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The Gilpin Grasslands
About
The Gilpin Grasslands are located
along Highway 3 between Grand Forks and Christina
Lake in the southern interior of British Columbia.
From the Kettle River north up the vast south-facing
slopes, the grasslands are an essential part of the
local environment. Grasslands throughout the
province of BC are home to many different wildlife
and plant species. Local ranch owners have used the
grasslands as range for their cattle and in spring the south-facing
slopes provide local residents with a great place for
recreational activities. The open terrain provides an
endless opportunity for trails and paths which can be
devastating to the ecosystem. The Ministry of environment
(Environmental Stewardship Division) has done extensive
research and are proposing the Gilpin-Morrissey Wildlife
Management Area. As noted by the MOE, this WMA would
cover 5200 ha.
Management
Crown land in the areas of Sand Creek, Morrissey
Creek and Gilpin Creek, which includes the Gilpin
grasslands and other small watersheds, is managed by
the Ministry of Forests (MOF). However, the Ministry
of Environment (MOE), is attempting to take over the
management of a portion of this crown land and
establish a Wildlife Management Area (WMA).
WMA Opposition
The Grand Forks ATV Club (GFATV) submitted a letter
of opposition to the Ministry of Environment's Environmental Stewardship Division,
the Land Issues Coordinator for ATV/BC and the
Editor of the Grand Forks Gazette mid September
2008. This letter sparked communication between the
club and intended recipients, giving the club the
opportunity to have its comments and concerns heard.
In the near future GFATV plans to assist a local
land tenure with upgrading cattle operations,
keeping cattle contained within their range and
upgrading water and feed facilities. As well,
working to cleanup old barbed wire and fencing
materials from operations in the past.
GFATV would like to see marked recreational trails
in the area for hiking, mountain biking, ATVing and
Snowmobiling, along with signage communicating to
the public where these trails
are. On the south side of highway 3, there is a nice
spot on the river for day use areas.
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