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 Some weeks ago I ran across an item that caught my eye. It was the website of the Clayoquot Wilderness Resorts & Spa and it was unlike anything I'd ever before associated with "Wilderness"
Today I stumbled upon an article titled, "Clayoquot Resort Plans Trail Upgrades Into Strathcona Park" and my antennae twitched frenetically. The article was about a private resort's desire to spend big bucks to upgrade a wilderness trail associated with a Canadian Provincial Park. Local activists described this action with these words - "We believe this is a first step in opening up the park to exclusive use by a private commercial interest."
Because the parks commercialization and privatization agenda is further advanced in Canada than it is here in the states, looking North provides a clear peek into the future that awaits our own National Parks and Wilderness areas.
THIS is the direction things are headed. And while this future has already arrived in Canada, it may yet be avoidable here in the USA.
Scott
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5/8/07
Clayoquot Resort Plans Trail Upgrades Into Strathcona Park
By Keven Drews
A high-end Clayoquot Sound resort plans to spend at least $300,000
upgrading a wilderness trail so its guests – and members of the public
– can better access Strathcona Provincial Park.
Today, Clayoquot Wilderness Resort will present its plans for the
Bedwell River Trail during a public information sessions at the Weigh
West Resort from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.
A similar open house will take place tomorrow in Courtenay.
However, the plans have already drawn fire from the Friends of
Strathcona Park, an organization that argues the application will
threaten the park’s integrity, give one business an unfair advantage,
and lead to the establishment of a private resort in the park.
“We have noticed that there is some misinformation out there about our
proposal and we hope to answer as many questions and concerns as
possible at the two informational open houses,” said John Caton,
managing director of the Clayoquot Wilderness Resort.
“B.C. Parks has indicated this area is not a priority and there is no funding to improve access.”
The Bedwell River Trail follows an old mining roadbed, which the resort says B.C. Parks has closed due to safety concerns.
The resort plans to spend at least $300,000 on building 10 bridges,
eight tent pads, a corral, a composting toilet, an information shelter,
and annual maintenance.
The tent pads will be installed at You Creek, inside the park, and will be maintained by the resort.
Under a current permit, the resort is allowed to take hiking parties into the area.
The resort would like to expand its operations to include horseback riding and mountain biking.
Caton said environmental impacts will be minimal because the route will
follow the original mining road and no more than 12 people will be able
to participate in the resort’s guided tours at any time.
Caton said the resort will cleanup manure from the trail bed after each trip.
Three of the eight tent pads will be available for public use at all
times, and all eight tent pads will be available for public use when
the resort’s guests are not using them.
But the Friends of Strathcona park are opposed.
“This application poses a serious threat to the future integrity of not
only Strathcona but all Class A wilderness parks in the province,” said
Kel Kelly, a spokesman for the Friends. “We believe this is a first
step in opening up the park to exclusive use by a private commercial
interest.
“That has never been and should never be a function of B.C.’s wilderness parks.”
Kelly said his organization doesn’t oppose the resort’s operations
outside the park and supports commercial operations that fit with the
park’s master plan.
“The unspoiled wilderness provides natural capital for a number of
private enterprises already, and there is room for more. There is a
level playing field that supports tourist-related businesses and
creates local jobs.”
Kelly said he feared once the door are open to private industry they’ll never close.
“The government of B.C. has floated the idea of private resorts in parks on a number of occasions,” said Kelly.
“Strong public opposition to that idea has taken the debate out of the
public eye, but we believe this application is a quieter approach to
the same philosophy.”
The Friends of Strathcona Park is a 20-year-old non-profit organization
focused on environmental education, wilderness, parks and wildlife
protection.
The Clayoquot Wilderness Resort is an exclusive “ultra-luxurious” resort owned by the Genovese Family Trust.
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- Privatization 
