The provincial government has reached an agreement with the CN railway company that ensures ongoing public access to the Mud Lake Forest Service Road, Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Steve Thomson announced today.

In March, CN closed the railway crossing, just north of the Blue River airstrip, after a snowmobiler got stuck on the tracks. This delayed a Via Rail train and disrupted service on the CN mainline from Kamloops to Winnipeg for four hours.

To maintain public access, the existing private permit has been amended to designate the crossing as a public crossing. As part of the agreement with CN, the Province will maintain the crossing and ensure that the railway's access, privacy and safety concerns are addressed. The province will ask other stakeholders - including the Thompson-Nicola Regional District, BC Hydro, the energy company Kinder-Morgan and local commercial interests - to contribute to the upkeep of the crossing.

Although the forest service road is primarily used for logging, it also provides access to Blue River Black Spruce Provincial Park, BC Hydro power lines, private lands, and traplines. The changes also support a growing jet-boat tour operation on Mud Lake, providing employment and economic development opportunities for the region.

Quotes:

Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Steve Thomson -

“We share CN's safety and operational concerns, and are pleased that, working co-operatively, we were able to find a solution to reopen the forest service road and keep it open, ensuring that the public and stakeholders that rely on this road have unrestricted access to it in perpetuity.”

Kamloops-North Thompson MLA and Minister of Health, Terry Lake -

“The Mud Lake Forest Service Road is a significant transportation and economic link in our region. I want to recognize electoral area director Willow Macdonald for her advocacy on this file.”

Thompson-Nicola Regional District Board chair Bill Humphreys -

“I am pleased that the stakeholders were able to come together and work out a collaborative solution to a complicated issue. Restoring public access to the forest service road is important for the region, and supports a range of recreational, economic and safety issues.”

Media Contacts:

Media Relations
Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations
250 356-5261