Crystal Lake Road Rehabilitation
The Crystal Lake Road Rehabilitation project was collaboratively developed with involvement from SERNbc, Saik’uz First Nation, tenure holders, the province of BC and community representatives. Strategic direction for the project was derived from the Omineca Region Environmental Stewardship Initiative (ESI) group, the Vanderhoof LRMP, the Vanderhoof AMP, forest licensee operations and obligations planning, and access needs for other tenured users and the general public. The project objective was to reduce the density of temporary forest roads in the plan area given the road density threshold of 0.6km/km2 being significant to maintaining healthy wildlife populations. The Crystal Lake plan area had an estimated 1.2km/km2. The project identified 275km of candidate roads for rehabilitation. In 2021 approximately 36km of temporary forest roads were rehabilitated southwest of Vanderhoof, BC. A second phase of road rehabilitation in 2022 removed 52km of road surrounding moose habitat enhancement treatment units implemented by SERNbc in 2021 and 2022.
Reports:
Crystal Lake Road Rehabilitation Collaborative Plan - March 31, 2020
Maps:
Click on the map below to enlarge:
Crystal Lake Road Rehabilitation Collaborative Plan Area
Crystal Lake Road Rehabilitation
Application Criteria
SERNbc uses three general criteria to select specific ecosystems for restoration activities, which include:
- Ecosystem vulnerability,
- Functional importance of the ecosystem, and
- Existing management mechanisms and/or programs.
Vulnerable, degraded and damaged ecosystems are a high priority for ER activities if they have high functional importance in terms of providing important ecological services. This functional importance or management priority increases when the ER needs of a subject ecosystem is not being addressed by existing programming.
Potential ER projects must align with SERNbc’s objectives as identified in our strategic plan. All ER projects undertaken by SERNbc need to be supported by data and analysis that describes their current state, desired future condition, management objectives, and treatment rationale.
