Close X
Sunday, November 10, 2024
ADVT 
National

BC Parks Threatens $1-Million Fine As It Closes Off Newly Discovered Cave

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 21 Dec, 2018 12:18 AM

    VANCOUVER — A newly discovered cave and the surrounding area in British Columbia's Wells Gray Provincial Park has been closed off to the public, with threats of fines up to $1 million for those who don't stay away, says an order from BC Parks.


    The order issued this week says anyone who enters the surrounding area or the cave can be fined and face imprisonment for up to a year.


    A person can be charged up to $1-million a day for every day that they break the order, it says.


    "Until risks to public safety have been assessed and engagement with First Nations has been concluded, the newly discovered cave and surrounding area is closed to public access as per the director's order," it says.


    Geologist Catherine Hickson, who first went to the cave in September, welcomed the order.


    "I think it's prudent on the part of (BC) Parks to do that," she said. "It is a very dangerous and treacherous area and to reiterate, we went in with a permit."


    It's very unlikely that someone would try to get into the cave or the area around it, Hickson said.


    "But you know there's a lot of crazies in this world. I wouldn't put it past somebody to try and get into the area," she added.


    The entrance pit to the cave is about 100 metres long and 60 metres wide, and while its depth is hard to measure because of the mist from a waterfall, initial examinations show it is at least 135 metres deep.


    The cave was initially spotted in March by a helicopter crew with the Ministry of Environment that was conducting a caribou census in the northeastern part of the park.


    Hickson said the cave is a one-hour helicopter flight from Clearwater, 480 kilometres northeast of Vancouver.


    In the winter, the cave can be accessed by skiing about 100 kilometres from the entrance to the park, while during the summer it would require a 45-kilometre boat trip and another 15-kilometre walk.


    "It's not an easy cave to get to," she said.


    The cave is a vertical climb down with lots of water and ice, she said.


    "People may try to enter the cave and that is risky unless you are well trained and well equipped," Hickson said. "This isn't a climb you can do on a whim."


    If someone gets into trouble, another person would have to risk their life to help them, she said.


    The cave is the largest known of its type, a variety of "striped karst," which is marble interspersed with other types of ancient ocean rock.


    Those who first spotted the cave from the helicopter named it Sarlacc's Pit because of its similarity to the lair of Sarlacc, a creature from "Star Wars: Return of the Jedi."


    Caves support a very unique ecosystem because they are dark so the flora and fauna living in such areas are acclimatized to those conditions, Hickson said and that is one of the other reasons that Parks BC is trying to protect the site.


    "It's to help with safety of the people and the cave."

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Electoral Referendum Results Being Released In British Columbia Today

    The results of British Columbia's referendum on whether the province should switch to a system of proportional representation are being released today.

    Electoral Referendum Results Being Released In British Columbia Today

    19-Year-Old Knife-Wielding Surrey Man Arrested In Downtown Vancouver

    19-Year-Old Knife-Wielding Surrey Man Arrested In Downtown Vancouver
    19-year-old Surrey man was arrested after he allegedly injured a woman with a knife in downtown Vancouver on Thursday morning.  

    19-Year-Old Knife-Wielding Surrey Man Arrested In Downtown Vancouver

    B.C.'s Education Funding Model Review Calls For Equitable Services For Students

    B.C.'s Education Funding Model Review Calls For Equitable Services For Students
    B.C.'s education minister says a panel's report has found that the way the province funds public education isn't fair, especially to students with special needs and those from vulnerable sections.  

    B.C.'s Education Funding Model Review Calls For Equitable Services For Students

    Canadian Accused Of Terror Gets 40-Year Sentence In U.S. Despite Mental Illness

    A young Canadian convicted of plotting terrorist attacks in New York City has been sentenced to 40 years in prison.

    Canadian Accused Of Terror Gets 40-Year Sentence In U.S. Despite Mental Illness

    Transport Truck Loaded With Parcels Destroyed By Fire Near Revelstoke, B.C.

    A transport truck loaded with parcels has gone up in flames in southeastern B.C.

    Transport Truck Loaded With Parcels Destroyed By Fire Near Revelstoke, B.C.

    Programs At CBC Vancouver Affected By Building Mechanical Issue

    Programs At CBC Vancouver Affected By Building Mechanical Issue
    Programming has returned to normal at the CBC in Vancouver after a smell in its building downtown disrupted some broadcasts.

    Programs At CBC Vancouver Affected By Building Mechanical Issue