New BC Mud Bogging Legislation

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Ratpuke

Ratpuke

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NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
2007FOR0030-000267

March 15, 2007
Ministry of Forests and Range


MUD BOGGING, INTERFACE FIRES TARGETED IN BILL




VICTORIA – Forests and Range Minister Rich Coleman today introduced the Forests and Range Statutes Amendment Act, 2007, which will deliver on throne speech commitments to strengthen forest stewardship and reduce the risk of forest fires, as well as helping to build government’s New Relationship with First Nations.


“We are strengthening government’s ability to deal with people who damage our forest or range resources,” said Coleman. “This should serve as notice that we will not tolerate the actions of those who wilfully run machines through sensitive areas.”


Under new provisions of the Forest and Range Practices Act, people causing damage that adversely affects an ecosystem, such as driving four-wheel drive vehicles in wetlands, or riding ATVs irresponsibly in alpine terrain or range lands, will face penalties of up to $100,000. Cases prosecuted in the criminal courts carry maximum fines of $100,000, up to one year in jail, or both.


Bill 18 also contains provisions to other statutes, including the Forest Act, Wildfire Act, Range Act and Forestry Revitalization Act to:

enable local governments to reduce the threat of interface wildfires to their communities through changes to the Forestry Licence to Cut;
streamline government’s ability to increase the volume and area of a First Nation tenure, and to protect potential Aboriginal rights and title;
provide woodlot operators with greater operational flexibility to improve their economic stability; and
make changes to provisions governing cutting permits to facilitate the prompt harvesting of mountain pine beetle-attacked timber.


-30-



Media
contact:
Jennifer McLarty
Public Affairs Officer

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.
 
What! They're taking away my right to rip up prestine wet lands and alpine meadows! what next, No Running down inocent wildlife!

Man, I thought that stuff was already against the law, damn, I missed my chance I guess:D
Cheers,
Deny
 
I wonder what kind of legislation they are going to come up with to stop large housing projects from cutting down huge areas of forests, or the authorities killing wild animals that go into people's back yards which used to be their homes. What about the fact that soon you'll be able to drive from Coquitlam to Indian Arm and all the while looking at cookie cutter houses?
I guess when you "sponsor" a politician it makes it easier to have laws go your way.
 
this law makes no fxxxing sence now we cant go out and relax away from people

quote "every one is encouraged to enjoy public forests and range lands" but like you can avoid the mud and getting stuck in the swamp its fxxxing retarted if i go out fot a trail drive and get in trouble im going to be pissed when i feel like bogging i go to compititions not public trails thats just inconciderate but some times tearing up the trails canot be helped. last weekend i went out for a drive and the only ones that have ruined the trails are the oilpatch workers with there equiptment. they should have to follow the same ruels to butt do what im going to do i live in the middme of nowhere with a large acerage so i am going to build a mud pit to play in and see what they think of that when i drive aroung caked in mud. we have rights and we need to start standing up for them I have written a letter to the minister of forrests<lands and nattural resource operations to find out just what defines "mud bogging" but its probly going to be in the tipical mumb jumbo that u cant get a clear understanding of. I keep the trails open and clear i am always moving fallen trees fixing bridges recovering colverts because i like enjoying the trails plus i go out in a crewcab towtruck usually to pill out by buddies cause the trails are just that muddy its swamp country up here.
41768_634330078_7419_n.jpg
OPPS WHO DUG THIS HOLE IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS GRAVEL PIT THERE IS ONLY 2 FT OF WATTER AND THE BOTTOM OF MY MIRS ORE AT 5FT 6IN 14HRS LATER IT WAS OUT AND RUNNING AGAIN
 
Ratpuke said:
NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
2007FOR0030-000267

March 15, 2007
Ministry of Forests and Range


MUD BOGGING, INTERFACE FIRES TARGETED IN BILL


“We are strengthening government’s ability to deal with people who damage our forest or range resources,” said Coleman. “This should serve as notice that we will not tolerate the actions of those who wilfully run machines through sensitive areas.”


Under new provisions of the Forest and Range Practices Act, people causing damage that adversely affects an ecosystem, such as driving four-wheel drive vehicles in wetlands, or riding ATVs irresponsibly in alpine terrain or range lands, will face penalties of up to $100,000. Cases prosecuted in the criminal courts carry maximum fines of $100,000, up to one year in jail, or both.


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.
Click to expand...


So it's been around for 4 years. Other than people getting charged for mud bogging Postil Lake and the Kelowna area, anyone heard of this being enforced? That wording is very vague. Seems like it is a means of having a lot of what are now 4wd roads eventually being shut down, but I hope not.
 
This was emailed to me the other day:

Province initiates mud bogging ban
By:
Sean Assor
Friday, April 29, 2011

The freedom of mud bogging is to become a pastime of the past.
The Province of B.C. has taken a firm stand on mud bogging, which is an activity where people drive around on Crown land in an off-road utility vehicle.
This once recreational pastime, is now considered a crime in B.C. and those who are caught breaking the law can face penalties, including a $575 fine, a vehicle tow or impoundment, expenses related to habitat restoration or even jail time.

The Ministry of Forest, Lands and Natural Resource Operations says mud bogging disrupts the ecological foundations of B.C.’s natural areas and, in sensitive sites, the damage can be catastrophic.
Minister Steve Thomson says “everyone is encouraged to enjoy public forests and range lands but to stay safe a tread lightly. Most people who use Crown land act responsibly, but the damage caused by mud bogging is not only ugly, it has negative effects on previous fish and wildlife habitat.”
The public is encouraged to report suspicious activities and environmental damage to the province’s toll-free, 24-hour phone line. The phone number is 1-877-952-7277.

For more information on the off-road Vehicle Management Framework:
Ministry of Natural Resource Operations

A brochure about responsible off-road vehicle use is at:
www.for.gov.bc.ca/ftp/hen/external/!publish/web/otherPublication/ProtectOurForestsAndRangeLand.pdf
 
I'd laugh, jfc, if you got a ticket for mud bogging while out doing one of your precious environmental assessments.
 
madmecanic1986 said:
quote "every one is encouraged to enjoy public forests and range lands" but like you can avoid the mud and getting stuck in the swamp its fxxxing retarted if i go out fot a trail drive and get in trouble im going to be pissed when i feel like bogging i go to compititions not public trails thats just inconciderate but some times tearing up the trails canot be helped. last weekend i went out for a drive and the only ones that have ruined the trails are the oilpatch workers with there equiptment. they should have to follow the same ruels to butt do what im going to do i live in the middme of nowhere with a large acerage so i am going to build a mud pit to play in and see what they think of that when i drive aroung caked in mud. we have rights and we need to start standing up for them I have written a letter to the minister of forrests<lands and nattural resource operations to find out just what defines "mud bogging" but its probly going to be in the tipical mumb jumbo that u cant get a clear understanding of. I keep the trails open and clear i am always moving fallen trees fixing bridges recovering colverts because i like enjoying the trails plus i go out in a crewcab towtruck usually to pill out by buddies cause the trails are just that muddy its swamp country up here.
41768_634330078_7419_n.jpg
OPPS WHO DUG THIS HOLE IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS GRAVEL PIT THERE IS ONLY 2 FT OF WATTER AND THE BOTTOM OF MY MIRS ORE AT 5FT 6IN 14HRS LATER IT WAS OUT AND RUNNING AGAIN
Click to expand...

Spell check......it's your friend.:)
 
Ratpuke said:
This was emailed to me the other day:

mud bogging disrupts the ecological foundations of B.C.’s natural areas and, in sensitive sites, the damage can be catastrophic.
Click to expand...

"Catastrophic" in the same way a mouse click gets you a "Friend" on Face-book.

'Bout time we added more words to the English language....:rolleyes:
 
This was in the local paper:

Published May 9, 2011
LOCAL NEWS


Is mud-bogging illegal?
Ryan Lux
Staff Writer
A reminder from the province that “mud bogging” is prohibited on Crown Lands has prompted local outdoor enthusiasts to question what the term means to the government and why it has never been enforced in the area.

Local media reports indicating the province recently made the activity illegal, led ATVer Charlie Sanders to contact the Alaska Highway News to look into the matter.

As it turned out, mud-bogging has been prohibited since 2007, when the Campbell government added new provision to the Forest and Range Practices Act, which created penalties for people who create damage to eco-systems, such as driving four-wheel drive vehicles in wetlands or riding ATVs irresponsibly in alpine terrain or range lands. People found in non-compliance with those measures could face penalties of up to $100,000 and up to one year in jail.

Sanders said that he had no idea that mud-bogging, an activity that he considers to mean driving his ATV through two ruts of mud on a trail, was illegal. He said he understands that the government would want to keep people out of sensitive areas, but questioned how people are supposed to know where those areas are.

“My concern is mainly is that this law popped up to the forefront and no one knows anything about it,” said Sanders, “Am I going to get a ticket for getting stuck in the mud on a trail?”

“If they’re going to have a law with such a steep penalty, there should be a clear definition of what it means. When I speed I know that I can be fined – there’s a clear definition. All I want is a definition so I can stay within the law,” said Sanders.

Sanders said that he’s not alone in wondering how this law will affect his sport.

“I would say 75 per cent of the population in the Northeast has an ATV or an all-terrain vehicle because what else is there to do up here? If everyone is scared to use Crown land because they don’t understand the law, they’re just going to go somewhere else like along pipelines or farmers’ fields. They’re just going to make it someone else’s problem,” Anderson explained.

Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, Steve Thomson, issued a statement explaining that the government’s intention isn’t to scare people off Crown lands but rather to preserve eco-systems.

“Everyone is encouraged to enjoy public forests and range lands, but to stay safe and tread lightly. Most people who use Crown land act responsibly but the damage caused by mud-bogging is not only ugly, it has negative effects on precious fish and wildlife habitat.”

The misunderstanding seems to be largely one of semantics.

Susie Anderson, Resource Compliance Supervisor for the Northeast Region, acknowledged that the term “mud-bogging,” lends itself to confusion.

She explained that the legislation doesn’t actually use the term itself, but rather criminalizes the destruction of wildlife habitats and eco-systems. Anderson clarified that what the regulations prohibit is the willful destruction of areas like wetlands or ravine slopes that could slide and block creeks.

“People using trails are actually encouraged to do so, but to do it responsibly by passing around sensitive areas,” Anderson said, “Just tread lightly and don’t rip it up.”

But what bothered Sanders is, often sensitive areas aren’t designated by signage to let people know where they are. Anderson encouraged employing common sense and said that compliance officers have the discretion to do the same.

The most recent charge under the legislation was laid in March, in Kaleden in the South Okanagan. A 4x4 crew cab three-quarter ton pick up truck was reported stuck in the middle of a pond called Stinky Lake, just west of Oliver, B.C.

The area was posted with warnings that the area was protected and the accused acknowledged his wrong-doing. While the offence was obvious in this case, Sanders wondered about how the law would apply in the vast grey area between willful and accidental destruction.

Anderson admitted the legislation is open to interpretation. However, she said one way of definitely avoiding charges is to stick to designated trails that permit motor vehicles. Those trails can be located by contacting the office of Integrated Land Management Bureau or the Ministry of Tourism Sport and the Arts.

The trouble in the Northeast is that many trails aren’t marked or recognized by the government, but have traditionally been used for ATVing. In that case, Anderson suggested a good rule of thumb is to avoid repeatedly driving through a muddy area over and over again.



© Copyright 2011, Alaska Highway News
Story URL: Is mud-bogging illegal? | Local News | Alaska Highway News, Fort St. John, BC
 
jfc said:
The trouble in the Northeast is that many trails aren’t marked or recognized by the government, but have traditionally been used for ATVing. In that case, Anderson suggested a good rule of thumb is to avoid repeatedly driving through a muddy area over and over again.
Click to expand...

So she wants us to feather the trail? I'm confused.
 
You're an archeologist, you can decide what was 'traditionally used for ATVing' ;).

Don't drive through an area repeatedly is a tough one when the cutlines are the trail in/out. Good thing there aren't many CO's in the backcountry or you might get busted for ditch wheeling sensitive muskeg.
 
I talked to our one of our c/o's here and he could not give me a clear definition of mudbogging. He was going to have to look it up and get back to me. Pretty hard to give a ticket if you can't explain what it is. The Staff Sargent in Ft Nelson told me that they will not be ging after mudboggers here as they are busy doing other things. so I think up here we should be ok unless someone does something stupid.
 
Looks like a good law for a CO or Police Officer having a bad day and just wanting to pinch someone.

I understand what they are trying to stop but there has got to be a better way then a law which appears to be open for arbitrary interpretation. I am sure that anyone who has worked in the bush could be charge for "mud bogging" or "damage to sensitive ecosystems" multiple times. Once again gov is :deadhorse: for political brownie points with urbanites who don't have a clue.
 
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