B.C. Wildlife Federation wants critical areas of fire-damaged Thompson-Okanagan roads off-limits for vehicles
KAMLOOPS — The B.C. Wildlife Federation (BCWF) is calling for a science-based return to restricted backcountry access to fire-damaged forests, in which critical areas are off-limits to all motorized access.
In a news release Thursday (June 9) morning, BCWF says some reasonable exemptions were granted by the Ministry of Forests for salvage logging and people with cabins in the fire-damaged area. Although it says permits issued for scouting by wild mushroom buyers have turned backcountry access into a free for all.
“Things really went sideways this spring after the mushroom buyers photocopied their permits and handed them out to pickers,” Jesse Zeman, BCWF executive director says. “The ministry did not consult the BCWF on these permits. It now appears any commercial operators including guides, ATV tour operators, and anyone with a commercial interest is exempt from the closures, while the public is locked out.”
BCWF says it agreed with the province that the fire-damaged areas of the Thompson-Okanagan needed to be restricted to prevent erosion, limit the spread of invasive weeds, prevent environmental damage by off-road vehicles, and allow natural regeneration.
