The North Columbia Environmental Society has written a letter to council, asking the City of Revelstoke to consider implementing a tax on motorized recreation.
The letter asks the city to establish an environmental fee on recreational burning of fossil fuels, which would then be used to reduce city carbon taxes.
“The NCES supports the city’s initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions but is concerned that the city is also promoting the recreational consumption of fossil fuels through its tourism strategy and funding support for such activities,” Jody Lownds, NCES president wrote in the letter. “Of particular concern is the promotion of snowmobiling, heli-skiing, heli-hiking and heli-biking in the Revelstoke area and the huge carbon footprint these activities are having on our environment.
The letter states that Revelstoke can have more than 800 snowmobilers per day, producing more than 67 tonnes of carbon.
“Compared to the city’s emissions of 4.6 tonnes this is a significant factor in the overall issue of greenhouse gas emissions,” Lownds stated in the letter.
The NCES made the following recommendations in the letter to council:
– That the city not fund motorized recreation initiatives, and refrain from promoting or advertising motorized recreation tourism.
– If the above recommendation is not possible, that the city commit to ensuring non-motorized recreation is promoted and advertised on a 4:1 ration with motorized recreation.
-That the city charge $2.50 per day on Boulder and Frisby Ridge passes or $20 per year on annual passes. These environmental fees would go towards the City of Revelstoke and School District 19 carbon tax, and to fund environmental programming.
– Funds could also be used to develop a sustainable economy.
City staff are recommending the letter be referred to the Environmental Committee, the Economic Development Commission, and the Tourism Infrastructure Committee. Council will discuss the letter at their June 13 meeting.
It’s unclear how the tax would work. Much motorized recreation activity happens outside city limits, and municipalities in B.C. are limited by provincial rules that dictate which taxes they can levy.
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