Gate installed as Skwlāx considers road checkpoint to regulate surge in mushroom picker camps

SKWLAX — Skwlāx te Secwepemcúl̓ecw has resorted to installing an access gate at one of the entrances to a forest service road through their land, and a set of Private Property, and No Trespassing signs.

The actions come as camps of mushroom pickers have flocked to the area. Following the Bush Creek East Wildfire last summer, morel mushrooms have sprung up in the scorched ground. The band has grown increasingly concerned about environmental damage, stating that large scale pickers have been leaving behind garbage, and human waste, among other issues.

Skwlāx is in the process of discussing solutions with the province, hoping the BC Government will step in with enforcement, and help the band establish a permit system.

Kukpi7 James Tomma says part of the issue is there is no accountability for the people who aren’t respecting the ecosystem.

“Morel mushroom picking is an unregulated business, the only people that benefit from it is the pickers and buyers,” he notes.

Mushroom picking after wildfires is a situation reminiscent of the Wild West, and this spring a swell of pickers and buyers have flocked to Skwlāx territory in the Shuswap region.

“We’re seeing permanent camps with no sanitary facilities. So it produces garbage, and human waste,” explains Tomma. “It’s starting to impact the environment.”

Threat of environmental damage, and the overall safety risk of walking through the fire-damaged areas is part of what has driven the Skwlāx First Nation to act on what Tomma describes are responsible land and water stewardship.

“I’ve been in talks with the provincial government right now, asking for the road closure. They’ve done it in other places during fires and after fires, I’m asking for that,” he adds, “And one of the things is, we installed a gate there. It’s not going to be locked, it’s not going to be closed, but it’s something that has to happen.”

At this point, the gate is left open, acting as more of a symbolic first step as the band navigates how to regulate access to the wildfire damaged area.

“The Scotch Creek watershed and the other surrounding watersheds because of the fire last year are extremely vulnerable, and so is the wildlife,” Tomma reiterates, “One of the things we’re seeing because of the unrestricted access is the unwanted killing of animals up there, and dumping (garbage).”

Skwlāx has a Guardianship program with staff who regularly go out and make sure the land is in good condition, and they’ve reported confrontations with problematic pickers. Kukpi7 Tomma says installing the gate brought to the province to the table for discussions, but he would like to see actions taken with enforcement, and permitting requirements.

“They said, oh okay we’ll get the Natural Resource Officers up there. But a couple of visits don’t do it. This is happening continually,” he adds.

The conflict is unresolved, and Tomma says they may lock the gate to the general public if nothing changes, but behaving respectfully can go a long way.

“That’s all we ask of people, just use some common sense and respect the land. If you have to be in there, be aware that it’s a privilege, not a right.”