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Archival description
Only top-level descriptions British Columbia. Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks
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Parks Plan 90 area meeting files

  • GR-3891
  • Series
  • 1991

This series contains records relating to public consultation meetings for the purpose of informing the Parks Plan 90, particularly the Parks and Wilderness for the 90s initiative.

Records in this series include executive summaries of public meetings that happened all over BC. These reports contain attendance sheets, location, date, tone of the meeting, major issues, concerns, logistics, question period questions, attendance and staff recording sheets and a list of presenters from stakeholders for each meeting. These files are complemented by formal proposals, copies of presentations, reports and letters submitted by various associations, businesses, developers and the public with suggestions and/or concerns about the future of the park system in BC, particularly in terms of land use. Some proposals have photos pasted within them. Presentation materials for meetings are mainly about tourism assets in the region. Attendance sheets from meetings also contain the name and addresses of those wishing to be added to a mailing list.

The series includes a VHS tape from “Pylades Park Association”.

The records are arranged into folders by city or region, though it appears some records may have been misfiled. For example, there are files from the Campbell River meetings located in the McBride folder, and Kamloops meeting files filed in the Williams Lake folder.

British Columbia. Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks

Town of Bamberton reviewable project files

  • GR-3820
  • Series
  • 1990-1993

This series contains project proposals and reports submitted by various engineering firms and consultants. The material deals with several infrastructure projects for the Town of Bamberton. The projects were deemed reviewable by the province, thus the reports deal with aspects such as feasibility, environmental impact in addition to other its impacts on other areas. Many reports include blueprints and/or technical drawings.

British Columbia. Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks

Integrated Management Branch records

  • GR-3800
  • Series
  • 1991-1993

The series contains various records from the Integrated Management Branch of the Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks. The records include in-office memoranda, meeting agendas of both the Branch and its various working groups and sections, meeting minutes, schedules, inter-office memoranda, informational updates and briefs, quarterly reports, some budget information and draft position papers or reports. The records serve as evidence of the Branch’s activities and positions.

The series includes 12 photographs found intermingled with the textual records. They depict participants listening to a presentation, presumably at a branch or section meeting.

British Columbia. Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks

Environmental public programs

  • GR-3819
  • Series
  • 1989-1993

The series contains records related to public relations projects, mainly educational programs, organized by the Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks and its predecessors. Currently, the series covers records relating to the following exhibits, travelling shows and school programs: Eco Village at Enviro-Expo, Globe ’92, Ecozibit, Handle With Care mall show and Handle with Care school tour, and the Eco Educational School Program.

Records pertaining to the Eco Village include records from Pastiche Productions who produced the Eco Village display and produced the accompanying video for Enviro Expo in 1992. These records include correspondence to the Ministry in regards to the project, draft scripts, proposals, features, budgets and descriptions.

Travelling shows include records relating to schedules, locations, guests appearances, a guestbook, feedback, costs, publications, notes and related correspondence.

Records pertaining to school programs include correspondence and files received from Force Four Productions who produced the educational videos ft. Eddie and the Ecosaurus for the school programs. Other records include schedules of school visits, request for school materials, teacher’s guide, reading lists, thank you letters, and student activity sheets.

In addition to these records, there are also executive summaries, correspondence, schedule of visits, feedback and comments, promotional material, launch details, news releases, agenda, speaking notes, status reports, budgets, briefing notes, and copies of news articles.

The series also contains colour photographic prints. Photographs have been removed from original sheets of paper to which they were affixed and placed into acid-free paper sleeves for conservation. Photographs are found throughout the records and depict exhibit design, Eco the Ecosaurus mascot with attendees, speakers and audience members.

The records are arranged by program and are classified under the ARCS primary and secondary numbers 336-20: Public relations projects.

British Columbia. Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks

Environmental emergency records

  • GR-3828
  • Series
  • 1985-1993

The series contains the records from the Environmental Emergency Services Branch (EESB) of the Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks and its predecessors. The records relate to the province’s preparedness and responses to environmental emergencies, such as marine oil spills, floods, dam failures, and landslides. The records also cover planning for future management of such emergencies.
Within the records are several reviews, reports and evaluations. One such review discusses the Anderson Report and briefs the Premier on oil transportation and oil spills. It provides an action plan for the report’s recommendations for the provincial cabinet to adopt. There are also reports reviewing and evaluating the Ministry’s response activities during major oil spills including Sooke/Alaska oil spill 1989, Exxon Valdez oil spill 1989 and Nestucca oil spill 1988. Additionally, there is a final report produced by the United States/British Columbia Oil Spill Task Force as well as an EESB service plan and Year End Review (1991-1992) detailing major activities and accomplishments.

The series also contains a collection of contingency plans for environmental emergencies submitted by different corporations and government services. These include plans for dealing with disasters caused by the mishandling of dangerous goods, such as oil, gas, sour wells, ammonia etc.

Finally, a portion of the records relate to litigation by the province against perpetrators of oil spills for the environmental damage caused. The records include information about the the Rubin Lotus oil spill settlement but are mainly about the Nestucca Barge oil spill lawsuit against Sause Bros. of the United States. The records contain details of the valuation of natural resource damages as well as the out-of-court settlement from which the Province of British Columbia, Canada and the Nuu-cha-nulth Tribal Council received damages. There is also information about the resulting Trust Fund that was established to administer the money awarded through the settlement.

British Columbia. Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks

Ad hoc committees on pollution

  • GR-3801
  • Series
  • 1994

The series contains various correspondence and notes from public servants in the Ministry of Environment in regards to pollution monitoring. The records mainly comprise printed copies of emails. The ad hoc committee was started to look into public’s opinion of voluntary permittee self-monitoring. Essentially, it was determined that the public did not trust industrial polluters to monitor their own emissions and wanted the government to intervene and enforce these polluters to pay for a monitoring program and to produce quality and reliable data in relation the amount of pollution they were creating. The correspondence in this series consists of various members of this committee discussing ideas on how to improve both pollution monitoring programs and the public’s opinion of the government in enforcing such programs.

British Columbia. Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks

Water Management Division organization charts

  • GR-3811
  • Series
  • 1993-1995

The series contains organizational charts and accompanying records that explain the restructuring of the Water Management Division from the period 1993-1995. Records include explanations to changes in positions and titles.

Records are arranged according to the Administrative Records Classification System and fall under the primary number 105 : Organization.

British Columbia. Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks

Miscellaneous water management files

  • GR-3797
  • Series
  • 1980-1995

The series consists of three files from the Water Management Branch of the Ministry of Environment and the Water Resource Division of the Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks.
The first file includes policy recommendations from the Water Management Branch in regard to the Water Act. The records include correspondence and a status report sent by the Comptroller of Water Rights or his assistant to the Minister of Environment. There are also summaries of discussions held by select members of the Water Management Branch and its legal consultants in regard to proposals for amendments to the Water Act. These records are dated 1980.

The second file contains records from the British Columbia/Alberta technical advisory committee in regard to the Transboundary Water Management Agreement. The records include correspondence from ministers, public servants and BC Hydro and also include meeting minutes, agendas, executive summary reports on various issues regarding transboundary water matters, such as hydro dams and flooding of rivers that flow in both provinces.

The file includes records related to the Water Resource Pricing program. The program's aim was to manage water shortages, reduce inefficient water use and encourage water conservation through a water pricing framework based on consumption and supply. The records include summary reports, agendas, a consultant’s report on cost analysis and a discussion plan for a Water Pricing Workshop.

British Columbia. Ministry of Environment (1979-1986)

Water management agreements

  • GR-3812
  • Series
  • 1993-1995

The series contains various agreements related to funding for water-related projects by the Water Management Division of the Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks. Many of the records in this series are memorandum of understanding and accompanying files detailing financial contributions from the Division toward various water studies, such as groundwater studies. There are also records regarding funding for special projects, such as flood management and dyke construction.

The records show what the projects were, who was involved with the projects and how much money the Water Management Division was able to contribute.

The records are arranged using various primary numbers from the Administrative Records Classification System (Schedule 100001) and include 152-25 : approved municipal agreements, 950-20: federal agreements and 1150-30: grant contribution case files.

British Columbia. Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks

Reference maps

  • GR-3813
  • Series
  • 1932-1995

The series contains a collection of maps used as reference in office of the Integrated Land Management Bureau and its predecessors from various ministries responsible for lands. These particular maps were transferred from the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands, Lower Mainland office in Surrey, B.C. The maps were produced by the surveys and mapping branch of the Ministry or its predecessors and cover a variety of areas in British Columbia.
The maps detail many features including roads, trails, railways, powerlines, reserved lands, surveyed lands, boundaries, campgrounds, mines, historic monuments, lighthouses, survey control stations, Forest Service lookouts, communications towers, customs offices, airports and airstrips, heliports, seaplane landings, buildings, elevations, dykes, contour swamp/marsh, intermittent lake/seasonal inundation, mud, sand, gravel, glaciers and icefields. Some maps also detail telephone lines, wells, falls, rapids, dams, cliffs, mile posts, orchards and even land lots.
The dates the maps were published do not necessarily coincide with when the data was collected to create those maps. Usually this information is present in the publication information at the bottom or top of each map. The maps would have held important reference information to Ministry workers and were probably consulted frequently. Several maps have annotations marking plots of land, new features, and other notes. Many of the maps are part of composites which can be placed next to each other to create larger maps. It is for this reason that it is believed that some duplications of the maps in this series exist. Most of the maps are topographical; however there are a few maps detailing lots and land registration as well as a few water source maps from the Water Management Division. Maps are printed on paper except for a few which are on Mylar. Maps do not appear to be arranged in any discernable order.

Maps of the following cities and areas are included in this series:
Alert Bay (1956, 1965, 1976)
Ashcroft (1966, 1975)
Boston Bar (1957)
Bowen Island
Bridge River (1970, 1979)
Bute Inlet (1960, 1970, 1991)
Buttle Lake (1977)
Campbell River (1981)
Cheakamus River (1969)
Chilliwack (1959)
Chilliwack Lake (1983, 1986, 1995)
Comox (1956)
Elko (1962)
Haslam Lake (1967)
Hope (1957, 1968)
Kamloops (1979,
Kamloops Lake (1979, 1995)
Kennedy Lake (1975)
Langley (1967, 1978, 1979)
Lardeau (1973)
Lillooet River (1979
Lytton (1968, 1979)
Manning Park (1960)
Merritt (1980)
Mount Urquhart (1955, 1960)
Mount Waddington (1968)
Nootka Sound (1960)
Pemberton (1951, 1972)
Pitt River (1973)
Port Alberni (1976)
Princeton (1980, 1995)
Revelstoke (1932)
Scuzzy Mountain (1956)
Shuswap Lake (1968)
Skagit (1960)
Spuzzum (1957, 1967)
Squamish (1952, 1972, 1982)
Sugar Lake (1956)
Texada Island (1950)
Toba Inlet (1979)
Tulameen (1958, 1978, 1986, 1995)
Vancouver (1959, 1975)
Victoria (1968)
Whistler (1993)
Yale (1966, 1976, 1979, 1995)

British Columbia. Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks

Training and development course packages

  • GR-3898
  • Series
  • 1990-1995

This series consists of training and development course packages created by the Human Resources Branch of the Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks, 1990-1995. Files contain correspondence, course materials and other records used in course development regarding chemical immobilization of wildlife, basic enforcement, electrofishing and tree assessment. The series also includes the results of a training needs assessment.

Records in this series are covered by ARCS 1730-06, 1735-04 and 1735-05. Records have been selected for full retention

British Columbia. Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks

Forest Practices Code Steering Committee records

  • GR-3833
  • Series
  • 1994-1996

The series contains the records of the Forest Practices Code Steering Committee (Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks). The Forest Practices Code was under the joint-administration of the Ministry of Forests, the Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks and the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources. The Forest Practices Code, which was one part of the Forest Renewal Strategy, sought to enforce forest management practices in British Columbia that would be economically and environmentally sustainable for future generations. It placed new requirements for land use planning, introduced more extensive and stringent forest practice legislation and brought stronger enforcement. Both the Ministry of Forests and the Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks had their own steering committee to discuss, plan and implement the Forest Practices Code. There was an additional joint steering committee for all three ministries involved in the project. At the moment, this series only contains the records created and accumulated by the Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks for its steering committee, though some files created by other ministries may be included in the records as these would have been distributed to them and discussed.

In addition to meeting minutes and agenda, there are a variety of records related to the development and implementation of the Forest Practices Code by the ministry. This includes some records from smaller sub-committees and groups such as the Technical Subcommittee, the Policy Working Group, the Resource Allocation Committee and the Implementation Team, among others, who were responsible for developing technical and administrative policy, procedures and training. The records document code development, budgets, training, new jobs created and important decisions taken by the committee. Other records include communications (memos, correspondence), organizational structure, briefing notes, memorandum of understanding, monitoring and assessment of implementation strategies, status reports, information needs analysis (for database infrastructure) and treasury board submission to release funds for delivery of the Forest Practices Code.

The records are arranged chronologically into folders. They are classified using ARCS schedule 100001.

British Columbia. Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks

Land Use Branch executive services

  • GR-3866
  • Series
  • 1994-1996

This series contains executive correspondence referrals and executive briefing notes from the Land Use Branch of the Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks. Most records relate to individual Commission on Resources and the Environment (CORE) land use plans for the various regions of BC and include letters from other ministries, non-profit or non-governmental organizations, municipalities, First Nations governments, corporations and the general public. The correspondence documents the public response to land use planning initiatives during the CORE land-use strategy which was announced in 1994 and dissolved in 1996. The CORE strategy was replaced by Land and Resource Management Plans (LRMPs).

The records are significant as they document the public’s concern over how land in British Columbia should be managed and protected. Letters typically express support or disagreement with proposed plans, or offer opinions on specific topics or sections of the plans.

The records are classified under the Administrative Records Classification System (ARCs Schedule 100001) and use the primary number 280 – executive services. More specifically, files appear to be arranged by region or topic. They are further arranged into files for letters received for informational purposes (i.e. letters on which the Branch was copied to but need not reply directly to) and files for letters in need of reply by the Branch.

British Columbia. Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks

BC Parks cabinet and ministry committees

  • GR-3863
  • Series
  • 1987-1996

This series contains records created and accumulated by the Parks division of the Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks and its predecessors related to committee work. The records include ministry cabinet submissions, cabinet committees, ministry committees and deputy minister’s committees. A large portion of the records belong to the Parks Management Committee which was responsible for operations of the Parks agency within the ministry. Records include meeting minutes, memos, position statements, responses from BC Parks to new government platforms, organizational structure, work plans and project lists by region, draft policies, quarterly highlights, funding strategies, environmental awards, executive updates, public surveys, and effectiveness reports.
Weekly meetings from this committee cover topics such as executive services, decision issues, information and discussion issues, and strategic initiatives.

Other committees presently represented in this series include the Reorganization Implementation Team, Parks Revenue Work Team, Deputy Minister’s Committee on Sustainable Development, Cabinet Committee on Sustainable Development, Anderson Report Review Committee and the Joint Union Management Subcommittee.

The records are arranged according to the Administrative Records Classification System and include the following primary and secondary numbers:

202-20 : Ministry committees
201-20 : Cabinet committees
201-30 : Deputy minister’s committees
201-40 : Ministry cabinet committees

British Columbia. Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks

BC Parks administrative records

  • GR-3864
  • Series
  • 1989-1996

This series contains various administrative records from BC Parks. Currently, these records cover executive services, notably briefing notes and correspondence. The series also contains copies of 3 and 5-year strategic plans, Ombudsman’s investigations, legal matters concerning the Lower Mainland Nature Legacy) and general reports (in this case, detailing the awareness and effect of a BC Parks television ad).

The records are filed according to the Administrative Records classification system and include the following primary and secondary numbers:

155-20 : Ombudsman’s investigations
280-20 : Executive briefing notes
350-25 : Legal opinions
440-20 : General reports/statistics
400-07 : Strategic planning (plans and programs)

British Columbia. Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks

Land Use Branch planning files

  • GR-3865
  • Series
  • 1992-1997

This series contains administrative files relating to CORE planning activities kept by the Land Use Branch and its predecessor the Integrated Land Policy Branch of the Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks. The dates of the majority of the records coincide with the existence of the Commission on Resources and Environment (CORE) which lasted from 1992-1996.

The records appear to have been kept for informational purposes, with a large portion of the records being copies received by the Branch from other agencies, mainly CORE and LUCO (Land Use Coordination Office). It is possible that some staff from the Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks kept these records in their capacity as Senior Policy Advisor or member of the Integrated Resource Planning Committee.

Types of records include correspondence regarding policies and legislation reviews, information issues, LUCO decision notes, memos, cabinet submissions, technical reviews and analysis reports related to a variety of topics covered under CORE plans, comments on reports, participant interviews about CORE plans, summary of workshops as well as summaries of decision options. Other records include copies of terms of reference and minutes of meetings, particularly of ratification meetings and planning process meetings.

The records are classified using the Administrative Records Classification System (ARCS schedule 100001).

British Columbia. Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks

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)

Public Affairs and Communications Branch records

  • GR-3809
  • Series
  • 1995-1997

The series consists of the records of the Public Affairs and Communications Branch of the Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks. The records show how the Branch was involved with Ministry work.

Records typically relate to relations between the Ministry and the public. Currently the series includes the records from a few inter-ministerial committees on which the Branch participated. These records include meeting minutes, documents for review, notes, and other material.

The series also contains media release projects from the Ministry which were handled by the branch. These include news releases and approvals, media advisories and information bulletins dealing with various topics about the province’s environment.

British Columbia. Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks

Records from the Office of the Comptroller of Water Rights

  • GR-3860
  • Series
  • 1990-1997

The records in this series originate from the office of Jack E. Farrell who acted as Deputy Comptroller of Water Rights, Director of the Water Resources Branch and Comptroller of Water Rights over the course of his career. The records relate to the activities done and responsibilities held as a member of the executive in the branch. These include regular correspondence with BC Hydro regarding programs and news releases, as well as files dedicated to legislation projects, committees related to safety, monitoring, and water studies, and annual reports from the Branch detailing current issues, projects, investigations and accomplishments. Committee records include both inter-provincial and international management of water resources along BC borders.

A number of files also describe the organizational structure of the Branch which appears to have gone through a major restructuring in 1995/1996 when the Water management Division/Water Rights Branch became the Water Resources Branch. The Branch was to administer the Water Act, Water Utility Act and the Utilities Commission Act (including licensing of major power projects). They were also responsible for the safety of dams and dykes, regulation of privately owned water utilities, protection from flooding and the collection of water license fees, with other past responsibilities being distributed to other offices.

The records are arranged by ARCs number and then alphabetically. The following primary and secondary numbers from the Administrative Records Classification System are included in the series:
102-20 : ministry meetings
105-02 : ministry organization
105-20 : branch, region and district organization and responsibilities
105-30 : organization/reorganization projects
204-20 : inter-ministerial committees
205-20 : international committees
206-20 : inter-provincial/federal committees
280-20 : executive briefing notes
280-40 : executive issues
350-20 : legal issues
400-20 : program planning files
442-20 : annual reports

British Columbia. Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks

Cariboo Region land and resource management committee files

  • GR-3933
  • Series
  • 1990-1998

This series consists of land and resource management committee files and executive records from the Cariboo Region, 1990-1998. Records relate to a variety of environmental and land use issues in the Cariboo Chilcotin area, including: wildlife management, water, use of range land, Taseko Mines proposal, fishing, land and resource management plans (LRMPs) and the development and implementation of the Cariboo Chilcotin Land Use Plan. Records include correspondence, reports, minutes, reference material and briefing notes.

Executive records include referral replies, files of reference material and some files regarding specific issues and projects involving the Minister and other Executives.

Records include minutes and other operational records of several different committees. Most records are from the Cariboo Regional Interagency Management Committee and Commission on Resources and Environment (CORE). There are also related files from the Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Resource Board, Cariboo Chilcotin Land Use Committee and meeting files from various regional mangers and executive groups.

Files may include consultations with and comments from community groups, resource users and First Nations regarding the development of management plans, land use and environmental issues.

Records have been selected for permanent retention and are scheduled under Administrative Records Classification numbers 204-20, 280-30 and 102-20.

British Columbia. Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks

Exposure to hazardous materials case files

  • GR-3897
  • Series
  • 1988-1998

This series consists of exposure to hazardous materials case files created by the Human Resources Branch of the Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks, 1988-1998. Files contain correspondence, minutes, reports and training materials regarding the presence of asbestos in a government office building and possible employee exposure; exposure to hazardous carpet glue at another government office; inspection and use of a lab at Malaspina College; and the implementation of training for Conservation Officers on handling hazardous materials to meet WCB compliance.

Records in this series are covered by ARCS 1460-40 and 1460-45. Records have been selected for full retention.

British Columbia. Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks

Records of the Assistant Deputy Minister, Parks Division

  • GR-3827
  • Series
  • 1993-1999

The series contains records originated from the office of Denis O’Gorman, Assistant Deputy Minister of Parks (BC Parks). The records appear to be copies saved by the ADM for convenience and reference purposes. They provide evidence of the ADM’s day-to-day activities as well as his participation in various aspects of the Parks function.
Within the records are files from the Parks Management Committee. These include minutes, agenda, expenses/budget, memos, articles, summaries of correspondence and information requests, items for discussion at meetings (including the 1996-2000 Action Plan and the 1993 Employee Survey), summaries of job vacancies and appointments, projects, notes and issues.

The series also contains several files of correspondence, including copies of letters on which the Assistant Deputy Minister was copied, correspondence referral requests assigned to the office of the ADM on the topic of the Protected Areas Strategy as well as a folder of correspondence signed by the Assistant Deputy Minister on a range of topics related to protected parks establishment and management in British Columbia.

British Columbia. Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks

BC Parks recreation facilities

  • GR-3862
  • Series
  • 1995-2000

This series contains records accumulated by the Design and Construction Officer of BC Parks in relation to park facilities. The records contain ample information about standards and projects conducted on BC Park land in order to develop recreation facilities. Guidebooks and manuals in the series demonstrate the proper procedures for building trails, bridges, boardwalks, shelters, tables, signs, steps/stairs etc.

The records also discuss the Forest Renewal BC (FRBC) programs, for which BC Parks was in charge of the Forest Recreation Program. The program provided funding to BC Parks Districts for projects that could be contracted to displaced forest workers, thus helping to renew the BC forest sector. The projects aimed to develop recreation opportunities in provincial parks, including better facilities like trails and campgrounds that would contribute to responsible management of recreation resources. Types of records relating to BC Parks involvement with the FRBC include presentation materials (discussing the program, budgets, forecasts and accomplishments), as well as guidebooks about all FRBC programs.

The series also includes approximately 405 colour photographic prints of various work projects being conducted on BC Parks land. The photographs cover a range of topics such as photographs of landscapes, newly refurbished or installed campgrounds, issues with trails and photographs of workers on site. Many of the original film negatives accompany the photographs.

The records are arranged according to the BC Parks Operational Records Classification System (schedule 113827).

British Columbia. Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks

Environment cabinet committees and working groups

  • GR-3874
  • Series
  • 1994-2001

This series contains various cabinet committees and working groups representing environmental issues. These particular files were kept by the Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks. The committees were made to advise the Deputy Minister and Minister on important environmental issues to bring to Cabinet. Currently, the majority of the records pertain to the Green Economy Initiative for which there was a Deputy Minister’s Committee and a Working Group. This Initiative worked on boosting the province’s economy using eco-friendly innovation and investments into green companies. A smaller portion of the files belong to the Forest Renewal BC Environment Committee which worked on a terrestrial ecosystem restoration program.
The records of these committees typically contain agenda, presentations, summary reports, appointment letters and accompanying materials for discussion meetings. The series also contains minister’s briefing books for the Green Economy Initiative as well as a cabinet submission form for reducing gas emissions. There is also a file with government’s policy on security for Cabinet documents.

British Columbia. Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks

Water licence litigation files

  • GR-3814
  • Series
  • 1985-2001

The series contains the records related to major lawsuits against the Province of British Columbia and/or Canada by water export companies after the latter were refused water licenses for the bulk export of fresh water from Tzela Creek, Toba Inlet to international markets via marine tankers. The companies involved include Snowcap Waters Ltd., Sun Belt Water Inc. and Aquasource Ltd. who sought compensation for lost business opportunities.

The records provide background information to the suits, copies of documents used as evidence including correspondence, reports, environmental assessments, water licence applications, letters of concern from First Nations solicitors, copies of news articles and press coverage, letters from the public, copies of permits, project summaries and court documents.

These records originate from the offices of the Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks (Water Stewardship Division).

British Columbia. Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks

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

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

Information systems project files

  • GR-3796
  • Series
  • 1983-2003

The series contains the records of the System Services Branch of the Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks and its predecessors. The records relate to various initiatives in the 1980s to early 2000s to establish information systems to collect data and make it accessible to the general public. They also discuss central data systems for the use of ministry staff and issues regarding maintenance of these systems. Some records also provide a catalog of existing and proposed information systems within the Ministry.

Types of records include feasibility reports, surveys, research reports, status reports, project overviews, correspondence, proposals, presentations, training resources, information needs report and project assessments.

Projects represented in the series include:

The BC Recycling Hotline: telephone line meant to provide information to callers regarding reducing solid waste, recycling, the proper disposal of hazardous waste and alternatives to environment-damaging products and behaviours. Callers could also inquire about waste management policies, programs in their area and related legislation.

Data Warehouse (DW) project: a repository for storing data produced by BC Environment. Its aim was to improve access to integrated information within the ministry via better technology for storing, delivering and manipulating data by staff. In addition, the data warehouse was intended to serve as a single repository of Ministry data which public can access, particularly in regards to the Forest Practices Code.

Habitat Referral Tracking System Database: a system used to record, track and report on fish habitat referrals received by the Fisheries and Habitat management. Files include a manual for informatics professionals responsible for its maintenance, a proposal from Pangea Systems Inc for the design and development of the system, a training manual, memoranda, and a charter.

Integrated Pest Management Information System: a system that provides information to people about alternatives to pesticides for controlling pests. Includes 1 floppy disk.

Geographic Information Systems (GIS): data regarding locations in BC.

Environmental Protection Program (EPP) information system: includes a proposal from DMR Group Inc., project statement and status reports.

Contaminated Sites Information System: for monitoring data from different areas in the province.

FPC/FRBC Needs Analysis Project: a project to identify the information needs of businesses in the Omineca-Peace Region related to the implementation of the Forest Practices Code and Forest Renewal BC Information. Includes proposed projects and outcomes.

Water Management Branch Information Management Plan: regarding information systems and ongoing projects related to information technology in the workplace.

FRBC/Wildlife: development of a species inventory with data standards for land use planning initiatives. Also initiatives for providing information to the public to assist in preserving biological diversity in BC, including habitat mapping and ecosystem inventories. Records include the project charters, correspondence and summaries.

Detailed Ecosystem Inventory Database: provides a suite of tools to efficiently manage and operate ecosystem inventory projects with the purpose to facilitate the field collection and management of detailed ecosystem data. Records include the project charter.

Species Inventory Database Development Project: a standardized data capture system and provincial repository for wildlife inventory data. Records include a project assessment report.

Integrated Registry Project: a centralized registry that will integrate all previous and multiple systems of registers for land and resource data.

Problem Wildlife Management System: to improve the recording and reporting of problem wildlife information in support of provincial wildlife resource management.

Conservation Officer On-Line Reporting System: for monitoring offences and offenders of fish, wildlife and environmental legislation.

System for Environmental Assessment and Management: computerized data storage and retrieval capabilities for ambient and discharge monitoring results for defined sites.

Terrain Resource Information Management (TRIM) system: its aim was to migrate digital mapping and geographic data into a new relational database management system where by integration, manipulation, distribution and security would be improved. The records from this project are somewhat arranged by project phase (milestones) and include steering committee minutes and agenda, contracts, proposals, reports, reference material on different components comprising the infrastructure of the system.

British Columbia. Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks

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

Parks and Outdoor Recreation operational records

  • GR-3706
  • Series
  • 1928-2003; predominant 1960-1994

The series consists consists of a wide variety of operational records created by the Parks and Outdoor Recreation Division, and its predecessor the Parks Branch, predominantly from 1960-1994. The records relate to setting long term management direction for the creation, use, development and protection of provincial parks and protected areas. Management directions are established through master plans, management plans, management direction statements and purpose statements. Systemic planning involves consultation with the Premier’s office, land use planning offices, and regional and federal government agencies. The records also concern participation in inter-agency resource management planning, such as land, marine and coastal land use plans.

Records include: integrated resource planning project files; inter-ministry co-operation files (Parks with other ministries such as Health, Mines, Forests, etc.); trail corridor planning files; end of season assessment reports on interpretative, information and education programs in parks; recreational activities files; files concerning facilities and safety and security in parks; background documents used in establishing management directions; consultation with communities, user groups and First Nations; and files regarding various other operational policies and procedures. See for example, files concerning policies on boating, camping, caving, skiing, etc.

Note that all records concerning the Alexander Mackenzie Trail fall under various titles including: Nuxalk-Carrier Grease Trail, the Alexander Mackenzie Trail, Alexander Mackenzie Grease Trail, and Alexander Mackenzie Heritage Trail.

Record types include correspondence, memoranda, news clippings, maps, committee minutes, reports, studies, proposals, seminar papers, environmental surveys, newsletters, signage, photos, promotional materials and departmental branch meetings.

The series include records concerning the numerous private organizations and associations which coordinated with the Parks and Outdoor Recreation Division. It includes the AGM records, annual reports, financial statements, and meeting minutes of those organizations and associations. The series also includes records regarding financial support to these organizations.

Note that the new Parks and Protected Areas ORCs includes a concordance table which cross references new ORCS classification numbers with the old ORCS numbers by which these files were classified. Many of these records would be classified under the primary 98800 in the new Parks and Protected areas schedule (186896).

The ministries responsible for these records, and the years that they were responsible, are:
Ministry of Lands, parks and Housing (1978-1986)
Ministry of Environment and Parks (1986-1988)
Ministry of Parks (1988-1991)
Ministry of Lands and Parks (1991)
Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks (1991-2001)

British Columbia. Parks and Outdoor Recreation Division

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