Access Management

Access Management

The 5.3 million ha Muskwa-Kechika Access Management Area (AMA), legislated under the BC Wildlife Act, Public Access Prohibition Regulation, Section 2, was established to maintain vehicular access on designated routes in order to protect a range of values (e.g. visual quality, spiritual values, and wildlife values).

Rational and Importance

Large areas of natural wilderness that is unmodified by roads or linear features set the M-KMA apart from other areas in Canada and the world.

Designating access helps to ensure future integrity of:

  • ecosystems
  • watersheds
  • visual Quality
  • wildlife corridors
  • wildlife populations
  • First Nations heritage
  • wilderness experience

Wilderness experience varies for different users, for example, motivation for seeking out wilderness areas may be different for motorized users than for non-motorised users.

The Access Management strategy and regulations ensure that the full range of experiences may take place within the M-KMA, while protecting a range of values.

Why is Access a Concern?

When people access an area, whether by foot, horseback, motorised vehicle or other method, the forest floor, wetland, stream, or other natural area is impacted, changed from its pristine form. Stress levels in Wildlife may be influenced by the proximity of motorised vehicles, and alternatively wildlife may become habituated to people creating a conflict. As well greater pressure on fish, wildlife and wilderness resources through increased access to previously inaccessible areas may become a concern.

Please consider that although an individual person may not create a large impact, increased numbers of individuals have a cumulative effect on the land.

Current technology means that areas previously inaccessible to the average person are now becoming accessible; therefore impacts are becoming more widespread. In particular, motorised vehicles access far greater areas in shorter time periods than activities conducted by foot or horse; consequently they have a greater impact to the land.

Other concerns associated with access include road kills, littering, fires, air pollution, water pollution, wildlife harassment, fuel spills, erosion, and elimination or damage to sensitive wildlife habitat and ecosystems.

Many of the concerns listed above can be addressed by modifying our own behaviour. For example if we become aware of the impacts that we can have, not only as individuals but also through the cumulative effects of many individuals engaging in the same activity, then we can choose to make a difference. By endorsing and using designated trails, we can each make a difference in the M-KMA.

Access Management Area Regulation

Motor vehicle travel is limited to specific routes within the M-KMA. These access routes have been determined on the basis of environmental sensitivity, public recommendation and past use.

See BC Laws: Wildlife Act, Public Access Prohibition Regulation, Section 2

Link to Ministry M-KMA access route map:   

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/farming-natural-resources-and-industry/natural-resource-use/land-water-use/crown-land/land-use-plans-and-objectives/northeast-region/muskwa-kechika-ma/muskwa-kechika_access_mngt_area_map_mk2018.pdf

Please observe all access regulations to help maintain the significant wildlife and wilderness characteristics of the Muskwa-Kechika Management Area.

Related Documents

MWLRS Access Management Tools Update - Dec 5, 2024
MWLRS Access Management Tools Update - Dec 5, 2024 (15.45 MB)
Posted Dec 7, 2024
Access Management review (input required by Board)
Access Management review (input required by Board) (110 KB)
Posted Jan 28, 2023
Wokkpash_Legal
Wokkpash_Legal (2.77 MB)
Posted May 25, 2015
West_Yedhe_Legal
West_Yedhe_Legal (2.64 MB)
Posted May 25, 2015
Sikanni_Legal
Sikanni_Legal (2.24 MB)
Posted May 25, 2015
Redfern_Legal
Redfern_Legal (2.77 MB)
Posted May 25, 2015
Racing_Legal
Racing_Legal (1.84 MB)
Posted May 25, 2015
Nonda_Legal
Nonda_Legal (2.02 MB)
Posted May 25, 2015
Liard_Legal
Liard_Legal (2.1 MB)
Posted May 25, 2015
Halfway_Legal
Halfway_Legal (1.47 MB)
Posted May 25, 2015
Graham_Legal
Graham_Legal (1.42 MB)
Posted May 25, 2015
Drogheda_Legal
Drogheda_Legal (1.59 MB)
Posted May 25, 2015
Cypress_Legal
Cypress_Legal (2.37 MB)
Posted May 25, 2015
Chowade_Legal
Chowade_Legal (2.54 MB)
Posted May 25, 2015
Redfern Trail Assessment   (Chillborne 2007)
Redfern Trail Assessment (Chillborne 2007) (6.16 MB)
Posted Feb 14, 2007
Muskwa Kechika Access Management Route Review Recommendations 2008
Muskwa Kechika Access Management Route Review Recommendations 2008 (249 KB)
Posted Apr 10, 2001
Muskwa Kechika Access Sensitivity Seed Project 1999/2000 Final Report
Muskwa Kechika Access Sensitivity Seed Project 1999/2000 Final Report (716 KB)
Posted Mar 15, 2000

 

Resource Library


MUSKWA-KECHIKA
Quick Facts

The M-KMA includes Parks and Protected Areas where resource extraction is prohibited, and management zones where resource extraction may occur, according to higher standards than elsewhere in the province (e.g. best management practices for oil and gas development).