WALK FOR ALL MISSING AND MURDERED SUPPORTED LOCALLY A4
$1.30 ST
September 10, 2015
Includes G
Bike park group granted extension
Two Sections, 36 pages
100milefreepress.net
LET'S RIDE
Carole Rooney Free Press
"BIG MAPLE" ROLLS INTO 100 MILE HOUSE B1
CARIBOO IDOLS TO PERFORM TWICE IN SEPTEMBER A18
INSIDE
opinion A8 letters A9 entertainment A19 sports A19 community B1 classifieds B8
The voice of the South Cariboo since 1960 How to reach us: Ph: 250-395-2219 Fax: 250-395-3939 www.100milefreepress.net mail@100milefreepress.net
A bike park installed last year in the hills of Centennial Park was once again a hot topic at the District of 100 Mile House Council meeting on Aug. 25. In May, a delegation from the bike park user group, Cariboo Crew (CC), appeared at a Committee of the Whole meeting to explain and answer to council on its actions in illegally building a bike-trails system in the forests of Centennial Park. Councillors had noted downed trees and paths dug deep into the root system from this trail work, among several other environmental issues. CC representatives Dalton Anderson and Clayton Chamberlain then agreed to come up with a plan to clean up the debris and secure insurance that names the District as an insured party. At the recent meeting, District chief administrative officer Roy Scott noted the group members had not been in contact with the District this summer to provide a progress update. He said staff had earlier discussions with Hun City Mountain Bike Club member Steve Law, who is assisting the group in gaining insurance coverage, and Law said there had been difficulties in getting a response from the insurer. Continued on A6
Gaven Crites photo
Second year player Tate Page, who wore the “C” for the Wranglers in an exhibition game against the Kamloops Storm on Sept. 5, is part of a strong defensive core returning to 100 Mile House this year. The Wranglers open the 2015-16 Kootenay International Junior Hockey League season at home against the Chase Heat on Sept. 12. Story on A19.
Forest minister visits 100 Mile House Pine beetle, fibre supply and agriculture were on the agenda with local government and industry stakeholders when Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson visited 100 Mile House on Aug. 28. Thomson said he travelled to the community on the invitation of Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett and as one of his ministerial responsibilities. “We can read briefing notes and things like that, but you need to get on the ground and talk to the communities. That’s part of our job, getting out and engaging [with indus-
try] and learning what the issues are, and the perspectives on those issues.” He talked to representatives from the Cariboo Regional District, District of 100 Mile House, Tolko, West Fraser and Norbord mills, the British Columbia Snowmobile Federation, local ranchers and other stakeholders. “Our ministry covers a broad section of government, so it’s important to get that broad perspective ... on issues of keen interest to our ministry.” Shared forest tenure issues Thomson also field-
ed questions about the ongoing issue of communication between shared forest tenure holders – the cattlemen and the forest companies. Thomson said he appreciated the work of the Forest Practices Branch [FPB], which reported last March on how forest licensees mitigate breaches in natural range barriers, and recommended that action is needed to resolve disputes and poor communication. “[The report] recognized that both forestry and the ranchers that are here are ... very, very important contributors.... “Our response to that report is to address
the recommendations to improve the communications – to work closely between the two. I look forward to doing that work.” FPB’s investigation found ranchers and forest companies also need to improve co-ordination of their activities and interests. Thomson said his sense is that this is improving, and steps are being taken to further boost the communication between the two sectors in addressing the report recommendations. “It’s an ongoing process and about how we make sure the sectors work together engaging with [these issues].”
He noted there is an accelerated level of logging activity underway in mitigating the impacts of the mountain pine beetle. “We have got to make sure we find that balance, but it’s about how we ensure, when we approve those processes and the plans, that it is taken into consideration when they are working through applications, through forest stewardship plans, through cutting permits ... that we understand the interests of both [sectors]. “My direction has been to make sure both parties and both sectors are talking to each other ... and working well together.”