Sechelt council has pledged its support to the creation of a Salish Sea Marine Trail, which would link up the Sunshine Coast with the Trans Canada Trail network – the longest network of recreational trails in the world.
Representatives from the BC Marine Trails Network Association came to council on Oct. 5 to present the Salish Sea Marine Trail plan and ask for a letter of support as well as the help of Sechelt’s staff in the future.
Association volunteer Nick Heath said the Salish Sea Marine Trail would consist of a 257-km water route from Victoria to Vancouver with beach pullouts about every five nautical miles for paddlers making the trek.
“The route that we’re looking at from Victoria is via Lasqueti Island. It’s the shortest open crossing,” Heath said, noting the route would continue on from Lasqueti to Jedediah Island, Texada Island, Thormanby Island and then on to the Sunshine Coast.
In Sechelt, Heath said one overnight pullout in Wilson Creek would be needed for the marine trail and he suggested a spot beside the marina that’s currently Crown land.
“We would really like to see that redesignated as a provincial recreation site if that’s at all possible,” Heath said, noting the association would be willing to file the necessary paperwork to get the ball rolling.
Heath’s presentation also identified six existing launch locations at various beaches in Sechelt, which would make it easy for a paddler to tackle a portion of the Salish Sea Marine Trail route on the Coast.
Mayor Bruce Milne thanked Heath for his presentation, saying it was a “great concept” and that Heath would “find support at the table,” but he noted the district doesn’t have any money to put toward the project at this time.
Heath said no financial support would be needed, as volunteers are ready and willing to do the work.
Council then moved to write a letter of support for the project and to have staff work with volunteers in the future to help bring the Salish Sea Marine Trail to fruition.
Heath also noted the BC Marine Trails Network Association has plans for Sechelt Inlet in the future. The group wants to utilize existing launch locations to create a Jervis/Sechelt Inlets Marine Trail that could be accessed from the Georgia Strait side via a portage route through downtown Sechelt.
“There’s a perfectly good portage trail through Wharf Avenue and we could get lots of people,” Heath said, noting the Salish Sea and Jervis/Sechelt Inlet marine trails would create a “magnificent circle tour route.”
Find out more about the work being done at www.bcmarinetrails.org
