"is Your Mud Worth $100,000 And A Year

[sandia]

I thought Fly Fish Calgary members might be interested in this item. - Sandia.

 

 

NEWS RELEASE

 

For Immediate Release

2007FOR0106-000964

 

July 26, 2007

 

Ministry of Forests and Range

 

NEW LAW IN FORCE TO PREVENT ECOSYSTEM DAMAGE

 

VICTORIA - Effective immediately, people who cause environmental damage

to public forest and range lands through recreational activities such as

mudbogging will be subject to financial penalties and prosecution,

Forests and Range Minister Rich Coleman announced today.

 

"I hope this new legislation will stop people from harming the

environment by mudbogging or recklessly driving ATVs through sensitive

alpine terrain and range lands," said Coleman. "We want to encourage the

public to act responsibly on Crown land when they go out and enjoy the

great outdoors."

 

On May 31, the Forests and Range Statutes Amendment Act received royal

assent. The act introduced a provision that makes it illegal for

individuals to cause environmental damage. Previously, only industrial

users of Crown land were subject to these prohibitions. Regulations

deposited this week bring the law into effect, and update the definition

of environmental damage to include any change to soil that adversely

alters an ecosystem.

 

Under the new provision, individuals found to have caused environmental

damage may face penalties of up to $100,000. Criminal convictions carry

maximum fines of $100,000, up to one year in jail, or both.

 

"As a long-time proponent of off-road vehicle management, I strongly

support any steps toward increased protection of B.C.'s grasslands,

alpine and riparian areas," said East Kootenay MLA and BC Outdoor Caucus

Chair Bill Bennett. "Our public land in B.C. is an incredible resource,

and although I support motorized recreation and enjoy it myself, we must

balance motorized recreation with other values. There is room for

everyone out there if we use common sense."

 

Irresponsible use of off-road vehicles in ecosystems can easily damage

soil, the ecological foundation of natural areas. For example,

repeatedly driving or driving at certain times of the year in wetlands

can change the structure of the soil, making it difficult for plants to

take root and grow because of a lack of air or nutrients. In addition,

off-roading in wetlands kills birds and amphibians. Generations of

wildlife can be impacted due to a lack of plant life and clean water.

 

In fragile alpine areas and dry grasslands, off-roading can quickly

erode the thin soil layer so that plant life can no longer be sustained.

 

An information brochure, titled "Is your mud worth $100,000 and a year

in jail?" is available online at:

 

www.for.gov.bc.ca/hen/reports/index.htm.

 

For photos illustrating damage

to ecosystems caused by off-road vehicles, please see

www.for.gov.bc.ca/pab/media.

 

The public is encouraged to use public forest and range lands

responsibly. Report any suspected forestry contraventions or crimes to a

local Ministry of Forests and Range office, or call Crime Stoppers at

1-800-222-8477.

 

 

Media

contact:

Jennifer McLarty

Public Affairs Officer

Ministry of Forests and Range

250 387-4592

For more information on government services or to subscribe to the

Province's news feeds using RSS, visit the Province's website at

www.gov.bc.ca.