Whereas many local governments and communities rely on backcountry industries e.g. forestry, tourism for economic stability and development, and at the same time, those local governments and communities care about sustaining and protecting the environment; And whereas some communities find their backcountry areas closed to all users, based on reports and recommendations of higher levels of government, without notice to communities, first nations, regional local governments as well as industry; Therefore be it resolved that UBCM work with the provincial and federal governments to ensure that there are no further closures of backcountry areas in BC, until and unless the local governments, stakeholders and communities are consulted on social and economic impact, and a sustainable solution for both be considered.
Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development Backcountry restrictions are prepared and implemented by the Province with the participation and engagement of local governments, First Nations, and stakeholders. Provincial and local governments resolve land management issues such as potential public access restrictions to provincial public land Crown land through ongoing intergovernmental cooperation and consultation. Backcountry restrictions are put in place typically for public safety or environmental protection. For public safety the restrictions may be brought in quickly with little prior consultation. However, for environmental protection to restrict hunting or protect habitat the consultation with local governments, stakeholders and communities will be broad and lengthy. Local seasonal tourism and businesses rely on access to the backcountry, and risks to the public are constantly being evaluated relative to economic risks and stakeholder concerns when determining acceptable levels of access to the backcountry. With respect to backcountry closures due to wildfire activity, risks are evaluated daily by the BC Wildfire Services fire management experts, using a combination of: weather forecasts; fire danger ratings; fuel moisture conditions; fire growth modelling; observed and forecast fire behaviour on local fires; and the regional and provincial fire loads. If conditions reach an unacceptable level, a backcountry restriction will be considered as required, as public safety is the BC Wildfire Services top priority.