Road Maintenance & Deactivation

Road Maintenance & Deactivation

As winter approaches owners are reminded to be diligent around regulatory requirements related to road maintenance & deactivation, two forest activities that are essential for protection of water quality and fish habitat.

Protection of water quality and fish habitat are two of the forest management objectives identified in the Private Managed Forest Land Act.  Owners, contractors, employees, and agents of the owner must be aware of the regulatory requirements of the Private Managed Forest Land Council Regulation (Council Regulation) and meet the described standards and outcomes.

Two elements in the Council Regulation related to road maintenance and deactivation are:

  • Road constructed or used for harvesting must be maintained until deactivated
  • Maintenance and deactivation practices are required to the extent necessary to avoid causing a material adverse effect on the quality of drinking water or fish habitat

 

Specific maintenance & deactivation requirements are in Council Regulation Division 3- Protecting water quality and fish habitat.  Council’s Field Practices Guide has information and example practices regarding the regulatory requirements.

Other related federal and provincial legislation may apply, including the federal Fisheries Act, and the provincial Water Sustainability Act and Drinking Water Protection Act.

RESOURCES

  • Private Managed Forest Land legislation, including the Act and Council Regulation
  • Field Practices Guide: in addition to specific requirements around road maintenance and deactivation, the guide contains information on risk management, due diligence, and ‘material adverse effect
  • iMapBC: a BC government web application that provides access to government data including the locations of drinking water intakes