Golden/Windy Creek Limits of Acceptable Change Pilot Project

Background

Commercial backcountry tourism and public recreation are growing activities across British Columbia. The demand for opportunities for both commercially guided and individual recreation activities continues to increase, whether for wilderness hiking, backcountry skiing, sea kayaking or many other activities. BC is working to support this growing demand and to double tourism by 2015. Public access to recreational areas and opportunities is also of fundamental importance to British Columbians.

As there is an increase in recreation use, it is necessary to ensure that we manage and protect the resources upon which these recreation opportunities depend – to protect the very experience that tourists are coming to enjoy into the future. This objective led the Integrated Land Management Bureau (ILMB) and the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts (MOTCA) to cooperate on two pilot projects, one in Johnstone Strait and one in Golden/Windy Creek, to test the application of the Limits of Acceptable Change (LAC) methodology. The LAC methodology focuses on defining desired outcomes and managing recreation use impacts to maintain desired resource and social conditions.

Click here for more information about LAC

Golden/Windy Creek Region

A mountainous landscape near Golden/Windy Creek

The Golden/Windy Creek project area is located in central eastern British Columbia. The region is made up of numerous mountain ranges, creeks and rivers. It is an attractive location known for its diverse range of motorized and non-motorized recreation in both summer and winter seasons. Some activities specific to the area are heli-skiing, heli-hiking, fishing, snowmobiling, 4x4 ATV and Truck, and wildlife and scenic viewing. A range of wildlife resides or passes through the area including caribou, elk, moose, mountain goats, black bears and grizzly bears.

Why was Golden/Windy Creek Selected

The Golden/Windy Creek area was selected to test the application of the Limits of Acceptable Change process on an existing, strategic recreation land use plan. The Golden Backcountry Recreation Access Plan (GBRAP) identified recreational land use patterns for approximately 900,000 hectares within the Golden timber supply area.

The plan was derived through consensus based negotiations between recreational stakeholders and public consultation, in order to resolve potential access and recreation management conflicts. The goal for the Golden Backcountry Recreation Advisory Committee (GBRAC) is to work towards the maintenances of a diversified, high quality commercial and public recreational experience and subsequently a viable economical, social and environmental future for the area.

The Limits of Acceptable Change pilot for the Golden/Windy Creek project did not, and was not designed to, replace the plan but to provide value added information. Visit the Golden Backcountry Recreation Access Plan website for more details.

See the Workshop No. 1 Summary for a list of identified issues in the project region.

Project Objectives

To build on the existing Golden Backcountry Recreation Access Plan (GBRAP) and to explore ways to further improve the management of public and commercial recreation in the Windy Creek area (Ventego Creek north to Windy Creek).
To develop management recommendations aimed at fostering the sustainability of environmental and social conditions desired for public and backcountry recreation in the Windy Creek area.
To test the utility of the Limits of Acceptable Change process in a land-based area that is highly valued for its tourism and recreation opportunities consistent with the GBRAP;
To assess the usefulness of the process in creating management strategies for recreation and tourism in other areas of the province.

Who was Involved

The project's goal was to include all parties who have an interest in the region. A working group of government officials, academics, members of GBRAC, First Nations and stakeholders such as Alpine skiing associations, heli-skiing and heli-hiking operators, and regional lodge owners/developers gathered together for the purposes of this project.

For More Information Contact

Sangita Sudan

Golden/Windy Creek Working Group Chair
B.C. Integrated Land Management Bureau
Phone: (250) 354-6911
Email: Project Co-Chair