FORR presents management plan for Nancy Greene rec area
A community dream is one step closer to being realized. After a long process of public engagement and many official consultations and applications, the Friends of the Rossland Range (FORRS) is rolling out the final draft of a Management Plan for the new Nancy Greene Recreation Site in the high country of the Rossland Range.
The Management Plan is required by the Ministry of Forests before the Recreation Site is given final approval. It must be submitted to Ministry by November 1. In the meantime, the Friends of the Rossland Range wish to give the public an opportunity to review and comment on the plan.
The Recreation Site will give official status to all of the land between Red Mountain Resorts and the tenure held by Big Red Cats as a place for free public recreation. This is a big win for the community. FORRS wants this plan to work!
FORRS has agreed to be the legal body responsible for signing an agreement with the Ministry of Forest’ Recreation Sites and Trails Branch to implement the plan. In effect, FORRS becomes the Ministry’s community partner to make the Recreation Site a reality. This is a big job, and FORRS will be looking for many volunteers.
The Management Plan is organized in a number of steps to be carried out through practical hands-on projects, including the creation of a new generation of day-use shelters. Several people have already expressed an interest in getting started. If the Management Plan is accepted by the Ministry, projects can be planned over the winter, and the next work season could be a busy one.
The public can view the draft Management Plan on the FORRS website at www.rosslandrange.org, or by contacting Les Carter at retrac01@telus.net, 250-362-5677 for an electronic copy, or a printed copy if required. Comments can be sent to Les at the above email address.
A map to accompany the Management Plan is being prepared. A preliminary version should be available soon.
FORRS is hosting a public meeting to discuss the Management Plan on October 22, at 7:00 PM in the St, Andrew’s United Church Hall (2110 1st Ave. in Rossland, corner of 1st and Queen St.).
Although the Management Plan comes out of a long consultation process and much consideration by all concerned, it is not a “done deal.” It must still be accepted by the Ministry. FORRS hopes that this final look, and the public meeting on October 22, will be opportunities for the community to get behind the Plan and ask that it be approved.
A copy of the proposed plan is attached to this article.