Shannon Basin Visitor Use Management: Online Survey (What ... · ABOUT THE SURVEY In September 2019, Fraser Basin Council assisted the Ministry with a public online survey to gather

SHANNON BASIN VISITOR USE MANAGEMENT PROJECT

ONLINE SURVEY

What We HeardMARCH 2020

S H A N N O N B A S I N V I S I T O R U S E M A N AG E M E N T P R O J E C T O N L I N E SU R V E Y W H AT W E H E A R D M A R C H 2020

FR O N T A N D B A C K CO V E R I M AG E: S TAWA M U S C H I E F

CO PY R I G H T © 2020, P R O V I N C E O F B R I T I S H CO LU M B I A . A L L R I G H T S R E S E R V E D.

T H I S M AT E R I A L I S O W N E D BY T H E G O V E R N M E N T O F B R I T I S H CO LU M B I A A N D P R OT E C T E D BY CO PY R I G H T L AW. I T M AY N OT B E R E P R O D U C E D O R R E D I S T R I B U T E D W I T H O U T T H E P R I O R W R I T T E N P E R M I S S I O N O F T H E P R O V I N C E O F B R I T I S H CO LU M B I A .

Table of Contents

1 2 0 1 9 S H A N N O N B A S I N O N L I N E S U R V E Y R E S U LT S

1 About the Project

1 About the Survey

1 Engagement Timeframe

1 Response Rate

2 S E C T I O N 1 : Y O U R E X P E R I E N C E I N T H E S H A N N O N B A S I N

2 Question #1:

2 Question #2:

2 Question #3:

2 Question #4:

3 Question #5:

3 Question #6:

4 Question #7:

4 Question #8:

4 Question #9:

5 Question #10:

5 Question #11:

5 Question #12:

6 Question #13:

6 Question #14:

6 S E C T I O N 2 : W H AT I S I M P O R TA N T ?

6 Question #15:

7 Question #16:

7 Question #17:

8 Question #18:

8 Question #20:

9 S E C T I O N 3 : A B O U T Y O U9 Question #21:

9 Question #22:

9 Question #23:

9 Question #24:

S H A N N O N B A S I N V I S I T O R U S E M A N AG E M E N T P R O E C T | O N L I N E SU R V E Y | W H AT W E H E A R D 1 PAG E

2019 Shannon Basin Online Survey Results

ABOUT THE PROJECTThe Sea to Sky region has seen a significant increase in recreation and tourism visitation over the past 10 years. The Shannon Basin, located near the head of Howe Sound in the heart of the Sea to Sky, is a popular year-round recreation destination for locals and tourists alike. The Shannon Basin encompasses Stawamus Chief and Shannon Falls Provincial Parks, the Shannon Creek watershed including Mt. Habrich, Sky Pilot, Goat Ridge, the Olesen Creek and Gonzales Creek watersheds, and Petgill Lake. The area provides a wide range of world class recreation opportunities and spectacular views of Howe Sound and the surrounding Coast Range. The area has been home to First Nations peoples for thousands of years and continues to be culturally, spiritually and economically important to First Nations communities today.

The Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development (“the Ministry”) is working to develop a visitor use management strategy for the Shannon Basin that supports sustainable recrea-tion while also protecting the area’s important cultural, environmental, and wildlife values.

The Ministry is partnering with Squamish Nation and working in collaboration with BC Parks and the Fraser Basin Council to co-develop the visitor use manage-ment strategy. The Fraser Basin Council is assisting as an impartial facilitator with outreach and engagement.

ABOUT THE SURVEYIn September 2019, Fraser Basin Council assisted the Ministry with a public online survey to gather input on what people value about the Shannon Basin, how people recreate here, and what people think is most important for future management of the area.

The survey was posted on Fraser Basin Council’s website and promoted through social media and other channels. Input from this survey will inform the planning process. Public feedback will be considered by project partners as we work together to identify objectives for the future management of the Shannon Basin.

ENGAGEMENT TIMEFRAMESeptember 12 – October 20, 2019

RESPONSE RATE774 responses were received

P R O J E C T A R E A : S E A T O S K Y N AT U R A L R E S O U R C E D I S T R I C T A N D T H E S H A N N O N B A S I N V I S I T O R U S E M A N AG E M E N T P R O J E C T A R E A . ( A B O V E M A P)

LEGEND

Visitor Use Management Project

Sea to Sky Natural Resource District

Protected Areas

30 km20100

N

SHANNON BASIN


Questions #2-#14 were answered by people who recreate in the Shannon Basin.

QUESTION #2: How often do you visit the Shannon Basin in Summer (Apr-Oct)?*

*Note: Those who recreate more than once a week in the Summer may not be reflected in these results

Section 1: Your Experience in the Shannon Basin

QUESTION #1: Do you recreate in the Shannon Basin?

V I E W O F S K Y P I LOT & G OAT R I D G E FR O M T H E S E A T O S K Y G O N D O L A ( A B O V E P H OT O )

QUESTION #3: How often do you visit the Shannon Basin in Winter (Nov-Mar)?

About once a week 16.84%

2 - 3 times a month 18.15%

About once a month 24.41%

About once every 2 months 11.62%

Once or twice in a year 22.58%

Never (do not intend to) 6.40%

QUESTION #4: When you visit the Shannon Basin, do you typically visit during the day, or do you stay overnight?

Day 91.26%

Overnight 8.34%

N/A 0.39%

About once a week 36.03%

2 - 3 times a month 24.67%

About once a month 17.62%

About once every 2 months 10.05%

Once or twice in a year 11.62%

Never (do not intend to) 0.00%

Yes 99.61%

No 0.39%


QUESTION #5: How often do you participate in the following activities in Shannon Basin in the summer? (check all that apply)

QUESTION #6: How often do you participate in the following recreation activities in Shannon Basin in the winter? (check all that apply)

Other: Visiting lodge for events, work or study, para-gliding, mushroom picking, berry picking, wildlife/bird watching, canyoneering, yoga, meditation, aid climbing, target practice, 4x4ing, via ferrata at the Gondola, and navigation training

Hiking/WalkingHiking/Walking

Rock climbingRock climbing

Trail runningTrail running

ScramblingScrambling

Mountain bikingMountain biking

Nature photographyNature photography

MountaineeringMountaineering

BoulderingBouldering

Wilderness campingWilderness camping

Dog walkingDog walking

Trials bike ridingTrials bike riding

Car campingCar camping

Dirt biking Dirt biking

HuntingHunting

OtherOther

Never Occasionally Regularly

800100 200 300 400 500 600 7000

NUMBER OF RESPONSES

Other: Rock climbing, bouldering, trail running, hiking, trials bike riding, dirt bike riding, snowbiking, mushroom picking, visiting lodge for events, food/drink, or work, winter camping, snowmobiling, photography, mountain biking, 4x4, tubing at the Gondola, paragliding, canyoning, and meditation

Backcountry skiing/snowboardingBackcountry skiing/snowboarding

WalkingWalking

SnowshoeingSnowshoeing

MountaineeringMountaineering

Cross-country skiingCross-country skiing

Ice climbingIce climbing

OtherOther

Never Occasionally Regularly

800100 200 300 400 500 600 7000

NUMBER OF RESPONSES


QUESTION #7: What are your main motivations for visiting the Shannon Basin? (check all that apply)

QUESTION #9: When you have visited the Shannon Basin in the past, did you feel that your enjoyment was reduced by the number of people you encountered?

Yes 50.33%

No 49.67%

N/A - Never visited 0%

Under “If yes, how?” some respondents provided additional detail, noting specifically that the number of people encountered reduced their enjoyment in the following ways:

» Congestion and crowding

» Increase in human waste, garbage

» Increase in off-leash dogs, dog waste, and undesir-able dog behavior

» Trail “bottlenecks” and line-ups on climbing routes

» Increased risks to personal safety (on trails, climbing routes, and in avalanche terrain)

» Music disturbing quiet space

» Lack of trail etiquette

» Lack of visitor preparedness

» Difficulties finding parking, campsites

» Trail erosion

To enjoy scenic viewsTo enjoy scenic views

To spend time in natureTo spend time in nature

To experience solitude/relaxTo experience solitude/relax

For adventure/challengeFor adventure/challenge

To spend time with friends and/or familyTo spend time with friends and/or family

To exerciseTo exercise

The area is easy to access from home or workThe area is easy to access from home or work

800100 200 300 400 500 600 7000

NUMBER OF RESPONSES

QUESTION #8: Please indicate your satisfaction with the following:

Variety of trails/terrainVariety of trails/terrain

Trail design/quality/maintenanceTrail design/quality/maintenance

Number of trailsNumber of trails

Trail signageTrail signage

Toilet facilitiesToilet facilities

ParkingParking

Opportunities for campingOpportunities for camping

Presence of enforcement/managementPresence of enforcement/management

800100 200 300 400 500 600 7000

NUMBER OF RESPONSES

Not at all satisfied

Very satisfied

Slightly satisfied

Extremely satisfied

Somewhat satisfied

No opinion


QUESTION #10: When you have visited the Shannon Basin in the past, did you feel that your enjoyment was reduced by any encounters you had with other visitors?

Yes 68.87%

No 31.00%

N/A - Never visited 0.13%

Under “If yes, how and where?” some respondents provided additional detail, noting specifically that their enjoyment was reduced by encounters with other visitors in the following ways:

» Lack of respect for the environment and other visitors

» Amount of noise and amplified music on trails and in campground

» Amount of garbage and human waste

» Lack of knowledge around ‘Leave No Trace’ & ‘Bear Aware’ principals

» Lack of preparedness

» Drones

» Unleashed dogs, undesirable dog behavior (barking & chasing people), dog waste

» Lack of trail etiquette & climbing etiquette leading to conflicts

» Lack of awareness on trails, scrambling routes, and in avalanche terrain leading to safety hazards

» Limited parking resulting in rude behavior

» Reduced feeling of solitude

» Conflicts between motorized and non-motorized users

» Unnatural smells (smoking, heavy perfumes)

» Non-compliance during fire bans leading to wildfire risk

» Target shooting near trails

» Attitudes of entitlement from guided or commercial groups

» Unorganized parking in Darrell Bay blocking residents’ access

QUESTION #11: Are you concerned with your environmental impact when visiting the Shannon Basin?

Yes, very much concerned 34.07%

Yes, somewhat concerned 33.29%

Neutral 14.30%

No, mostly unconcerned 12.35%

No, not concerned at all 6.26%


QUESTION #12: Are you concerned with the impact of your activ-ities to wildlife when visiting the Shannon Basin?

Yes, very much concerned 27.28%

Yes, somewhat concerned 32.90%

Neutral 20.37%

No, mostly unconcerned 13.97%

No, not concerned at all 5.48%



QUESTION #13: Have you encountered wildlife while recreating in the Shannon Basin?

Yes 50.00%

No 49.61%


Respondents encountered the following species:

» Bears

» Cougar, bobcat, coyote, fox

» Deer, elk

» Mountain goats

» Marmots, pikas

» Squirrels, chipmunks, mice

» Birds (grouse, falcons, owls, woodpeckers, eagles, ravens, crows, hummingbirds, jays, nighthawks)

» Weasels, raccoon, beaver, snowshoe hare

» Wolverine

» Snakes, lizards, amphibians, salamanders

QUESTION #14: Have you ever had a negative wildlife encounter while recreating in the Shannon Basin?

No 97.24%

Yes 2.76%

If yes, please specify: Aggressive chipmunks, aggres-sive bears, aggressive ravens, coyotes stalking dogs, cougars attacking dogs, squirrels/grey jays habituated to humans, humans feeding or harassing wildlife, off-leash dogs.

Section 2: What is Important?

QUESTION #15: Rank the importance of the following values or objectives, for future management for Shannon Basin.

Preserving the feeling of a wilderness experiencePreserving the feeling of a wilderness experience

Protecting wildlife & wildlife habitatProtecting wildlife & wildlife habitat

Providing educational information on backcountry ethics/stewardshipProviding educational information on backcountry ethics/stewardship

Minimizing risk of wildfireMinimizing risk of wildfire

Providing designated non motorized area Providing designated non motorized area

Protecting First Nations valuesProtecting First Nations values

Easy, unrestricted access in the areaEasy, unrestricted access in the area

Maintaining a spectrum of recreation opportunitiesMaintaining a spectrum of recreation opportunities

Reduced crowding on trails & at trailheadsReduced crowding on trails & at trailheads

Adequate infrastructure for levels of useAdequate infrastructure for levels of use

Providing educational information on the environment & wildlifeProviding educational information on the environment & wildlife

Providing educational information on First Nations’ history & cultureProviding educational information on First Nations’ history & culture

Improving public transportation to the areaImproving public transportation to the area

Providing a diversity of trails Providing a diversity of trails

Safety of visitorsSafety of visitors

Improving parking opportunitiesImproving parking opportunities

Providing additional commercial recreation opportunitiesProviding additional commercial recreation opportunities

800100 200 300 400 500 600 7000

NUMBER OF RESPONSES

Not important

Moderately important

Slightly important

Very important

Neutral

No opinion


QUESTION #16: In your opinion, which of the following actions would improve recreation management in the Shannon Basin? (check all that apply)

QUESTION #17: Please rate the importance of having each of the following recreation settings available within the Shannon Basin.

Increase connection to other existing trail networksIncrease connection to other existing trail networks

Build backcountry/wilderness camping areasBuild backcountry/wilderness camping areas

Increase educational signageIncrease educational signage

Increase enforcement/management presenceIncrease enforcement/management presence

Improve and/or build more toilet facilitiesImprove and/or build more toilet facilities

Establish designated motorized and non-motorized areas and/or trailsEstablish designated motorized and non-motorized areas and/or trails

Increase opportunities to learn about First Nations' history and cultureIncrease opportunities to learn about First Nations' history and culture

Designate on and off leash trailsDesignate on and off leash trails

Build more trailsBuild more trails

Enhance diversity of trailsEnhance diversity of trails

Limit recreation use seasonally and/or in specific areas to protect Limit recreation use seasonally and/or in specific areas to protect wildlife and wildlife habitatwildlife and wildlife habitat

Improve quality of trailsImprove quality of trails

Increase the number of frontcountry camping areasIncrease the number of frontcountry camping areas

Increase parkingIncrease parking

Increase car camping opportunitiesIncrease car camping opportunities

Enhance or improve road accessEnhance or improve road access

Increase guided recreation opportunitiesIncrease guided recreation opportunities

Increase amount or diversity of commercial/tourism offeringsIncrease amount or diversity of commercial/tourism offerings

40050 100 150 200 250 300 3500NUMBER OF RESPONSES

PrimitivePrimitive

Semi-primitiveSemi-primitive

Semi-primitive motorizedSemi-primitive motorized

Roaded naturalRoaded natural

RuralRural

500100 200 300 4000NUMBER OF RESPONSES

Not important

Moderately important

Slightly important

Very important

Neutral

No opinion


QUESTION #18: How important is it for there to be a range of recrea-tion settings available in the Shannon Basin?

Not important 9.19%

Slightly important 16.67%

Neutral 15.37%

Moderately important 27.69%

Very important 28.87%

No opinion 2.23%

QUESTION #19: What is most important to you when considering future recreation management in the Shannon Basin? (This was an open-ended question; responses are summarized below.)

» Maintain public access for a wide range of user groups

» Maintain multi-use, shared trails, with improved connection to other trail networks

» Preservation of the environment & wildlife

» Educate visitors (i.e. Leave No Trace, backcountry preparedness, etc.)

» Increased management presence & enforcement

» Maintain existing trails, rock climbing access, moun-tain bike trails, & trials trails

» Manage growth in visitation & impacts from human use

» Limit expansion of commercial operations

» Limit motorized recreation in certain areas

» Infrastructure that supports levels of visitation

» Parking & traffic management, public transportation

» Thoughtful planning & decision-making

» First Nations stewardship

» Safety

» Manage wildfire risk

QUESTION #20: Do you have other ideas of how land managers can improve recreation management in the Shannon Basin? (This was an open-ended question; responses are summarized below.)

» Visitor education

» Improve options to access the park that do not require driving

» Improve and increase recreation infrastructure

» Increase & improve trail signage

» Improve trail maintenance and trail planning

» Legalize unsanctioned trails outside of provincial parks

» Increase enforcement, management presence

» Protect wildlife

» Keep it wild

» Limit expansion of existing & future commercial activities

» Encourage cooperation, shared-use

» Manage crowds, especially during peak times

» Maintain unrestricted public access

» More funding is needed for proper management

» Designated non-motorized areas

» Maintain motorized use of trails

» Increased opportunities for stakeholder involvement


Section 3: About You QUESTION #21: Please indicate your age range.

18–24 (6%)

25–34 (35%)

35–44 (9%)

45–54 (18%)

55–64 (8%)

65–74 (3%)

75+ (0%)

Prefer not to answer (1%)

QUESTION #22: Where are you from?

Squamish 49%

Whistler/Pemberton 5%

Greater Vancouver area 36%

Elsewhere in BC 4%

Elsewhere in Canada 2%

USA 2%

Outside Canada and USA 1%

Prefer not to answer 1%

QUESTION #23: How would you describe your level of outdoor experience?

Expert (significant outdoor and backcountry experience) 68.37%

Intermediate (some outdoor experience; have been on several backcountry trips) 29.93%

Beginner (limited outdoor experience; have never been in the backcountry) 1.70%

QUESTION #24: What sources of information have you used to help plan your visit into the Shannon Basin? (check all that apply)

V I E W O F H O W E S O U N D FR O M T H E T O P O F T H E S TAWA M U S C H I E F ( A B O V E P H OT O )

Friends or family members (word of mouth) = 23%

BC Parks’ webpage = 10%

BC’s Rec Sites and Trails website = 8%

District of Squamish website = 3%

Recreation club/organization website/forum = 10%

Facebook (page or group) = 9%

Instagram = 3%

Other social media = 1%

Mobile map or trail app = 12%

Tourism operator (hotel, tourism business) = 0%

Squamish Adventure Centre = 2%

Guidebook = 18%

None = 1%

Documents

Shannon Basin Visitor Use Management: Online Survey (What ... · ABOUT THE SURVEY In September 2019, Fraser Basin Council assisted the Ministry with a public online survey to gather