The provincial government is increasing the maximum lengths on specific kinds of leases and licences available to adventure tourism operators, Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson announced today.

Currently, adventure tourism leases and licences of occupation issued under the Land Act can last up to 30 years. Under the new policy, which is designed to give adventure tourism operators long-term business certainty, government can grant up to 45-year terms for licences of occupation and 60-year terms on leases.

“Extending the terms of long-term leases gives adventure tourism and nature-based tourism operators the certainty they need for their businesses,” stated Thomson.

Government issues leases and site-specific licences to adventure tourism operators for smaller, clearly defined parcels of Crown land and where a substantial investment in permanent facilities is critical to the lease-holder’s business. For example, base camp lodges often operate under a lease.

Licences of occupation are available for adventure tourism activities that occur over large areas, like horseback riding, wildlife viewing, and kayaking – and guided services within an extensive operating area.

These services include nature viewing, river rafting, sea kayaking, ski touring, snowmobiling, ATV tours, heli-skiing and hunting.

The changes to the adventure tourism policy also streamline the tenure application and replacement processes, modernizes existing procedures and simplifies fee structures. The expanded tenure terms also act on the June 2014 commitment to support economic and tourism opportunities in rural B.C. by ensuring backcountry tourism operators have appropriate access to Crown land.

There are over 600 adventure tourism and nature-based tourism tenures in the province.

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