Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett says she is continuing to work toward the "very important" development of an off-road vehicle (ORV) act.
Barnett is a member of government's ORV management framework committee working with stakeholders. She says the potential legislation has been in the works for years, but the working groups must first develop the act before it can be tabled in Victoria.
"The [ORV] legislation is still at the committee stage, working with the stakeholders trying to put the act together that is going to be in the best interest of all of our many, many clubs and organizations that have asked for this for years."
The committee is working hard to resolve "complex" issues and legalities, which, she notes, has contributed to the time delay.
The act will enhance safety by mandating helmet use on ORVs, setting standards for ORV drivers under age 16, and other potential new regulations, Barnett explains.
"I think helmets are common sense."
She disputes allegations the included requirement for ATV registration is nothing more than a tax grab, which Barnett says snowmobilers have had available for years.
"There will be one registration fee for the life of the machine, which will not be a tax grab ... we're not trying to penalize anybody. We are trying to make it safer, and we are trying to make it so that we have a better industry for tourism."
The changes were not initiated by government, but rather something that ATV organizations have been asking for, she adds.
"The money from the one-time, registration, as I understand it, will pay for the licence plate, and the registration work ... it is supposed to be self-funding. It is not to be something to generate tax dollars to go into general revenue."
Once an act is passed, riders would need an optional annual vehicle licence and insurance to legally operate on forestry roads, but will also be able to cross public roads at designated trail crossings.
Those who remain on Crown land would continue require registration only.
Ralph Matthews, ATV BC director and Quad Squad South Cariboo ATV Club president, of Lone Butte says ORV registration has been a "long time in coming."
"I think it it's going to be beneficial to everybody, if it's set up right. It will help with road crossings, and with small communities setting up trail networks to link communities."
A current project of ATV BC is developing a north-to-south provincial trail network that will cross many roads, he adds.
The boards of both his organizations are eager to have this legislation, Matthews says, adding he hopes to see it tabled and passed in the spring legislative session.
The act will build on some 2008 legislation that holds riders accountable for environmental damage to sensitive land areas, from riparian areas to hillsides, where they can be slapped with a violation ticket of $575 – or face penalties of up to $100,000.
Barnett explains the Caribou and mule deer habitat areas, sensitive Crown land areas, wetlands and grasslands have "always been out-of-bounds."
The current laws also require all motor vehicle operators on Forest Service roads to have a valid driver's licence for the vehicle they are driving, and to carry a minimum of $200,000 third-party liability insurance. Driving or crossing any public roads on ATVs is currently prohibited.
As an added benefit for all ATV owners, she notes registration allows police to track stolen vehicles that are no longer with the original
owners listed by dealerships.
"Registration will certainly help in [reducing] the theft, and there is much theft."
Aside from ATV BC, Barnett says other groups lobbying for legislation include the BC Snowmobile Federation, the Association of B.C. Snowmobile Clubs, the Outdoor Recreation Council of B.C., and several others.