Skaha Bluffs... again

[murraysovereign]

From the Penticton Herald website (www.pentictonherald.ca)

 

"Skaha Bluffs Access in Jeopardy"

John Moorhouse Friday 2 June 2006

 

Farm owner Hugh Dunlop has withdrawn an application to have the Skaha Bluffs parking lot portion of his south Penticton property removed from the Agricultural Land Reserve.

However, that has done nothing to remove the uncertainty surrounding future parking and access to the popular rock climbing area.

Dunlop said Thursday he now plans to sell his entire 45-hectare (115-acre) farm overlooking Skaha Lake. Any decision on continuing to provide parking for rock climbers would be up to the new owners.

Dunlop outlined his decision in a hand-written note to city planner Donna Butler.

“Although I strongly believe this is the right thing to do, I am unwilling to fight this out with Valleyview Road residents,” he stated in the letter.

“I regret to inform you I will no longer be able to provide access through my property to the Skaha Bluffs. The Valleyview Road access will close permanently on Nov. 1, 2006.”

Dunlop said he hopes this gives the city enough time to find alternative access to the bluffs, suggesting the new property owners might reconsider the parking closure.

Commenting while sitting next to the bluffs’ parking area at the north end of his property, Dunlop said his decision to sell is not meant to be a bargaining ploy.

“It’s not a gun to the head, it really isn’t,” he said. “It’s just not worth fighting it out with the people in the neighbourhood, as far as I’m concerned.”

Dunlop had wanted to remove a six-hectare section of the farm from the ALR, while adding other portions to the land reserve. The proposal was scheduled to be reviewed by the city’s agricultural advisory committee later this month before being forwarded to city council. If supported by the city, it would have been forwarded to the provincial Agricultural Land Commission.

The proposal generated early criticism from some neighbouring residents along Valleyview Road who oppose the loss of agricultural land and fear the possibility of future housing development in the area.

However, Dunlop noted only about one-third of the parcel involved could be considered farmable land. The eastern portion of the property stretches into the bluffs themselves, even though they are within the ALR.

He planned to build a new home on the property for his family, but had no plans for further development. The remainder of the farm would be developed into vineyards.

Dunlop had earlier suggested if he could not get the land out of the ALR, he would consider closing down the parking area anyway. Now, he said he’s willing to extend access into 2007 on a limited basis if the property is not sold by then.

He said the ALR application was not financially driven, but aimed at getting a final resolution to the bluffsí access issue. He has operated the parking area for 14 years and charges $3 per person for climbers to park on his property and access the bluffs. He built a shelter and a series of steps along a portion of the trail leading up to the climbing area.

Ideally, Dunlop said, he’d like to see most of the north end of the farm retained as a natural area and recreational/park purposes. A small pond sits at the base of the bluffs and wildlife frequent the area, despite the presence of vehicles parked nearby.

Valleyview Road narrows down to a single lane at its south end, just before the entrance to Dunlop’s property. Although rainy weather over the May long weekend kept many rock climbers away, there was still 500 people who turned out on the Sunday.

Mayor Jake Kimberley is in Montreal this week for the annual meeting of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and could not be reached for comment Thursday.

 

 

© Friday, June 2, 2006Copyright PentictonHerald.ca

[montypiton]

the folks who saved the Peshastin Pinnacles twenty years ago are working on a plan. pm the Haireball for details if you'd like to help

[montypiton]

Anders Ourom, of Access Society BC, informs me that Mr. Dunlop has accepted an offer for his farm, from a purchaser who intends to continue providing access to Skaha Bluffs. If this deal fails to close, the "CFCC" stands ready with a backup plan...

[G-spotter]

CLIMBERS' ACCESS SOCIETY OF B.C.

 

ACCESS NEWS - December 11th, 2006

 

A. SKAHA

 

Much has been happening, and we finally have some news.

 

1. Braesyde Parking - Closure and Sale

The public parking lot at Braesyde has been closed permanently, effective November 1st 2006. The property is owned by the Dunlop family, and is being sold. The sale is subject to conditions, but should take effect in mid-April 2007. One can never know, but it is most prudent to assume that the sale will go through, and that alternative parking and access must be found.

The Dunlops have generously provided public parking at Braesyde since 1992, although it has required much work and some inconvenience. Their reward has been modest, given the related expenses, and the value of the property. The climbing community owes the Dunlops a vote of gratitude for their hospitality, and thanks to the city of Penticton and the Agricultural Land Commission for permitting the parking.

Skaha now has about 20,000 public visitors each year, with a substantial spin-off contribution to the area's culture and economy. Skaha may eventually become a provincial park, for both its natural and recreational values. Since the early 1990s, Skaha rockclimbers and the Access Society have put thousands of hours into looking after the area and working on access to it, and spent perhaps $40,000, half cash and half donated materials and services, on needed projects there - toilets, trails, signs and such. Plus the thousands of hours and dollars spent by many climbers on creating new routes.

2. Skaha Rockclimbers

Penticton-area climbers have organized to work on this issue. Key individuals include Howie Richardson, Hugh Lenney, Drew Fullerton, Russ Turner and Sean Dougherty, but the group is inclusive. If you're a climber living in the area, and can help, let them know. The group has prepared a report summarizing all the access options, their pros and cons, and what would be needed to implement each. (There are many possible permutations.) They met with Penticton council and guests on November 30th. They've contacted a variety of other stakeholders and interested parties, including The Land Conservancy of B.C. and Mountain Equipment Co-op.

An interim solution may be possible, but a long-term or permanent solution is likely to take time, effort and money. It is also likely to involve carefully balancing the interests of several parties. Things like subdivision, surveying, and government approvals take time, even once a strategy is developed.

3. The Land Conservancy

It has been agreed that the Land Conservancy of British Columbia (www.conservancy.bc.ca) will be leading representation on this issue, with advice, information, resources, and backing from the climbing community. It brings to bear considerable resources and experience at addressing issues of this kind, and putting together multi-party solutions. TLC, with help from Mountain Equipment Co-op and the Access Society, acquired the Stawamus Chief gravel lot (aka gondola base) in 2005, a great help to us. They have been working on another project that would benefit the climbing community, but for now Skaha is the priority.

4. Information & Updates

There is more information at www.skaha.org, and updates will be posted there. The Access Society will send periodic broadcast e-newsletters, with information as it becomes public. They go to about 1,100 individuals and organizations - please forward them to all your climbing friends! The Access Society plans to implement its website upgrade in the near future, another place to watch.

5. Donations Needed!

Whatever happens, planning and implementing any solution will require substantial resources. It seems likely that we'll need to help purchase property, or at least a right-of-way, and perhaps invest in needed facilities. And all the related costs. We need to start raising money, now. Early and substantial public donations make it easier to solicit corporate support. Please donate to The Land Conservancy of British Columbia - 2709 Shoreline Drive, Victoria, B.C., Canada V9B 1M5, (250) 479-8053, or www.conservancy.bc.ca. Mark your donation "Skaha Access". If you donate by December 31st, your receipt will help with your taxes early in 2007 - a tax credit, and all going well an access credit too! (Donors will be issued a Canadian tax receipt. If you are a resident of the U.S.A., and want to donate, contact TLC.)

 

6. What Can You Do?

 

*

If you live in the Penticton area, get involved.

*

Make a seasonal donation to TLC, and encourage your friends to also do so.

*

Become a member of TLC, and of the Access Society. Larger membership + more resources = more effective.

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If you can help with fundraising, or have ideas or connections that may help, contact TLC or us.

*

Make sure all your climbing friends know what's happening.

 

If a letter-writing campaign is needed, we'll send all the necessary information. Likewise, if there is a public meeting that should be attended, we'll let you know.

It is not long until the spring climbing season, and it is possible that no solution will be in place by then. If so, please be patient.

 

There is no current alternate, legal surface access to Skaha - all other routes involve trespassing on private property, illegal parking, or both.