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Only top-level descriptions British Columbia. Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks
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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

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

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

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

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)

Approved resource management plans for the Cariboo region

  • GR-3903
  • Series
  • 1969-2006

This series consists of approved resource management plans (RMPs) primarily from the Cariboo and surrounding region, from 1969-2006. These records document the creation of the approved, published versions of the ministry’s various kinds of resource management plans and terms of reference.

Ad hoc RMPs are developed as necessary to fulfill unusual or unexpected planning needs. Files include issue specific plans for protected area strategies and road access plans. The majority of these files are lakes classification files which record the characteristics and uses of specific lakes.

Approved lake classification files may contain maps, photographs, aerial photographs, copies of fishing licenses, fish analysis, meeting minutes, reconnaissance surveys, reconnaissance lake inventories, and a brief report describing the size, shape, location, and uses of the lake. Most files list the uses of the lake and immediate area for timber, silviculture, range, engineering, fishing, recreation, commercial use, wildlife use, and First Nations use. Any commercial interests on the lakes such as traplines, guides or resorts may be listed. Files may also include correspondence regarding lake classification from government employees or interested third parties.

Ad hoc coordinated access management plans allow for the construction of roads and other infrastructure to increase access to wilderness areas. Files include letters from interested third parties impacted by the plan, alongside maps, reports, meeting records, and comments on draft plans by members of the public.

Sustainable resource management plans (SRMPs) cover a relatively small area (usually under 100,000 hectares), referred to as a landscape unit, and address the specific resource management issues in the area. This series includes records related to the 100 Mile House SRMP, including terms of reference and planning team documents used in drafting the plan.

Local resource use plans (LRUPs) were replaced by SRMPs between 1999 and 2003 and functioned similarly. The series includes LRUPs for several areas. Files may include planning team records, final approved plans, and a variety of other records which may document the creation of plans, the annual review of plans by community members and stakeholders, and the execution of the plan. Files address issues such as the construction of infrastructure, land management and various kinds of land use in the areas, particularly managing grazing land through the use of burning and fence construction.

The series includes two water use resource management plans, one for Clinton Creek and another for Michelle Creek near a Nazko Indian Reserve.

The series also includes a coastal RMP for Kyuquot Sound, a copy of the Thompson-Nicola Regional District regional growth management strategy, a regional land use plan (RLUP) for the Cariboo Chilcotin land use plan (CCLUP) and two higher level RMPs, one for the CCLUP and one for Kamloops.

It is unclear exactly which Ministries may have been responsible for the creation of these records before the 1990s. The likely Ministries responsible for the creation of this series, and their dates of the responsibility, are:
Ministry of Environment (1988-1991)
British Columbia. Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks (1991-2001)
British Columbia. Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management (2001-2005)
British Columbia. Ministry of Agriculture and Lands (2005-2010)

Records in this series are covered by ORCS 17430-02, 17610-02, 17610-60, 17730-03, 17730-60, 17670-02, 17790-02, 17520-02 and 17460-02 of the Resource Management ORCS (schedule 144100).

British Columbia. Ministry of Agriculture and Lands

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)

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)

Energy projects review case files

  • GR-3852
  • Series
  • 1981-2006

This series contains records relating to assessing the environmental, economic, social, cultural, heritage and health impacts of energy projects under the Environmental Assessment Act. These records were created and kept by the Environment Assessment Office (EAO) that is involved in the entire process, providing advice and recommendations to the proponent.

The records in this series cover initial enquiries, reviewable and non-reviewable project enquiries. A non-reviewable project means that the proposed project may proceed without an environmental review. A project is determined to be non-reviewable if it does not meet or exceed the thresholds defined in the Reviewable Projects Regulation (B.C. Reg. 370/2002). Also, according to the Act (s. 10(1)(b)), a project which meets or exceeds these thresholds may also be deemed non-reviewable at the executive director’s discretion. Non-reviewable projects may also become reviewable if the proponent voluntarily asks for an environmental assessment (i.e., “opts in”) and the executive director agrees (s. 7) or if the minister deems the project to be reviewable.

All other projects which meet or exceed the thresholds are reviewable. For reviewable projects, terms of reference are created by the proponent, in consultation with the review agencies, in order to ensure that the application will contain the necessary information. Reports and studies are typically created by the proponent in order to fulfil the requirements of the Terms of Reference, but they may also be created by any other involved party at any stage in the review process. The application for an Environmental Assessment Certificate (EAC) is then submitted by the proponent and once the application meets the EAO’s standards, the formal review process begins. Application review includes: review by government agencies, First Nations, and the public; First Nation and public consultation; a formal public comment period; and opportunities for the proponent to respond to issues raised.

After the application review is complete, EAO staff prepare an Assessment Report for the minister, which documents the findings of the environmental assessment, including the issues raised in relation to the project and how these issues have been or could be addressed. The environmental assessment process concludes when a) The minister approves the EAC and the project proceeds, b) The minister rejects the project, c) The minister decides that no assessment is required, or d) The proponent withdraws the project. An EAC (previously known as a Project Approval Certificate [PAC]) may contain conditions to ensure that necessary mitigative and compensatory measures are in place to prevent or reduce any adverse effects of the project.

The records in this series document the business case for proposed projects, provide initial information to determine if projects meet the reviewable threshold or not, and documents the EAO ruling on whether or not the project is reviewable. Types of records that can be found in this series are certificates of public convenience and necessity, lists of options, applications for project approval certificates, memorandum, letters of intent for cooperation agreements (such as between a First Nations group and the proponent), correspondence, information notes, executive summaries of decisions, project descriptions, lists of environmental concerns (issue summaries), minutes of information presentation meetings, maps of proposed sites and a diverse range of reports and studies. Types of projects that appear in this series include natural gas pipelines, wind turbines, substation redevelopments, electric transmission systems, coal powered plants, hydroelectricity dams and others.

The records from accession 95-4252 and 95-5291 are classified under the Environmental Assessment Operational Records Classification System (Schedule 132564) and cover the following primary number:
30050: reviewable enquiries and projects – energy
And the following secondary numbers:
-05: non-reviewable energy project enquiries
-40: pre-application reviewable enquiry case files

British Columbia. Ministry of Environment (2005-2017)

Land and resource management committees

  • GR-3793
  • Series
  • 1982-2009

This series contains records relating to land use management in various parts of the province. The records document the creation and activities of various committees established by the planning region to address specific projects as needed.

The records represent the work of committees dedicated to the management of planning teams, emergency and disaster responses, information sharing, consultation guidelines, information management, safety, construction projects and communications.

Part of the series includes the Vedder River Management Committee which was chaired by the Water Management Branch. Other members included representatives from the Engineering Section of the Water Management Branch, Fisheries and Oceans, Fish and Wildlife Management, Inspector of Dykes, Ministry of Agriculture and the District of Chilliwack.

The records from the Peace Managers concern land management committees in the Northern Interior region as well their sub-committees. The records come from the office of Don Roberts of BC Parks; Peace Liard District who was the chair of Peace Managers (IAMC) and the Peace Manager's Oil and Gas Committee. Andy Ackerman, Manager of Environmental Stewardship, later succeeded him as chair.The Omineca Peace Interagency Management Committee's role oversees and guides the implementation of Cabinet approved Land Resource Management Plans and government corporate land use policies. There are representatives from various provincial agencies including : Ministry of Forests, BC Environment, Ministry of Energy and Mines, BC Parks, Ministry of Agriculture and Food, BC Assets and Lands Corporation, Oil and Gas Commission, Ministry of Transportation and Highways, Land Use Coordination Office and Muskwa-Kechina (Program Manager).

The Deputy Minister's Committee on Drought was established in 2003 following a severe drought in British Columbia that put pressure on many water resources. This multi-agency committee and task force conducted studies on precipitation, temperature and ground water conditions in addition to proposing several action plans and programs to help with water conservation. Their records relate to presentations and tours on water conservation, proposals and a list of options for consideration, as well as update reports. The committee disbanded in 2005 however many of the programs continued to be monitored.

The records in this series also show other forms of land management including projects to build dykes, remove gravel, establish campgrounds, restore natural habitat (particularly for salmon species), build infrastructure and grant land leases for farming, public works and other initiatives. Records include memos, meeting minutes, lease guidelines and copies, maps, blueprints, correspondence, expense reports, approvals, invoices and project reports.

Another part of the series includes committees established to encourage and maintain meaningful consultation with various First Nation groups during Land and Resource Management planning. These records include the grants for funding, protocols, strategic plans, work plans and meeting minutes.

British Columbia. Commission on Resources and Environment

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 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

Administrative records

  • GR-3830
  • Series
  • 1984-2009

The series contains miscellaneous administrative records from the Ministry of Environment (2005) and its predecessors.
The records document the history, mission and strategic priorities of the ministry and its branches as well as its organizational structures over the years. This includes the reorganization of the Planning and Assessment Branch. Furthermore, as part of a submission to the Enquiry B.C referral service, the records also contain presentations introducing the work of the ministry.

Some of the records in this series pertain to committees or ministerial meetings that deal directly with some sort of aspect of administration. For example, the Integrated Management Committee files located in this series show how the committee was formed and lay out its administrative organization. These records are classified under ARCS 102-20 Administration - Ministry meetings.

Other records in the series include those detailing the meetings between program and regional directors for all programs supported by the Ministry of Environment. These records include agenda items, minutes, summaries of goals and objectives and a review of activities.

The series also contains a Policy Log that assembles a list of memos relating to new policies put in place across the ministry and its branches. A collection of communications plans relates to how the ministry informed staff, the public and special interests groups about the new Bill 50 (Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act). The records include memos from FOI coordinators as well as correspondence and information kits meant to summarize changes to information requests.

The series include three 'transition resources books' which were created for directors in charge of announcing the new divisional and branch/regional structure phases to their employees. This restructuring was announced by the ministry in 1996. The briefing books include updated organizational charts, functions, logistics and action plans, employee letter templates, employee lists and minutes from conference calls with the Deputy Minister and meetings with the Senior Management Committee. Several more organizational charts, histories and agreements are included that focus on the transfer of functions of the Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks (MELP) to either the Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection, the Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management and the Ministry of Fisheries. As the Resource Inventory Branch and Aquatic Information Branch were transferred from MELP to the Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management, several early documents pertaining to the management of Pacific salmon are included in this series which includes working group files, stock assessments, and discussion papers. This also includes some legal files related to First Nations fishing rights.

A few administrative records stemming from the Environmental Protection Office are also included in this series. Files classified under ARCS 747 - Firearms includes a list of requests to authorize ministry employees to carry and use firearms as part of their work. These requests include the name of the employee, the purposes of their firearm (e.g. personal safety while working in bear country, collection of wildlife specimens, destroy injured wildlife, wilderness survival, scare wildlife, immobilization), description of the firearm (e.g. make/model), authorization signatures and on occasions, a short description written by the application regarding their experience and training in handling firearms. The applications are accompanied by the written policy on firearms.

Additionally, there are Ombudsman investigations files dealing with a dispute for fines issued under the Waste Management Act.

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

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

Aboriginal liaison and First Nations consultation case files for the Cariboo Region

  • GR-3902
  • Series
  • 1985-2008

This series consists of Aboriginal liaison and First Nations consultation case files, primarily for the Cariboo region, from 1985-2008. These records document the Ministry of Environment and its successors' resource management involvement with First Nations groups and consultation with respect to resource management plans. Each file documents consultation and communication with a particular First Nation, Tribal Council or other Indigenous group regarding a variety of issues and practices related to resource management and use. File may be related to land claims, land use planning, the creation of sustainable resource management plans (SRMPs) and sub-regional area plans, or specific resource management and land management issues, including forestry, water rights, wildlife management and hunting, mining, protection of parks and cultural sites, and the creation of roads.

The files in this series were titled and organized in most instances as case files, based on the name of the First Nation involved in the consultation process. Many files document the creation and finalization of various kinds of agreements between the Ministry and First Nations groups. Files also include the planning and execution of joint projects, workshops and meetings to consult First Nations about the creation of resource management plans or to address specific resource management issues.

Files may include correspondence, reports, memorandums of understanding, agreements, financial records, business records of the relevant indigenous group, consultation protocols, maps, and newspaper articles and government responses to them.

Most files regard a particular indigenous group, mostly from the Cariboo and surrounding region, including: 'Esdilagh (Alexandria Band), Alexis Creek, Tl'etinqox Government (Anaham), Llenlleney'ten (High Bar), Bonaparte, Tsq’escen (Canim Lake), Stswecem’c/Xgat’tem (Canoe Creek), Carrier-Sekani Tribal Council, Carrier Chilcotin Tribal Council, Cariboo Tribal Council, Northern Secwēpemc te Qelmūcw (NStQ or Northern Shuswap Tribal Council), Esketemc (Alkali Lake), Hamatla Treaty Society, Homalco, Lhoosk’uz Dene (Kluskus), Lheidli-Tenneh, Nazko, Nuxalk Nation Government, Lhtako Dene (Red Bluff), Saik’uz, Skeetchestn, Shuswap Nation Tribal Council, Xat’sūll (Soda Creek), Simpcw (North Thompson Indian Band), Yunesit'in Government (Stone Indian Band), Tsilhqot’in National Government, Tl'esqox (Toosey First Nation), St'át'imc, Ts'kw'aylaxw, Ulkatcho Nation, Whispering Pines/Clinton, T'exelc (Williams Lake Indian Band), and Xeni Gwet’in First Nations. Other Indigenous groups may be mentioned within files.

Note that some of these files were reviewed as part of the following litigation: Xeni Gwet’in First Nations Government v. Her Majesty the Queen et al.

Ministries responsible for the creation of this series, and their dates of the responsibility, are:
Ministry of Environment (1988-1991)
British Columbia. Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks (1991-2001)
British Columbia. Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management (2001-2005)
British Columbia. Ministry of Agriculture and Lands (2005-2010)

Records in this series are covered by ORCS 17020-20 and 17730-25 of the Resource Management ORCS (schedule 144100).

British Columbia. Ministry of Agriculture and Lands

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

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

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

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

Development case files

  • GR-3835
  • Series
  • 1989-2008

The records in this series document the development of Land and Resource Management Plans and provide evidence of the nature and evolution of the planning process.

The records are mainly organized by topic and region. They cover discussions on specific areas and subjects of concern, such as wildlife, tourism, recreation and conservation. Many of the files include discussions about existing legislation to guide plan development. The records also include other reference material such as documents related to the Protected Areas Strategy with summaries of different forest districts, literature reviews, studies, reports (particularly those about the Protected Areas Designation Process) and interim management direction statements from BC Parks. Many files relate to the LRMP table discussing possibilities to designate new protected areas through land use planning. The records also include various working group plans and recommendations, framework plans for a coordinated approach to planning, as well as guidelines to help participants write these plans.
There are also several folders organized by Resource Management Zone (RMZ) with printouts of maps depicting the area, as well as separate files for interests submitted by the Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks, Ministry of Forests, BC Assets and Land Corporation, and Ministry of Transportation and Highways.

The records are arranged according to the Resource Management Operational Records Classification System (schedule 144100) using the following primary numbers:

17550: RMP – Land and Resource Management Plans
17730: RMP – Sustainable Resource Management Plans
And the secondary number -30 (development case files).

This series currently contains records from the Kamloops, Lillooet LRMP and the Okanagan-Shuswap LRMP tables. The records from the associated accession(s) cover all types of land use and resource planning, including landscape unit plans, sustainable resource management plans, land and resource management plans, local and regional resource use plans, and other land and/or resource use plans as they were all part of a greater land-use strategy.

British Columbia. Ministry of Agriculture and Lands

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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)

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