Trail builders on Crown land can now cut timber if necessary to build or maintain recreation facilities

Plain-language summary · AI-assisted · not legal advice

A new provision has been added to the Forest Recreation Regulation allowing anyone who holds an authorization to construct, rehabilitate, or maintain a trail or other recreation facility on Crown land to cut, damage, or destroy Crown timber — but only to the extent necessary to carry out the authorized work. Previously, this permission was not explicitly stated in the regulation. This change affects operators, contractors, and organizations who work on Crown land recreation infrastructure under a section 57 authorization. Those doing this work should ensure they hold the required authorization and limit any timber cutting or damage strictly to what is necessary for the approved activity.

Who this affects: trail builders and contractors on Crown land · recreation facility operators · organizations maintaining Crown land trails · holders of section 57 Forest and Range Practices Act authorizations