Revelstoke-area CSRD Area B candidates share vision for backcountry planning

For the first time since the early 1990s, Columbia Shuswap Regional District Area B is getting a new director.

As part of the Mountaineer’s coverage of the upcoming municipal election we have asked Area B director candidates a series of questions covering a wide-variety of issues likely to be central in the upcoming election. The series features verbatim answers written by the candidates.

 In this fourth edition of the Mountaineer’s question and answer series we asked Electoral Area B director candidates to consider the following two questions:

1. What is your long-term vision for the portion of Area B in the immediate vicinity of Revelstoke? In regards to tourism development of the area versus preservation of the rural character of the area, what direction and policies will you advocate for?

 2. Much of Revelstoke’s backcountry recreation and backcountry recreation industry, such as mountain biking, sledding, heli-skiing, happens in the regional district. What is the CSRD Area B Director’s role in regards to these backcountry uses, and what policy directions do you intend to pursue?

 Here are the candidates responses:

George Buhler

George Buhler is running for CSRD Electoral Area B Director. Photo: George Buhler.

1. I feel that there is a need for development and still maintain the rural atmosphere. Development must comply with all the services to in ensure a safe environment for everyone.

2. Most of the backcountry use decisions are made by the province, I will give them my support if the proposals are sound and beneficial as they bring economic benefit to our community.

Doug Stuart

Doug Stuart is running for CSRD Electoral Area B Director. Photo: Doug Stuart.

1. I have lived in the immediate vicinity of Revelstoke for 35 years. I have seen many changes and a lot of growth. We have maintained our rural character while still supporting development. Eagle Pass Lodge is one example.

I would hope that tourist development would happen in the city of Revelstoke and RMR before any land in the ALR is considered.

2. The City of Revelstoke and the CSRD have requested that the provincial government work with us to develop a comprehensive land use plan for our area and I plan to do what I can to facilitate this process.

David Brooks-Hill

David Brooks-Hill is running for CSRD Electoral Area B director. Photo: David Brooks-Hill.

1. I do not personally have a unified long term vision for the CSRD immediately in the vicinity of Revelstoke. I believe strongly that residents individually or in small local area groups should decide the future of their property and their area. If for instance the Begbie Bench area decided as a group (probably by referendum) to allow much smaller lot sizes that would permit more dense and suburban-ish development, then I would support that decision after ensuring the implications are known to the interested parties. Individual lot owners of course would not have to subdivide their property if they do not want to.

I certainly want to preserve the rural character of Area B of the CSRD for those that seek that kind of lifestyle. This is another reason I want to ensure building permits and inspections are not required. These types of intrusive regulation make it nearly impossible for people to build their own buildings and be self-reliant the way many residents want to.

2. The role of a CSRD Director is very minimal when it comes to any sort of use of Crown land including recreational use. The CSRD governs the use of private land within the regional district but does not have jurisdiction over Crown land or water that is either Provincial or Federal jurisdiction. I think it is important that there be more local input into Crown land use decisions and I think it is important to lobby for this but in the end a CSRD Director cannot really make anything happen in this regard. It is certainly unfortunate that local control is not available given the growing importance of Crown land recreational use to the economy of the CSRD but that is the way it is currently.