INTRODUCTION

The Recreational Canoeing Association of B.C. has adopted the environmental practices outlined in 'A Canoeist Manual for the Promotion of Environmental and Ethical Concerns', published by the Canadian Recreational Canoeing Association (CRCA). The following is a summary of practices and issues for the consideration of Instructors and trip leaders.

FIRES

• Try to use established fire sites. If one is not available dig down to a mineral (sand/rock) base. As a last resort build up a base of rocks. Do not light fires on forest litter or top soil.
• Locate fires away from small streams or creeks. On large waterways it is preferable to build fires below the high water line . Always avoid overhanging limbs and stay at least 3m away from any trees or stumps.
• Restrict fires to cooking size. Use small twigs rather than large logs that will not be burned completely.
• It is usually inappropriate to light fires in sub-alpine or meadow areas.
• Saturate ground with water before disassembling the fire. A fire is not considered out unless you can hold your hand on it for over 10 seconds.
• Return new fire pits to natural state by dispersing collected firewood, burying or scattering ashes and picking up any burnt out cans or foil.

TOILETS

• Encourage individual sites ("cat holes") in the surface litter (not more than 20cm deep). Fill after use.
• Larger groups (20 people days at one site) should use single site (latrine) at least 60cm deep.
• Cat holes and latrines should be at least 35m away from huts, established campsites or surface water.
• Bury or burn all toilet paper and sanitary napkins.

GARBAGE

• Burn out and crush tins and foil to remove food odours (wash out if no fire) then pack it all out.
• Burn all paper but pack out plastics. Since you packed it in, you can pack it out.
• In high use areas trips should carry garbage bags to clean up existing garbage at campsites.

WASHING DISHES

• Bury or burn all food scraps (packing food scraps out can be a health/animal hazard).
• Wash dishes away from water source, preferably on gravel and use biodegradable soap.

BATHING

• Use biodegradable soap in small amounts.
• If possible rinse soap off away from water source.
• Where washing in water is necessary, limit amount of soap used.
• No soap in hot springs.
• Brush teeth away from water source (please don't spit in the waterway).

CAMPSITES/HUTS

• Encourage "no trace camping" and use established sites when possible.
• Do not clear an area of brush or forest litter.
• Camp on mineral soil (sand) 15 m or more from waterways (particularly small streams).
• High spots with good drainage make the best campsites because they are usually drier and more durable than soft marshy areas.
• Trenching around tents does long term environmental damage on anything but sand or gravel surfaces.
• Keep area clean while in use and when leaving.
• Be considerate of others using the same hut/site particularly in terms of noise and tidiness.
• Leave dry firewood cut beside stoves in huts.

AWARENESS

• Be familiar with the carrying capacity of the areas of travel and act accordingly.
• Avoid potential conflicts with other user groups or residents. Common examples are:
  • loud ghetto blasters etc.
  • canoeists and fishermen not respecting each others right to use rivers
  • poor judgement in parking one's car at the trail head, put in or take out point
  • lack of discretion when changing clothes in public

WILDLIFE

To avoid potential conflicts with wildlife:

• all food should be kept out of reach of wild animals. Never feed wildlife.
• people must be made aware of animal hazards including bears, moose, etc..
• stay at a safe distance while photographing or observing wildlife.
• remember anything big enough to do damage can run/swim faster than you can.
• do not underestimate the risk of disturbing smaller animals: rodents, martins etc..

FISHING

• After cleaning fish taken from lakes and streams the entrails should be burned. Only on the ocean is it acceptable to throw them back into the water.
• Follow all fishing regulations such as: limits, season & licenses.
• Note - those over 15 years old require a license to fish on fresh and salt waters in BC.

TRAVEL

• Use established trails and avoid short-cutting switch backs, stay on high ground in meadows.
• Keep noise level down when it could disturb others - no yelling.
• Try not to disturb vegetation for any reason.
• Show respect for the lifestyles of communities being visited.