A proposal for a new recreation site at the In-Shuck-ch Forest Service Road 75 km mark is seeking public comments. Douglas First Nations has submitted an application for the proposed Purcell Camp, a new eco-tourism accommodation camp, which includes 10 cabins and 15 RV campsites.
The entrance to the camp will feature interpretative signage, a welcome center, a tourism hub, and a small shop, as well as facilities for campers, such as showers, washrooms, and laundry services. Access to the Purcell Camp site is through the In-Shuck-ch Forest Service Road, approximately one kilometer north of Douglas IR #8, according to documents submitted by the proponent Douglas First Nation.
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On-site parking will be available at each camping spot, with overflow and day parking located adjacent to the main entrance. Current traffic volumes and patterns are low, and mostly limited to logging trucks and visitors heading to the nearby hot spring. The crown land tenure application for the camp is for a license of occupation for 30 years.
The proposed Purcell Camp is located within Xa’xtsa’s Traditional Territory, outside of current reserve lands, approximately 5 km north of the head of Harrison Lake and the mouth of the Lillooet River. The site will feature cabins and RV sites organized along a semi-circular gravel road, with interpretive trails leading to nearby watercourses and forest.
The proposed development includes a playground area at the southern portion of the site, occupying the center of the cabins and RV sites. A gathering space for cultural learning and outdoor cooking will be located east of the cabins and RV sites. A hydrogeological assessment confirms the drilling of a water well and a water license has been submitted by Douglas Nation.
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The Douglas First Nation has identified some archaeological sites, such as culturally modified trees near the proposed development, which will be avoided during construction. The site has already been partially logged, and minor earthwork will be required to build the road and pads, as well as some conventional trench work for the utilities.
The work is planned away from the river, at least 30 meters away from the river bank. Typical mitigation activities, including erosion and sedimentation control, offset distance from the river, and site survey prior to construction, will be implemented. The comment period for the proposed new recreation site at the In-Shuck-Ch Forest Service Road 75 km mark is open until the end of the month.
Sounds fun. I’m all in favour for supervised camping, no forest fire 🔥 ever started from a campground.
Any phase two plans in place to triple the capacity? Not sure how the current plan could make any revenue. How many First Nation jobs would this provide? Please keep us updated with your progress, good luck.
The In-Shuck-ch Forest Road is already so bad that I really don’t recommend that this camp go in unless there is some agreement from the government that the road will be upgraded. Yes, it is a logging road, but if you want more tourism along it, it needs serious improvements.