Mount Benson

Nanaimo’s Mount Benson is in the news.  This mountain forms the backdrop to the City and surrounding rural areas, and has been a destination for local hikers, mountain bikers, and backcountry skiers for decades.  But recently, a privately held piece of the mountain, including the 3500-foot summit, has been partially logged by the owners in preparation for its development into 20-acre parcels.  Following is a brief description of the property, the owners’ plans, and the concerns that NALT and many Nanaimo residents have for the future of the mountain.

 About the property

The property includes the summit of Mt. Benson and the north-east slope that faces Nanaimo and Lantzville.  The total area is approximately 523 acres (212 hectares).  The property adjoins TimberWest property on the south and west (back) slopes, Weyerhauser property on the south and east slopes (above Harewood and Extension), and BC Crown land on the north slope (above Westwood Lake).

 A Sensitive Ecosystem Inventory carried out in 1995 by the federal and provincial governments identified the summit of Mt. Benson as primarily terrestrial herbaceous habitat (fir forests with mossy outcrops), with some patches of older growth forest.  Much of the property was logged, probably in the mid-1930s.  Following a forest fire In the 1950s, re-growth has been slow, and many of the trees are still quite small.  The summit is the highest point of the Millstone River watershed and is the source of McGarrigle Creek, which flows down to Witchcraft Lake.  The property is an important part of the network of wildlife corridors that links the central Vancouver Island mountain range system.

 The current owners and their plans

Pennclan Company (Ontario) Ltd., and Eastbourne Financial Services Ltd. purchased the property in 1994 for $585,000, and subsequently listed it in 2000 for $1.2 million.  Their stated reason for logging the property now is to “open up the viewscape”, then to market the property as 20-acre view lots - which the current zoning would allow.  Logging on the property began in early summer of 2003. By mid-October, when logging was halted for the winter, as much as one-third of the marketable timber had been cut.

 Recreational use

Until recently, there were two main hiking trails and one rough service road to the summit. The hiking trails are widely used by the public in spring, summer and fall.  These trails start at Witchcraft Lake and Westwood Lake, and cross over the Weyerhauser property and Crown land.  These owners of the lower part of the mountain have not objected to the public use of the trails; on the Crown land there is an elaborate mountain bike park and trail which is used a lot. 

At about the 2500-foot level, the trails enter the property owned by Pennclan-Eastbourne, who have not consented to its public use, and have requested that the Nanaimo Tourist Bureau refrain from distributing maps that show the trail routes over their property; the Bureau honours that request.  The 2003 logging activity has obliterated sections of both of the hiking trails.   

The logged area is not yet visible from the City of Nanaimo.  Pennclan-Eastbourne have the right to continue to log their land, and may do so once the snow goes.  These owners understand the public's concerns and would prefer a solution that would protect their investment yet leave the summits and their approaches in their present state for recreational use.  NALT continues to be an interested participant in these negotiations.

 Steps taken by NALT so far

NALT first contacted the property owners in July, 2003, to determine whether they were interested in selling the property as an alternative to logging it.  Representatives of NALT, the owners and its logging contractor, and the RDN met to discuss options.  Subsequently, the owners notified NALT that their selling price is now $1.6 million, and gave NALT a 6-month “right of first refusal” on any sale of the property.

 With financial support from the Regional District, NALT commissioned a timber appraisal and a real estate appraisal of the property.  These appraisals together were substantially lower than the owner's asking price.  However, both timber and property values have continued to rise since the appraisals were completed. 

 NALT representatives have also met with provincial MLA Mike Hunter, and with federal MP David Anderson; further meetings are planned.

 NALT is currently trying to determine options for preserving the property before logging progresses any further.  We believe that the asking price of $1.6 M is high, and certainly beyond the capacity of NALT to raise without significant help from other major players.  Discussions with the owners and the RDN continue.

 Reasons for protecting the property

Preserving Mt. Benson before it becomes "Mt. Baldy" would prevent:

• ·     A negative impact on the Millstone River watershed and the fish and water values in that river system.

• ·     A threat to wildlife values and a break in the Vancouver Island wildlife corridor.

• ·     The loss of a stand of old-growth forest.

• ·     The loss of recreational values in an area that has great potential to become a future destination for recreation and eco-tourism - hiking and biking in summer, cross-country skiing and snow-shoeing in winter, and a gateway to back-country trekking.

• ·     The deterioration of the view of the mountain from the Nanaimo area.

Possible future benefits

This property at the summit of Mt. Benson could offer significant and sustainable economic benefits to the Nanaimo area in the future.  Possibilities include:

• ·     The summit property plus the adjoining crown land becoming a sustainable community forestry demonstration site - providing long-term economic returns while still maintaining visual integrity and recreational appeal, and preserving the Millstone River watershed.

• ·     A modest road or cable car allowing visitors and residents year-round access to light recreation and incredible views above the 2,000 ft level; a range of more challenging hiking, biking and ski routes could be promoted from “sea to sky” and back.

NALT is seeking feedback, ideas, and expressions of support for this initiative.  If the future of this mountaintop is important to you, contact the NALT office.