British Columbians are invited to comment on a policy project for better regulation of natural resource roads, Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Steve Thomson and Minister of Energy and Mines Rich Coleman announced today.

The Natural Resource Road Act Project aims to establish a single legislative framework for the use, construction, maintenance and management of resource roads. This simplified process will create certainty about rules and regulations, and provide consistency for all sectors and resource road users.

A discussion paper has been prepared to inform stakeholders and to encourage feedback on proposed principles and key policies for consideration. This discussion paper is available online at: http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/mof/nrra/

In addition to online feedback, face-to-face meetings will be held with stakeholders from a range of sectors. Submissions are being accepted until Thursday, Dec. 15, 2011 and will be used to help develop the Natural Resource Road Act.

Quick Facts:

• B.C. has an estimated 450,000 kilometres of resource roads.
• Resource roads are typically one-lane or two-lane gravel roads built for industrial purposes to access natural resources in remote areas.
• They include forest service roads, petroleum development roads, mineral exploration roads, industrial roads, road-permit roads, Land Act roads and special-use-permit roads.
• Although resource roads are different from public highways, they also provide access to dozens of rural communities and isolated settlements.
• Resource roads in B.C. are currently administered under 11 acts and associated regulations.

Learn More:

Natural Resource Road Policy Project: http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/mof/nrra/

Media Contact:

Cheekwan Ho
Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations
250 356-5261