BCWF Approves of New Off-Road Vehicle Statutes
August 1, 2007 - The BC Wildlife Federation, the oldest and largest conservation organization in BC, applauds Minister Rich Coleman and the Ministry of Forest and Range for the recently announced amendments to the Forest and Range Practices Act that will protect sensitive eco-systems in BC by providing new statutes and a severe penalty structure for irresponsible use of, and for environmental damage caused by inappropriate use of, off road vehicles.
"Many BCWF members are motorized recreation users, and much like the vast majority of off-road recreation participants, our members are aware of the need to protect sensitive eco-systems and wildlife habitat", said Andy Pezderic, Land Use chair for the Federation, "and we fully support this amendment".
"One does not have to wander far off the highways today to see damage to grassland, alpine, or riparian eco-systems that was caused by off-road or 4 x 4 vehicles", said Wilf Pfleiderer, president of the BCWF, "it often takes decades for this damage to heal, erosion problems and the spread of noxious plants often follow on these damaged sites. These new statutes will not be a hardship for responsible off-road recreational users, but will provide some much needed teeth for government to enable curtailment of inappropriate and damaging use," continued Pfleiderer.
The BCWF supports one-time licensing of ORV's which would include the use of a license plate or decal to identify individual machines. Pezderic, an ATV user himself, said, "licensing of ORV's along with these new amendments would go a long way toward making ORV recreation a sustainable sport for all to enjoy, without participants having to bear the stigma generated by the few irresponsible users."
For Further Information, Contact: Paul Adams, Executive Director 604 291 9990 extension 230 or cell 604 308 1914 or
paul@bcwf.bc.caFor further information contact Gail Ferrier, Manager Public Relations and Marketing for BCWF at 604-291-9990 extension 223 or cell 604-818-6040 or click to email us
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