The hammer is being dropped on recreation enthusiasts tearing up Greater Vernon’s watershed.
The Ministry of Forests is proceeding with plans to develop formal campsites at Grizzly Lake and to restrict access to sensitive areas around the reservoir.
“There are homemade toilets all over the place and dispersed camping and it’s getting out of hand,” said Ian McLellan, the ministry’s recreation officer.
The Greater Vernon Advisory Committee has expressed concern about mudboggers in the reservoir and other activities.
“ATVs and quads are running up and down the dams and we have to stop that before a dam breaks,” said Dale McTaggart, the Regional District of North Okanagan’s general manager of engineering.
The ministry’s plan is to develop three campgrounds with 35 sites.
“We will allow them in some areas and there will be pit toilets and we will close some areas with boulders, fences and ditches,” said McLellan.
Within two years, campers will pay to use the campgrounds and a site host will be present.
By creating established campsites, the ministry’s full regulations and the ability to deal with offenders comes into effect.
“We’re trying to manage them better so they don’t impact the environment and so they have a good experience there. We want to attract families,” said McLellan.
There is also the possibility of the ministry working with an ATV club to provide some amenities in an area where no environmental damage can occur.
“If you give them something, it’s easier to take something away from them,” said McLellan.
GVAC has endorsed the ministry plan and it’s also pursing a land lease for the Grizzly dams, spillways and areas that could be flooded if a dam breaches. About $60,000 is being budgeted for fencing and deactivation of access roads.
“We want to protect our reservoir but we appreciate (recreational) activity will happen,” said Jennifer Miles, the regional district’s water sustainability co-ordinator.
“We want to direct people into recreational sites for that particular activity.”
