Camping in identified campsites and motorized-vehicle use (including the use of off-road vehicles) on identified recreation trails in Koocanusa are now open to people living in the local community.

Recreation opportunities in the Koocanusa area align with the province’s goal to provide opportunities for British Columbians to get outdoors safely within their local health authority this spring, according to a Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development media release.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and to ensure orders and advisories from the provincial health officer (PHO) were followed, the B.C. government issued a recreation order under Section 58 of the Forest and Range Practices Act, on April 8, 2020, to discourage social gatherings and regional travel. The order also supports the implementation of the Koocanusa Recreation Strategy. This order has been updated to continue to allow camping and motorized trail use, in additional identified areas.

Travel restrictions for non-essential travel in B.C. are in place until May 25 to stop the spread of COVID-19 and variants of concern. Fines can be given to those who leave their region for non-essential travel. People are asked to stay local and in their community, and not travel for non-essential reasons.

Recreation Sites and Trails B.C. relies on the co-operation of visitors to adhere to the PHO’s orders and advisories while visiting recreation sites and trails this spring and summer. People are asked to pick a recreation site, trail or campground as close to home as possible to avoid long road trips and non-essential travel.

e-KNOW file photos

e-KNOW

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