Okanagan Valley residents are invited to suggest ways to help protect sensitive grassland ecosystems in the Oliver Mountain area while also considering the interests of recreational users, such as drivers of off-road vehicles (ORVs).

As part of an ongoing government planning process, Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations staff hosted two open houses in Osoyoos and Oliver in March 2015. The goal of those open houses was to provide background information and gather public input to explore different management options for minimizing the environmental impacts of recreational activities in the Oliver Mountain area.

The Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations is also consulting directly with First Nations with aboriginal interests in the area.

ORV use has been expanding in the Okanagan Valley and the activity’s effects on 11 priority ecosystems and 17 federally listed species-at-risk in the region have also increased.

Some options that were discussed at the open houses in March included:

• encouraging ORV riders to use alternative sites (such as the well-established Bear Creek and Okanagan Falls ORV trail systems, located nearby)
• identifying other nearby sites on Crown land that contain less-sensitive habitat and might be suitable for ORV activities

More information about the project and this spring’s open houses is available online at: https://www.for.gov.bc.ca/dos/Dist_docs/Oliver%20Mountain/Oliver%20Mountain%20Open%20House.html

Anyone who wishes to offer a suggestion or submit feedback on the project can send an email by Sept. 17, 2015, to: SOKORV@gov.bc.ca

The long-term goal of the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations is to find a solution that will enhance the protection of Oliver Mountain ecosystems, while allowing riders to continue enjoying their sport 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