Understanding Sections 56 and 57
Credit: Steve Andrews
What recreation groups need to know about trails on Crown land
Across British Columbia, outdoor recreation depends heavily on volunteers and community organizations that care for trails, access and stewardship.
But groups can run into confusion, and sometimes conflict, when determining what work is legally allowed on Crown land.
Two sections of B.C.’s Forest and Range Practices Act frequently come up:
Section 56 and Section 57
They may sound technical, but they have practical implications for trail construction, maintenance, rehabilitation and community stewardship.
Here is a plain-language explanation of what they mean and why they matter.
Section 56: Establishing recreation sites, trails and areas
Section 56 gives the Province authority to formally establish Crown land as:
a recreation site
a recreation trail
a trail-based recreation area
an interpretive forest site
The Province can also change the boundaries of these areas, disestablish them and set management objectives that apply to them.
An important clarification
A Section 56 establishment is made through a ministerial decision within government. There is no public application process through which an individual or organization can obtain a Section 56 designation.
Recreation groups can express interest, provide information and work with Recreation Sites and Trails BC, but the decision to establish a site, trail or trail-based recreation area rests with the Province.
When an area is established under Section 56, it becomes formally recognized within the provincial recreation system.
You can think of Section 56 as a formal establishment and land-management tool.
It helps answer questions such as:
Is this an officially established recreation site or trail?
What land is included?
What management objectives apply?
How will the area be recognized in provincial land and resource decisions?
However, a Section 56 establishment does not, on its own, authorize a recreation group or individual to begin constructing, rehabilitating or maintaining a trail.
That is where Section 57 comes in.
Section 57: Authorizing physical work
Section 57 addresses the construction, rehabilitation and maintenance of trails and other recreation facilities on Crown land.
The key point is that Section 57 applies to the activity being undertaken, not simply to whether the trail has been formally established under Section 56.
Unless an exemption applies, or the work is authorized under another enactment, a person or organization must receive written authorization before constructing, rehabilitating or maintaining a trail or recreation facility on Crown land.
Work requiring authorization can include:
building a new trail
changing or rerouting a trail
work involving ground disturbance
significant clearing or cutting of vegetation
constructing bridges, boardwalks, platforms, shelters or other facilities
replacing large or deteriorated structures
substantial trail or recreation-facility rehabilitation
Recreation Sites and Trails BC administers Section 57 authorizations. Applications are submitted through the Province’s authorization process, with FrontCounter BC available to help applicants determine what approvals may be required.
Think of Section 57 as a work authorization for recreation infrastructure on Crown land.
A Section 57 authorization permits specified activities, often subject to conditions. It does not formally establish the trail or give it permanent legal status.
Where can trail work legally occur?
Construction, rehabilitation or maintenance on Crown land generally requires one of the following:
written authorization under Section 57
authorization under another applicable enactment
an exemption provided by the Forest Recreation Regulation
This requirement applies whether the trail is formally established under Section 56, informally developed or has existed for many years.
A long history of community use does not, by itself, authorize construction or maintenance.
Section 56 and Section 57 may be used together. For example, a trail may be formally established under Section 56 while particular construction or maintenance activities are authorized under Section 57.
Section 57 may also be used independently for work on a trail or recreation facility that has not been established under Section 56.
What about minor volunteer maintenance?
Not every low-impact activity requires Section 57 authorization.
Under the Forest Recreation Regulation and current provincial guidance, authorization is generally not required for activities such as:
marking a route with ribbons, cairns or other directional indicators
minor clearing of brush or downed trees within an existing trail corridor
minor repairs that return a trail or facility to its original or intended condition
certain small temporary structures
emergency work necessary to reduce an immediate risk to personal safety
These exemptions are limited and depend on the nature, scale and impact of the activity.
Work involving ground disturbance, significant vegetation removal, structural construction, a change in trail design or alignment, or substantial rehabilitation is much more likely to require authorization.
When uncertain, groups should contact FrontCounter BC or their local Recreation Sites and Trails BC office before beginning work.
A common misconception
A persistent misconception is:
“This trail is not officially designated, so Section 57 does not apply.”
That is not correct.
Section 57 applies to the construction, rehabilitation or maintenance being undertaken on Crown land. It can apply to formally established trails, informal trails, legacy trails and community-built trails.
The trail does not have to be established under Section 56 for the work to require authorization.
How Sections 56 and 57 fit together
A simple way to understand the distinction is:
Section 56 formally establishes recreation sites, trails and trail-based recreation areas.
Section 57 authorizes specified construction, rehabilitation or maintenance activities on Crown land.
The Forest Recreation Regulation identifies limited activities that do not require Section 57 authorization.
Section 56 and Section 57 can be used together, but one does not replace the other.
Good practices for recreation groups and volunteers
Understanding the legislation is only part of effective trail stewardship. Successful projects also depend on good relationships, early communication and realistic planning.
Start conversations early
Do not wait until designs are complete or funding has been secured. Connect with Recreation Sites and Trails BC and ideally with affected First Nations early in the process.
Early conversations can help:
identify concerns before significant time or money is invested
clarify what authorizations and information will be required
improve the project before formal decisions are made
build shared understanding from the beginning
Do your homework
Before proposing work:
identify the First Nations whose territories and interests may be affected
learn about relevant governance, protocols and engagement expectations
review land-use plans, recreation objectives and other existing designations
understand other land users, resource values and environmental considerations
confirm whether other permits or approvals may be required
Being prepared demonstrates respect and can make discussions more productive.
Build relationships, not just projects
Effective stewardship is relational, not transactional.
Strong groups invest in ongoing relationships by:
listening carefully
communicating consistently
following through on commitments
being transparent about limitations
remaining flexible as information and circumstances change
Be clear about the proposed work
When approaching land managers or First Nations, clearly explain:
what work is proposed
where it would occur
why it is needed
who would undertake and supervise it
what equipment and materials would be used
how environmental, cultural and public-safety impacts would be addressed
how the trail or facility would be maintained over time
Protect your organization and volunteers
Written authorizations and formal agreements can help establish:
the scope of permitted work
applicable safety and environmental requirements
responsibility for ongoing maintenance
reporting and supervision expectations
clearer accountability among the parties involved
However, a Section 57 authorization does not automatically provide liability insurance, volunteer coverage or permanent protection for the trail. Groups should confirm separately what insurance, partnership agreements and risk-management measures they need.
Why this matters for communities
For volunteer-led outdoor recreation groups, the authorization system can feel difficult to navigate—particularly when their goal is simply to care for trails, improve safety and protect public access.
Understanding the rules is nevertheless important. It can help groups:
avoid unauthorized work and possible enforcement action
protect their organizations and volunteers
identify project requirements before investing time and money
build constructive relationships with land managers and First Nations
work toward more secure and sustainable trail stewardship
At the Outdoor Recreation Council of BC, we regularly hear from groups trying to care for trails and maintain access while navigating a complicated system.
Clearer and more timely mechanisms for community stewardship are still needed. Understanding Sections 56 and 57 is an important place to begin.
In one sentence
Section 56 formally establishes recreation sites, trails and trail-based recreation areas, while Section 57 authorizes construction, rehabilitation and maintenance activities on Crown land.
Both matter, but Section 57, or another applicable authorization or exemption, generally determines whether proposed physical work can legally proceed.
Additional resources
To learn more about developing relationships and working respectfully with First Nations on recreation projects, review ORCBC’s Guidance toolkit for engagement with Indigenous communities.
Groups considering trail construction or maintenance should also review the Province of B.C.’s current Section 57 applicant guidance and contact FrontCounter BC or Recreation Sites and Trails BC when they are uncertain about authorization requirements.