep in touch with the user groups in the Flathead to utilize their knowledge of the area and find out where the violations are taking place. Motorized activity found on the closed portion of Middle Pass will not be tolerated. There are signs on either side of the border warning people of the closed road. It is well known by the public and Alberta residents that Middle Pass is closed most of the year, but people continue to drive to the summit for the mountain top views and are also now doing high marking on the sensitive ecosystem (mostly during July, August and early September). A planned helicopter patrol for the summer of 2014 on a busy weekend will be considered to have a higher likelihood of catching ATV’s in the closure. Pollock Pass has been reported to be a new concern for dirt bikers accessing the summit from AB. This area is a migration route for Rocky Mountain sheep. Once these motorized vehicles make it to the summit, they can drive for kilometers along the mountain tops harassing the wildlife and destroying sensitive habitat. Alberta SRD Lands Officers will help to patrol this area and possibly look at posting a gate or kiosk in 2014. Although not part of the AMA program, some snowmobile patrols will be conducted in the winter of 2013/2014 to monitor activity around where the Mtn. Goats reside.
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Galton Range
Table 11
The Galton Range was patrolled mostly in the late fall months when the deer and sheep hunting seasons were open. Fernie and Cranbrook CO’s patrolled this area almost daily in late October and early November.
The open roads wind through each drainage making it fairly easy to understand which roads are open and closed. Most roads are one way in and out. A misconception that the public seems to believe is when they look at the AMA maps if the road is not on the map and there is not a sign on the road; then it is open. This is incorrect and CO Burley needs to spend more time in the south country educating the local community on the legalities of AMA’s.
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This is a common area where mule deer hunters go to hunt and camp. There were also dedicated hunters contacted in this area that would let a CO know if they saw something illegal taking place.
Recommendations: Although no AMA tickets were issued in this area, a number of other hunting related tickets were. Non‐compliance was found on Letcher Road where hunters had two mule deer, but one hunter did not have a licence for it, the deer was seized and tickets were issued. On Phillips Pass near Rabbit Creek, there is a closure gate that has its lock cut every year. Signs are also ripped down constantly at this location. Trail cameras could be utilized in this location for the fall of 2014. The local Guide Outfitter is concerned about non‐compliance in this Pass during the hunting season.
Grave Prairie
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Table 12
Grave Prairie is a critical and extremely valuable winter range for wildlife and was patrolled numerous times every month throughout the year by CO Burley and the other CO’s. It continues to be the busiest AMA for recreationists year round (especially during the bow elk and deer seasons).
During patrols into this AMA, the Elk River was also checked for anglers. During those checks, tickets have been written for people fishing without a licence and for fishing with prohibited gear. As for AMA violations, it continues to be a struggle to keep people from camping and driving in the closure with motor vehicles. There is nothing illegal about a person camping with a tent, but people continue to drive on the sensitive grasslands with their large trailers which cause more damage and puts pressure on the habitat that wildlife rely on in the winter.
Numerous camps had been evicted from the area, with violation or warning tickets to go along with them. It is the consistency that the COS needs for enforcement in this area in order to get the message across about protecting these important grasslands. Habitat Biologist Doug Martin considers a closure is a closure and there should not be any grey areas, even though some public may feel camping in the grave prairie grasslands is not an issue. This information is slowly being passed around by the locals.
More AMA signs have been posted, including ones with seasonal dates on them, but the CO’s are frustrated with the amount of signs that are being ripped down repeatedly. It is an offense under the Wildlife Act for people to remove, damage, alter or destroy any sign legally posted in support of the Access Management Program. More and more people are calling the toll free RAPP line to make these types of reports in Grave Prairie and other AMA’s. Most investigations that took place in Grave Prairie AMA were due to public complaints; which is a valuable tool.
CO Burley had a Grave Prairie AMA violation ticket disputed from August 2012 that went to Court in June 2013. The file was seen in front of the Judge who deemed the accused as guilty. The Judge had mentioned that it is every recreationist/outdoorsman’s duty to research the area they are planning on recreating in before they go. CO Burley also had an AMA violation ticket disputed from May 18th, 2013 that went to court on December 10, 2013; it was deemed guilty as well.
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Recommendations: CO Burley is to meet with the Fernie, Sparwood and Elkford High Schools every year preferable before the May Long weekend to educate on AMA’s and the COS. Grave Prairie ends up being a party site for many of the graduates. CO Burley is to work the May Long Weekend and monitor the campers and motorized activity. CO Burley, Habitat Biologist Doug Martin and Teck Line Creek Mine Employee Kevin Podrasky met to discuss a new Management Plan for Grave Prairie. The Tembec land that was part of Grave Prairie was sold to Teck in October 2013. Teck has been supportive of the AMA by ditching some of the access points that vehicles were driving into on sensitive grasslands. The swinging bridge gate needs to be locked during the closed time of year (Oct 1‐May 15), this is being looked into. During the summer months, large groups camp in this area (12‐20 people), most of which have ATV’s and dirt bikes. CO Burley will continue to monitor these large groups and will provide the education needed to help deter noncompliance.
Sheep Mountain
Table 13
Although Sheep Mountain AMA is not in Electoral Area “A” or on the AMA priority list, it is occasionally patrolled since it is in close proximately to Elko and is used by many Elk Valley recreationists and is along the way to patrolling the Galton AMA’s.
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Sheep Mountain has a large area of sensitive grasslands that elk and deer rely on for year round feed. These grasslands do not recover as easily as other rugged habitats. Motorized vehicle tracks are seen driving off the main open roads and onto the grasslands. There are signs up on the closed roads which have been respected (not torn down).
There is a dirt bike park on the Northeast corner of the AMA that still needs to be monitored. CO Burley would visit the area and talk to families recreating in this dirt bike course regarding the AMA, but did not enforce the legislation. This is an area that needs to be looked into and dealt with on the AMA boundary maps. Habitat Biologist Doug Martin is aware of this concern. It is being considered to be removed from the AMA, as long as dirt bikes expand into the hills and grasslands of this AMA. If this was to be abused and occur, the dirt bike area will be completely shut down again.
Recommendations: Sheep Mountain should continue to be a part of the AMA program. It is convenient to patrol Sheep Mountain while on patrol to the Galton Range. Signs are staying up on closed roads. There is noncompliance within the southern end of Sheep Mountain near the Elk River. This is also a good area to look for people fishing for bull trout as it is a great lookout over the river.
Upper Elk Valley‐Fording
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Table 14
The Upper Elk Valley‐Fording AMA is a heavily used AMA throughout the summer and early fall months. It receives motorized traffic from the local communities from throughout Canada and the United States.
The Upper Elk Valley Road leaves from Elkford and is approximately an hour drive north where you arrive at Elk Lakes Provincial Park. Height of the Rockies Provincial Park also borders the AMA to the West. Hikers, campers, bikers, anglers, hunter and ATV’s all thrive to enjoy the beautiful views of the Upper Elk Valley.
The access north of the Elk River crossing was cut off from the June flood. A new bridge was constructed over the river in August. The traffic that accessed the area north of there would travel on the eastside of the Elk River which took double the amount of time. CO Burley did not patrol this area since the access was very restricted and there were minimal complaints.
The noncompliance that takes place has to do with summer motorize access on the east side and during the hunting season throughout the whole AMA. The COS received a number of hunting related complaints during the latter part of the hunting season. By late October almost all the AMA signs west of the Elk Valley Road had been torn down. CO Burley did not have the time in the fall to erect the signs which will have to wait until the spring of 2014.
Big Weary Ridge Trail is open on the East side from July 1‐Aug 31. The Elkford ATV Club has been cleaning up garbage and keeping the trail trimmed. They are educated on AMA’s in their club within the Elk Valley and want to educate other ATV recreationist through the BC/ATV Club online. CO Burley provided a presentation for the group in June. That is where she learned that many of the access points for ATV’s were destroyed in the Elkford area (ATV Bridge near Round Prairie) by the flood.
The Weary Creek Recreational Trail and the Aldridge Creek Trail are both closed to motorized access and are maintained by the Hornaday Wilderness Society. Both these trails are now washed out making it unpassable by ATV, which is a good thing. The Hornaday Wilderness Society will continue to work on the trails making it passable for horseback and hiking.
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Recommendations: There is a new large map of the Upper Elk Valley AMA once you drive into the area. There were signs on all the roads during the late spring, but most of those went missing. Increased officer presence in this AMA is definitely needed for 2014. Clubs and Groups that CO Burley presented to were asked to help support her with erected new AMA closed signs. More signs will be ordered in 2014.
Upper Flathead
Table 15
CO Burley and other CO’s patrolled the Upper Flathead by truck and ATV. It is a remote area to get to and takes a whole day to patrol. This AMA was found to be busier during the hunting season.
A number of illegal cabins have been found around the McClachie area and are currently being investigated by a Natural Resource Officer in Cranbrook. It is illegal to build a year round structure on crown land without a permit. One hunting and AMA violation was investigated in October within the closure; tickets were issued. Other complaints were passed on to the CO’s, but were unsolved; no suspects ascertained.
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This AMA is open for snowmobiling in the winter. Recommendations: Having a regular presence in the hunting season would be the most beneficial way to educate people on the road networks that are in the Upper Flathead. A number of signs are missing on closed roads and need to be replaced once the snow melts. ATV patrols on the north end of the AMA would be the best way to patrol to access the Shoefly Road; CO Garay and Sgt Caravetta patrolled this road in July, a number of signs were posted along the way. More large maps have been requested by the public from the different access points. The hunting traffic was limited this year because of the lack of access.
Upper Wigwam
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Table 16
Upper Wigwam was a quieter AMA to patrol. Angling Guides are most likely to be on the Wigwam River in the late summer. This is a popular river for anglers from Canada and the United States. It has world class bull trout fishing opportunities.
The main open road (Ram) does not give motorized vehicles many options to drive off of it. The river and the road are in fairly steep terrain which means the anglers all hike down from the road to the river. There is a locked gate over the Wigwam River, near the mouth of Ram Creek with some driving around it. The upper gate on the East side of the wigwam river also see’s considerable vehicle traffic going around it. There are not many alternatives at this upper site for constructing berms to restrict vehicle traffic from going around the gate.
On the south end of this AMA is Rabbit Creek which people access from Phillips Pass in the Galton AMA. People pass the closed gate in Rabbit Creek and violate the AMA, most of this occurring during the hunting season.
CO Burley conducted a full day patrol on ATV in this area in August. She rode to the south on the open Upper Wigwam Road and connected to the closed road (west of the Wigwam River) making a full loop. While on that patrol she made contact with anglers that hiked into pools, anglers on mountain bikes, anglers with fishing guides, horseback riders and assistant hunting guides on horseback clearing trails. It was a beautiful summer day mid‐week where she was able to make great contacts with the recreational users.
Recommendations: The AMA boundaries can be explained to people who fish or hunt in this area. Gates always have to be checked as the locks had been cut or removed a number of times during the summer. When the weather is hot and the river is clear, this AMA is a great area to patrol for anglers. There is a recreational site close to the Wigwam River where recreationists can be checked and educated.
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Weigert Creek
Table 17
Weigert Creek AMA is utilized by horseback riders, hikers, hunters and 4X4 recreationists. During CO Burley’s patrols, no one was contacted while in this AMA.
Only the lower half of the AMA can be accessed by truck, the other two trails are accessed by ATV or small trackers. Since access to this AMA can also be accessed from Elkford, it is hard to ascertain if people are in the AMA or not.
CO Burley patrolled the open roads (one seasonal July 1‐Aug 31) where she put up new signs in 2012 however, it was reported to her that they were ripped down by late summer 2013. It was also reported to her that since the flood of 2013 that access was limited due to washouts. Burley patrolled to the end of the Weigert trail in August where she found the trail completely washed out, which was a good thing as the road is closed to motorized traffic beyond that point. Nevertheless, CO Burley received a complaint of an ATV coming out of the end of that closed road during the hunting
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season. The complainant showed her pictures of how someone built a bridge over the creek to access the closed area by ATV. With a follow up investigation, she issued a violation ticket.
Recommendations: There are dedicated members of the public that frequently use this AMA and will report any violations they see occurring to CO Burley. A new Weigert Creek AMA map is needed at the entrance onto the main road from Hwy 43. Early morning or late evening ATV patrols are to be conducted during the hunting season.
Wigwam Flats
Table 18
Wigwam Flats has breathtaking views of the China Wall on the south end of the AMA. Mount Broadwood on the north end is a caver’s paradise. Wigwam Flats is probably one of BC’s most valuable winter ranges and has almost every species of wildlife that you can view in one given area. The Wigwam River offers amazing fishing opportunities to the fly fisherman. Silver Springs are three turquoise lakes that connect to one another which offer a beautiful 15‐30 minute hike. Unfortunately, Silver Springs has turned into a party site for people who like to leave their garbage behind for animals and other people to pick up.
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Wigwam Flats is a sensitive area for wildlife and its habitat. Invasive plants have taken over in some of the areas and are hard for the specialists to control. Specialists have advised that motor vehicles have spread the invasive plants to other parts of this AMA. This area has also become more popular for the mountain bike community, although mountain bikers are allowed in this area when motor vehicles are not, it is recommended that they try to stay on the main trails as mountain bike tires too can spread invasive plants. CO Burley sent an email to the Fernie Bike Club regarding this concern. The Club read the email at their AGM and made a decision to cancel a biking race they have planned in that area every year. They also posted the email on their Facebook page.
Fernie Rod and Gun Club have spent many volunteer hours picking some of the invasive plants in Wigwam Flats.
Since there is an abundance of wildlife that relies on this area to range in, there are issues with wildlife harassment from mountain bikes, motor vehicles and dogs. It is illegal to harass wildlife with a motor vehicle and for dogs to chase wildlife. It is recommended for dogs to be on leash in this area.
The Rocky Ridge road gate had its lock cut twice this summer. CO Burley put up trail cameras on the road to see if she could catch who was accessing the closed road (closed July 15). She could not determine plate numbers, but a vehicle with a green kayak was seen driving up the road and another silver truck.
The gates to the Drinkwater, Rocky Ridge and Wigwam (off of Ram Creek Road) seem to be working. People are still finding other ways to drive in the closed area; such as the pipeline. When the gates are closed hunters and anglers continue down the roads on their mountain bikes. A number of complaints were made by the public which helped CO Burley plan patrols. A trail camera was put up on the Drinkwater Road for a week when there were complaints of ATV and truck tracks driving up the road. No vehicles were caught on camera that week.
Recommendations: Media could be utilized to help determine who the vehicles belong to from non‐compliance with the trail cameras. Wigwam Flats would be a good area to conduct day patrols on sunny days during any time of the week. It would be best to do most ATV patrols during the open time of June 15‐July15 where people go off the main open roads; users such as ATV’ers, kayakers, anglers, campers etc.
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The maps at the entrances of the seasonal open roads eventually need to be updated. They are fading and peeling off. The message seemed to have spread throughout the area for the closed area between Rocky Ridge Road and the Wigwam Road. CO Burley patrolled these areas a number of times and did not see many tracks. There was one group of ATV’ers witnessed by the Habitat Biologist and Wildlife Biologist during the summer, but CO Burley was not able to respond to it in time.
Education/Outreach CO Burley attended Municipal Mayor/Council and RDEK meetings in the spring for a review of the 2012 AMCEP Final Report. CO Burley created a short power point presentation to show the charts and pictures of the AMA’s. Education and outreach is always a top priority within the program. One of the main educational tools that CO Burley uses while in the field is the Outdoor Access Guide (OAG). The OAG has had the support from the Municipalities, Industry and the public. CO Burley redesigned the OAG in May with the help of the Fernie Free Press. Although the magazine currently has less pages (Teck closures removed), new maps were incorporated such as Tembec/Teck/private land map, new non‐motorized BC Recreational Trails map near Fernie and Elkford and an AMA survey. 6000 copies of the outdoor access guide were printed in time for the hunting season and paid for by local industry and the public: specifically Tembec, Elkford ATV Club, Fernie Trails Alliance, Sparwood Fish and Wildlife Club and Teck Coal Operations. The guide can be picked up at the Cranbrook Ministry of Environment Office, AB Quad Squad Office, Blairmore Environment Ministry Office, Husky Gas Station in Coleman, Elko Gas Station, Fernie, Sparwood and Elkford’s Chamber/Tourism Offices, Service BC in Sparwood and Fernie, Grassmere and Jaffray. The Outdoor Access Guide has been very useful for hunters and other recreational users during 2013.
Another way to provide education to the public was to have face to face outreach presentations. CO Burley conducted slide show presentations on the AMA’s to a number of community groups. The following is a list of the presentations she took part in: Fernie Rod and Gun Club, Elkford and Sparwood High schools, Fernie Mountain Bike Club (email sent out for AGM), Elk Valley Integrated Task Force Team, Fernie, Elkford and Sparwood Mayor and Council Members, Elkford ATV Club, AB ATV Quad Squad club (Blairmore), Sparwood Fish and Game Club, Elkford Rod and Gun Club, RDEK, Cranbrook ATV Club and the Fernie Snowmobile Club. During these presentations CO Burley had the opportunity to answer questions and meet a number of people that wanted to discuss their AMA concerns.
CO Burley created two separate RAPP Brochures for industrial companies in the Elk Valley in 2012. Teck and Canfor were sent the brochure to be handed out during training and orientation in the summer of 2013. Employees of these companies were asked to keep a copy of the brochure in their work vehicles and report any non‐compliance they may see. Industrial workers are usually in the backcountry and it is nice
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to have communication with them which gives the COS more eyes and ears watching out for the resources.
CO Burley completed a weekly column during hunting season in the Fernie Free Press on legalities and regulations during the hunting season called “Tips from the Conservation Officers”.
On October 25 CO Burley met with Alberta SRD Lands Officers, AB Quad Squad president, executives and directors, The Inn on the Border owners( where ATV’ers stage from )and The Crowsnest Pass Mountain Resort to discuss the AMA program and educate users on the closures. The Alberta Government uses seasonal Provincial Park Officers to patrol the Alberta Castle Mtn. Special Management Area Trails.
A new i‐phone Application is available for the public called PDF Maps which can be used with the Access Management Maps from the BC Government online site. The smart phone application is free and is user friendly. CO Burley uses the application whenever she is in an AMA. A blue indicator shows if you are within the AMA, no cell service is needed. Open and closed roads, along with the different AMA boundaries are all incorporated into the program. All CO’s in the East Kootenay’s have these maps on their i‐phones. The public can find instructions on how to download the maps at: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/kootenay/eco/access.htm The public can contact CO Burley if they are having trouble downloading the maps.
Other Work Projects On top of a CO Burley’s regular duties and responsibilities, there are a number of focused enforcement projects that CO’s organise and conduct every year. It is the Officers decision whether to take part in one or not. The following is a breakdown of the different work projects that CO Burley took part in for 2013.
February 7‐8: CO Burley instructed and certified 8 RCMP and 1 Environment Canada Officer from the Elk Valley and Cranbrook on Avalanche Skill Training Level 1 (AST1). She is an AST1 Instructor within the agency. All CO’s, Forestry staff and RCMP are required to have this training in order to go on snowmobile patrols.
February 12‐15: The East Flathead AMA was patrolled by snowmobile with 5 CO’s, 2 RCMP, an Environment Canada Officer and 4 US Border Patrol Officers and a Montana Game Warden. While on the patrol two Alberta resident snowmobilers were seen in the closure off of the Sage Creek Pass, once they were detected and approached, they fled back into Alberta through dangerous avalanche terrain.
March 8 – CO Burley provided five 20 minutes presentations to elementary aged children for the Isabella Dickens School Career Day. It is so important to education our
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youth in all areas to protect wildlife and know what different Officers focus on. On November 5th CO Burley gave the same presentation to FJ Mitchell Junior School’s Career Day. On December 9th the Sparwood Secondary School’s Biology Class was educated on the job of a Conservation Officer, AMA information and mud bogging issues.
May 19‐20: attended a May Long Weekend Project with RCMP, Forestry C&E and CVSE on Lake Koocanusa. Long work days were associated with monitoring mud bogging activities and assisting the RCMP with an enforcement presence in the Baynes Lake area. The Fire Ban was lifted that was put in effect in 2012, but general fire regulations were enforced. Office time was associated with the paper work that came from working the busy weekend.
June 26‐30: CO Burley was trained in Vancouver to become a Team Member for the COS’s Critical Incident Stress Management Program. This is a necessary program in every enforcement agencies policy for the support of mental health and well‐being.
July 9 – CO Burley patrolled with the new CP Police Officer, Crockett, based out of
Cranbrook. In 2013, two new CP Officer were hired to the Region where traditionally there has never been Canadian Pacific Police before. CO Burley educated the Officer on busy CP violations within AMA’s.
Another task that the CO’s are responsible is attending and verifying a predator prey upon livestock. Such was a case in August when CO Burley was required to conduct verification on a domestic cow killed by wolves in the Wardner area. CO Burley inspected the kill (if found or preserved) to determine if a predator had in fact killed the animal or if it had died on its own. If it is proved that the animal was killed by a predator (i.e. wolf), compensation for the loss will be provided to the rancher.
During the August Long weekend CO Burley took part in an interagency compliance and enforcement project on Lake Koocanusa. Burley worked with Environment Canada Officers, RCMP, BC Natural Resource Officers and other Conservation Officers from elsewhere in the Province. Anything and everything was being check for by the officers on water and by shore. Most non‐compliance had to do with violations under the Wildlife Act, Federal Fisheries Act and the Small Vessel Regulations.
September 21‐22 ‐ CO Burley conducted a patrol with other Fernie CO’s along with an Officer from Williams Lake to the Upper and East Flathead. The AMA’s were patrolled by truck and ATV (4 uniformed officers). This was a coordinated project to cover as much ground as possible in those days to check hunting camps. It is now known that if a CO sees fit to seize an ATV in a closure that is too remote to pick up by truck, the COS can have a helicopter fly in to sling it out. CO’s have the authority to seize equipment used towards the violation under the Wildlife Act.
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2014 Recommendation’s
The Elk Valley and Crowsnest Pass Snowmobile Clubs will be given an AMA presentation. CO Burley gave a presentation to the Fernie Snowmobile Association at their November meeting.
January 2014 – AMA outreach and education will be ongoing throughout 2014. CO Burley will book slide show presentations with the Elkford, Sparwood and Fernie Secondary Schools preferably before the May long weekend.
The Local Outdoor Access Guide will be an evolving public document which means that new updates and changes will be made yearly. The public and stakeholder groups have agreed to help fundraise towards yearly publications. The Municipality boundaries for no shooting areas could also be included. The supply of the magazines are inventoried and delivered by CO Burley throughout the communities.
Summary The community members have been very welcoming and extremely supportive of the AMCEP position. The meetings with the stakeholders, municipalities, and public recreationists were all informative for CO Burley to help base her objectives for her allotted AMCEP time. CO Burley is still learning the history of the area, but looks forward to continuing the open communication she has with the public on AMA compliance and enforcement. The people in the East Kootenay’s have such a great opportunity to explore the beauty of the Rockies which provides a variety of recreational experiences. CO Burley will continue to make contact with all these user groups and will strive to build a better understanding to the public of the laws and regulations that are built around them.
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Appendix
Pictures
Figure 1: New Artic Cat 750 Prowler purchased in support of the 2013 AMCEP. This side by side UTV ensures more equipment can be utilized and can fit 3 CO’s in it at one time.
Figure 2: A motorized vehicle that was checked in Grave Prairie AMA.
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Figure 3: Mudbogging on Lake Koocanusa on May Long Weekend.
Figure 4: Messy campers on Lake Koocanusa on May Long Weekend.
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Figure 5: Example of a trail camera photo taken in Alexander AMA.
Figure 6: Mud bogging near the Elk River just north of Elkford.
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2013 Access Management Survey
The AMA Survey was printed in the 2013 Outdoor Access Guide. CO Burley has yet to receive a completed survey from the public. The Survey will be removed from the 2014 Outdoor Access Guide. The Fernie Free Press newspaper might publish the survey in the spring of 2014. Do you drive on unpaved backroads (ex: Forest service roads, cutlines, trails, etc) using any motor vehicle, such as a truck, car, ATV, motorcycle or UTV?
Yes No
If you had the Hunting Synopsis and Outdoor Access Guide with you would you take the time to read it?
Yes No
If there was a road closed sign on a hard packed road, which led to where you wanted to go, would you still drive on it?
Yes No
Do you think that the Conservation Officer Service spends enough time patrolling and enforcing road closed areas?
Yes No
Have you ever heard of “Access Management Areas”. Areas throughout the Elk Valley which have road closures and limited vehicle access.
Yes No
If it was not difficult to do so, would you drive around a locked gate to get where you wanted to go?
Yes No
Do you know to look in the BC Hunting Regulation Synopsis (available in print and online) to find maps of where the road closures are?
Yes No Do you know to look at the Outdoor Access Guide (available in print and online) to find maps of where the road closures are?
Yes No
Are you in favour of having areas where no motorized vehicles are allowed?
Yes No Do you think the possibility of a $230.00 fine keeps people from driving in a road closed area?
Yes No
If there was a road closed sign on a grown over or hardly used road, which led to where you wanted to go, would you still drive on it?
Yes No If a road, which was closed to motorized vehicles, but went where you wanted to go, was blocked by a fallen tree or a rock would you move the obstacle to get through?
yes no
Do you think the possibility of an ATV, truck or snowmobile being seized by a CO keeps people from driving in a road closed area?
Yes No
Additional Comments: (where do you think most people are driving in closed areas, What could be done to a road to make sure that no one drives on it What more could be done to make sure that people know about where the road closures are What do you think is a strict enough penalty to keep people from driving into a close area)
Survey Question Objective
Have you ever heard of “Access Management Areas”. Areas throughout the Elk Valley which have road closures and limited vehicle access?
Are people aware of the AMA program
Do you drive on unpaved backroads (ex: Forest service roads, cutlines, trails, etc) using any motor vehicle, such as a truck, car, ATV, motorcycle or UTV?
Allows for the comparison of opinion between users and non-users
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If there was a road closed sign on a hard packed road, which led to where you wanted to go, would you still drive on it?
If there was a road closed sign on a grown over or hardly used road, which led to where you wanted to go, would you still drive on it?
Is there a different perception of well used vs less used roads Does more need to be done to deactivate hardpacked roads vs older roads
If it was not difficult to do so, would you drive around a locked gate to get where they wanted to go
Does something more need to be done to block access
If a road, which was closed to motorized vehicles, but went where you wanted to go, was blocked by a fallen tree or a rock would you move the obstacle to get through?
determine the utility of natural barricades
Do you know to look in the BC Hunting Regulation Synopsis or Outdoor Access Guide (available in print and online) to find maps of where the road closures are?
Does information need to be more accessible
If you had the Hunting Synopsis and Outdoor Access Guide with you would you take the time to read it?
Is there public interest in an Outdoor Regulations Synopsis
Do you think that the Conservation Officer Service spends enough time patrolling road closed areas?
What is the current public opinion of access enforcement
Are you in favour of having areas where no motorized vehicles are allowed?
Gauge public support of the program
Do you think the possibility of a $230.00 fine keeps people from driving in a road closed area?
Should enforcement become more strict
