Columbia Valley Pioneer staff

It was a “sheer insult.”

That’s what a director with the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) said about a response from the Ministry of Forests regarding the board’s endorsed resolution at last year’s UBCM convention.

At the March 8 board meeting, Area B director Stan Doehle expressed his disappointment with the ministry’s response to the board’s Crown land user fee resolution that was supported by Union of BC Municipalities delegates in the fall of 2023. The resolution asked the ministry to implement a Crown land camping fee structure with revenues to be used to provide amenities and improved education and enforcement.

In the resolution, the RDEK noted the increased use of Crown land for overnight camping and other recreational uses, which require additional amenities such as pit toilets. In addition, there is need for environmental protection, trail and road maintenance and litter pick-up.

The resolution also noted the additional need for education and compliance resources to mitigate environmental impacts, human/wildlife conflicts, and to improve public safety.

In response, the ministry stated that fees are not available at this time. It also noted that camping on Crown land for up to 14 days without tenure is permitted.

“Permission activities are limited and must be undertaken in a manner which does not negatively impact the environment, including the removal of all garbage and materials brought onto the land.”

The ministry concluded by saying that an enforcement manager may limit or rescind this permission without notice at any time, even if the activity is in compliance with the policy.

But Doehle said the board’s resolution was endorsed 100 per cent by UBCM delegates and was upset that the ministry simply “dropped it.” 

“A response like that, I think that’s an insult to us,” said Doehle, noting it is worthwhile to bring up the issue again through Kootenay East MLA Tom Shypitka. Therefore, he made a motion to send a letter to the MLA to bring the issue up in the legislature.

The board supported the motion, with chair Rob Gay agreeing that the ministry response was “shortsighted.”