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Endangered Trail: Vedder MountainPopular multi-use trail system slated for closure due to logging and industrializationFebruary 22, 2005 Written by Greg HistoryThe Vedder Mountain multi-use trail system in Chilliwack has long been a favourite destination for ATVers, dirt-bikers, equestrians, mountain bikers, hikers, and other trail users. Its popularity isn't just with the locals; it brings visitors from all over the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley and beyond. I've even had ATVers from Washington State come up to ride the trails. While the trail system on Vedder Mountain is one of the most technical in all of BC for ATV riders, there are also many moderate and beginner trails, allowing a multitude of users with varied experience levels to enjoy their day on the mountain. Personally, a trip to Vedder takes me about 1.5 hours on the highway, and it's the closest decent riding area to me. The Vedder trail system's economic benefit to local businesses is undisputed. We buy our fuel, food, and other supplies in Chilliwack, and at the end of the day we finish off with a visit to one of the local restaurants. Many people buy their ATVs, dirtbikes, mountain bikes, and other equipment from local dealers. We get our vehicles, quads, and bikes serviced and repaired by local garages. Equestrians buy their feed and access veterinary services from local businesses. We even "drop in" to non-related businesses in town because they're "handy". Proposed ClosureVedder Mountain is slated to be closed down to recreational users. Weyerhauser/Northwest Hardwoods is planning to log several cut blocks on the mountain. They have said that they will clear the slash (left-over logging debris) from trails that they deem to be "safe". However, they have not defined "safe", and we all know that many of the technical trails that we enjoy are classed as "most difficult" and in all likelihood would not pass their idea of a "safe" trail. Once a trail is logged and covered by slash, it's GONE. As well, Martens Asphalt is planning on relocating their existing plant at the end of Young Road to the Vedder Mountain Quarry. Martens Asphalt is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the BA Blacktop Group. Industrial development and logging on Vedder Mountain will not only curtail our recreational use, it will severely impact habitat, watersheds, creeks, and slide areas on the mountain. Logging trucks and gravel trucks will greatly increase the amount of noise, pollution, and traffic on the narrow back-country roads, and will present a hazard to equestrian, bicycle, and foot traffic along the Cultus Lake park access road. WE ARE TOTALLY OPPOSED TO LOGGING AND FURTHER INDUSTRIALIZATION OF VEDDER MOUNTAIN. Several user groups have formed the Vedder Mtn Coalition for Sustainable Access Management, including trail users such as the BC Coalition of Motorcyclists, the Pacific Northwest Motorcycle Association, local residents, local businesses, and others. How can you help?Write letters to politicians, write a letter to Weyerhauser, post a message on your trail-use forums, and spread the word. You can find a list of mailing addresses at the BCCOM link below, along with a form letter that you can send verbatim or re-word to suit. Get on it; we're losing our riding areas at breakneck speed, and once they're gone they won't be back. Please voice your concerns in a timely fashion! The deadline for submissions against the logging proposal is March 1, 2005. Remember, this isn't just a concern to ATVers. It concerns EVERYONE who uses or wants to use the trails on Vedder, including hikers, mountain bikers, equestrians, environmentalists, bird watchers, dog walkers, dirt bikers, four-wheelers, and parents who want their kids to be able to experience the mountain. I remember my first visit to Vedder Mountain. It was around the Spring of 1988, and I had come across one of the access roads by chance while I was driving my then-new 1987 Nissan Pathfinder. I slowly worked my way up the narrow, switchbacked road, and at a plateau I stopped to chat with a father and his young son who were taking in the mid-morning view. The kid pointed to my vehicle, and said "He's driving on our mountain!" The father grinned, and said "That's okay, he can drive on our mountain. It's here for everyone to enjoy." • BCCOM hand-out, form letter, and mailing list • Article about asphalt plant in Chilliwack Times (Feb 4/05) • Letter to Weyerhauser on the PNWMA site Public Rally on Feb 20/05On February 20, a public rally was held at the corner of Parmenter Road and Cultus Lake Road, the main access point to the Vedder Mountain trail system. People from all walks of life were in attendance. Young kids and grandparents, hikers and 4x4 owners, dirt bikers and equestrians, local residents, local businesses, concerned citizens from all over the Greater Vancouver and Fraser Valley areas, and of course ATVers from Quads.ca. Several members of the media were present. Dr. Mark Steinbach, the President of the coalition, was the featured speaker. Information packets were handed out (downloadable from the BCCOM link above), and a petition was presented for all to sign.It was really great to see the diversity of Vedder Mountain trail users all in one location, coming together for for a common cause. Hopefully the united efforts from all concerned groups will be enough to save our beloved mountain. Here are some photos of the rally for those who couldn't attend. 
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