Legislative framework

The Forest and Range Practices Act (FRPA) is the legislative framework to manage BC’s recreation sites, recreation trails and interpretive forest sites.

Legislative authority is outlined in sections 56 to 58 of FRPA and within the Forest Recreation Regulation. The Forest Planning and Practices Regulation also contributes to recreation management by setting practice requirements for forest and range practices.

On this page:

• Establish interpretive forest sites, recreation sites and recreation trails
• Authorize trail or facility construction
• Protect recreation and range resources on crown land
• Forest Planning and Practices Regulation
• Forest Recreation Regulation

Establish interpretive forest sites, recreation sites and recreation trails

Section 56 enables the Minister to establish, vary the boundaries, or disestablish interpretive forest sites, recreation sites and recreation trails on Crown land. It also allows the Minister to establish objectives for interpretive forest sites, recreation sites and recreation trails provided they are consistent with any land-use objectives set by government for the area.

Before Jan 1, 2018, Section 56 orders were publicly announced in the BC Provincial Gazette. Ministerial Orders are now publicly announced and available digitally through the BC Laws website. 

Authorize trail or facility construction

Section 57 prohibits the construction, rehabilitation or maintenance of unauthorized trails or other recreation facilities on Crown land.

Protect recreation and range resources on Crown Land

Section 58 prescribes measures to protect recreation and range resources on Crown land. The Minister can, by order, restrict or prohibit recreational use on Crown land if deemed necessary to protect recreation or range resources. The Minister can also restrict or prohibit the non-recreational use of areas designated for recreation, including resource management zones, landscape units, sensitive areas, and interpretive forest sites, recreation sites and recreation trails.

Learn more about Recreation Orders

Forest Planning and Practices Regulation

The Forest Planning and Practices Regulation sets out the requirements for preparing forest stewardship plans and site plans, and for conducting forest practices under FRPA.

In 2023, the Forest Planning and Practices Regulation was amended as part of a suite of legislative changes to the FRPA legislative framework. With this amendment, the pre-existing definition of “resource feature” has been replaced with a new expanded definition that includes recreation sites, recreation trails, and interpretive forest sites established in accordance with Section 56 of FRPA.

Designation as a resource feature invokes default practice requirements under Section 70(1) of FPPR which require that, “an authorized person who carries out a primary forest activity must ensure that the primary forest activity does not damage or render ineffective a resource feature”.

Learn more about amendments to the Forest Planning and Practices Regulation.

Forest Recreation Regulation

The Forest Recreation Regulation sets out procedures for establishing recreation orders to restrict or regulate public recreation use on Crown land to protect range or recreation resources, or to manage conflicting recreation uses. It also outlines the procedures an applicant must follow for submitting a proposal to construct, rehabilitate or maintain an authorized trail or recreation facility for public use.

The regulation also details rules for the use of recreation sites, recreation trails and interpretive forest sites, describes provisions for recreation site and trail fees, and specifies enforcement actions for non-compliance with the recreation components of the Forest and Range Practices Act (FRPA).

Authorizing maintenance and development

Recreation maintenance and development activities may occur only at recreation sites and trails established under Section 56 or at trails and recreation facilities authorized under Section 57 of the Forest and Range Practices Act (FRPA).

Learn more about recreation site and trail maintenance and development

Other uses requiring authorization (section 16)

Section 16 prohibits the use of a recreation site, recreation trail, or interpretive forest site, for many types of activities, without authorization by a recreation officer. Authorization is required to use a recreation site or trail for a business or industrial activity and to host a competitive sporting event. Use of a recreation site for a gathering of 15 or more persons, or as a place of temporary residence while engaged in a business or industrial activity on site, also requires authorization.

Learn more about other uses requiring authorization

Additional resources

• Read Outdoor Recreation and Forest and Range Practices Act (PDF, 219.9KB) for more details on FRPA as it applies to outdoor recreation in British Columbia