Whereas the Province of British Columbia is responsible for the management of forest service roads FSRs and associated infrastructure on Crown land, and declining forest harvesting activity has resulted in the closure and decommissioning of many FSRs and bridges across the province, limiting public access to backcountry areas; And whereas forest service roads provide essential access for outdoor recreation, tourism, search and rescue, wildfire suppression, emergency response, and resource-based economic activity, particularly in rural, remote, and destination communities; And whereas the closure or decommissioning of forest service roads without adequate consultation has increased public safety risks, reduced emergency access and egress options, negatively impacted tourism and recreation-based economies, and shifted costs and operational pressures onto local governments, volunteer organizations, and first responders; And whereas the UBCM membership has repeatedly endorsed resolutions recognizing the importance of forest service roads and calling on the Province to maintain access for recreation, tourism, and emergency response 2013-B128, 2017-B58, 2017-B59, 2020-EB19 through 2020-EB22, 2024-EB79, 2024-EB80, and 2025-EB68: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request the Province of British Columbia fully consult and actively engage local governments and Indigenous partners prior to any decision to close or decommission forest service roads or bridges, and that the Province work collaboratively to develop practical solutions that maintain reasonable access to Crown land for recreation, tourism, emergency response, and community resilience.
