10 Feb Update - Smoke Bluffs / FMCBC Lands

Getting down in the weeds on this one, but the details are critical.

Highlights:

• SAS will attend an consultation virtual meeting held by FMCBC for interested organizations / Club. To be held late Feb - early Mar.

• FMCBC sub-Committee recommendations to the FMCBC Board target is late March.

• DoS are drafting the SBP Designation Bylaw. Presentation to Council 16 Feb. SAS aims to attend virtually.

• SBP Committee Restructuring was tabled at 28 Jan SBP Committee Meeting. SAS/FMCBC/CASBC reviewing and submitting amendments to maintain climbing centric focus on the Committee and by extension influence on SBP management and operations.

Potential Land Sale

• Consultation Process

  • SAS is confirmed as an attendee via Google Meet.

  • FMCBC allowing a week for replies. Schedule meetings once it is known how many groups want to participate.

  • Format: Presentation to share information, 30 min? 30-60 min, Q&A / Comments.

  • Target completion of consultation in early March leading to recommendations to the FMCBC Board by late March.

  • Transparency:

    • SAS will share information gained in this session.

    • Requested that the DoS proposal be made available before session. Reply from FMCBC is that it is a process rather than a written proposal.

    • Requested that a summary of the consultations with other groups be made public.

    • Requested that final recommendations by the Sub-Committee to the FMCBC Board be made public.

• Smoke Bluffs Park Dedication Bylaw

  • Purpose: Further reserve and protect the use of the lands solely for park purposes. Refer to four point DoS plan.

    • KEY DOCUMENT IN THIS PROCESS.

  • Details: TBC, but of special interest.

    • Boundaries. Relationship to FMCBC lands currently and if part of park.

    • Power to repeal by electorate vote. Procedure. % required.

    • Other protections.

  • Timeline

    • 11 Feb - Draft by DoS complete.

    • 16 Feb - DoS Special Business Meeting. 1st reading? Or all in one session? See Division 3 — Bylaw Procedures

    • TBC - Available for review on DoS website.

• SBP Committee Restructuring

  • SBP Committee will transition from a Select Committee to a Staff Advisory Committee.

  • According to the DoS, this will reduce administration and add flexibility.

  • At the SBP Committee meeting of 28 Jan, a new Terms of Reference was introduced.

  • Mostly the same as. Previous bylaw establishing Committee.

  • Advocacy aim: Maintain climbing access in the Park and influence on the Committee. SAS/FMCBC/CASBC have been examining and collaborating to submit amendments.

  • Areas of Concern

    • Composition: Ensure majority representation by climbers.

      • FMCBC/SAS/CASBC have lobbied to change the wording of the TOR to ensure that climbers maintain a majority on the Committee. This has been successful and the TOR have been changed.

    • Committee Chair. New TOR have a staff member from the DoS vs elected from within the committee members. The impact of this is under discussion.

  • Timeline: At this time we understand that it is the same as the Park Designation Bylaw.