Ecological Reserve Act

 

The Ecological Reserve Act, which falls under the administration of the Minister of Water Land and Air Protection, has as its purpose the reservation of Crown land for ecological purposes.  As set out in s. 2 of the Act, the kinds of areas that are designated as ecological reserves include:

 

·          areas suitable for scientific research and educational purposes associated with studies in productivity and other aspects of the natural environment;

·          areas that are representative examples of natural ecosystems in British Columbia;

·          areas that serve as examples of ecosystems that have been modified by human beings and offer an opportunity to study the recovery of the natural ecosystem from modification;

·          areas where rare or endangered native plants and animals in their natural habitat may be preserved;

·         areas that contain unique and rare examples of botanical, zoological or geological phenomena.

In 2000, the government passed legislative amendments to make ecological reserves more permanent in law.  Since then, any cancellation or changes to the boundaries of most ecological reserves require an Act of the Legislature.

 

What is an ecological reserve? 

 

The primary purpose of ecological reserves is ecological preservation and scientific research and study.  This purpose distinguishes them from parks, which are set aside not only for wilderness preservation, but also for public enjoyment and outdoor recreation.  While public access is usually (but not always) allowed in ecological reserves, when it is allowed, it is limited to low-impact activities, such as nature observation or hiking.  High impact recreational activities, such as motorized vehicle use, are not permitted in ecological reserves.

 

Once an area is established as an ecological reserve, it must be immediately withdrawn and reserved from Crown dispositions (the granting of rights over the area or its resources).  These include dispositions under the Coal Act, Forest Act, Land Act, Mineral Tenure Act, Mining Right of Way Act, Petroleum and Natural Gas Act, Range Act and Water Act.  This effectively precludes mining, resource extraction activities, range farming or energy production activities within ecological reserves – offering them significant protection.

 

Scientific and educational study is encouraged within ecological reserves, under the authority of a permit.

How are ecological reserves established?

 

Ecological reserves are established by order of the Lieutenant Governor in Council (Cabinet).  Since the establishment of the province-wide Land and Resource Management Planning (LRMP) process in the 1990s, ecological reserves have been established further to those planning processes and further to the provincial Protected Areas Strategy. 

 

In some regions of the province, LRMPs are already in place; elsewhere, plans are still being developed.  The LRMP process is open to stakeholder input, and is a significant opportunity for individuals and groups to identify and submit to the LRMP table those significant aquatic and terrestrial habitat areas which would benefit from being set aside and preserved as ecological reserves.

 

Related Guide Pages:

 

·          Provincial Strategic Planning

 

For more information on the Ecological Reserve Act:

 

·          Electronic version of the Ecological Reserve Act.

·          Electronic version of the Ecological Reserve Regulations and the Application of Park Legislation to Ecological Reserves Regulation.

·          Ecological Reserves page and Ecological Reserve Warden Handbook on the Ministry of Water Land and Air Protection website. 

·          Friends of Ecological Reserves website.