DOC invite comment on a Canterbury CMS 'Special Place'

[PeterVahry]

As part of their development of the Canterbury CMS, DOC have identified the Lewis Pass, St James and Lake Sumner area as a 'Special Place' and are asking for comment. This is another chance to influence the future of 4x4 recreation access, in the same way as was achieved with the West Coast CMS.

Check www.nzfwda.org.nz/forum/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=196 for more detail

[Jerry]

What tracks are affected by this CMS?, having a list of these helps us out of towners put in a submission ....

[PeterVahry]

Jerry, I'm an 'out of towner" too and while I'd like to be able to give you every detail you might need, I'm afraid that you might have to do some research yourself. If you read the document you'll get some pointers. If you check some St James etc maps for legal roads, you'll get a few more ideas. Crikey, you might even get to be knowledgeable on the areas.

I'm sure that some other readers will have some input on routes that they know of and maybe even provide maps.

[Bulletproof]

What is the link for maps of the Areas Peter ?

There are good tracks up the Hope and Doubtful valley's that we used to do but haven't had access to for some time. They are good over nighters and well worth fighting for.

Cheers Richard

[PeterVahry]

If you've not got a mapping program, you could try the DOC one..http://extranet.doc.govt.nz/bip/ and in the left hand index click on NZ Topography and then tick NZ Topographic maps. It is possible to zoom in quite closely. You can find property boundaries on DOC maps using their 'layers' and since legal roads have defined boundaries, they can be identified. For boundaries, open NZ Terrestial and then Land Information. Tick 'Property Boundaries'. To see road boundaries you need to zoom to a scale of at least 40000. Caution though, as even if they have been formally stopped, the boundaries can still exist within the land titles.

Another source is the other govt department LINZ http://www.nztopoonline.linz.govt.nz/
The Topomaps don't show property boundaries and only indicate 'vehicle tracks' but their other detail is good when you zoom in.