BC Marine Trail group sees light at end of inlet

By Stephanie Meinke

The BC Marine Trails Network Association is closing in on its vision of linking the British Columbia coast by an official network of routes and campsites.

After much work and consultation with representatives of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts, two large trail sections with appropriate potential landing and camping sites have been identified and proposed to government. The average distance between the most essential primary sites of these trail sections is about nine nautical miles (17 km). Carefully chosen alternative sites to give paddlers further options and additional safety margins are also included in the proposals. Many of the sites are located on Crown (public) land and most are already familiar to paddlers. Ministry officials are now consulting with other government agencies and other stakeholders, a process which will move each of these sites towards its classification as a Marine Trails designated recreation site.

The BCMTNA and its ministry partners are hoping the work on these sections will be finalized by spring 2011, and plans are even beginning for grand opening events.

The BCMTNA is comprised of representatives from nine of the largest paddling clubs in British Columbia. It has been working earnestly but quietly over the last two years to carry on a vision originally proposed in the mid 1990s – to create a marine trails network along the entire coastline of British Columbia.

The BCMTNA is dedicated to preserving access to the British Columbia coast, from its protected, easy waters to the more challenging waters of the open coast, for recreational paddlers and small boat users of all ability levels.

Over the last two years the provincial government through representatives in the Ministry of Tourism has worked diligently with the BCMTNA towards establishing a BC Marine Trails Network. However, political priorities are always subject to change. Only visible public support of a marine trails network can ensure that this work continues. For this reason, and also as preparation for the possible ‘2011 Opening Events,’ the BCMTNA is creating a more visible presence for itself. It will have an information booth at each of the four upcoming BC Paddlefest events this year, and BCMTNA members will be there to pass out information and answer questions.

BCMTNA representatives can also be reached through any of the following paddling clubs: Campbell River Paddlers, Comox Valley Paddlers Club, Cowichan Kayak & Canoe Club, Nanaimo Paddlers, Pacific International Kayak Association, Recreation Canoeing Association of BC, Sea Kayak Association of BC, South Island Sea Kayak Association and the Victoria Canoe and Kayak Club.

For more information, visit www.bcmarinetrails.org.

Stephanie Meinke is president of the BC Marine Trails Network Association.