March 12, 2018
From: Active Trails WhitehorseAssociation (ATWA)
To: Citizens of Whitehorse
Re: The need to revise the Snowmobile Bylaw
The flawed Snowmobile Bylaw has left a trail of confusion and controversy in our neighborhoods, the latest casualty being the Whistle Bend perimeter trail. More of the same is to come for the Whitehorse North and South trail designation process, unless changes are soon made to the Snowmobile Bylaw.
Active Trail Whitehorse Association (ATWA) supports the designation of motorized “out and away” trails allowing ATVs and snowmobiles “to get away from the local green space and into the larger hinterland, where they will not be a nuisance to non-motorized users.” (Official Community Plan, section 18.5)
The City already has an extensive network of designated motorized multiple use trails. In 2011, this network consisted of an estimated 400 km of motorized trails. That figure has undoubtedly expanded considering the number of completed community Trail Task Force decisions since that time. (See City map at this link: http://whitehorse.ca/home/showdocument?id=4210 and https://hillcrestcommunity.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/letter-to-hca-residents.pdf.)
The Official Community Plan says, “Where feasible, consideration shall be made to separate multi-use trails (which accommodate motorized and non-motorized recreation) from non-motorized trails.” (OCP 18.5.1) The City has certainly accommodated the needs of motorized users of our trails. It now needs to do the same for non-motorized users, and ensure they have trails that are free from motorized use year-round.
Both the ATV Bylaw and the Snowmobile Bylaw permit operators to use residential streets outside the downtown core to reach designated “out and away” motorized trails. The Snowmobile Bylaw defines snowmobiles as “motor vehicles”. Both bylaws prohibit ATVs and snowmobiles from entering Environmentally Sensitive Areas year-round.
The ATV Bylaw bars ATVs from non-motorized trails, greenbelts, and open spaces, and requires ATVs to stay on designated motorized trails.
But here is the problem with the current Snowmobile Bylaw: it fails to list non-motorized trails, greenbelts, and open spaces under its “Excluded Areas”.
(See “Excluded Areas” #15 of the bylaw at the following site: http://www.whitehorse.ca/home/showdocument?id=74).
Unfortunately, this means that most so-called “non-motorized” trails, and all greenbelts and open spaces in the City regardless of their location, are open to snow machine use for more than half the year. This can lead to the widening of trails, damage to vegetation, and disturbance to wildlife, non-motorized users, and City residents.
A snowmobile operator can drive a snowmobile on any non-motorized trail unless it is specifically listed under “Excluded Areas”, or in “Schedule C” of the bylaw. Some trails, not mentioned in the Snowmobile Bylaw, may also be off-limits to all types of motorized vehicles if signed appropriately.
It is time to amend the Snowmobile Bylaw to bring some sense to this inequitable and confusing situation.
So-called non-motorized trails, greenbelts, and open spaces need protection both in summer and winter. We need to give them that protection, and we need to do it now. Please help redress this situation. Ask Mayor and Council (mayorandcouncil@whitehorse.ca) to amend the Snowmobile Bylaw by adding non-motorized trails, greenbelts, and open spaces to the bylaw’s list of “Excluded Areas”.
For information about snowmobile impacts on the environment and neighbourhoods, visit ATWA’s webpage:
https://www.activetwa.org/snowmobile-impacts.html
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
From: Active Trails WhitehorseAssociation (ATWA)
To: Citizens of Whitehorse
Re: The need to revise the Snowmobile Bylaw
The flawed Snowmobile Bylaw has left a trail of confusion and controversy in our neighborhoods, the latest casualty being the Whistle Bend perimeter trail. More of the same is to come for the Whitehorse North and South trail designation process, unless changes are soon made to the Snowmobile Bylaw.
Active Trail Whitehorse Association (ATWA) supports the designation of motorized “out and away” trails allowing ATVs and snowmobiles “to get away from the local green space and into the larger hinterland, where they will not be a nuisance to non-motorized users.” (Official Community Plan, section 18.5)
The City already has an extensive network of designated motorized multiple use trails. In 2011, this network consisted of an estimated 400 km of motorized trails. That figure has undoubtedly expanded considering the number of completed community Trail Task Force decisions since that time. (See City map at this link: http://whitehorse.ca/home/showdocument?id=4210 and https://hillcrestcommunity.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/letter-to-hca-residents.pdf.)
The Official Community Plan says, “Where feasible, consideration shall be made to separate multi-use trails (which accommodate motorized and non-motorized recreation) from non-motorized trails.” (OCP 18.5.1) The City has certainly accommodated the needs of motorized users of our trails. It now needs to do the same for non-motorized users, and ensure they have trails that are free from motorized use year-round.
Both the ATV Bylaw and the Snowmobile Bylaw permit operators to use residential streets outside the downtown core to reach designated “out and away” motorized trails. The Snowmobile Bylaw defines snowmobiles as “motor vehicles”. Both bylaws prohibit ATVs and snowmobiles from entering Environmentally Sensitive Areas year-round.
The ATV Bylaw bars ATVs from non-motorized trails, greenbelts, and open spaces, and requires ATVs to stay on designated motorized trails.
But here is the problem with the current Snowmobile Bylaw: it fails to list non-motorized trails, greenbelts, and open spaces under its “Excluded Areas”.
(See “Excluded Areas” #15 of the bylaw at the following site: http://www.whitehorse.ca/home/showdocument?id=74).
Unfortunately, this means that most so-called “non-motorized” trails, and all greenbelts and open spaces in the City regardless of their location, are open to snow machine use for more than half the year. This can lead to the widening of trails, damage to vegetation, and disturbance to wildlife, non-motorized users, and City residents.
A snowmobile operator can drive a snowmobile on any non-motorized trail unless it is specifically listed under “Excluded Areas”, or in “Schedule C” of the bylaw. Some trails, not mentioned in the Snowmobile Bylaw, may also be off-limits to all types of motorized vehicles if signed appropriately.
It is time to amend the Snowmobile Bylaw to bring some sense to this inequitable and confusing situation.
So-called non-motorized trails, greenbelts, and open spaces need protection both in summer and winter. We need to give them that protection, and we need to do it now. Please help redress this situation. Ask Mayor and Council (mayorandcouncil@whitehorse.ca) to amend the Snowmobile Bylaw by adding non-motorized trails, greenbelts, and open spaces to the bylaw’s list of “Excluded Areas”.
For information about snowmobile impacts on the environment and neighbourhoods, visit ATWA’s webpage:
https://www.activetwa.org/snowmobile-impacts.html
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
City of Whitehorse survey results and neighbourhood plans indicate that the majority of residents support the restriction of snowmobiles to
designated motorized trails:
designated motorized trails:
- 2010 Riverdale Neighbourhood Plan: Section 1.5.3, Questionnaire outcome (page 9)
“Motorized recreational vehicles (ATVs, snowmobiles) were identified as a major point of contention in the community. Many feel disturbed by motorized activity and identify it as a safety issue, particularly in regards to children. The consensus seems to be that laws regarding these vehicles are not being respected and must be more stringently enforced.”
“Furthermore, trails need to be strongly designated as motorized or non-motorized. Many also expressed concern regarding the erosion of trails, and general environmental damage caused by these vehicles.”
- 2010 Whitehorse Official Community Plan section 18.5.1:
“Where feasible, consideration shall be made to separate multi-use trails (which accommodate motorized and non-motorized recreation) from non-motorized trails. Future multi-use trail development shall avoid environmentally sensitive areas wherever possible.”
- 2011 Whitehorse Snowmobile Survey (statistically valid) results:
https://www.activetwa.org/uploads/2/2/7/6/22767404/110701_snowmobile_bylaw_report_july_2011.pdf
“It is important to separate motorized and non-motorized trail use: 59% agree 23% disagree”
(This survey was part of the 2011-2012 public consultation process for the new Snowmobile Bylaw.)
- 2014 Hillcrest Neighbourhood Plan - section 3.4.4.3:
“The City should continue to explore methods such as improved signage, barriers (Figure 11), and compliance monitoring, to ensure All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) and snowmobiles are used only on trails where motorized vehicles are permitted.”
- 2015-2050 Whitehorse Sustainability Plan:
“Manage greenspace to rehabilitate, limit access, and limit fragmentation” (page 20)
- 2015 ORV impacts and management measures - Survey conducted by Yukon conservation Society, Friends of McIntyre Creek, Porter Creek Community Association
Respondents made numerous comments on the need to keep motorized vehicles off non-motorized trails summer and winter.
- 2016 Whistle Bend, Porter Creek, Takhini survey:
May 2017 “Porter Creek/Whistle Bend/Takhini/Range Point Trail Plan Report:
http://whitehorse.ca/Home/ShowDocument?id=8364 (report is on pages 17 to 24 of agenda package)
Quoting from page 5 of report:
“Survey respondents were also asked to weigh in on the matter of the designation of the paved perimeter trail in Whistle Bend. Options provided (and responses) were as follows:
• Non-motorized year-round (54% agree, 23% oppose, 23% neutral)
• Motorized winter only (34% agree, 40% oppose, 24% neutral)
• Motorized year-round (24% agree, 48% oppose, 27% neutral)”
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Whistle Bend perimeter trail signage:
In July 2017 the City replaced the "all motorized vehicles prohibited" sign (below left) with a multi-use sign allowing snowmobiles (below right), despite the above survey results indicating the majority's support for year-round non-motorized designation. The City's rationale for replacing the sign was that the current Snowmobile Bylaw allows snowmobiles on non-motorized trails.
In July 2017 the City replaced the "all motorized vehicles prohibited" sign (below left) with a multi-use sign allowing snowmobiles (below right), despite the above survey results indicating the majority's support for year-round non-motorized designation. The City's rationale for replacing the sign was that the current Snowmobile Bylaw allows snowmobiles on non-motorized trails.
Below are photos taken from the Whistle Bend perimeter trail, where snowmobiles are now allowed to operate, despite being next to residences for over 1 kilometre, and despite survey results indicating the majority's support for year-round non-motorized designation.
Below: A landscaped pond park in the Middle of Whistle Bend is being used as a snowmobile playground in the winter, despite its location between rows of residences.
