Joffre Lakes Provincial Park visitor strategy posted for public comment

Press Release

March 5, 2021

VICTORIA – British Columbians are invited to share their feedback on a proposed strategy aimed at managing the growing number of visitors at Joffre Lakes Provincial Park and protecting its natural and cultural features.

Developed with the Lil’wat Nation and N’Quatqua, the Joffre Lakes Visitor Use Management Strategy provides direction for the long-term management of the park. The strategy proposes several initiatives, such as free day-use passes to manage the number of people and continuing the First Nations Park Stewards Program – a pilot project introduced in 2019 to educate visitors about the natural and cultural qualities of the park, provide outreach and conduct park management.

Located 35 kilometres east of Pemberton, Joffre Lakes Provincial Park is one of the most popular parks in the province, with 196,322 visitors in 2019 – a 222% increase since 2010. In response to the growth, BC Parks has implemented several short-term measures, such as:

• expanding the parking lots to increase capacity from 250 vehicles to 350;
• adding washroom facilities at the main parking lot and overflow parking lot;
• managing the 26 backcountry tent pads through a reservation system;
• partnering with RCMP, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, and the B.C. Conservation Officer Service to address illegal parking and associated safety concerns on Highway 99; and
• installing a satellite phone at the Joffre Lakes trailhead for emergency response and safety.

The Joffre Lakes Visitor Use Management Strategy was informed by stakeholder consultation and public surveys conducted in summer 2019.

The draft strategy will be posted online for public comment for 30 days (until April 4, 2021):
http://www.bcparks.ca/planning/management-plans/joffre-lakes/

All public feedback provided through the online form will be considered when finalizing the strategy.

The park remains temporarily closed to ensure the continued health and safety of local communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Contact:

Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy
Media Relations
250 953-3834

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