Okanagan Valley residents are invited to attend an open house in Osoyoos on March 11 or in Oliver on March 12 to discuss the impacts of off-road vehicles on sensitive ecosystems on Oliver Mountain and the Osoyoos West Bench.

Each open house will include a presentation on grassland ecosystems and give attendees an opportunity to suggest management options for minimizing environmental impacts. These may include other sites on Crown land that might be suitable for ORV activities. The dates and locations of the open houses are:

Wednesday, March 11, 2015:

6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Sonora Community Centre
8505 - 68 Ave.
Osoyoos

Thursday, March 12, 2015:

Elks Lodge
6:30 p.m. - 9 p.m.
477 Bank Ave.
Oliver

In the interim, to help protect habitat on Oliver Mountain and the Osoyoos West Bench, ORV users are encouraged to use two other riding areas instead. The Bear Creek and Okanagan Falls ORV trail systems are located nearby and are well established.

Ministry staff are also interested in hearing from ORV riders about other less environmentally sensitive areas that may be suitable for riding.

ORV use is expanding in the Okanagan region and its effects on 11 priority ecosystems and 17 federally listed species-at-risk have increased.

The Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations is stepping up its public education efforts and enforcing ORV restrictions currently in effect. The long-term goal is to protect the Oliver Mountain and Osoyoos West Bench ecosystems while allowing riders to continue enjoying their sport at other sites in the South Okanagan.

Learn More:

Bear Creek ORV trails:
http://www.sitesandtrailsbc.ca/search/search-result.aspx?site=REC166998&type=Trail  

Okanagan Falls ORV trails:
http://www.sitesandtrailsbc.ca/search/search-result.aspx?site=REC201755&type=Trail

Media Contacts:

Greig Bethel
Public Affairs Officer
Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations
250 356-5261