What is a Forest and Range Practices Act (FRPA) Section 58 Closure and how does it work?
FRPA Section 58 Closures are a tool to implement a plan for managing recreation use and resolving conflicts. The provision enables the minister to restrict or prohibit a recreational use anywhere on Crown land, except a use that is specifically permitted by or under another enactment to protect a recreation or range resource or to manage public recreation use on Crown land. Examples of the use of this tool might include closing an ecologically sensitive hiking trail to motorized vehicle traffic in order to enhance the recreation experience and ensure safety while protecting the recreation resource. Statutory decision authority for the use of this section rests with the regional manager of the Ministry of Tourism, Sport and the Arts (MTSA). Without the use of legislated tools such as Section 58, there is no legal way of enforcing the recreation closures, which along with cooperation and education allows for successful implementation of the direction in the SRMP. The monitoring and enfor
