Driving on Beaches

[Officer Kaatz]

Greetings all.
I am a federal Fishery Officer with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.
This topic started on this site as a result of a beach on the Sunshine Coast (Sechelt, B.C.) that got torn up by vehicle activity. An investigation had been initiated for violations of the Fisheries Act. As part of the investigation I sought the help of local 4X4 drivers on this forum. What was glaring in the ensuing forum discussions, was that many drivers are not aware that they should not be driving on inter-tidal beaches. Below is some information that should clarify what is not acceptable.
Thanks for all the good discussion and the information provided to me from members on the site. I look forward to discussion on this, or any other topic, I can participate in.

Operating “Vehicles” on Inter-tidal Foreshore.
As a result of complaints of vehicles driving on a beach in the Sechelt area and the resulting damage that occurred, I am posting the following information in an attempt to enlighten all vehicle operators of the potential habitat damage that can occur if they drive below the high water mark, and the liability they may assume for damages.

In Canada, fish habitat is protected under the Federal Fisheries Act. Any alteration, disruption or destruction of “Fish Habitat,” is a violation of the Fisheries Act.
“Fish Habitat,” includes anywhere “Fish” depend directly, or indirectly to carry out their life processes. Under the Act, “Fish” includes everything from larvae and eggs right up to and including marine mammals. (See link to the Fisheries Act for more information and actual definitions- http://laws.justice.gc.ca/en/showtdm/cs/F-14). This is a very broad definition. It can include ditches that link to fish bearing waters, marine plants, and even terrestrial vegetation adjacent to the marine environment, to name a few.

This web page explains what some of the impacts that driving of vehicle on the beach can do (http://lakehuron.ca/index.php?page=vehicles-on-beaches). Keep in mind that this document was based on Lake Huron beaches and looks at the impacts to plant production along lakeshore. Still, it give a bit of insight into how little it can take to cause damage. Marine beaches can have a much more complex ecosystem and be significantly more sensitive to activities on and around it. Just driving on a beach has impacts. You can imagine the damage that can occur when individuals do it in a destructive manner.
Here is a link of an example: http://s677.photobucket.com/albums/vv132/OfficerKaatz/

Although, each beach has its own variables when it comes to the type and amount of habitat value, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans advises that no person should operate a vehicle on any intertidal areas (below the highest high-water mark).

If you drive your vehicle on a beach you could get caught up in an investigation that may well lead to charges. Many drivers are just out for some fun, are responsible people, and demonstrate good ethics. It just takes a few bad apples and the public will paint everyone with the same brush. There are some great areas that provide challenging and entertaining fun, but inappropriate behavior will likely result in having those areas closed to vehicle access. Many of you have already seen it occur in the areas where you frequent.

The goal of this posting is to educate and make people aware of the damage that can occur when people drive on beaches. Education is the preferred means of "enforcement."

I invite anyone who is interested to discuss this in more detail, to give me a call.

Observe Record report 1-800-465-4336

[jeeper]

Thankyou for the information !

Its always better to be informed of the rules involved to make proper decisions !

Bruce

[lornix]

This is a timely thread. In planning an upcoming trip with my wife we have a choice of Sunshine coast or an interior destination. I was wondering in the back of my head what the implications / regulations were regarding beach driving. I didn't even consider the ecosystem of the tide-affected areas.

We won't dwell on the impact of sand and salt water on bearings, bushings, and brakes

Thanks for the post!

[Kinslayer]

Originally Posted by lornix

This is a timely thread. In planning an upcoming trip with my wife we have a choice of Sunshine coast or an interior destination. I was wondering in the back of my head what the implications / regulations were regarding beach driving. I didn't even consider the ecosystem of the tide-affected areas.

We won't dwell on the impact of sand and salt water on bearings, bushings, and brakes

Thanks for the post!

Yeah, was going to say - buddy who tore up piper point probably doesn't have a truck below his wheelwells anymore heh.

[smac]

I was on the queen charlotte islands recently and you can drive on north beach. and it's huge! ( I think the longest beach in BC).

appeartly someone got stuck last week at low tide and had his truck submerged when the tide came up

[canucksafari]

Originally Posted by smac

appeartly someone got stuck last week at low tide and had his truck submerged when the tide came up

Something like these?





Often happens in Australia where beach driving is allowed and actually encourage in their Fraser Island national park. Where allowed, drop your tire pressure to 10-20 lbs and go easy on the skinny pedal. Dry sand at the head of a beach is often the softest. Autos excel on beach and sand. The tides wait for no one and make mince meat of a $60K 4x4 in a matter of hours.

[Kinslayer]

you guys ever see that video of the hilux on top gear..where the beat the fock out of it and then it gets washed away at the beach..they find it when the tide comes down and then get it running again?

[toygasm]

we used to hit up the beaches on our roadtrips to cali and it was a blast,also ive seen tons of vids and photos from all over the usa,hawaii australia ect.i guess we got to many critters livin on the beach.i used to wheel the piper point trail all the time but lost intrest once it became the "hot spot".like our other popular "bible camp"trail it got vandalized and generally thrashed buy the yahoo crowd.i never knew we couldnt wheel on the beach.i was very shocked to see officer kaatz' photos of piper point.it was a beutiful spot for lunch on a sweet trail.the photos looked like a thrashed mud pit.suprising how fast it was ruined.i havnt been down their in months...does it still look like hell??

[badassjimmy]

what the deal with driving on a fresh water beach such as anderson beach in squamish???????????/

[badassjimmy]

ttt

[Cody1771]

thank you for that information, i currently work for CG and i hate it when i go for a walk on the beach only to see tire tracks... keep up the good work!

[badassjimmy]

if i go 4x4 close to a river how far form the water do i have to be???ive always thought it was the high water mark.are there cirtain areas that are off limits such as sandy areas or grassy ares..any info would be great however i will contiue to use good judgement

[Officer Kaatz]

Best response I can add is to stay above the highest highwater mark. Having said that, marine beaches have a completely different biology than, say, a river or lake.

If in doubt, contact the local Conservation Officer or Dept. Fisheries for the area your are frequenting.

For Conservation Officers:
http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/cos/contacts.html

For Fishery Officers:
http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/locations-bureaux-eng.htm

Hope this helps and sorry for the delay in responding.
Cheers!