BlackBerry Point

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  • #16906
    Mark Merry
    Member

    Does anybody know if you can still camp at Blackberry Point on Valdes Island

    I have heard that for Sale Signs are there.

     

     

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  • #17633
    Nick Heath

    I can confirm that the posted signs say “PRIVATE PROPERTY / NO HUNTING WITHOUT LANDOWNER PERMISSION then, in smaller lettering, Security 250-927-6828 http://www.islandtimberlands.com  / Island Timberlands

    Last week, at mid-week, there were boaters enjoying  the (public) beach, but no campers were present when we passed by.

    If any SKABC member is interested in working on some ways to bring this super site back into legal public recreational use, please let me know. I sense that the landowner is relenting slightly due maybe to continued public irritation over their previous ‘No Trespassing’ signs but there is still a long way to go with both Island Timberlands and the Lyackson First Nation.

    #17414
    Nick Heath

    There have been some developments on this site.

    1) the ‘No trespassing’ signs were apparently removed in late 2018, but not by the land owner. It is reported that a local outfitter/guide removed them in irritation and continues to use the site, as do many others.

    2) the landowner, Island Timberlands, appears to acknowledge that the site has high recreational value and through their public/community relations arm they are making inquiries about how it might be managed in future, given that they have been unsuccessful in stopping camping there so far and presumably don’t want the added expense of posting a caretaker/security guard either.

    3) BC Marine Trails would prefer to not be involved directly because this is private land and the previous organization to BCMT went down this same route with MacMillan Bloedel, became the leasee and then ended up being burned when the site was sold and changed hands.

    4) an organization could step forward – maybe a new one for “Friends of Blackberry Pt” or similar or maybe one of more paddling or boat clubs, preferably from nearby – to enter a partnership with the landowner –  sign a lease, buy insurance , indemnify Island Timberlands, so they don’t bear the risk of things going bad. repair the toilet  and maybe collect fees from users to cover their costs/hire a summer assistant etc.

    5) if #4 happened, SKABC might be approached to support it, although we are quite distant for providing regular volunteer support. I’m sure several members would make use of it.

    6) all this depends on the Lyackson FN accepting this arrangement- their current position is that this is (or is near) a sacred cultural site and there should be no camping here. It is also part of their land claim.

    I’m bringing this up to keep SKABC members advised. It would be excellent to get public use of this site, but I’d rather see a long-term rather than a short-term solution.  I also consider that the majority of interest lies with boating and paddling clubs in southern Vancouver Island rather than the  Metro Vancouver area..

    #16907
    Nick Heath

    Hey Mark,

    In 2017 the owners, Island Timberlands Ltd  posted No Camping and No Trespassing signs. I haven’t heard how they enforce this. The Lyackson FN also claim all of Valdes I, including the few private lots like this one, and they don’t want camping at Blackberry Pt either.  Too bad.

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