About 70 trees that pose a risk to campers at the Shingle Beach Recreation Site on Texada Island will be removed for safety reasons.

Most of the trees are red alders that show significant signs of decay and rootrot. As well, several Douglas fir trees that show advanced stages of rootrot will be removed. The trees are leaning over the camping area and pose a significant safety hazard.

For safety reasons, the site will be closed to the public while this work is underway. Tree removal work is scheduled to begin shortly. Visitors are asked to follow the directions from work crews on the site and to not enter the active work area.

New trees will be planted to replace the trees that will be removed to ensure that the forest experience of the recreation site will recover in a timely manner. The site has been closed to overnight camping for the last few weeks because of the existing overhead hazards.

The Shingle Beach Recreation site has received several upgrades this spring to get ready for the summer camping season. The ministry is working towards having this oceanfront site open to the public as soon as possible and the Recreation Sites and Trails B.C. website will be updated when it is once again open to visitors.

Information on recreation sites, including facility amenities, number of campsites, type of access, any applicable fees, fire bans and restrictions, site descriptions, site operators and driving directions, along with additional information to help with trip planning is available: www.sitesandtrailsbc.ca/planning-your-trip