Re: restricting ATV use on the local trails.
The Sunshine Coast Trail Society (SCTS) has not widened nor is planning on widening any trails for ATV use. The Sunshine Coast ATV Club has been working closely with the SCTS and supports a Coast-wide trail strategy to ensure that potential future trail designation/use is properly followed by its members. This understanding should reduce any unpleasant encounters with other trail users.
The public funding that has been received to make trails more sustainable, is a federal government job creation program for out of work forestry workers and is Forest Investment Account funding. The National Trails Coalition received a $25 million investment from the Government of Canada in Budget 2009. These federal dollars must be matched by cash contributions from the NTC member organizations or their partners. For more information; see www.ntc-canada.ca.
There are policies in place for building new trails. It is illegal for anyone to build new trails without proper authorization from the recreation officer. We have cleared and maintained several old logging roads that can be enjoyed by all.
Each spring members from the club clear fallen trees from the winter storms, and trim back the branches that have grown across the trails. We do this without funding, all work is completely voluntary by our members. Yes the trails do need maintenance, they don't magically stay clear and sustainable for everyone.
The more people that join the club the more educated they become, in riding etiquette, proper trail use, knowledge of our riding area, and environmental preservation. As in any group there are bad apples out there, when our paths cross we inform them of the responsibilities that come with ATV riding and encourage them to join the club.
Peter Leverman
President/Sunshine Coast ATV Club
