Latest news with #LandandResourceStewardship
Global News
01-07-2025
- General
- Global News
New proposal calls for B.C. grizzly on Texada Island to be moved to Bute Inlet
First Nations on British Columbia's coast are coming together with a new proposal aimed at relocating the grizzly bear who's been making his home on Texada Island for more than a month. The latest pitch would see the bear, now dubbed Tex, moved to Bute Inlet, about 100 kilometres northwest of the island. 'It's a pretty remote area of the province… there's hardly any humans there, so the bear will have lots of room to roam,' said Homalco First Nation Chief Darren Blaney. 'We have busy bear tours up there as well, and we have a salmon-enhancement facility up there and it creates a lot of food for the bears.' 2:18 First Nation group offers territory to move Texada grizzly bear There have been several proposals to trap and move the bear, and Texada Islanders have even privately fundraised to cover the cost of relocating him. Story continues below advertisement The B.C. government, however, has resisted the idea, telling Global News that because the bear has already been moved twice the chances of a successful third move are low and it is no longer a candidate for relocation. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Nicholas Scapaillati, executive director of the Grizzly Bear Society, argues Tex just hasn't been given the right opportunity. 'This is a young male who is at that age where he's looking for a mate. He's looking for new territory and he's been driven out of his territory where he was born.. Part of that's genetic, it's his drive to leave and part of it's his mom,' he said. 'He was relocated to his home range in the past, and so now we're looking at something that's setting him up for success in a new territory.' Both the Grizzly Bear Society and the First Nations whose territory are involved say the initiative is also an opportunity for the province to advance reconciliation by incorporating Indigenous knowledge into land management and conservation decisions. 'Reconciliation can't be just something you say on TV. It has to be some action to that,' Blaney said. 'Because you're respecting government, you're respecting culture and respecting food sovereignty and, you know, part of our culture is the bears in our territory.' Story continues below advertisement Blaney said there were plans to meet with the province on Monday, and again later in the week, and that he was hopeful they could reach an accommodation. 1:52 Texada Island residents hope for safe transportation of lone grizzly bear In a statement, the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship was non-committal. 'The Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship is aware of this plan, and there are ongoing conversations between First Nations and the Grizzly Bear Foundation,' it said. In the meantime, conservation officers have visited Texada Island and are providing public safety and attractant management advice to residents. It's the type of conversation Scapillati says will become increasingly necessary as bear habitat is destroyed or encroached on by humans. 'It's the responsibility of these communities to learn to coexist,' he said. Story continues below advertisement 'And Texada is doing a great job. They've got a community board set up, and the community's coming together and having that discussion — and that's really important, they're the ones that will determine the fate of Tex until the province and First Nations can come together with this new plan.'
Vancouver Sun
27-05-2025
- Climate
- Vancouver Sun
B.C. orders Hobo Hot Spring restored, as new fence blocks off public use
The British Columbia government has ordered the restoration of free natural hot spring pools that were mysteriously filled with dirt and boulders last fall. But even as the government says it's working with the nearby Harrison Hot Springs Resort to repair the stream, the community's mayor says a new fence has been erected around the natural spring, making it unavailable for public use. The government launched an investigation into the damage to the free natural spring and Crown resource, known as the Hobo Hot Spring, last October. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. The Ministry of Forests says it can't release a copy of the order to restore the springs, because it's related to an active investigation. However, the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship says it's working to fix the stream with the owner and general manager of the nearby Harrison Hot Springs Resort, which did not respond to a request for comment. Harrison Hot Springs Mayor Fred Talen says the resort is complying with the order to remove rocks and boulders placed in the public pools, but he's 'really disappointed' a new fence was put up around the stream on the weekend. Talen blamed the resort for the fence. 'I think it's a mistake, it's a misstep, it's inappropriate at best. At its worst, it could be viewed as disrespectful,' said Talen. Photographs provided by Talen show a sign deterring the public from accessing the water on a large brick-and-metal structure. 'Do not enter water. Hot mineral water temperatures vary and will cause injury,' the sign says. But before the pools were filled in last fall, the spring had been used for free by First Nations people and other locals for many years. The Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship said last year that filling or making changes to the spring would require approval, and none was given. The Ministry of Forests said in a statement last week that a Water Sustainability Act order has been issued to restore the site to its previous state, and the next steps of the investigation would be determined after order compliance was verified. Talen said the village would continue to have conversations with the resort to remove the fencing and enhance the hot springs experience in a way that benefited the resort, the Sts'ailes First Nation and the village, which is 130 kilometres east of Vancouver. 'The unilateral action by the resort makes me question whether the resort's monopoly over the public's use of the hot springs should continue,' said Talen. 'These hot springs, really, in my view, are a public resource and shouldn't be under the exclusive control of a single business,' he added. The resort is owned by Aldesta Hotels & Resorts. The government did not respond to questions about the fence and structure at the stream.
National Observer
27-05-2025
- Climate
- National Observer
BC orders Hobo Hot Spring restored, as new fence blocks public use
The British Columbia government has ordered the restoration of free natural hot spring pools that were mysteriously filled with dirt and boulders last fall. But even as the government says it's working with the nearby Harrison Hot Springs Resort to repair the stream, the community's mayor says a new fence has been erected around the natural spring, making it unavailable for public use. The government launched an investigation into the damage to the free natural spring and Crown resource, known as the Hobo Hot Spring, last October. The Ministry of Forests says it can't release a copy of the order to restore the springs, because it's related to an active investigation. However, the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship says it's working to fix the stream with the owner and general manager of the nearby Harrison Hot Springs Resort, which did not respond to a request for comment. Harrison Hot Springs Mayor Fred Talen says the resort is complying with the order to remove rocks and boulders placed in the public pools, but he's "really disappointed" a new fence was put up around the stream on the weekend. Talen blamed the resort for the fence. BC orders Hobo Hot Spring restored, as new fence blocks off public use "I think it's a mistake, it's a misstep, it's inappropriate at best. At its worst, it could be viewed as disrespectful," said Talen. Photographs provided by Talen show a large brick-and-metal structure has also been built across the stream, along with a sign deterring the public from accessing the water. "Do not enter water. Hot mineral water temperatures vary and will cause injury," the sign says. But before the pools were filled in last fall, the spring had been used for free by First Nations people and other locals for many years. The Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship said last year that filling or making changes to the spring would require approval, and none was given. The Ministry of Forests said in a statement last week that a Water Sustainability Act order has been issued to restore the site to its previous state, and the next steps of the investigation would be determined after order compliance was verified. Talen said the village would continue to have conversations with the resort to remove the fencing and enhance the hot springs experience in a way that benefitted the resort, the Sts'ailes First Nation and the village, which is 130 kilometres east of Vancouver. "The unilateral action by the resort makes me question whether the resort's monopoly over the public's use of the hot springs should continue," said Talen. "These hot springs, really, in my view, are a public resource and shouldn't be under the exclusive control of a single business," he added. The resort is owned by Aldesta Hotels & Resorts. The government did not respond to questions about the fence and structure at the stream.
Hamilton Spectator
27-05-2025
- Climate
- Hamilton Spectator
B.C. orders Hobo Hot Spring restored, as new fence blocks off public use
The British Columbia government has ordered the restoration of free natural hot spring pools that were mysteriously filled with dirt and boulders last fall. But even as the government says it's working with the nearby Harrison Hot Springs Resort to repair the stream, the community's mayor says a new fence has been erected around the natural spring, making it unavailable for public use. The government launched an investigation into the damage to the free natural spring and Crown resource, known as the Hobo Hot Spring, last October. The Ministry of Forests says it can't release a copy of the order to restore the springs, because it's related to an active investigation. However, the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship says it's working to fix the stream with the owner and general manager of the nearby Harrison Hot Springs Resort, which did not respond to a request for comment. Harrison Hot Springs Mayor Fred Talen says the resort is complying with the order to remove rocks and boulders placed in the public pools, but he's 'really disappointed' a new fence was put up around the stream on the weekend. Talen blamed the resort for the fence. 'I think it's a mistake, it's a misstep, it's inappropriate at best. At its worst, it could be viewed as disrespectful,' said Talen. Photographs provided by Talen show a large brick-and-metal structure has also been built across the stream, along with a sign deterring the public from accessing the water. 'Do not enter water. Hot mineral water temperatures vary and will cause injury,' the sign says. But before the pools were filled in last fall, the spring had been used for free by First Nations people and other locals for many years. The Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship said last year that filling or making changes to the spring would require approval, and none was given. The Ministry of Forests said in a statement last week that a Water Sustainability Act order has been issued to restore the site to its previous state, and the next steps of the investigation would be determined after order compliance was verified. Talen said the village would continue to have conversations with the resort to remove the fencing and enhance the hot springs experience in a way that benefitted the resort, the Sts'ailes First Nation and the village, which is 130 kilometres east of Vancouver. 'The unilateral action by the resort makes me question whether the resort's monopoly over the public's use of the hot springs should continue,' said Talen. 'These hot springs, really, in my view, are a public resource and shouldn't be under the exclusive control of a single business,' he added. The resort is owned by Aldesta Hotels & Resorts. The government did not respond to questions about the fence and structure at the stream. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 27, 2025.
Winnipeg Free Press
27-05-2025
- Climate
- Winnipeg Free Press
B.C. orders Hobo Hot Spring restored, as new fence blocks off public use
The British Columbia government has ordered the restoration of free natural hot spring pools that were mysteriously filled with dirt and boulders last fall. But even as the government says it's working with the nearby Harrison Hot Springs Resort to repair the stream, the community's mayor says a new fence has been erected around the natural spring, making it unavailable for public use. The government launched an investigation into the damage to the free natural spring and Crown resource, known as the Hobo Hot Spring, last October. The Ministry of Forests says it can't release a copy of the order to restore the springs, because it's related to an active investigation. However, the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship says it's working to fix the stream with the owner and general manager of the nearby Harrison Hot Springs Resort, which did not respond to a request for comment. Harrison Hot Springs Mayor Fred Talen says the resort is complying with the order to remove rocks and boulders placed in the public pools, but he's 'really disappointed' a new fence was put up around the stream on the weekend. Talen blamed the resort for the fence. 'I think it's a mistake, it's a misstep, it's inappropriate at best. At its worst, it could be viewed as disrespectful,' said Talen. Photographs provided by Talen show a large brick-and-metal structure has also been built across the stream, along with a sign deterring the public from accessing the water. 'Do not enter water. Hot mineral water temperatures vary and will cause injury,' the sign says. But before the pools were filled in last fall, the spring had been used for free by First Nations people and other locals for many years. The Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship said last year that filling or making changes to the spring would require approval, and none was given. The Ministry of Forests said in a statement last week that a Water Sustainability Act order has been issued to restore the site to its previous state, and the next steps of the investigation would be determined after order compliance was verified. Talen said the village would continue to have conversations with the resort to remove the fencing and enhance the hot springs experience in a way that benefitted the resort, the Sts'ailes First Nation and the village, which is 130 kilometres east of Vancouver. Wednesdays A weekly look towards a post-pandemic future. 'The unilateral action by the resort makes me question whether the resort's monopoly over the public's use of the hot springs should continue,' said Talen. 'These hot springs, really, in my view, are a public resource and shouldn't be under the exclusive control of a single business,' he added. The resort is owned by Aldesta Hotels & Resorts. The government did not respond to questions about the fence and structure at the stream. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 27, 2025.
