The primary objective of this project is to advance best practices and operational guidelines specific to managing energy, water and wastewater in mountain environments.
This project is intended to be industry driven providing stakeholders with the opportunity to take the lead and set their own guidelines rather than comply with standards developed by government. Operators of backcountry facilities will form a research group. Members may come from Backcountry Lodges of BC Association (BLBC), the Alpine Club of Canada (ACC), or may include any other interested backcountry facility operator. Backcountry Energy Environmental Solutions (BEES) will initiate the project and provide technical support.
The potential for this project is huge. The process itself will bring stakeholders together for a common cause, increasing communication and the transfer of technological information. The guidelines will provide lodge and hut operators with a tool for assessing their management practices and making improvements. The project results will have international appeal in mountainous regions around the world.
This project will be initiated in 2009 and will take place over the next two years. Project results are expected March 2011.