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NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
2017FLNR0061-000924
March 30, 2017
Off-road vehicle fees to help fund trail upgrades, enhance rural economies
WILLIAMS LAKE -B.C.’s network of off-road vehicle-friendly backcountry trails is getting a
boost, thanks to a new provincial government fund, Minister of State for Rural Economic
Development Donna Barnett announced today on behalf of Minister of Forests, Lands and
Natural Resource Operations Steve Thomson.
The ORV Trail Management Sub-Account is financed through a portion of fees ORV owners pay
to ICBC when registering their vehicles. The $320,000-and-growing fund is dedicated to
supporting projects that build new — and maintain existing — vehicle-friendly recreation trails in
remote and rural areas throughout the province and to promoting safe and responsible ORV
use.
In 2015, the Province introduced mandatory registration for off-road vehicles operated on
Crown land. Since then, British Columbians have registered more than 100,000 ORVs, at a onetime
fee of $48 per vehicle.
The fee is designed to support the Province’s off-road vehicle management framework, an
integrated plan designed that ensures off-road vehicles –including snowmobiles, all-terrain
vehicles or -quads—dirt bikes and side-by-sides –are driven in a safe and environmentally
responsible manner.
The Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, through its Recreation Sites
and Trails branch, will administer the fund. Staff are developing formal project guidelines that
will be available to First Nations and stakeholder groups for review this fall. No projects will be
selected until the formal guidelines and application process are in place.
Quotes:
Steve Thomson, Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations
The new ORV trail fund will support the construction and maintenance of vehicle-friendly
recreational trails in remote and rural areas, providing local jobs and supporting our goal of
enhancing a world-class trail network that provides opportunities for all users groups.
Donna Barnett, Minister of State for Rural Economic Development
Many towns in rural B.C. are turning to recreation as an important way to attract and retain
residents and help diversified local economies. The new fund doesn’t just mean that our off road
trails will be safer and better maintained, it represents real support for rural communities,
and will help create jobs and enhance regional tourism opportunities.
Jeremy McCall, executive director, Outdoor Recreation Council
The new fund is a positive step for our outdoor recreational users and helps support the
responsible use of B.C.’s outdoors while enhancing public recreation opportunities in B.C.’s
back-country. We look forward to supporting the great work that is going to be done upgrading
and advancing B.C.’s trail system.
Richard Cronier, president, B.C. Snowmobile Federation
We are very pleased with the new fund and we look forward to working closely with
government and other recreational partners to enhance our motorized off-road trail system
and recreational opportunities for organized snowmobiling in B.C.
Moira Jaatteenmaki, president, Quad Riders ATV Association
We are pleased to support the ORV registration and licensing process, and are happy that we
now have a fund in place that will assist us to focus on connecting and maintaining trail
networks and increasing the opportunities for riders to get out and responsibly enjoy the
activities we love.
Quick Facts:
Projects supported by the new fund will be in line with B.C.’s trails strategy, which guides
the Province as it works to sustain a network of environmentally responsible backcountry
trails. B.C. developed the strategy in consultation with First Nations, local and regional
governments, recreational organizations and industry.
B.C.’s recreation sites and trails receive around 9.7 million visitors each year
and contribute $112 million to the provincial GDP.
B.C.’s recreation sites and trails support 2,700 full-time jobs in rural and remote locations
throughout B.C.
Learn More:
Find information on registering your ORV:
http://www.icbc.com/vehicle-registration/specialty-vehicles/Pages/Off-road-vehicles.aspx
To read more about B.C.s off-road vehicle management framework:
http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/natural-resource-use/land-use/crownland/
crown-land-uses/off-road-vehicles
Find out about B.C.s Trails Strategy:
http://www.sitesandtrailsbc.ca/documents/Trail-Strategy-for-BC_V6_Nov2012.pdf
To find a recreation site or trail near you, visit:
http://www.sitesandtrailsbc.ca/default.aspx
Media Contact:
Media Relations Officer
Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural
Resource Operations
250 356-5261
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