Forest Practices in British Columbia

 

This guidebook also provides a map and directory of the six forest regions and 43 forest districts

(see Appendix 1), and a standard proposal form (see Appendix 2).

 

Section 102 was established on the grounds of fairness and consistency in regulating all forest

practices and the need for this authority to ensure public safety, protect the environment and

manage resource use conflicts. Section 102 was designed to encourage a more planned approach

to trail and recreation facility construction, rehabilitation and maintenance on provincial Crown

land. It assists Forest Service staff in carrying out this intent by providing them with enforcement

authority.

 

Activities that DO NOT require consent of the district manager

Section 102 DOES NOT apply to basic public access or basic recreational use of Crown land.

The following activities ARE NOT considered to be trail or recreation facility construction,

rehabilitation or maintenance and DO NOT require the consent of the district manager before the

activity may begin:

•  Basic access or travel through the forest or across the land, by individuals or groups,

whether on a one-time basis repetitive of the same route.?

For example', hiking on Crown land and the normal ground disturbance associated

with this activity.

•  Route finding or route marking using ribbons, cairns or other directional indicators.

For example: marking one's way with cairns in an alpine area or with ribbons in a

forest.

Note: the standard practice of nailing route markers to trees is an allowable practice

and is not considered tree spiking under Section 103 of the Act (Tree Spiking

Prohibited).

•  Minor, piecemeal or incidental clearing of brush or downed trees either on or off

established trails.

For example: bushwhacking, or clearing branches or deadfall that have fallen across

an established path or trail.

•  Emergency repairs to a trail or recreation facility that are necessary to prevent

imminent damage to the environment, the trail or the facility.

For example: repairing a water bar on a section of trail where flooding is occurring

and immediate repair is needed.

•  Emergency construction or maintenance of a trail when this is the only reasonable

way of minimizing risk to personal safety.

For example: placing a log over a stream that is necessary to cross to get out of the

woods by dark.

•  Basic recreational use of a localized area, by individuals or groups.

For example: camping on Crown land and the normal ground disturbance associated

with this activity.

•  Construction of small, rustic structures of a temporary nature.

For example: construction of rock fire rings, latrines, etc.

 

If you are uncertain whether or not your intended activity requires consent, please contact the

nearest Forest Service office (see Appendix 1), or use the toll-free Enquiry BC line:

(1-800-663-7867).

 

If your intended activity does not require consent, please proceed and enjoy yourself. Feel free to

contact the nearest Forest Service office for information on public recreation opportunities,

outdoor recreation etiquette or other assistance.

 

Activities that DO require consent of the district manager

Section 102 DOES apply to "trails" and "recreation facilities" as these terms would reasonably be

interpreted and understood. The following activities ARE considered trail or recreation facility

construction, rehabilitation or maintenance and DO require the consent of the district manager

before the activity may begin:

•  ground disturbance

-   significant, continuous grubbing of the soil or rocks along a linear route to

establish a visible, long-lasting treadway

-  significant ground excavation for the purpose of parking vehicles, launching

boats, etc.

-  significant ground or root disturbance associated with corralling horses.

•   clearing or cutting of vegetation

-  significant, continuous uprooting of shrubs or understorey plants along a

linear route or over an extended area

-  cutting of standing trees.

•  construction of structures

-  water bars, stairs, bridges, signs, corrals, poles for hanging game, etc.