New Definition for Natural Range Barriers
Last updated on July 30, 2024Managing forestry impacts to natural range barriers (NRBs) helps range agreement holders meet their obligations and supports stewardship of forage and associated plant communities in British Columbia’s rangelands.
On this page
- New Definition of Natural Range Barrier
- Intended outcomes of the new NRB Definition
- Amended Sections of the Forest Planning and Practices Regulation
- Resources for Forest and Range Practitioners
New Definition of Natural Range Barrier
Natural Range Barriers (NRBs) are now defined under the Forest Planning and Practices Regulation (FPPR) section 1(2) as: a naturally occurring feature or a combination of naturally occurring features, including the following, that stops or significantly impedes livestock movement to and from an area adjacent to the feature or combination of features:
- A lake, pond, river, creek or wetland
- A rock face
- A talus slope
- An embankment
- Vegetation
- Standing or non-standing timber
Intended outcomes of the new Natural Range Barrier definition
The new regulatory definition for NRBs helps provide certainty for forest practitioners, range agreement holders, and other interested parties when forest and or range practices occur on Crown rangelands. This represents a significant area of forested landbase in B.C.’s interior.
Forest Stewardship Plan (FSP) and Woodlot Licence Plan (WLP) holders need to consider the new definition while planning or communicating forest operations that may directly or indirectly impact the NRB. Plan holders should consider whether measures for mitigating impacts to natural range barriers reflect the new definition in their operational plan.
NRBs are referred to in the Forest and Range Practices Act (FRPA) section 48, FPPR section 18, and Woodlot Planning and Practices Regulation (WLPPR) section 15. These sections will need to be interpreted using the new NRB definition.
Amendment requirements for Forest Stewardship Plans and Woodlot license plans
FSP holders must submit an amendment to remove the definition that was previously approved within 6 months of this regulatory change, where applicable. An FSP that has not previously defined “natural range barrier” will not require an amendment.
An amendment to the WLP may not be necessary as per the provisions of FPRA s.15, though woodlot holders may wish to review the new definition for their next WLP submission. Where a definition was previously provided, a WLP holder must submit a minor amendment to the district.
Amended sections of the Forest Planning and Practices Regulation
Amended:
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FPPR s. 1 (2) (Definitions)