Gatineau Park Access Petition

[jackson5240]

Please sign our petition that is intended to preserve climbing in the Gatineau park. Climbing has existed in the park prior to the parks creation. The climbers of the Ottawa Gatineau region agree that environmental preservation is important. We also believe that closing access to an activity that promotes a love of the natural environment and a healthy lifestyle would be a shame for future generations. For more information or to become a member of the Ottawa Gatineau Climbers Coalition please visit: http://gatineauclimbingaccess.ca

Click on the link below to access the petition

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/preser ... ineau-park

[jman]

Is there more information on what is prompting this petition? The front page of the climbing coalition site just mentions that the interim agreement will expire in two years, which I guess is soon/now? It doesn't actually say when that will be (or I couldn't find it).

[jackson5240]

Thanks for your interest. In a recent meeting between the Ottawa Gatineau Climbers coalition and a manager at the NCC we were informed that they are currently conducting an impact study. The results are due in January. Based on this study they will determine which areas will remain open and which will get closed.

Please pass the petition along to anyone you think would be interested.

[jman]

Cool, thanks for the additional info. Will do.

J

[mickey]

bump

[mickey]

It really blows my mind that there has been no discussion about this!!! People are more concerned about a web site closing more than their local climbing spot!

Maybe this will motivate all the boulderers who check this forum.


Temple Boulder CLOSED next summer!!!!

Parking lot blocked off and filled in.

What are the facts, whats going on? Why should all of you care, or do you care?



Jackson5240 what are some of the proposed closures? Why should we sign this petition? Please give more info

[mickey]

Flashman

Thanks for your interest. Recently a member of the Ottawa Gatineau Climber Coalition met with a senior manager at the NCC responsible for regulating all recreational activities. It was made painfully clear that the current climbing access to the park will be significantly reduced. The NCC is currently conducting an impact study to determine how hard climbing is on the surrounding plant life. The results of the study are due in January and will determine the depth of the closures. So unfortunately, at the moment, there is definitely ” an imminent danger of closure”

Again, thanks for your interest and please pass this petition along to anyone you think might be interested in signing it.

Cheers

from gripped forum

[revolushuneyz]

Mickey, I really appreciate your commitment to this, but it should be noted that there has been virtually no information available to locals on the issue. The petition does not provide details on potential closures, nor does the coalition website. People don't know what's happening, so how can we be acting?

I would hope that there are many of us more than willing to put in time and effort, but we need more information. Telling people to sign something because the coalition said so might put some folks off. But it also does not allow for locals to make a decision for themselves. People need the option of being informed and of making a choice to support a call to action or to act themselves. People cannot act simply through ignorance (I will save an wesome political joke for another time).

I had offered some help on this but I am leaving the country soon, so I`ll throw it out here. It would be HUGELY beneficial if the coalition created an easy-to-read pamphlet that covered: 1) the past, the present and the future of the issue, 2) what is being done, 3) what individuals can do, and 4) where peeps can get more info. The pamphlet could serve as both a primer and a call to action. Pass these around on climber sites and at the local gyms.

I don't know how many people involved in the coalition have ever organized a campaign to attempt to change a decision made by a governing body, but there are lessons to be learned. For a campaign to be successful it needs to be well organized/thought out and targeted. A petition alone won't change anyone's mind. If the coalition wants to seriously counter potential closures, the reasons for the closures need to be assessed and a solution to those reasons needs to be offered up. Clearly, according to the NCC, there is a problem. The NCC came up with its own solution. The climbing community needs to respond. But simply saying 'you shouldn't because we don't want you to' never convinces anyone, at least not in my experience. Moreover, you lose credibility for future action.

I would also ask the question, are these closures related to a bigger issue? If so, is it possible that that bigger issue would impact other outdoors-y communities? The climbing community is small, let's face it. We don't have a lot of clout. But we are a small faction of a very large community, especially in this region. Hikers, cyclists, runners, outdoors-y peeps in general, all use that land. Some folks in this region don't even use the land but understand it's importance from socio-cultural perspective and therefore support these communities in principal. But if something more fundamental is occurring with NCC land, the climbing community could form a more broad coalition with multiple communities. It makes for better numbers and would be more representative of those affected by major access changes. United we'd stand.

And finally, someone needs to take the lead on it. Presumably that would be the Coalition. Some sort of direction.

I am speaking completely out of ignorance because there is no information out there, or at least none that I`ve read.

I might also mention that it is very likely that the NCC is tracking what is being posted here. As such, suggesting that people don't care is somewhat reckless. There are many many people in Ottawa who regularly use and appreciate existing climbing spots in the NCC. Many of us use the land weekly (some of us daily) from April-November. That land is equally used by hikers, wanderers, bird watchers, and I imagine skiiers (??).

From your post, it sounds like we need to get our acts together quickly. Considering its off season, it's a potential new hobby for those not leaving the country to be awesome (just kidding...but I had to).

[revolushuneyz]

sorry, it's Marcella writing this if you don't know. I don't want to seem anonymous.

[daveh_cdn]

Adrian, you are the head for representing bouldering in the park for the coalition no? Any information?

[Eric]

All,

There is a coalition comittee meeting this week to work out a plan of action. The first part of the plan will be a community information campaign. We are aware that communication with the climbing community has been absent since the first climbing access agreement was created. The coalition has undergone a significant and difficult reorganization since that time.

Without getting in to all the details right now I can tell you that ALL human activity on or around the eardley escarpment is currently at risk of being banned. However the NCC realizes that an outright ban would be very difficult and expensive to enforce and they are planning to create a "recreation zone" which will be carved out the the eardley escarpment integral conservation zone despite it being contrary to the park master plan(which calls for a ban). They are awaiting the results of research they commisioned of all the used climbing areas and will provide us with this info possibly as early as the end of this month(probably later). After this time they intend to propose a new access agreement that will undoutably restrict climbing access to only a few rockfaces. I suspect that we have not much time to influence the decision of what the recreation zone will encompass.

It is quite probable that the NCC will close many of the rockfaces we currently enjoy. Right now we are working out what we can do about it. We have some ideas but we'd like to hear yours too so feel free to send me a message. ALL ideas proposed will be discussed at this weeks meeting.

Keep an eye open for more infomation soon.

Eric Grenier
Chair, Ottawa-Gatineau Climbers' Access Coalition

[revolushuneyz]

thanks for the info Eric, that's super helpful. There's an ncc meeting later this month that could be worth attending. i think it's important that we ensure the ncc knows that we are following this and are wanting to negotiate. we pay for that land; we should have our voices heard.

sorry if i came like a jerk previously; i feel bad about that.

[drtyner]

Any news?

[drtyner]

I noticed that the Ottawa Gatineau Access Coalition started a blog, so hopefully some info will be posted there.

http://gatineauclimbingaccess.ca/blog/

[drtyner]

Here are some documents that give you some insight as to where rock climbing sits in the NCC's park plan for Gatineau. Each document talks of the coming "conservation plan" without mention of a specific date.

Consultation Report - Gatineau Park Master Plan Review (2005)
http://www.canadascapital.gc.ca/data/2/ ... _pcr_e.pdf

Strategic Environmental Assessment (2005)
http://www.canadascapital.gc.ca/data/2/ ... _sea_e.pdf

Gatineau Park Master Plan (2005)
http://www.canadascapital.gc.ca/data/2/ ... Plan_e.pdf

More documents
http://www.canadascapital.gc.ca/bins/nc ... 573&lang=1

[climbguy_1]

I understand that the ecosystems conservation plan was to be due out on December 9, 2009. I do not know if that dead line was honoured or not. i was unable to locate a copy of this plan (or even a draft) and I am very anxious to read the new draft of the plan. I think I read somewhere that the date for finalization has been pushed to this spring (can someone confirm this?).

Once the Ecosystem Conservation Plan is finalized, the NCC may decide to act on priority areas imediately (climbing could (and is most likely) included in here). The Master Plan (which contains the current climbing restrictions) will be amended to reflect the measures outlined in the finalized Conservation Plan. For the most part, the majority of activity bans withing the park will likely be addressed in later documents generated specifically for the management of recreational activities.

Interesting letter to the NCC - worth a read through. We are not the only user group concerned about the up-coming restrictions. Competitive athletes will also be effected by bans.
http://cdn1.libsyn.com/p2peak/MikeAbrah ... ca19f75660

Conservation Plan main features - letter to the board
http://cdn3.libsyn.com/p2peak/2009-E10e ... 728c733a8a

This one is troubling to me. It appears that the conservation plan states that rock climbing will be limited to only "two or three" areas in the park (yet to be determined).

After reading through the above posted Strategic Environmental Assessment, rock climbing has been placed above all other recreational activities as far as ecological detriment, along with hang gliding and horseback riding. Refer to Appendix 3 ("Current Sources of Impacts and Their Contribution to the Cumulative Effects of the Master Plan") - point number 1 ("Specific recreational activities (climbing, hang
gliding)"). Each activity was scored in several categories outlined below:
- DIRECT LOSS OF LAND-BASED OR AQUATIC HABITATS OR HOME RANGE - climbing scored high importance
- ALTERATION OR FRAGMENTATION OF HABITATS/POPULATIONS - climbing scored moderate importance
- ALTERATION OF SPECIES BEHAVIOUR DUE TODISTURBANCE - climbing scored moderate importance
- PROBABLE IMPOVERISHMENT OF INDIGENOUS SPECIES POPULATIONS OR BIODIVERSITY - climbing scored high importance
- ALTERATION OF THE STRUCTURE (POPULATION IMBALANCE, ETC.) AND FUNCTIONS (PROCESSES, DYNAMICS) OF ECOSYSTEMS - climbing scored moderate importance

Climbings overall score was of high importance to "Current Overall Contribution to Cumulative Environmental Impacts" The only other (in park) activities to score high were vehicle traffic, development, and hunting/fishing (wildlife harvesting).

Appendix 5-2, bullet 2 under "proposals with positive environmental impacts" states that "Reduce significantly the number of climbing walls until the conservation plan will be effective"

One of our largest obstacles to overcome here is the lack of scientific evidence clearly outlining the scope and magnitude of environmental impact climbing actually has on the localized ecosystem. There have been studies conducted in the past in other parts of the world and/or Canada that have basically come to the conclusion that climbing does infact have a negative impact on the localized cliff ecosystems. We as climbers are more than aware of this (The issue is management, not prohibition). One quote from a memo submitted to the NCC board of diretors (Titled - Gatineau Park Ecosystems Conservation Plan) states that "The status quo option (i.e. allowing climbing throughout the escarpment, except on the four rock faces where it is currently prohibited under a provisional agreement) would go against the objectives of the Ecosystems Conservation Plan. It would imply gradual degradation of the entire escarpment, which would be unacceptable in this ecosystem, which is documented as an exceptional and delicate environment." We all know this to be false, so how to we convince the general public and uninformed NCC officials that climbing does not effect nearly all of the cliff ecosystem. When I was attending the consultations in 2004, one climber stated that climbers only use around 3% of the rock faces. Honestly, I doubt that figure is too far off. Maybe 5% at most. This is one of our biggest issues. In general, people believe we use the entire Eardly Escarpment!

The other major obstacle is the fact that the parks mandate specifies "The Plan for Canada’s Capital (1999) indicates that Gatineau Park must be managed “above all to protect ecosystems and then for recreational purposes.”" This creates a major conflict between climbing and the NCCs new approach to conservation in the park.

Somehow along the way, the Eardly Escarpment has been classified as a highly sensitive conservation zone. I have not read any supporting evidence for this and would love to if someone has or can point me in the direction of specific environmental assessments completed on the cliff ecosystems of the Eardly. For the most part (as a blanket statement) cliff ecosystems are fragile and do contain very site specific and regionally specific and significant flora. These flora are typically very sensitive to erosion and take an incredibly long time to establish themselves. I am not aware of the specifics involved with the Eardly (Please - if you have any reports, send them to me - I would love to see them).

Overall, it appears that the further ban of rock climbing in Gatineau is likely to go ahead whether we agree with it or not. All the documentation I have read so far contains strong wording suggesting the climbing ban. I think the NCC and its consultants believes that limiting the climbing to "two or three" walls will be a compromise that both sides can live with (the all-out ban appears to be fore fitted at this time), while the climbers of the Ottawa/Gatineau area believe they have already made the compromise with the current level of bans in place. Keep in mind the current level of prohibition was always meant to be temporary until the completion of the Conservation Plan.

Either way, the Conservation Plan will be finalized VERY SOON and the potential implications to climbing in Ottawa are HUGE.

[drtyner]

Yeah I was a little shocked to see that climbing has the same cumulative impact as hunting/poaching and Motor vehicle traffic with in the park. Thanks for the extra documents. There are several lines that strike me as concerning:


"Hang-gliding
The infrastructure associated with this sport (parking area, a 1-kilometre access pathway and a departure zone) are all situated in the integral conservation zone, which is a variance to the Master Plan zoning. Modifying zoning in this sector to accommodate this sport is not justified, since this is an exceptional high-value ecosystem. The hang-gliding site in Gatineau Park was not used in 2008 and 2009. This sport was replaced by paragliding, which is much more popular and undertaken outside the Park. It is proposed that the parking lot and access pathway to the hang-gliding departure site be eliminated."

----> This does not sound good for the Shrine.

"Currently, there is climbing throughout the Eardley Escarpment (except for four sites) located in the integral conservation zone of Gatineau Park. Recent studies have described this ecosystem as exceptional, fragile and vulnerable. It is recommended that the number of sites where climbing may take place be reduced to only two or three sites."

----> As mentioned by Ryan the wording of the first sentence is misleading and false

"Concerning habitat rehabilitation, projects such as the rehabilitation of climbing rock faces and shoreline protection are being considered under the multi-year investment program for the next five years."

---> Rehabilitation of climbing rock faces?? Are they going to chop bolts? Scrub the chalk off downunder?

[drtyner]

Perhaps the conservation plan was delayed due to the death of bill C-37 by the proroguing of parliament.

http://www2.parl.gc.ca/Content/LOP/Legi ... /c37-e.pdf

The highlights are here:

http://www2.parl.gc.ca/Sites/LOP/Legisl ... l=40&Ses=2

[drtyner]

More interesting bits of info on the NCC can be found here

http://www.nccwatch.org/

[climbguy_1]

A little press in Centretown news.

http://centretownnewsonline.ca/index.ph ... &Itemid=94

[DanG]

Thanks for the updates everyone. Keep it coming.

[LamontagnedeGatineau]

I kind of wonder if park management is not going ahead now with some closures:

A road ditch was dug that prevents access to the parking spaces for Shrine. Climbers/hikers now have to park, somewhat unsafely, on the curb.

[drtyner]

"Hang-gliding
The infrastructure associated with this sport (parking area, a 1-kilometre access pathway and a departure zone) are all situated in the integral conservation zone, which is a variance to the Master Plan zoning. Modifying zoning in this sector to accommodate this sport is not justified, since this is an exceptional high-value ecosystem. The hang-gliding site in Gatineau Park was not used in 2008 and 2009. This sport was replaced by paragliding, which is much more popular and undertaken outside the Park. It is proposed that the parking lot and access pathway to the hang-gliding departure site be eliminated."

Looks like they are following their plan then.

[climbguy_1]

Ya, I noticed that too last weekend. Dont think for a second that no parking signs are not going to be put up all along the road there.

[climbguy_1]

I just got this back from the NCC.

"Mr. Fletcher,

Thank you for contacting the National Capital Commission (NCC).

Please note that a timely public release of the Ecosystems Conservation Plan is still a priority. Work is continuing in order to make that happen shortly, perhaps by the end of March. We would be happy to contact you once a release date has been confirmed.

Should you have additional questions, or require clarification, please do not hesitate to contact us again.
Telephone: 613-239-5000 or 1-800-465-1867
Teletypewriter / TTY: 613-239-5090 or 1-866-661-3530
E-mail: info@ncc-ccn.ca

Rosanna
Client Services
National Capital Commission
#3054376"

The fact that they specifically specified "public release" indicates to me that it may actually be finalize internally, which could be why they seem to be pushing forward with some of the proposal outlined in the preliminary plan releases. So, end of the month for now or at least until it gets pushed again.

Ryan