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In the Kootenay Region as well as over much of British Columbia, the rapid expansion in the resource road network and the growing popularity of four-wheel drive and off-road vehicle use has resulted in a dramatic increase in public use of the forest roads and adjacent forest lands.
Impact associated with access include:
- Direct disturbance to wildlife populations. This is of particular concern on winter range and during lambing, calving and fawning seasons.
- Reduced habitat effectiveness or the avoidance of habitats by wildlife due to access related disturbance.
- Direct physical damage to sensitive aquatic and grassland ecosystems.
- Increased sedimentation to fish bearing streams.
- Increased spread of invasive plants.
- A loss in diversity in traditional hunting, fishing and outdoor recreational experiences.
The provincial Wildlife Act provides the Ministry of Forest, Lands and Natural Resources Operations with the ability to manage access within sensitive areas or areas of high wildlife habitat value for the purpose of wildlife management, including the protection of both fish and wildlife habitat.
Within the Kootenay Region, approximately 4% of the total resource road network is managed under the provincial Wildlife Act. An additional 0.5 % of resource roads are managed through other provincial legislation. In the Rocky Mountain Forest District, approximately of 8% of the total district resource road network has some level of public motorized access restrictions implemented through the BC Wildlife Act.
The Legislation
The Ministry of Environment manages access through two section of the Wildlife Act.
Section 108 allows the ministry to place restrictions on the use of motorized vehicles for the
purpose of hunting or fishing. These restrictions do not apply to other motorized recreation and
industrial uses. This section is useful for the protection of populations from over-harvest as well
as for the retention of a non-motorized fishing and or hunting recreational experience.
Section 109 allows the ministry to place restrictions on the use of all motorized vehicles within a specified area for the purpose of wildlife management including the protection of fish and/or wildlife habitat and ecosystems. This restriction applies to all motorized use. Specific exemptions to this restriction for industry or other resource management requirements are granted through permit.
The Ministry of Environment encourages you to enjoy these areas and respect the non motorized experience that they provide.
The following maps are available for public download for your convenience. Shape files for each closure boundary are also available to aid recreationalist that have GPS capability.
Reporting Violations
Please note: It is an offence under the Wildlife Act to remove, damage, alter or destroy any sign legally posted in support of the ministry Access Management Program.
Please report any violations to 1-877-952-7277 (Dial Toll Free) or report violators Online.
Information
If you would like additional information regarding the ministries access management program or information on any specific closure feel free to contact the Cranbrook Office at (250) 489-8540 or our Nelson office at (250) 354-6333 at your convenience.
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