Residents of Vancouver Island and nearby islands are currently engaged in a lively discussion regarding an application submitted by an American non-profit organization seeking permission to utilize British Columbia’s Crown land for camping purposes during kayak expeditions. The National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), known for organizing outdoor adventures globally, has requested to renew and expand a license it has reportedly held since 2006.
The application entails granting NOLS the authority to establish campsites at 77 locations while leading an eight to ten-person kayak journey from Washington to Alaska in the upcoming summer. These sites, ranging from 0.3 to 4.6 hectares, are predominantly situated on and around Vancouver Island.
Conversations surrounding the application have surfaced on various social platforms, including Facebook and Reddit groups based in Vancouver Island, sparking numerous comments, particularly from individuals expressing apprehensions about an American entity accessing Canadian territory.
Karen McCarthy, a resident of Esquimalt near Victoria, expressed her concerns after coming across a community post on Facebook regarding the application. She emphasized worries about the number of locations and highlighted the lack of adequate consultations with nearby communities and First Nations.
While some online commentators raised doubts about specific sites listed in the application, others defended NOLS, citing the organization’s reputable history of responsible wilderness practices like “leave no trace.”
In response to fears circulating online about potential military use or permanent structures, a NOLS spokesperson clarified that the planned kayak trip is intended for school alumni, not military training. The company, with a long history of operating along the B.C. coast, emphasized that the 77 proposed campsites may not all be utilized and no structures will be erected.
The Ministry of Water, Land, and Resource Stewardship explained that the licenses provide commercial usage rights on Crown land without exclusive access, allowing public access. These licenses typically span ten years and incur an annual fee of $850 plus a daily usage charge.
While acknowledging the significance of outdoor tourism, Mike Willie, a Kwikwasut’inuxw Nation hereditary chief, underscored the importance of prioritizing local interests over external ones. He stressed the need for better communication with local stakeholders, especially indigenous groups whose territories may be impacted by such applications.
The public can provide feedback on the application until October 5, with the ministry committed to thorough reviews, including assessments of wildfire and pollution risks, before final decisions are made.
