On October 4, 2016, the Honourable Mr. Justice MacIntosh of the Supreme Court of British Columbia granted the BC Wildlife Federation a court order to remove an illegal blockade restricting public access to public resources in the Skeena Region of the province.
The BC Wildlife Federation submitted evidence to the court that British Columbian resident hunters are being denied access to an area of Crown land including the Klappan Valley and part of Spatsizi Plateau Wilderness Provincial Park (“Spatsizi Plateau”) by way of a blockade which has been set up on the Ealue Lake Road immediately east of Highway 37 in northwest British Columbia.
Resident hunters access hunting grounds by road in the west, driving along the Ealue Lake Road from Highway 37 (where the blockade is located) towards the Klappan River which flanks the western boundary of Spatsizi Plateau. The road allows hike-in or horseback access to Spatsizi Plateau. The area is extremely remote and is renowned for its wilderness qualities, restricted access and natural beauty.
The public and resident hunters consider the opportunity to hunt in MU 6-20 and Spatsizi Plateau a rare and unique privilege to visit and experience a special part of British Columbia. Moose hunting is particularly valued because a mature bull moose will provide enough meat to sustain an extended family for an entire year or more.
The BC Wildlife Federation has been working to resolve the situation, but conflict was increasing, and the blockade was not coming down. As a result the BCWF was forced to pursue legal action. As the province’s oldest and largest conservation organization, this action follows our mandate to protect public access to public lands for recreational and outdoor activities and fish and wildlife resources.
The BCWF recognizes significant anxiety and uncertainty on the landscape and will continue to work collaboratively with everyone who is concerned about wildlife management. The BCWF will also continue to advocate for increased funding and capacity for wildlife management in the area.
The BCWF would not have been able to proceed with this legal injunction without the financial support of our Members and Clubs across the Province. We are appealing to you now to please contribute to the Action Fund so that your BCWF Board and Executive can continue to take action on your behalf for the continued right to hunt, fish, trap and enjoy recreational pursuits on public lands.
You can make your tax deductible donation to the BCWF Action Fund here:
https://bcwf.thankyou4caring.org/sslpage.aspx?pid=298
Or call BCWF at 1-888-881-2293 to make a donation over the phone.
Your gift will go directly toward the BCWF Action Fund.
Reply With Quote