Morice Land and Resource Management Plan
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- Market Analysis
- Recommendations to the LRMP Table
- Land Development / Infrastructure
- Sector Development Strategy
Location AnalysisJudging by the significant capital investment in many of the operations and their longevity in the tourism and agriculture industries combined with their remote location (in most cases), the distance travelled from major centres by air is not a constraint. The Morice, therefore, has the potential to sell itself as accessible with an all in cost from Vancouver via the airport in Smithers. It would be quite competitive to many of the operations in the Cariboo and Chilcotin accessed through Kamloops or Vancouver. Marketing to larger centres in western Canada (Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton) and the Pacific Northwest of the US where access by vehicle is recommended is much less likely given the need for these customers to pass many other closer options while travelling to the Morice unless they are already on their way to the Yukon/Alaska. To successfully operate a guest ranch requires access by road and it appears that well maintained gravel roads, e.g. main haul forestry roads, are adequate for, and do not deter, the current operations. Also, it seems that the remote road access adds to the “ranch flavour” and it is almost expected by visitors. Each operation would need large areas (could be on adjacent crown land) where riders can travel each day on a 3 day trip (or three 1 day trips) without visiting the same area twice. They also need to have access to areas where longer 5 to 7 day trips can be undertaken. These trails or routes need to have a mix of scenery and open areas, as riders like to see more than just the bottom 10 feet of dense forests. These operations all need to have easy, close access to water for viewing, boating (canoes and small boats are most popular), swimming and fishing. Market AnalysisThe market for horse riding only is focused on visitors to a region and locals looking for a half-day or all day activity. Catering to this group is difficult because the level of demand (number of horses and guides) is constantly uncertain. Given the small resident population in and near the Morice, combined with a short good weather season, this activity is expected to be difficult to operate viably. The BC Guest Ranches market into large centres in western Canada and the Pacific Northwest. They market heavily to urban young adults (25-35 year olds), families and older active people (50-60 years old). With the mix of activities from fishing to boating to sitting in hot tubs as well as riding, they pitch their product to meet a wide range of interests. The pricing of the experiences are focused on upper middle income families or middle income individuals – the same market as ski resorts. The package concept focuses on a short time get away – 1 long weekend or 1 week – and matches very well with the trend toward more people taking shorter holidays more frequently. Given the dominant trend towards middle and upper middle income families having two incomes and limited time, all inclusive packaged holidays that require minimum preparation, minimum specialized equipment and minimum travel time (4 or 5 hours from home one-way) are very attractive. Resorts that have a variety of activities that can meet the needs of a variety of fitness levels in each party widen the range of clientele that they can attract. The Morice, particularly the southern parts, has the potential to attract visitors for packaged holidays for a guest ranch experience if linked to all inclusive package holidays or linked to the quality fishing in region. This is especially true if the guest ranch is located within two hours of the Smithers Airport and provides great mountain scenery. Recommendations to the LRMP TableThe Morice LRMP table should address the following recommendation when considering development opportunities associated with agriculture tours: Recommendation - Identify locations where the beautiful, open scenery exists in conjunction with bodies of water and ranch operations. In these areas, significant tracks of land are required that are located within the ranches’ freehold land or adjacent crown land. Recommendation - Review the potential land use conflicts that would significantly limit the quality of the visitors’ experience, e.g. industrial logging operations underway during the summer months within hearing distances. Land Development / InfrastructureIntroductionWith an abundance of undeveloped land and lakeshore and an incredible natural beauty the Morice LRMP area contains a number of potential sites for property development. Most private land in the Morice is located in proximity to the highway 16 corridor, with noted exception being the municipality of Granisle. Private land accounts for fewer than 2.5% of the total land base in the Morice. With an estimated population of 5,196 the number of people per km2 is 288.7. In short there is ample space for development opportunities. Due to the vastness of this region infrastructure is limited primarily to the municipalities. All but a few roads in the rural areas of the region are gravel. Transportation in and out of the region is by Highway 16. While there is a small airstrip near Houston all commuter traffic to the region is through the regional airport located some 75 km to the north in Smithers. The availability of a large infrastructure remains a significant barrier to major resource development in the area. One significant barrier for milling operations is the development of a suitable power supply in the region. Sector Development StrategyWhile Land and Water British Columbia (LWBC), a Provincial Crown Corporation, has the primary responsibility for marketing and brokering the sale of crown lands, land-use designations are required that identify large area for potential development. Having areas designated for property development is a key element in the process of land development. The LRMP process can assist with the first step in this process. To assist LWBC in meeting market demand for development property, land-use designations for this purpose are required. Once areas are allocated LWBC has the social direction it needs to begin marketing areas for development. The Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako should then work with other provincial ministries (MWLAP and MoF) to zone suitable recreational lots for development. Download 1.06 Mb. Share with your friends:
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