A Proposal to Generate Funds for Motorized Vehicle Recreation

Hi, Rob here from the GCOS in Quesnel, BC. Below I have posted a topic that may, or may not be a sensitive area. That's why I'm posting it now actually, to see what everyone else's thought are on the subject. Please make comments and let us know what you like (or dislike) about the idea. If things go well, I would say that the plan below will be implemented by April of this year.

At our last GCOS meeting, the discussion of "funds" for Land Use issues came up. As you may or may not be aware, the GCOS are involved with the Yanks Peak Land Management Systems up here in Quesnel. In order to implement some of the discussed options for the area, the obvious struggling block is MONEY. It all takes Money. As I'm sure the IRC and Lori H can attest to, having extra funds to provide a "backing" is certianly heplful. That's where this plan was born, at the discussion of raising funds for Land Use issues.

Anyway, onto the plan itself...

Currently, for those of you who Snowmobile, you may have already heard about this system. Many of the snowmobile clubs in the rpovince have implemented this with success and it helps pay for their groomers, signs, clubhouses, etc... Our plan is a "bit" different, but otherwise following a similiar layout.

1. A "Trail Pass" registry system is being set up within the boundries of the Cariboo Forest District. We picked this entire area, moreso that just a trail or mountain.

1. The GCOS will be selling Passes to all motorized vehicle users of the trails system in the CFD, that includeds, trucks, atv's, ATC's and dirt bikes, any motorized vehicles. Several of the local ATV shops up here have already agreed to seel these passes to their customers.
2. The GCOS will retain the registry and the FUNDS in a SEPARATE bank account. These funds will stay in the CFD and be used soley back into the area in which they were collected. And we don't have the ultimate say in how they are spent either, all groups who participate are more than welcome to request funds for "their" projects as well. Funds will be used for such projects as land rehabilitation, signage, trail markers, maps, educational pamphlets, etc, etc.
3. We will be sending out an information pack to ALL the clubs in the province, encouraging them all to support this initiative, and, if they see fit, buy a pass for their club members. In turn, we will be purchasing passes from other clubs that wish to undertake a similiar system, or copy ours completely.
   The goal is to bring the entire province On-line with this system. Big idea I know... but you have ot start somewhere...
4. Once a Trail Pass is purchased from the GCOS here in Quesnel, we will provide the purchaser with a DETAILED map of the trail systems in the entire CFD, a sticker for your ride, and many other benefits. The map will contain ALL the trails, all the trail ratings, GPS waypoints, etc, etc... It in itself will certainly be worth the fee collected.
5. The trail pass Fee system, I know, more money... But hear me out. The trail pass would be good for one year. Then you'd be sent a renewal form for the next year. So yes, annual "dues" so to speak.
6. How we are working the breakdown is as follows :
   • GCOS members - Trail pass is included in membership fee. (Our fees went up this year of course due to club liability insurance and this pass)
   • NON Members but a member of another club or organization - $ 7.00 each.
   • Non Member, and not a member of any organization or club - $ 10.00 each
   So, if your a member of a 4x4 club, or ??? you get a cheaper yearly rate.
7. As mentioned above, we would like to see other clubs in the province implement the same thing. By having this in place, it also shows the government that we are acting responsibly and that we are more than prepared to show our "stewardship" of the areas in which we frequent.
8. Boundries ? How may you ask, do we seperate areas from different clubs? Well, in reality you don't have to. Say for instance, the coastal clubs want to implement the same thing. GO AHEAD.... just set up an seperate account for the fee's collected, have a member of the club be a designated "Land Use" person, and maybe when the need arises, hold a "common" meeting.
9. Policing.... I knew that would come up...
   It would not be policed in ANY way. We encourage everone to particpate and purchase a pass, but it will NOT BE MANDATORY. We'll certianly try to "guilt" you into buying a pass, but that's it. And you will get something for your money as well. It will be worth it in the end.

We will be putting ads in all the major papers, Province & Sun, the Hunting regulations, the Fishing Regualtions, etc, etc... We're gonna get the word out there... It will take a year or so to get rolling, but, you have to start somewhere.

As mentioned, the GCOS have voted to implement this system. I encourage your feedback as that is why this list is here. Post your questions or send them to me privately. But PLEASE comment either way.

By the middle of summer, the GCOS will have marked and documented over 40 trails here in the Cariboo. We are putting up trail rating symbols, similiar to Ski runs, mapping the trails with GPS and much much more. When you come up wheeling in the Cariboo, we want to provide everyone with a first class experience...

So, that's about it for know.... Unleash your comments....

Thanks...

Rob Horstman
GCOS President
Quesnel, BC
horstman@uniserve.com