Ministry of Forests Recreation Passes

Thank you, for your questions concerning Ministry of Forests recreation passes.
 
Government's Core services review has determined that managing recreation sites and trails is no longer a Ministry of Forests core priority. The Ministry of Forests will search for other parties to take over the maintenance and management responsibilities for sites and trails. This process is beginning immediately and will be completed by March 31, 2004. Sites and trails not transferred will no longer be maintained by the Ministry of Forests. The public will be able to access and use these areas just as vacant Crown land can be used now. Removal of some structures and the closure of some sites and trails will begin this spring at locations where public safety or environmental risks are high.
 
Ministry of Forests staff are currently assessing sites and trails to determine potential for transfer and public safety and environmental issues if the site or trail were cancelled. Once this information is available the Ministry plans on meeting with stakeholders and other parties in March 2002 to discuss transferring sites and trails.
 
The Ministry of Forests plans to eliminate the camping pass program effective April 2002. Overnight camping fees at approximately 40 supervised sites and trail fees for enhanced services at approximately 50 trails will remain in effect during the transition as these facilities are tranferred to other parties. In addition the Ministry will operate a small number of recreation sites and trails in 2002 to keep opportunities open for transfer to other parties. District staff are currently identifying which sites and trails have the most potential for transfer to other parties as well as public safety and environmental issues at sites and trails that will not be maintained. By the end of March 2002, we will have an indication of how each recreation site or trail may be managed in 2002 and in subsequent years.
 
As more information becomes available on opportunities to transfer sites and trails and which facilities will be open in 2002, this information will be posted on the Ministry of Forests recreation website.