Alpine vehicle restrictions take effect
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN – Hefty fines await users of off-road vehicles who veer off existing roads and trails when operating at high elevation.
ATV and off-road vehicle riders who damage an ecosystem on Crown land can now face fines of up to $100,000, one year in jail, or both.
The Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations announced new alpine vehicle restrictions for all motor vehicles (except snowmobiles) operating above 1,700 metres today, April 15.
The restrictions apply to the Thompson- Okanagan regions and have been implemented to protect unique ecological environments that provide summer and spring habitat to grizzly bear, mule deer, mountain goats and sheep. The new regulations are meant to promote sustainable trail riding practices.
An existing road or trail is defined as a road or trail with a paved surface, a cross-country or downhill ski route marked in a ski area, roads used for logging or mining, roads used to access fences, power lines wind or communications towers, or a trail on which there is no vegetation except on a strip that can be straddled by a four-wheel vehicle.
Alpine vehicle closures specific to the Lillooet area, where all motor vehicle operation is prohibited above 1,920 metres, include the China Head Mountain, Nine Mile Ridge, Red and French Mountain and Hogback Mountain areas.
For more information, see: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/fw/wildlife/hunting/regulations/
To contact the reporter for this story, email Steve Arstad at sarstad@infonews.ca or call 250-488-3065. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.
Join the Conversation!
Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?
You must be logged in to post a comment.
13 responses
Out here in Alberta, yes the high plains and alpine too, vegetation takes forever to grow back and the damage can be unreal. I’ve seen areas of low lying meadow destroyed for a quick run through some mud and it may take 20 years to get back to normal. Park it off the side of the trail and take a walk to that vista instead of ripping up the side of the hill.
Yeah I agree the worst is those goddam horse riders leaving horseshit everywhere.
HAHAHA No thanks BRAAAAAP!
That is good news, I quad the mountains in the north Okanagan and pick up trash left by people who shouldn’t be allowed to ride any where except their own yard. We see the mess left by no minds who think they can tear around wherever they want. We have to preserve the back country for all to enjoy.
Does this mean you’ll be required to turn around rather than create a new path, when your existing path is not useable due to excessive rutting or a washout or slide?
This is such crap I have seen and been in areas that within 6 months you could not tell anyone or anything was in there. Yet logging can happen just about anywhere and leave a shit show. Plus they thing that causes the most damage in area is the cows and they don’t stop that…
It means only fast SXS can run the trails as you can be sure no one is going to pull over when ask to.
If it is crown land or goverment land does that not mean it belongs to the people we are canada not the govermen we put these people it power of our lands and property some how the people forgot the people ownCanada not the goverment or anyone else it is ours
Haha more stupid unenforceable laws.
this is usually what happens before the govt sells the land or changes the zoneing… be wary of the reefer madness! Barnhartvale and Batchelor are beautiful examples.. Randy Otto nailed it as well!
more rules more rules. How are they going to inforce. They don’t seem it a problem when they log or mine for resources. Crown wants it for them selves and not for sharing with the public.
Will have to look into this to see what areas are affected around here.
just a cash grab…….has nothing to do with environmental protection…..just to line the coffers of the BC government…we pay taxes on the ridiculous fuel costto drive these vehicles on crown landto help take care of BC sanctioned forestrycamp grounds/sites that the government does not maintain and well…..if they want to charge me to ride in the alpine I shall submit a campground clean up fee…..as they will not them selves clean up there own mess…….