The Sea to Sky Land and Resource Management Plan is not just a guide for recreational use, but for the general management of the Sea to Sky’s land. It includes designations around industrial use of the land (mining, logging, road and infrastructure development, etc), commercial use (tour operators, backcountry lodges, etc), and personal recreational use. The goals of the plan include managing recreational and other activities in a way that considers impacts on overall environmental values, that reduces or minimizes impacts to other resource values, and that reduces conflict between various groups.
The WBRF was the main venue for public involvement in the plan. It included all relevant sectors (Including BC Snowmobile Federation, Outdoor Recreation Council, Federation of Mountain Clubs of BC, BC Heli and Snowcat Association, S2S Commercial Backcountry Recreation Association) and had sessions for public feedback. While the name includes ‘Whistler’, it is important to note that both Squamish and Pemberton stakeholders were included in the forum as well as Whistler.
The primary goal of the WBRF was to create a winter backcountry recreation plan that would balance the interests of and minimize the conflicts between motorized and non-motorized recreationalists. After the forum was completed, the main output was the ‘Winter Sharing Accord’, which was a document intended for use in the LRMP (which was being developed at that time) and intended as guidance for balancing recreation needs between different user groups. For more information about the WBRF, click here.
Stage 2: Government-to-government discussions with First Nations
After the release of the Winter Sharing Accord, BC and Sea-to-Sky government officials worked with the Líl̓wat, Skwxwú7mesh, Tsleil-Waututh, and In-SHUCK-ch First Nations to find the best way to designate land based on feedback from WBRF and on the needs and interests of First Nations on whose traditional territory we are all recreating.
According to the creators of the LRMP, “The Sea-to-Sky Land and Resource Management Plan (LRMP) process was undertaken to provide greater certainty for local economic development and the long-term sustainability of ecological, social and cultural values. The plan was developed to balance the economic, environmental, and social interests within the Plan Area and considering a wider regional and provincial context.”
To read the full LRMP, Click here (then click on the Plan tab)
Wildlife Habitat
Where does the wildlife actually live?
The map below shows which zones have been identified as important winter habitat for which Sea-to-Sky creatures. Note that the locations are approximate and represent zones that can vary in size, shape and use.
Winter Recreation
In winter, motorized recreation can have significant impacts on wintering wildlife, from deer to grizzly bears to mountain goats. According to the Environmental Risk Assessment done on this area in 2008, “frozen snowmobile trails can facilitate access of wolves and so increase predation rates. Animals may also be displaced from critical winter and spring habitat by snowmobiles and helicopters (particularly grizzly bears, mountain goats and wolverines).” (Holt & Hamilton)
For Grizzly Bears, winter displacement can be caused due to excessive noise disturbance while in the den. Loud motor sports will disturb a bear’s hibernation (despite popular belief, they are actually pretty light sleepers) causing them to potentially abandon their den and waste energy or to be disturbed during gestation and lactation within the den, which are crucial to cub survival. (for more on Grizzlies, click here)
The LRMP states that “in general, motorized recreation should be located in areas with lower biodiversity values.” and “Motorized activities should be avoided in fragile environments, including areas with sensitive soils, riparian areas, wetlands, meadows and alpine areas. Motorized activities that do occur in these areas should be carefully planned, and impacts should be mitigated to the extent possible.” (LRMP)
Land Designations
What do the Different Designations Mean on the LRMP?
RA1 vs. RA1-A Zoning
RA1 (non-motorized use) is defined as: Self-propelled activities that do not rely on a motorized vehicle for access or recreation use within a designated zone (such as backcountry skiing, ski touring/mountaineering, cross-country / nordic skiing, dogsledding, snowshoeing). Only non-motorized transport may be used to access these areas.
RA1-A (Non-motorized use with air access) is defined as: Self-propelled activities that do not rely on a motorized vehicle for recreation use within a designated zone (such as those listed above), but aerial transport is allowed for drop off / pick-up of day use or multi-day recreation users.
This means that helicopters are allowed for the drop-off and/or pick-up of backcountry users only. They cannot provide a traditional heli-skiing operation or other operation that includes multiple laps or usage of a certain zone in a day.
Wildland Zones (27% of LRMP)
The Wildland designations are a new designation introduced with the LRMP. They have been identified to recognize First Nations culture and heritage values, wildlife habitat values, beautiful scenery and healthy ecosystems, old-growth forest stands, alpine lakes, backcountry recreation value (e.g. huts or trails), backcountry tourism potential, and proximity to existing parks. Their management objective is “To retain the remote character of the Zone and associated high quality of wilderness experience for First Nations cultural uses and commercial and non-commercial backcountry recreation.”(British Columbia)
Wildland Zones are each assigned a core emphasis to reflect their main ‘value.’
Cultural – Emphasis is on the maintenance of First Nations’ spiritual, cultural and traditional integrity and renewable resource harvesting activities
Recreation – Emphasis on non-commercial recreational activities
Tourism – Emphasis on commercial recreation activities
Wildlife – Emphasis on maintaining and protecting functional habitat for wildlife
Within Wildland Zones, management directions include:
Commercial timber harvesting is NOT allowed
No infrastructure of independent power projects (IPPs)
Some mining activity is allowed (see definition of Mineral Zone)
Area-specific direction for backcountry commercial and non-commercial recreation activities
See Zone designations in the table below:
Emphasis
Zone Name or Location
Cultural
Blanca Lakes Skwxwú7mesh-úhl Snewáyelh / Cultural Training AreaTricouni Lakes Skwxwú7mesh-úhl Snewáyelh / Cultural Training AreaNexw Áyantsut / Lower Sims CreekNorth Lizzie Creek to Cloudraker MountainUpper ElahoQwalímak / Upper BirkenheadÚll’us / Upper RyanSkelulátkwa / Owl CreekSt’uqál’ts / Upper LillooetUpper Soo
Recreation
Blanca Lakes IICayoosh Range – Seven Mile Creek SWCypress Peak – CloudburstElaho HeadwatersMount CurrieMt. Jimmy JimmyPebble Creek – North CreekPhelixPowder MountainRyan River – Rutherford CreekSky PilotSouth Creek19 and 21 Mile Creeks – Upper MadelyTwin 1/Twin 2 Divide to Joffre Lakes ParkUpper Meager CreekWestside Elaho River below Sims Creek
Tourism
Birkenhead PeakGowan Creek – Livingston CreekSalal Creek – Athelney PassTantalus South – Woodfibre – Echo LakeTwin Two Peak to Storm PeakUpper AshluUpper Haylmore CreekManatee GlacierUpper Sloquet – EastUpper Sloquet – West
Wildlife
Tenquille LakeSockeye CreekPhelix to D’arcyRogers Creek WatershedSalal Creek – NW ForkFalk CreekUpper Douglas CreekSeven Mile Creek to Haylmore CreekUpper Sims Creek
Conservancies (4% of LRMP)
Conservancies are designated:
for the protection and maintenance of biological diversity and natural environments;
for the preservation and maintenance of social, ceremonial and cultural uses of First Nations;
for protection and maintenance of recreational values; and
to ensure that the development or use of natural resources occurs in a sustainable manner consistent with the above purposes.
Within conservancies, industrial resource development activities like commercial logging, mining, hydroelectric development, and new roads are not allowed. All activities must strive to be consistent with First Nations cultural values and interests. Only non-motorized recreation activities are permitted, and all commercial recreational activities must be compatible with First Nations uses (exception for pre-existing motorized commercial recreation, which will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by First Nations and the Province)
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