Snowmobile Active Management Areas

The public is invited to comment on the proposed motor vehicle restrictions described below.

Status: Proposed

Region: Region 7B, Peace

Management unit (MU): 7-21, 7-22

Regulation type: Motor Vehicle Restrictions

Species: Not applicable

Closing date: February 13, 2026 at 4:30 pm PT

Current regulation:

From Motor Vehicle Prohibition Regulation:

Areas closed to snowmobiles

6 Unless permitted by section 9 or 10 or a section of Schedule 5, a person must not use or operate a snowmobile in an area described in Schedule 5 during the period specified in that schedule for the area. 

Northern Rockies

6 (1) The closure is effective year-round in any portions of MUs 7-19, 7-21, 7-22, 7-23, 7-30 and 7-31 shown shaded in red on Map No. 5-6/24, except that a person may use or operate a snowmobile in the 20 m wide corridor shown highlighted in green on that map.

(2) The closure is effective during the period January 15 to September 30 in any portion of MU 7-22 shown shaded in orange on Map No. 5-6/24.

Proposed regulation:

Replace the year-round snowmobile closures within the Silversands and Tunnel Mountain Active Management Areas with seasonal openings, and remove the snowmobile prohibitions in the Bijoux and Murray active management areas.  

For more information, consult map (PDF, 537KB).

Rationale:

Currently within the Peace region, the Silversands, Bijoux/Powder King, Murray, and Tunnel Mountain active management areas within the Northern Rockies Snowmobile Prohibited Area are closed year-round. To date, snowmobile access to these areas has been provided through permits. The permits were provided to specific snowmobile clubs and their members. The proposal would replace the permit system with seasonal snowmobile access through regulation. 

Analysis of caribou location and habitat data has improved understanding of when and how caribou use these areas. The regulation change would only allow snowmobiling during times when data indicates caribou are not present and keep snowmobiling closures where caribou are present. The proposed regulation change would make the rules clearer and more consistent while protecting caribou and providing more recreation opportunities. It would also make monitoring and enforcement easier. 

The year-round closures of the Holsworth and Windfall Active Management Areas will be maintained. 

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