Conservation officers and natural resource officers together issued more than 250 enforcement actions over the May long weekend, as part of increased patrols to help ensure British Columbians had a safe and enjoyable holiday.

Enforcement actions taken through increased vehicle and foot patrols throughout the province from May 20 to May 23 included charges, warnings, arrests, 24-hour licence suspensions, seizures and more.

The joint enforcement effort focused on environment, and fish and wildlife regulations, as well as the use of parks and recreation areas. Patrols targeted recreation sites, backcountry access, angling, boat safety and hunting activities throughout British Columbia.

The increased presence of officers and park rangers helped discourage illegal activities, while protecting B.C.’s natural resources and sensitive ecosystems for future generations.

 Enforcement actions taken related to the following:

• Off-road vehicle use
• Open liquor in motor vehicles
• Illegal hunting
• Illegal fishing
• Loaded firearms in vehicles
• Illegal bonfires, campfires and related fire violations
• Littering
• Damage to the environment
• Boat safety
• Prohibited and unlicensed drivers
• Unlawful use of recreation sites

Quick Facts:

• Natural resource officers are the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations’ principal inspectors and investigators for many violations related to the natural resource sector.
• Natural resource officers have the authority to enforce 46 different resource management laws and regulations, including the Land Act, Water Sustainability Act, Park Act, Heritage Conservation Act, Forest Act, Forest and Range Practices Act and Wildfire Act.
• The Conservation Officer Service is a natural-resource law-enforcement agency specializing in public safety as it relates to human-wildlife conflict, commercial environmental and industrial investigations, and compliance and enforcement services.
• The Conservation Officer Service is responsible for enforcing over 35 pieces of provincial and federal legislation.

Learn More:

Information about the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations’ Compliance and Enforcement Branch and the role of natural resource officers can be found at: http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hen/

For the latest information on fire activity, conditions and prohibitions, visit the BC Wildfire Service website: www.bcwildfire.ca

To learn more about the B.C. Conservation Officer Service, please visit: http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/natural-resource-stewardship/conservation-officer-service