The Editor,
Re. “Mountain bikers take flight on Eagle Mtn.” (Sports, The Tri-City News, Dec. 22).
The Tri-Cities Off Road Cycling Association (TORCA) has been working with the Eagle Mountain Watershed Warriors, a group that represents the three hatcheries — Mossom, Noons and Hoy/Scott creeks — that depend on the water that flows off of Eagle Mountain.
I would like to acknowledge Recreation Sites Trail BC (RSTBC) , which was instrumental in getting this initiative off the ground and contacted the Mossom Creek Hatchery.
It is critical all recreational users on Eagle Mountain understand how their activities can have negative impacts on the health of the salmon and the environment in this watershed. Early on in this process with RSTBC, we identified several trails that crossed salmon-bearing creeks but had no bridges so riders ride through the creeks, affecting the soil, plants and anything growing in these creeks. This causes erosion and, during heavy rain events, all this material is washed downstream, depleting oxygen for the fish in the hatcheries and in the streams.
Cathy Ross, the RSTBC point person for this project, contacted us more than two years ago to provide input and guidance regarding impact on environmental aspects of the watershed. Watershed Warriors immediately started working with TORCA and Eagle Mountain Moto (EMM), the two largest recreational groups of users on Eagle Mountain.
As Karaleen Gioia pointed out in the article, this has been a long process because, for many years, recreational users were building whatever trails they wanted. Some were built over 30 years ago and were in a terrible state and quite dangerous.
Ms. Ross’ focus was on safety and the environment and RSTBC even brought in a professional trail builder to assist in determining best locations for trails. Many of the most dangerous trails have been identified and de-constructed. Both user groups have been responsive to the environmental priorities our group identified. Primary focus has been on protecting the creeks. We have identified areas where these creeks need crossing protections. Both user groups are working with RSTBC to ensure proper crossings are being built.
These are not easy projects as material and tools needs to be brought up to the trailheads. We very much appreciate the focus of both groups. Cathy set up a meeting with Mike Baldus, a teacher at Heritage Mountain Secondary. He is interested in bringing his class up to assist in removing material left from demolition and in revegetating areas that have been destroyed by the riders over the years.
Just recently, RSTBC have asked the stewardship groups to develop signage to be placed in environmentally sensitive areas. We expect these signs will be erected early in 2018. We are also talking about hosting a joint event with EMM and TORCA at a trailhead on Eagle Mountain in order to publicize best management practices and behaviour expectations for riders.
Kevin Ryan, President, Burrard Inlet Marine Enhancement Society
