4WDABC & Access to gates

[Ulysse]

With all the gates that are out there and seemingly being put up everyday I was wondering if the association as a lobby group has any intentions of trying to secure "keyed" access to these gates.

I won't go into any specific examples, but in general, is it within the association's ability/desire to lobby for access to gated trails?

[sdillen]

With all the gates that are out there and seemingly being put up everyday I was wondering if the association as a lobby group has any intentions of trying to secure "keyed" access to these gates.

I won't go into any specific examples, but in general, is it within the association's ability/desire to lobby for access to gated trails?

It's certainly within our desire to lobby for access to gated trails, but the association is in no position to manage keys. The approach I see the association taking in this is to promote four wheel drive recreation as having significant economic benefit and to highlight the positive impact that we have on areas we access. I think leveraging our renewed involvement with the Outdoor Recreation Council as well as our agreements with the MoTSA are two avenues where we can be successful at this stage of the organization -- the intent to be to have those organizations (as having a wider representation than us) to apply pressure to open gates.

In the meantime, I'm working on the gate on Norrish (both through Forestry and ultimately through participation in the Teal-Jones Public Advisory Committee). Vince is working on the gate to Hut. The West Stave gates are part of the District of Mission proposal. Gates that will be placed in the West Harrison area in the fall (specifically Weaver) will have some kind of key program still to be determined, but to be managed by the rec site operators.

[Ulysse]

Steve,

I think that the association is on the right track, ie removing the gates would be the ideal situation. I fully support this position.

However, and inevitably, there will be situations where the parties that put up the gates will not change their positions. In this case it would be nice if to use the association's good standing to secure access for its members.

I wouldn’t expect the association to have to manage keys, ideally this would still remain with whomever owns the particular gate.

[rudar]

You could try talking to the ACC (Alpine Club of Canada) and BCMC (British Columbia Mountaineering Club); I know the "manage" access for their members to some gated roads giving access to hikes and scrambles and ski trips and such, but I don't think they hold the keys themselves. I'm not sure how the logistics work out, but I'm sure you could ask them...