About 120  people crammed into the Oliver Elks Hall Thursday night to hear a government presentation about way of reducing the damage to the sensitive land and species  on Oliver Mountain – west of town.

The Ministry of Land Management and a local SO environmental planning group held two meetings – one in Osoyoos last night and a local one tonight.

The Osoyoos meeting was designed to talk about the Osoyoos West Bench and according to reports was a lively forum.

In Oliver the questions to the government centre on alternatives that are or might be available on crown land fairly close to the town – north of Sawmill Lake mentioned.

The ministry wants to reduce the creation of more trails which spoils more land. Those in the crowd that ride moto-cross, dirt bikes or 4 wheel off road vehicles say that it important to ensure that any new area will not be taken away in the future.

Oliver Mountain has 11 priority ecosystems and 2 globally important sites, 17 SARA protected species.

At one time the Secrest area was used by recreational vehicles but then closed down with riders and bikers from Vernon, Summerland, Penticton, Oliver and Osoyoos move to Oliver Mountain.

The government will likely install cameras to monitor usage and hope that helps to reduce damaging behaviors.  Best practices include, respect for others, obey the law, tread lightly and collaborate with user groups to improve nature while continuing to have fun on the hills.