Harsher and stricter penalties are on the way for those operating off-road vehicles in sensative areas.
Effective immediately, anyone caught operating an off-road vehicle or snowmobile within a sensative habitat will be fined 575 dollars.
Previously, those in violation would only be fined between 230 and 345 dollars and the amount was dependant on the severity of the violation.
Sensative areas include all BC Parks and protected animal habitats.
On top of the increased fines, those caught snowmobiling in caribou habitats may be subject to fines of up to 200 thousand dollars and 6 months jail time.
The changes are an effort to reduce the effects of back-country recreation on the populations of protected animals.
