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Archival description
British Columbia. Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection
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Conservation Officer Service major investigation case files

  • GR-3996
  • Series
  • 1992 - 2007

The series consists of the major investigation case files of the Conservation Officer Service. These records document the major investigative work of Conservation Officers, who are Special Provincial Constables under the Police Act (RSBC 1996, c. 367) in BC. They are trained and authorized to investigate complaints and incidents and to charge offenders. The records relate to investigating and enforcing suspected cases of noncompliance with the following federal acts and related regulations, which currently fall under the Conservation Officer Service (COS) mandate: Canada Shipping Act, 2001 (SC 2001, c. 26), Criminal Code (RSC 1985, c. C-46), Fisheries Act (RSC 1985, c. F-14), Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994 (SC 1994, c. 22), Species at Risk Act (SC 2002, c. 29), Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act (SC 1992, c. 52) and the following provincial acts and related regulations: Creston Valley Wildlife Act (RSBC 1996, c. 84), Dike Maintenance Act (RSBC 1996, c. 95), Ecological Reserve Act (RSBC 1996, c.103), Environmental Assessment Act (SBC 2002, c. 43), Environmental Management Act (SBC 2003, c. 53), Firearm Act (RSBC 1996, c. 145), Fish Inspection Act (RSBC 1996, c. 148), Fisheries Act (RSBC 1996, c. 149), Forest Act (RSBC 1996, c. 157), Forest and Range Practices Act (SBC 2002, c. 69), Forest Practices Code of British Columbia Act (RSBC 1996, c. 159), Integrated Pest Management Act (SBC 2003, c. 58), Land Act (RSBC 1996, c. 245), Liquor Control and Licensing Act (RSBC 1996, c. 267), Motor Vehicle Act (RSBC 1996, c. 318), Offence Act (RSBC 1996, c. 338), Off-Road Vehicle Act (SBC 2014, c. 5), Park Act (RSBC 1996, c. 344), Transport of Dangerous Goods Act (RSBC 1996, c. 458), Riparian Areas Protection Act (SBC 1997, c. 21), Trespass Act (RSBC 1996, c. 462), Water Protection Act (RSBC 1996, c. 484), Water Users' Communities Act (RSBC 1996, c. 483), portions of the Wildfire Act (SBC 2004, c. 31), and the Wildlife Act (RSBC 1996, c. 488). Major cases are serious in nature and address complex issues such as trafficking animal parts, big-game poaching, illegal fishing or guiding, or selling animals for human consumption that are procured illegally. These case are high profile, and may draw intense media and political attention. They include those that: are multi-jurisdictional and involve other levels of government and/or other jurisdictions; may involve elements of organized crime, and violations that fall outside the mandate of the COS; require specialized investigation techniques such as surveillance, canvassing, covert operations, and the use of Judicial Applications such as search warrants, tracking warrants, and Part 6 warrants; require the systematic collection, organization, and evaluation of large amounts of information and electronic data; and relate to serious forest crimes including arson, mischief, fraud and theft of natural resources. These records were created by the Conservation Officer Service part of the Enforcement program of the Ministry of the Environment and its predecessors, 1992-2007.

Major investigation case files are organized by case number, and for special investigations, by project name. A major case includes a variety of record types such as routing sheets, investigation documents, notes, dedicated major case notebooks, court documents (e.g., search warrants, subpoenas, arrest warrants and Crown Counsel disclosure packages, reports (e.g., final, subject, exhibit, expert, briefing, etc.), enforcement action records (e.g., tickets, warnings and orders), photographs, audio-visual records, ledgers, logs, statements, plans, approvals, correspondence, and supporting documentation)). These records are classified as major investigation cases (31010-40) under the Conservation Officer Service ORCS, 2017.

British Columbia. Ministry of Environment (2005-2017)

Conservation Officer Service policy records

  • GR-4004
  • Series
  • 1980-2012

This series consists of policy records developed by the Conservation Officer Service to support its core operational functions and activities: compliance and enforcement of federal and provincial natural resource law and human wildlife conflict management. The records were created by the Conservation Officer Service, part of the Enforcement program of the Ministry of Environment and its predecessors under the Environmental Management Act (SBC 2003, c. 53) between 1980-2012. They consist of final/approved policies, procedures, standards, and guidelines relating to environmental protection, fish and wildlife management, and public safety in the province of BC.
The records are arranged by category, then by policy name/section. They consist of correspondence, memoranda, final policy documents, reports, copies of occurrence reports, investigations, and copies of legislation. These records are classified as final policy documents (31000-00) under the Conservation Officer Service ORCS (schedule 201311), 2017. They are also assigned an internal filing code.

British Columbia. Ministry of Environment (2005-2017)

Conservation officer service final reports, statistics and reviews

  • GR-4007
  • Series
  • 1984 - 2010

The series consists of records relating to original research, analysis, and reporting on compliance, enforcement, and human-wildlife conflict management activities performed by the Conservation Officer Service, as established under the Environmental Management Act (SBC 2003, c. 53). Some of the topics covered include bears and orphaned bear cubs, no shooting areas, and ear tags for problem animals such a cougars and black and grizzly bears. The records document the effectiveness of specific control method techniques and the types and severity of human-wildlife conflicts in BC. They were created by the Ministry of Environment and its predecessors between 1984 and 2010.
The records are arranged by subject. They include reports, correspondence, questionnaires, procedure manuals, meeting materials, memoranda, and presentations. The records are classified as final reports, statistics, and reviews (31000-10) under the Conservation Officer Services ORCS (201311), 2017. They are also assigned an internal file code.

British Columbia. Ministry of Environment (2005-2017)

Environment correspondence and referral replies

  • GR-3808
  • Series
  • 1995-2009

This series contains the correspondence referral replies of the Ministry of Environment and its predecessors from 1995-2009. Executive correspondence referral replies, also known as minister’s letters, include letters to the executive and their reply letters.

Correspondence deals with a variety of issues related to the environment. Some records record the concerns and complaints from the public about environmental factors, such as the presence of pollution clouds, bad odours or waste in the environment. Others relate to different initiatives and programs proposed by the ministry. A small number of Information Notes and Decision Notes sent internally to executive members of the Ministry are also in the records. There are also letters to the editor written by the Minister to various newspapers in response to articles concerning the Ministry or the environment.

Records are mainly arranged by referral (reference) number with each chain of correspondence filed in its own folder. There are cases in which multiple people wrote in the same complaint or concern; these letters have been filed in the same folder. Records from the Minister’s Office are arranged chronologically by the date of receipt with records arranged into folders by month. Some boxes contain file lists with either a list of the sender/recipient's name and/or the subject of the letter.

The series is arranged by accession number, which contains the records created by a particular office or executive. Currently, the series contains the following eight accessions:

Accession 96-3526 contains the correspondence from the Environment Protection Division of the ministry.

Accession 93-2700 contains correspondence from the Minister’s Office Correspondence Unit. Records consist mainly of interim responses, minister reply drafts sent to the minister for approval and signing, as well as direct replies written by the Environment Protection Division on behalf of the minister.

Accession 95-5840 contains the correspondence of B.C. Environment, Prince George office, specifically correspondence sent, copied or for reply by the Director of Omineca-Peace region, Environmental Protection.

Accession 96-0105 contains the correspondence of the Environmental Stewardship and Protected Areas Division, Lower Mainland Region.

Accession 96-3531 contains correspondence from the Water Stewardship Division, Lower Mainland Region.

Accession 96-3525 contains correspondence of the Environmental Stewardship Division, Lower Mainland Region. All files also contain copies of the original letters received.

Accession 93-0681 contains letters referred to the Minister for reply.

Accession 96-9659 contains correspondence referrals from the Biodiversity Branch with topics mainly concerning wildlife protection.

Accession 95-9854 contains records from the Minister's Office with topics related to environmental protection, environmental stewardship, water stewardship and conservation officer service.

Accession 96-0944 contains correspondence related to the enforcement program and include topics such as investigations into violations of environmental laws, memos regarding BC Conservation Officer Service achievements and misconduct complaints (includes appendices on their powers and responsibilities), letters from animal rights activists, wildlife-human conflicts and general services provided by the COS.

Records in this series are classified under ARCS number 280-30.

British Columbia. Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks

Ministry of Environment executive records and briefing notes

  • GR-3886
  • Series
  • 1994-2005

This series consists of a variety of executive records, including, briefing notes, decision notes, ministry Orders in Council, ministerial orders and Cabinet submissions from 1998-2005. The records were created by the Ministry of Environment and its predecessors, the Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks, and the Ministry of Water, Lands and Air Protection. The records were created by several offices for the information or decision of the Minister, Deputy Minister, the Assistant Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection, Assistant Deputy Minister of the Enforcement Programs, and other executive members of the ministries.

Records may address any subject related to the mandate of the ministries. The records are arranged by accession number, then by file code, then chronologically by date.

Accession 95-5839 contains briefing notes from the Parks Division. Briefing notes in yearly files are arranged by District, then month and day. The topics of the briefs concern the creation and development of new parks and conservations areas; the deletion, removal or transfer of park lands; the construction of infrastructure in parks including roads and powerlines; park use permits and fees; the changing uses of park lands for recreation; issues surrounding mining and logging in and around park lands; response to pine beetle infestations; safety concerns and accidents involving park visitors; changes to legislation; First Nations treaty negotiations regarding park land; as well as approval and development of park Master Plans and Management Plans.

Accession 95-7183 contains briefing notes from the Environmental Protection Division. The topics of the briefs concern waste control and management, environmental health, climate change, pollution prevention, recycling and waste disposal programs, among other related topics.

Accession 96-0944 contains briefing notes from the Enforcement program. The topics of these records mainly concern enforcement services regarding non-compliance with environmental standards, the Conservation Officer Service (including their training and firearms safety), contaminated sites, wildlife, and habitat protection as it relates to environmental laws.

Accession 95-8904 contains executive records from the Deputy Ministers Office. Records include briefing notes, decision notes, ministry Orders in Council (OICs), ministerial orders, Cabinet submissions, correspondence, and related reference material. Subjects and issues addressed may cover all programs and divisions of the ministry. Records may be addressed specifically to the Deputy Minister for their signature or approval, or they may be informational reference copies from the Minister of other Executives. Some of the records may be duplicated in other accessions.

Records in this series are classified under ARCS numbers 135-35, 135-60, 201-40 and 280-20.

British Columbia. Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks

Conservation Officer Service wildlife attack final reports

  • GR-4005
  • Series
  • 1991-2012

The series consists of final reports summarizing wildlife attacks on humans created by the Conservation Officer Service, part of the Enforcement program of the Ministry of Environment and its predecessors under the Environmental Management Act (SBC 2003, c. 53) between 1991--2012. The final reports cover the response and related activities of the Conservation Officer Service (COS) to human-wildlife conflicts that pose a threat to public safety (e.g., wildlife attacks, repeated dangerous wildlife encounters at or near public locations, situations where dangerous wildlife has become habituated or food conditioned and now represents a risk to public safety, and livestock-large predator conflicts) in BC. COS also responds to certain cases of injured or dead wildlife (e.g., large carnivores or ungulates). The records document the investigation and outcome of wildlife attacks that threaten human safety and may result in human fatality or serious injury. They illustrate the evolution of wildlife attack investigative technique, causes of wildlife attacks, and methods used to dispatch wildlife. They may be used to inform wildlife conflict reduction strategies, policies and procedures, and educational materials developed by COS.

The records are arranged by geographic area and type of animal attack. They consist of memoranda and reports containing copies of photos, news clippings, memoranda, correspondence, case summaries, and exhibit materials. The records are classified by an internal filing code and ORCS classification 31040-14 (wildlife attack final reports) under the Conservation Officer Service ORCS (schedule 201311).

British Columbia. Ministry of Environment (2005-2017)

Parks and protected areas case files

  • GR-3872
  • Series
  • 1948-2003

This series contains case files of parks and protected areas which document the legal creation and definitions of the various established parks and protected areas in British Columbia. These files provide a brief history of the area and how it came to be under the provincial government’s management. Some files that are included in the records are land title descriptions, survey plans, boundary maps, pre-existing tenures, park use permits, assessment notices, property acquisition recording sheets and copies of legal establishment (such as order in councils, ministerial orders, copies of acquisition agreements, land title reports, certificates of indefeasible title etc.). The files also cover historical and anecdotal background information, approved map reserves, licenses of occupation and leased tax exemptions, tax payments, construction permissions and notations of interest.

These records may have been previously known as “green files” or “land administration files” with copies of Park Status Sheets (which include basic information such as name of the park, region, classification, size, date of creation etc.) as well as archaeological site surveys, OICs, indentures, market value estimates, records of private donations of land, purchases of land and transfers of federal lands to the Parks Division.

The records are arranged according to the Parks and Protected Areas (PPA) Operational Records Classification System (schedule 186896). Files codes contain the PPA primary and secondary numbers followed by the Parks identification number and the old primary number taken from the BC Parks ORCS (Schedule 113827).

Two records classified under Conservation Research Products were included in this series as the files contain mainly archaeological site surveys and historic background information about the parks, records which appear to also be included in the parks and protected areas case files. One such file contains ample information about the history of D'Arcy Island (also known as Leper's Island, the Lazarette, Leper Colony and the leprosorium).

British Columbia. Parks and Recreation Division

South Coast land and resource management committee files

  • GR-3912
  • Series
  • 1991-2013

This series consists of committee files from the Environmental Stewardship Division (ESD) of the South Coast Region, 1991-2013. The records are those of Brian Clark, who worked as the Regional Manager of Fish, Wildlife & Habitat Protection, Ministry of Environment Lands and Parks; Regional Manager of the Environmental Stewardship Division, Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection; Regional Director of the Environmental Stewardship Division, Ministry of Environment; and Executive Director of the Resource Stewardship Division, Ministry of Forests, Lands & Natural Resource Operations. Clark also acted as Chair of Burrard Inlet Environmental Action Program (BIEAP) and Chair of Fraser River Estuary Management Program (FREMP); both of these programs ended in 2013.

The records in this series document the involvement of the environmental and resource stewardship south coast regional office in several interjurisdictional environmental advisory and planning committees, working groups, and initiatives. The committees address environmental issues relating to fish and wildlife habitat, air quality, climate change, water quality, aquatic ecology, vegetation, and terrain and soils in the Fraser Valley and Metro Vancouver area. The mandates and missions of the committees touch on the intergovernmental coordination of environmental issues, conserving agricultural and wildlife resources, and preventing the loss and degradation of coastal habitats.

Records include meeting minutes, correspondence, reports, studies, agreements, drafts, briefing notes, reference materials, financial records, agendas, presentations, annual reports, environmental assessment records and maps.

The series also includes a few files of legal materials from ESD, including correspondence, court records, briefing notes, reports, and records related to document discovery.

British Columbia. Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks

BC Parks In-house materials master files

  • GR-3888
  • Series
  • 1937-2008

This series consists of a variety of graphic materials from the BC Parks in-house materials master files from 1937-2008. The files include mock-ups, drafts and finished examples of activity books, pamphlets, signs, badges, stickers, logos, name tags and pins for use in parks programming or display in Provincial Parks.

Pre-2000 records include park trail guides and maps including wildlife watching pamphlets and other special interest activities popular in provincial parks. The series also includes Canada Parks Day graphic design samples, parks news releases and press clippings, promotional materials including stickers, bumper stickers, pins, colouring pages, activities for children, road maps, camping site information and things to do in the area. There are also visitor guides, brochures, interpretive trail guides, and a limited amount of correspondence. Records cover provincial parks around the whole province, though some may be missing.
While some records do not appear to be organized in a specific way, maps, trail guides and related pamphlets are organized to some extent by region and year of publication.

British Columbia. Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks

BC Parks survey reports

  • GR-3869
  • Series
  • 1980-2011

This series contains survey reports created by BC Parks. The majority of these reports were done to assess customer satisfaction during park day visits and overnight campground stays. They document visitor satisfaction trends, importance rankings of services and facilities and offer comparisons to other years as well as recommendations for improving visitor experience. This series also includes employee satisfaction survey reports in which BC Parks assesses the overall working culture at the agency and Visitor Programs annual reports which detail program and visitor centre visits, as well as recommendations for special programs, budgets etc. Finally the series also includes survey reports from Provincial Parks and Wilderness for the 90s which was an initiative that sought better management of protected areas for the purpose of conservation and recreation. These surveys allowed visitors to express their views on the program, ask questions and offer suggestions for future protected areas. The first 1,600 or so are written on a standard survey form typically submitted by individuals from the public. Later responses were sent letter-style on regular paper and are typically from organizations, businesses and non-profits. Some surveys include attached articles or pictures to support the views of the writer. The responses have been coded by a Parks employee to easily compile relevant information and are arranged by date received.

Some other survey reports that were conducted either by BC Parks or for BC Parks by external agencies are included in this series. This includes a BC Consumer Omnibus survey on outdoor recreation and other household surveys in which members of the public were asked to respond to a survey detailing their experience and opinion regarding outdoor recreation in BC. The results of these surveys were meant to inform BC Parks on future developments and business strategies.
Typically, files include a blank copy of the original survey as well as a written report summarizing the results and findings.
Other forms of documents related to or created from information found in the survey reports may also be found in this series such as briefing summaries for the Minister.

British Columbia. Ministry of Environment (2005-2017)

Water use planning records

  • GR-3879
  • Series
  • 1998-2005

The records in this series relate to Water Use Plans in British Columbia.
In 1998 the province formally initiated a Water Use Planning (WUP) program. WUP is a cooperative effort involving BC Hydro, the provincial government, Fisheries and Oceans Canada and First Nations and other key interested parties. Guidelines were published describing steps required to complete and implement a water use plan. At each facility these plans attempt to define suitable operating parameters which balance environmental, social and economic values. The WUPs are intended to accommodate other water use interests through incremental changes in how existing water control facilities store and release water. WUP are not intended to be comprehensive watershed management plans to deal with water management issues associated with other activities in the watershed such as forestry and mining.

Each hydro facility had their own Consultative Committee of stakeholders, representing a range of interests. These committees held meetings with the aim to establish operating objectives for water use and management for the various water systems. Committee reports express their interests, values, and recommendations and document the consultative process. It is a supporting document meant to help inform and prepare BC Hydro’s Water Use Plan. This series contains both committee reports and the final version of BC Hydro’s Water Use Plans that were submitted to the Comptroller of Water Rights for review under the Water Act.
The reports include a system description (basins, rivers, dams, reservoirs etc.), methodology, hydro operation studies and results.

The series also contain BC Hydro data and interim orders from the Comptroller of Water Rights. Interim orders appear to be proposed operational changes to achieve flows which will provide incremental improvements for fish while the water use plan process was underway and assessment was still being made to determine what the most suitable or preferred flows for fish should ultimately be.

Finally, a few documents in the series deal with redevelopment plans to support BC Hydro water license applications in light of recommendations established in the Water Use Plans.

British Columbia. Ministry of Environment (2005-2017)

Enforcement committees

  • GR-3786
  • Series
  • 1991-1997

The series consists of administrative records from the Enforcement and Environmental Emergencies Branch (and later the Enforcement Program) of the Ministry of Environment and its predecessors. Specifically, these records relate to committees of the ministry which worked in collaboration with or required the input of the Enforcement Program.

Within these files are records relating to the following committees or groups: States/British Columbia Oil Spill Task Force, Emergency Towing System Task Force, Forest Practices Code Steering Committee, Enforcement Corporate Committee, Enforcement Training Committee, Marine Spills Coordinating Committee, Spill Reporting Committee, Poaching Committee, Bear Human Conflict Committee, Municipal Sewage Regulations Implementation Committee, Compliance Committee, Conservation Office Service Management Team, Fish Hydro Committee, Forest Tech Working Group, and the Inter-Agency Enforcement Committee. The records are valuable in that they document the ministry’s responsibilities, preparation and response to environmental emergencies and violations of ministry legislation and regulations.
A large amount of these committees were created to evaluate different programs in the ministry. For example, the purpose of the Oil Spill Task Force was to examine marine oil spill prevention, response initiations and to make recommendations. This was an international endeavor with the participation of British Columbia and the states of Alaska, Washington, Oregon and California. The records document the progression of talks between participants on the subject.
The Corporate Committee records include their discussions regarding an Environment, Lands and Parks agenda for BC that would outline the priorities of the ministry while the Enforcement Evaluation Steering Committee records discuss how to evaluate the enforcement function ministry-wide. The committees’ records discussing administrative and prosecutorial enforcement activities aimed at protecting the environment, the public and property by encouraging compliance with ministry legislation and regulations, punishing offenders or deterring potential offenders and increasing public awareness. There are also records outlining initiatives to update training and equipment for conservation officers.
The types of records found in the series include meeting minutes, memos, news releases, correspondence, agenda, draft policy reports, risk analysis, conference papers, news clippings, proposals, presentations, studies, notes, financial estimates, reference material and publications. The following final reports are included in the records: Alternative Response Technologies - In Situ Burning and dispersants; Drills and Exercises - Recommendations to Prevent Marine Oil Spills Caused by Human Error; Oiled Wildlife Care Facilities; Dedicated Rescue Tug; Spill Reporting and Notification Alternatives in BC, among others.
The records are arranged according to ARCS Schedule 100001, primary 200 and secondary 20: Committees, General.

British Columbia. Ministry of Environment (2005-2017)

Conservation Officer Service records

  • GR-3875
  • Series
  • 1996-2005

This series contains records from the Conservation Service Office, part of the Enforcement program of the Ministry of Environment and its predecessors. The series contains records related to the image/identity of the service, such as details on the establishment of their service flag, commemoration medals and motto. There are also records related to Conservation Officer job descriptions and job training which includes manuals and/or instructions related to writing reports, conducting investigations and handling firearms. The series also covers information related to special sections under the Enforcement program for commercial and industrial investigations.

British Columbia. Ministry of Environment (2005-2017)

BC Parks plans, programs and publications

  • GR-3803
  • Series
  • 1950-2014

The series contains records related to the management of provincial parks and protected recreational areas in British Columbia.

The records provide extensive background information on Provincial Parks areas, notably Junction Sheep Range Provincial Park, Marble Range Provincial Park, Edge Hills Provincial Park, Churn Creek protected area, Big Creek Provincial Park, Hakai Recreation Area, Ten Mile Lake and other areas in the Cariboo district. There are many photographic prints mixed in with the records, as well as other media (copies of maps, floppy disks, ephemera). The records provide important evidence of the BC Parks Division’s functions and activities in relation to park identification, establishment, management, operation and control of parks and other protected areas.
The series also contains copies of recreation related management plans and conservation related management plans, as well as original maps and published histories of BC Parks. Management plans include feasibility studies, cost analyses, contract details and plan information.

The records are arranged according to the BC Parks Operation Records Classification System (ORCS schedule 113827) and its successor the Parks and Protectes Areas Records Classification System (schedule 186896). Some common primary and secondary numbers from this series are:

82800-10: Graphic Materials Collection.
The records in this series classified under this number relate to park-related graphic materials, including original copies of brochures and reports used for publication. This includes copies of the BC Parks Guide and related records concerning their development and publication.

83500-00: Interpretive, Information, and Education programs
The records classified under this number related to various visitor programs for adults, families, children and schools organized by BC Parks. The records include information concerning the program objectives, activities, learning outcomes, schedules and attendance data. There is also information about instructors, budget, requests from schools, and thank you letters.

84360-40: Land-Management Plans - Parks and Recreation areas
The records classified under this number relate to approved park and recreation area management plan files and document the history of individual British Columbia parks and recreation areas, as well as the land-use activities permitted in those areas.

The records comprise mainly of large folders of background information relating to specific parks. They contain various analytical reports, inventories and studies on soil, wildlife, landscape and flora. Other types of records found in these folders are land value appraisals, land referrals, leases and Resource Use Permits, meeting agendas, briefing notes and correspondence referrals, management plans and progress reports, workshops, correspondence and reports on land-use recommendations.

A limited number of files also contain extensive correspondence and related files dealing with park issues, notably possible violations of the Park Act. These include legal services requisitions.

British Columbia. Ministry of Environment (2005-2017)

Parks attendance statistical reports

  • GR-3831
  • Series
  • 1958-2012

This series contains statistical reports from BC Parks detailing parks attendance and use. The series contains four main types of forms: campground attendance sheets, marine park attendance sheets, automatic traffic counter sheet and day visit count sheets. These reports count the number of visitors renting campgrounds, docking their boats, or driving through the parks gate. The reports are also used to count revenues. Typically, reports include a section for explanations where Parks staff can add notes commenting on high/low attendance numbers due to factors such as weather and holidays.
One report discusses call center and website statistics, notably documenting how many interactions convert to sales.
Occasionally, there are reports submitted from companies operating businesses on BC Parks land (e.g. water rafting adventures) which includes attendance data.

Also within the series are files describing how the reporting system works. These records explain the use of different sheets, proper procedures for recording data (both by hand or using electronic systems), lists of parks per area and layouts of park services areas including locations of gates and counters. The records also contain instructions for using the Public Safety and Park Security Online System, though no actual security reports are included within the records.

The records are organized in different ways depending on the year. Most early records seem to divide reports into years, with reports covering all parks. Around 1970, the system changed to region-based reporting with files organized by region. Within these files, the records are further classified by park name. Finally, individual attendance sheet records are arranged by month and year. Some files include a summary of stats from all districts.

British Columbia. Ministry of Environment (2005-2017)

BC Parks policies

  • GR-3870
  • Series
  • 1984-2005

The series contains printed copies of various policies and procedures that have been place at BC Parks. The policies helped inform employees about the proper procedures for dealing with a variety of issues that could take place at their offices and outdoors in the parks.

Presently, the series contains the policies and procedures on the following topics:

Discover Camping policies (Campground Reservation Service): contains policies and procedures for employees responsible for reservations of campgrounds. This include a manual indicating all the steps and required information for booking a reservation, as well as policies for limits to requests, discounts, receipts, payments, cut-off times, no-shows, reservation changes and cancellations etc. The manual includes a telephone script for customer service representatives.

Mineral Exploration and Development in Parks: contains a policy on mineral exploration and development in parks and recreational areas.

Permit Management Policy and Procedures: contains recommendations and changes for a new effective and decentralized processed for permits such as research permits, BC Hydro permits, and minor film productions. The records solicit opinions from various BC Parks offices about what to include in the new manual, as well as memos and Terms of Reference from the Permit Program Team.

Public Safety and Park Security: contains the Introduction to Enforcement Handbook and amendment packages for Park Rangers, as well as various policies on safety of both employees and park visitors.

British Columbia. Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection

BC Parks planning project files

  • GR-3855
  • Series
  • 1986-2003

This series contains records produced by BC Parks relating to different planning projects for the management and protection of provincial parks and protected areas.
A master plan and/or a management plan includes a vision, strategy, goals, objectives and actions for conservation, development, interpretation and operation of a Park/Protected Area. A management plan relies on current information relating to resources such as natural values, cultural values, and recreation opportunities within the PPA, as well as resource activities occurring on surrounding lands. Management direction statements and purpose statements are used to provide similar direction in less comprehensive documents.

Currently, the series contains records from two major planning initiatives: the BC Parks Legacy Project and the British Columbia Heritage Rivers Program.

Records relating to the BC Heritage Rivers Program include all types of documents used to assess the eligibility of rivers for the program. This includes resource documents published by other agencies involved in land and resource use planning, as well as nominations and letters of support from the public and various conservation organizations.

Records relating to the BC Parks Legacy Project document the division’s commitment to protecting and managing the newly designated Protected Areas in the province. Records contain information about consultations with the public, as well as procedures for accumulating information and opinions on concerns such as conservation of natural areas and biodiversity. The files contain several presentations and outreach materials, as well as the minutes, work plans and reports from the Parks Management Committee and its several working groups and related committees. Administrative-related files cover a range of topics such as establishing the BC Parks Trust, the Legacy Program’s Terms of Reference, correspondence, organizational charts, BC Parks history, finances, information and media releases and backgrounders.

The files are arranged according to the BC Parks Operational Records Classification System (Schedule 113827) and cover the following primary and secondary numbers:

83200-20: integrated planning project files
83340-20: provincial rivers and planning project files

British Columbia. Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection

Commercial river rafting records

  • GR-3853
  • Series
  • 1987-2002

The series contains records relating to commercial river rafting operations in BC Parks land. The records cover legislation relating to river rafting, notably the Commercial River Rafting Safety Act and includes copies of correspondence, statute revision memos and committee notes relating to amendments and requests for legislation.

A significant portion of the series also covers handbooks, compliance manuals and examination course manuals for ‘river rafting guides’ (operators of commercial river rafting businesses) which outline regulations, standards, terms of conditions, endorsement and certification procedures, sample administrative forms and an administrative systems user manual.

The series also covers documentation of river rafting accidents.

The series also includes a published report by the Advisory Committee on Commercial River Rafting in British Columbia.

The records area arranged according to the BC Parks Operational Records Classification System (schedule 113827). This schedule was later replaced by the Parks and Protected Areas ORCS (schedule 186896).
The following primary and secondary numbers are covered in this series:
81000-00 : Commercial River Rafting Licensing (general)
81000-25: Rivers special provisions

British Columbia. Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection

Freedom of information requests

  • GR-3452
  • Series
  • 2005-2007

Series consists of ministry copies of freedom of information requests that were investigated by the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner (OIPC). The files reflect the work of one government information and privacy office and that of the OIPC. There is also one file that represents a judicial appeal about one of the orders of the OIPC.

The freedom of information requests were processed by one Information and Privacy office that represented multiple ministries and related agencies. The files document requests for records from the Ministry of Environment, Land and Parks, Ministry of Water Land and Air Protection, Ministry of Sustainable Development, and Ministry of Environment, between 2000 and 2007.

The files consist of a copy of the original application for records, correspondence between staff and the applicant, correspondence between the ministry and the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner (OIPC), submissions to the OIPC, correspondence with the Legal Services Branch, and a copy of the OIPC order. These files also include photocopies of the requested pages. The files in this series were classified as 292-30 in the BC Government Operational Records Classification System (ORCS).

Ministry staff assigned a number to each of these files. Most files were assigned a number that consisted of a ministry prefix followed by a sequential number. Pre-2001 file numbers were assigned a number that reflected the year of the request followed by a sequential number.

British Columbia. Ministry of Environment (2005-2017)