In June 2007, Knight Inlet Heli-Sports Ltd. ("KIHS") was granted a commercial tenure for heli-skiing and heli-assisted activities over a massive area, including the Mt. Waddington area, White-mantle Range and the whole Klinaklini-Silverthrone watershed. This area, in particular the Waddington Range, is recognized as an important world class mountaineering, climbing and ski touring area.

A moratorium on heli-skiing in the Mt. Waddingtong area was granted by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts ("MOTCA") in June 2007 in response to many letters and e-mails opposing heli-skiing in the Mt. Waddington area. The moratorium was restricted to Zone 2 of the heli-ski tenure granted to KIHS and was in effect until September 1, 2009. Both Mt. Waddington and BCMC's Plummer Hut fall within Zone 2 (see Map of Zone 2). During the moratorium, KIHS was required to organize and participate in discussions with key stakeholder user groups regarding the nature and scope of recreational activities in Zone 2. If the parties failed to reach an agreement, MOTCA would decide the future use of the Mt. Waddington area.

At the end of August 2009, after two years of negotiations, the FMCBC and KIHS signed a Joint Use Agreement regarding permitted recreational activities in the Waddington Range. The Joint Use Agreement divides Zone 2 into two sub-zones, A and B (see Map of Zone 2).

Sub-zone B, which includes Mt. Waddington and the Plummer Hut, is designated as a year round non-motorized recreation area with restricted aerial access by helicopter or fixed wing to drop off or pick up people who are conducting multi-day, non-motorized recreational trips.

With respect to Sub-zone A, from May 1st to June 30th, it also is designated a non-motorized recreation area with restricted aerial access. From February 1st to April 30th, KIHS may conduct heli-skiing and heli-snowboarding in Sub-zone A. Other motorized recreational activities (except snowmobile tours or off-road ATVing) by KIHS, may be considered and are to be negotiated in Sub-zone A.

To minimize interference between heli-skiers and ski touring or climbing parties throughout their tenure licence area, KIHS has agreed to an avoidance protocol. The key components of the avoidance protocol are:

1. an avoidance buffer of a minimum 5 km physical separation and the interposition of a ridge crest;
2. a communication protocol with known clubs and service providers to determine who and where ski touring and climbing parties will be; and, (3) avoidance of parties that have not communicated in advance with KIHS but which are encountered by KIHS in their tenure licence area.

The Joint Use Agreement is open for review by the parties. The FMCBC recognizes that heli-assisted activities, such as heli-hiking and heli-picnicing, may be appropriate in some designated areas in Zone 2. Ultimately, the FMCBC would like to see a forum of all stakeholders to develop management plan and best-practices for this valuable world class mountaineering and ski touring area.