By Erin Knutson

The Elk Valley Regional Land Trust (EVRLT) appeared before City of Fernie council October 22 to request funding to acquire the West Slope Corridor.

EVRLT presenter Kevin LaRoche spoke about the non-profit organization’s intent to purchase the Alpine Trail Lands to help wildlife in the area by creating a connectivity corridor on the West Slope around Fernie.

“These trails are heavily travelled by wildlife and people. Acquiring this property ensures a crucial element in creating a broader connectivity corridor,” he said.

According to LaRoche’s report, enhancing the existing passageway would prevent human-wildlife interaction by creating a new pathway for the animals in a north-south corridor that would allow them to bypass human thoroughfares.

Privately owned land has no municipal or city authority, leaving it legally in the hands of the owner. The property holder maintains the right to refuse access at any time and holds all rights to its use.

In this instance, the owner has agreed to sell the property for $7.6 million, said Laroche, and EVLRT has already sought funding sources.

“The EVLRT has obtained substantial funding from the federal government and other sources. It is now necessary to solicit funding from the city, which will benefit substantially from the project and without which the project will not proceed,” he said.

The federal government offered $2.6 million toward the acquisition, and the anonymous seller agreed to donate funds from the sale to conservational efforts for $3.6 million.

After meeting with city staff, Laroche determined that Fernie has $350,000 in reserve funds to acquire parks and linear parks and invited Fernie to do its part in the land transfer.

“The municipality can also waive property tax and has access to a stewardship fee that would kick off interest sufficient to cover the land in the future,” he said.

The EVRT would take on the perpetual management of the Alpine Trails Land, with a small fee from the city for this purpose.

This arrangement, along with four other stipulations presented in the report, would ensure the sustainable use and maintenance of the trails.

• The city would waive property taxes on the Alpine Trail Lands for 10 years, renewable at the city’s pleasure at the end of that term.
• The city would acquire ownership of the Mount Fernie, Fairy Creek Falls, and Mount Proctor access trails as linear parks for about $225k.
• The city and the EVRLT would enter an agreement under which the EVRLT manages the acquired trails on the city’s behalf for a yearly fee to be determined.
• The Trust would enter into a deal with the Fernie Trails Alliance (FTA) to maintain those trails and pay the FTA the total annual fee to cover those costs.

LaRoche ensured that the EVRLT’s priority for the site would be sustainable use and determining healthy conservation practices and values in consultation with experts and the city.

“Private owners are motivated by private interests, and they change. They can close on a moment’s notice. We want to ensure sustainability and acquire trails for perpetual use,” he said.

With a January 17, 2025, deadline to secure federal funding rapidly approaching, LaRoche emphasized the importance of expedited negotiations between the council and staff to discuss his request.

Following a discussion between Deputy Mayor Ted Shoesmith, staff, and the council, they decided that the issue should be brought back before Fernie council for consideration by the end of the year, underscoring the gravity of the council’s decision.

“I think we should move forward from a staff perspective with a resolution to direct staff to continue with engagement,” said Coun. Kyle Hamilton.

Lead image and map from Elk Valley Regional Land Trust report

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