The Carmi Recreation Trails Group is inviting the public to an appreciation day on Jan. 1 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
In partnership with the South Okanagan Trail Alliance (SOTA), the Upper Carmi Resident’s Association and Hoodoo Adventures, the family event will take place at the Carmi XC Recreation Area trail-head six kilometres up Carmi Road and six km up the right-hand junction of Beaverdell Road.
The event is open to all ages and those in attendance will be treated to pastries, hot coffee and hot chocolate. Three gift baskets will be up for raffle and entertainment will be provided by a local DJ.
Related: Proposed logging around rec trails sees public opposition
“Come and snowshoe, hike or cross-country ski, enjoy guided and self-guided tours of the forest — seeking, finding and learning about eight different types of local forest flora in our family-oriented ‘find and identify’ contest (with tasty awards!),” states a news release from the group. “You’ll also have the opportunity to learn how to build a lean-to and fire under the guidance of Hoodoo Adventures.”
The group formed in fall 2018 to oppose the planned logging of the Carmi Trails recreation area by BC Timber Sales (BCTS). The group launched a petition against the project, which was announced in early 2017, which garnered around 1,600 signatures.
Related: MLA Dan Ashton backs Penticton group trying to stop logging near recreation area
“BCTS is not listening, as they say they are. The sale of timber rights for the trails are progressing despite opposition. Those of us who have written letters to Ministry of Forest have been told that BCTS recognizes ‘the sensitivity and wide range of forest values that must be managed in this area, the ministry continues to consult with these values in mind. The referral process has been ongoing in stages since 2015 and continues today,’” reads the news release. “However, the latest forest news is that Timber Cruising has progressed to determine an accurate m3 of wood and the cut blocks will soon go up for sale.”
MLA Dan Ashton presented the petition to the Hon. Doug Donaldson, Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development on Nov. 26. Prior to this, BCTS took SOTA and trail users on a field trip of the area to address concerns with the proposed cutblock.
Related: Penticton MLA takes logging petition to Victoria
“The Minister of Forest has been told by BCTS that only 20 per cent of the trails will be affected, our calculations are for 67 per cent of the trails will be turned to industrial logging roads,” states the release. “The Minister of Forest has (also) been told by BCTS that the logging of the Carmi Recreation Trails will only affect 10 per cent of the entire Intensive Recreation Area the trails are in. What BCTS doesn’t expand on is that the 10 per cent affected is the most well-used area by our community in the entire Intensive Recreation Area. The 10 per cent of logged area also does not include what has already been clear cut within that area and what has already been taken from the Carmi Recreation Trails (Pine Loop).”
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