Minutes of the Chilliwack Advisory Group

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Bruce L
Posts: 89
Joined: Tue Jan 03, 2012 11:32 pm
Location: Vancouver

Minutes of the Chilliwack Advisory Group

Post by Bruce L » Tue Feb 19, 2013 7:47 pm

Chilliwack District Advisory Trails Meeting minutes

1) Introduction of Jessica Morrison Sto:lo Research and Resource Management Centre Archaeologist
• Provided info on her roles and responsibilities
• Talked about Heritage Conservation Act and First Nations rules to protect archaeological sites.
• Described the various types of sites and their values to First Nations and our province
• Talked about current uses and practices and what may be found in the forest and what it means to First Nation people for it to be left where found
• Described the AIA (archaeological Impact Assessment) process how it works to protect the sites on Crown and Private Land.
• Mentioned caves and values found in them and importance to local First Nations
• Talked about the1846 date set out by legislation as to when something is officially an archaeological site or not by definition and how local First Nations have developed their own guidelines to deal with sites after that 1846 date.
• Described what a CMT tree is and how today they are still using cedar trees in the same way as before mostly to make clothing, hats rope and baskets.
• Provide contact cards for info sharing purposes


2) Communication and the dissemination of this meetings info back to local clubs and stakeholders were raised by Mike Peters.

3) Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund

• Two potential projects have been identified that may receive funding
• Sumas Mountain Bike Trails and TransCanada Trail Tolmie Bench section for repairs
• Still waiting for official word that these two projects have been approved by the federal Government.


4) Stakeholder/Club funding priorities

• Four submissions received from the group
• From the submissions received a list of potential projects has been developed and additional approved and past projects were added and shared with the group
• At this time there are approximately 16+ potential projects some with partner funding and some w/o
• Some of the projects within the files are already being worked on like the establishment of trails in the Chiwk District starting with the BCIT Woodlot mountain bike trails and local Mission hiking trails, Tennessee Trent will be helping from Squamish were possible
• Signage for trail marking in ongoing for most trail user groups in the District
• The list will be worked on and sent in when the call for capital projects happens over the next few weeks
• Some projects will benefit multiple user groups
• Mike P raised the point that we will not be in a very strong position to get very many of the projects based on District’s current workloads and priorities
• Jack Bryceland mention that ORC will be sending a letter to the Minister about current workload/priorities/staffing in the Chwk Recreation District
• Mike P mentioned that he may be able to get some help from the Recreation Tech in Squamish to help clear up current backlog of files and issues
• Mike P raised point that provincial budget meeting is taking place this week in Victoria
And that Mike has raised workloads with HQ for discussion at the provincial budget meeting

5) District Update provided by Mike Peters

• Chwk River Valley Staging areas on the Bench and at Tamihi are slowly moving forward Matt Wealick is helping to get the AIA and survey complete, Mike will pay for these services
• Chwk engineering section recognizes the value of having the two staging areas and may be able to provide some assistance to see them constructed over the next fiscal.
• New site and trail proposed establishment discussed for the Harrison and Shovel Creek areas
• Nahatlatch Fire Lookout and private road issues will be looked into in February also new plague for lookout will be ready Feb 22.
• Sayres Lake update, construction is still on track and the site will most likely open in spring 2013 (possible opening for Easter long weekend )
• Blue Mt Staging area funding in place and just waiting on a reply from private land owner may hear now closer to March 1st (no updates at this time possible answer by the end of this week)
• Trail counters have been ordered and when received will be given to the group for installation
• Vedder Mt Interpretive Forest, progress is being made and a meeting has been held with VMTA, the industry meeting is scheduled later in Feb.
• BackRoads Chwk/Merritt District map will be redone in Summer 2013 so time still for additions and/or changes to map
• Update provided on Wally Klammer, we are all glad to hear that he is doing better

6) New Topics

• Sunshine Valley Area and potential uses discussed
• Gate on the Cogburn Creek FSR discussed, the issue is a 0 load rated bridge just above the gate, the bridge is being assessed and it may get an approved load rating later this year.
• Bruce Ledingham ask to have a logging company rep attend one of the next meetings
• Cheam snowmobile area concerns were raised and some good work has been completed for the area and plans are in place to do more assessments in the future which will help the Ministry to feel better about the situations and risks for area users
• Funding issues and potential for small purchases brought up Mike, may have some answers maybe by the end of the week
• Trail stake installation tools supplied by Right Nuts ATV Club are available to the clubs if you want one of the tools please call Mike to arrange pickup
• Addition trail stakes are also available for the Chwk River Valley if required

7) Next Meeting date
o March 11th 7pm at the Chwk Office


8) Potential Guest speakers for next meeting may include;
o Randall Dayton or Alan Johnsrude from the District office
o Logging Company Rep

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John S
Posts: 136
Joined: Wed Jan 04, 2012 2:33 am
Location: Langley

Re: Minutes of the Chilliwack Advisory Group

Post by John S » Wed Feb 20, 2013 12:26 am

Thanks for the update.

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