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Written by Administrator
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Friday, 06 November 2009 |
The OAC is very pleased to announce that the next stage has been reached toward to re-opening of bouldering at Halfway Log Dump.
What happened?
In November 2008, the OAC met with Bruce Peninsula National Park (BPNP) and began participation in the formal Activity Assessment process required by Parks Canada. The Activity Assessment is a new process for Parks Canada where opportunities and risks associated with activities are examined under the guidance of a moderator. Bouldering was chosen by Bruce Peninsula National Park despite other waiting groups as the pilot activity for the Activity Assessment process for all of Parks Canada. After this initial meeting the Activity Assessment team agreed that more information was needed to make a decision and asked the OAC to provide that information.
The OAC gathered the information required with the help of the climbing community (thanks to those of you who completed the OAC Climbing Survey) and incorporated this into a comprehensive proposal. This comprehensive proposal included a formal activity risk assessment, local economic impact estimates, an environmental literature review based on recent research in the field, and proposed conditions for re-opening bouldering. Once completed the proposal was delivered to the entire Activity Assessment Team for review. BPNP feedback to the proposal was very positive with only a few concerns.
In October 2009, the OAC met again with BPNP to address the remaining concerns and to walk through the boulders themselves to determine specifics. The meeting was again very positive, and resolution on the concerns was quickly reached. These resolutions are being incorporated into a final proposal and along with the outcome of the Activity Assessment will be passed on to the field Superintendent of Parks Canada for a decision (and hopefully a final approval).
So what does this mean?
It means we are very close, but there is one more step. The decision requires final approval by the field Superintendent of National Parks as part of the 'Activity Assessment' process with Bruce Peninsula National Park (BPNP). The Activity Assessment team has concluded that re-opening Halfway Log Dump to bouldering with restrictions in spring 2010.
Why is this so important?
Bouldering at Halfway Dump was the first activity selected nationally by Parks Canada for the Activity Assessment process. This process is what will be used by all parks in the country to determine the suitability of activities. This means that bouldering here is potentially setting a precedent by which all other (not just climbing and bouldering) will be considered in Parks across our country.
What conditions are proposed?
There will be a number of proposed conditions put in place to ensure that bouldering occurs responsibly at the HWLD. The key items include that bouldering will not be allowed in the forest and that the environmental impacts of bouldering will be monitored. In order to educate visitors and boulderers the OAC will publish and distribute an interpretive brochure to the Halfway Log Dump bouldering which will include a topo guide. More details will be made available once the final decision is made.
What doesn't this include?
Under the current proposal there will be no waiver forms or usage fees and there will be no signage at the bouldering area itself, just at the trailhead and park offices.
What else should I know?
During the summer 2009 it was discovered that Halfway Log Dump alvar was home to one of the rarest flowers in the country and the province, an endangered species called the Lakeside Daisy . Concern from environmental groups and BPNP around preserving the habitat of this flower could not be greater. Take a look at what this flower looks like here . BPNP is asking for the help of climbers and boulderers to protect this flower.
BPNP is asking boulderers to act as stewards of the Park in general. This means we need to help the park educate visitors, report violations and accidents to Resource Conservation staff, and act as role models for other visitors. |
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Last Updated ( Monday, 28 June 2010 )
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