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Only top-level descriptions British Columbia. Ministry of Forests (1976-1986)
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Administrative records

  • GR-1340
  • Series
  • 1978-1980

This series contains materials prepared to inform staff of changes during the process of the Ministry of Forests' reorganization. File 1 contains a 1978 background paper prepared by the Internal Reorganization Working Committee for distribution to Regional Managers and Divisional (Branch) Directors, on the role and responsibilities of the various parts of the new organization. File 2 contains "Update", a series of staff bulletins issued in 1979-1980 in order to inform staff of the progress of the reorganization process.

British Columbia. Ministry of Forests (1976-1986)

Scale and royalty invoices, ledgers, and reports

  • GR-3347
  • Series
  • 1977-1994

The series consists of records created by the Ministry of Forests (1976-1986), the Ministry of Forests and Lands (1986-1988) and the Ministry of Forests (1988-). Records date from 1977-1994.

The series includes nine different types of computer output microfiche (COM) reports that are arranged by year. Within each year, each type is filed separately, and subdivided by forest district (1977-1978) or forest region (1979-present), if applicable. Districts/regions include: Vancouver, Prince Rupert, Kamloops, Prince George, Nelson and Cariboo.

The records include the following: piece scale invoices, weight scale invoices, weight scale ratio report, appraisal code sheets, mark rate report, mark royalty reports, road ledger, scaler ledger and species ledger. These records are generated by scale and royalty billing activities. It is a requirement of the Forest Act ( SBC 1978, c. 23) that all timber be scaled.

There are two primary methods of scaling used in the Province: piece scale and weight scale. Piece scale involves the measurement of each log harvested. This method is normally used in coastal areas where the logs are larger and not uniform in size. Weight scale is a sampling method where selected loads of logs over a period of time are piece scaled and this data is then used to estimate the volume of all other weighed loads. This method is used primarily in the interior of the Province and was introduced in 1963. It is generally used for large volumes of smaller logs that are uniform in size. Other scaling methods may be used for small volumes of special products, for example, Christmas trees or fence posts.

Until 1985, scalers were employees of the Ministry of Forests, with some limited exceptions. After privatization, the Ministry retained responsibility for examination, appointment, and licensing of scalers. The Ministry is now responsible for authorizing scale sites and conditions, designating which scale timber should go to, establishing scale computation and data controls and ensuring compliance with regulations. The requirements for scaling are outlined in part 6 of the Forest Act and the Scaling Regulations. Additional information is contained in the Scaling Manual and Ministry of Forests scaling policies. The Scaling Manual provides specific instructions on how scale will be measured and calculated and which records must be submitted.

Piece and weight scale invoices are generated from the data collected from the two different types of scaling. They document the amount of royalties owing by each account holder. The two types are kept separately and arranged by forest district/region and consecutive account number. Piece scale invoices are identified with a code beginning with P followed by a letter for the region. Weight scale invoices are identified with a code beginning with W followed by a letter for the region. The letters used for the regions are: V or W (effective May 1982) for Vancouver; R for Prince Rupert; K for Kamloops; G for Prince George; N for Nelson and C for Cariboo. Invoice numbers which are missing were used for manual billing, a practice which ended in the early 1980's.

Ratio reports are the ratios in effect for the month and that are used for processing Weight Scale billing. Ratios are determined by the sample loads that are scaled.

Appraisal code sheets contain information about timber marks. This information is used to determine stumpage rates for billing purposes. These records date from 1979-1982. They have been replaced by the General Appraisal System.

Mark reports include information about rates, appraisals, and other administrative information about each timber mark. These are monthly reports.

Mark royalty reports include rate information for each class of royalty by species/product/grade. Combined with scale data this will determine which rates are used for each royalty type.

Road ledgers were set up to amortise, over time, specific forestry and road costs as part of the timber the late 1970 's and 1980's. These invoices reflect a credit to stumpage associated with the amortisation amount related to either a piece or weight scale invoice.

There are separate ledgers for piece scale invoices and weight scale invoices; each ledger is subdivided by forest district/region. The code used to identify a piece scale road ledger is K followed by a letter representing the district/region. The codes used to identify a weight scale road ledger is L followed by a letter for the district/region. The records date from 1979 to 1985.

There are two types of species ledgers, monthly and yearly. These reports list the log volumes billed by species on each invoice. The monthly report is organized by district/region and timber mark. The yearly report is organized by region and timber mark. The yearly report also includes year to date reports.

A timber mark indicates the property on which the logs were cut. The scalers' ledger is a list of the volume and value scaled by each scaler and is arranged by scaler licence number.

These records are found in secondaries 20340-20, 20390-20, 20390-50 and 21330-20 in the Ministry of Forests ORCS, schedule number 881261.

British Columbia. Ministry of Forests (1988-2005)

Prince George Forest District operational records

  • GR-1110
  • Series
  • 1919-1985

This series contains operational records of the Prince George Forest District relating to forest administration, 1919-1981. Records are arranged according to the Forest Service filing system. These records include annual reports, ranger meeting summaries, records regarding timber exports, forest protection, forest reserves, the Peace River hydroelectric projects, the Mica Dam flood basin, land use, timber cruising, silviculture, aerial photography, rights-of-way, timber sales, timber licenses, Public Sustained Yield Units, tree farm licences, and forest wood lot licenses. Also contains construction and maintenance reports pertaining to ranger stations, lookouts, forest roads and trails, boathouses, telephone lines and other Forest Service facilities. Records consist of correspondence, memoranda, reports, licenses, permits, plans, etc.

The ministries responsible for the Forest Districts, and the years that they were responsible, are:

British Columbia. Dept. of Lands (1908-1945)
British Columbia. Dept. of Lands and Forests (1945-1962)
British Columbia. Dept. of Lands, Forests and Water Resources (1962-1975)
British Columbia. Dept. of Forests (1975-1976)
British Columbia. Ministry of Forests (1976-1986)

British Columbia. Fort George Forest District

Correspondence subject indexes

  • GR-1365
  • Series
  • 1918-1983

This series contains subject indexes to the "O Series" of correspondence, ca.1918-1972 and two file directories, 1979-1981 and 1983. Box 1 contains a photocopy of an alphabetical card index to the "O series" of correspondence. Box 2 contains a file directory (updated to 1972) for "O Series" correspondence files arranged as general files, working plans, engineering, farm woodlot applications, public sustained yield units, tree farms and tree farm licences and a Forest Service file directory, 1979-1981 and a Ministry of Forests file directory, 1983. Indexes to forestry correspondence, 1918-1983

British Columbia. Ministry of Forests (1976-1986)

Forest Surveys and Inventory Division operational records

  • GR-0944
  • Series
  • 1942-1981

This series consists of the operational records of the Forest Surveys and Inventory Division. Records include procedures, operations, policy, and field manuals relating to forest management, forest protection, forest surveys and inventory, grazing and range administration, engineering, and accounting, 1942-1981; Civil Service Commission descriptions for positions in the B.C. Forest Service, 1950-1970; and letters of instruction and circular letters to Forest Officers, and miscellaneous correspondence, 1943-1977. There is also a report of forest inventory work from 1955 with maps.

British Columbia. Ministry of Forests (1976-1986)

Public sustained yield unit policy files

  • GR-3700
  • Series
  • 1955-1985

The series consists of policy files relating to public sustained yield units. These records were created between 1955 and 1985 by the Ministry of Forests and its predecessors. The records were created by the ministry’s central office in Victoria and relate to all areas of the province. These files were used for planning in public sustained yield unit areas.

Public sustained yield units (PSYU) were used by the ministry between 1948 and 1978. They were the method by which the ministry regulated harvest rates. PSYUs were an outgrowth of the 1945 Royal Commission on the Forest Resources of British Columbia. This commission recommended that the ministry should establish forest management units to ensure the long term sustained yield of timber.

The ministry established 88 public sustained yield units in the province and these are reflected in the records of this series. In 1978, the ministry replaced the system of public sustained yield units with timber supply areas. The 88 PSYU’s were reduced to 33 timber supply areas.

Records contain correspondence, maps and reports. The correspondence is with ministry staff, other ministries and third parties including businesses and individuals. The majority of the documents relate to forest use but there are also records that relate to other land use information including mining, recreation, parks, and environment. The reports include computer printouts and written reports. The computer printouts contain information about forestry yield.

Files are arranged alphabetically. There is a file for each of the PSYUs in the province. Each file has also been assigned a classification number that begins with the numbers 700-6-1. This classification number was first assigned to the records ca. 1979. Documents in each file that were created prior to 1979 have been assigned a “0” number. The “0” numbers are 7 digit numbers that are part of a filing system that was created by the Dept. of Lands which was a predecessor of Forests.

Ministries responsible for creating these records, and the dates that they were responsible, include:
British Columbia. Dept. of Lands and Forests (1955-1962)
British Columbia. Dept. of Lands, Forests and Water Resources (1962-1975)
British Columbia. Dept. of Forests (1975-1976)
British Columbia. Ministry of Forests (1976-1985)

British Columbia. Dept. of Lands and Forests

Subject files from the Port Alberni Forest District

  • GR-3696
  • Series
  • 1956-1981

The series consists of subject files from the Port Alberni Forest District. These files were created as part of the regular activities of the district office and include both operational and administrative files. The majority of files relate to tree farm licences (TFL) although there are also a few files that relate to log salvage, Cascara bark use, and water licences.

The series contains correspondence, circulars, reports, maps and ledger sheets. The files are arranged by their classification number. The files classified as 870-3 relate to tree farm licences. These consist of the vast majority of files in this series. The 860 files consist of permit and licence applications.

The majority of the TFL files relate to the administration of tree farm licences 20 and 21 which are located in the Clayoquot area of BC. The correspondence with the licensee deals with administration and management of the TFL. This includes issues with the licence, amendments to the licence, the stumpage rates, amendments to the licence, future cutting plans, includes copies of the licence and subsequent amendments. Some of the material in the files duplicate the material in the main TFL series of GR-3659.

There is information relating to stumpage rates. There are many letters from the ministry to licensees about rates. The series also contains ledgers that were used to calculate the stumpage fees. The administration and policy files contain documentation about how the ledgers functioned.

The ministries that were responsible for these records are:
1956-1962 Dept. of Lands and Forests
1962-1975 Dept. of Lands, Forests and Water Resources
1975-1976 Dept. of Forests
1976-1981 Ministry of Forests

British Columbia. Port Alberni Forest District

Silviculture opening records

  • GR-3718
  • Series
  • 1943-2008

Series consists of silviculture opening records created by the South Vancouver Island district and its predecessor the Port Alberni Forest district from 1943-2008. The ministry defines silviculture as “the art and science of controlling the establishment, growth, composition, health, and quality of forests and woodlands to meet the diverse needs and values of landowners and society on a sustainable basis.” These files document the historical silviculture treatment work that has been undertaken on specific areas of land that are referred to as openings.

The files may contain a wide variety of record formats including textual records, photographs and maps. The textual records include computer printouts, photocopies, cards, reports and correspondence. Pre-1980 documents are usually photocopies but there are also many original documents from those years.

Most files are quite small. They usually consist of a map of the area and a computer printout titled the History of Crop Establishment and Tending. These computer printouts are dated from 1986 or 1990. They provide a history of crop establishment and tending and provide information regarding prescriptions, site preparations, reforestation and stand tending.

There are also larger files that contain a variety of other documents. These include prescription documents (which provide the management plan for the area), stand tending cards and reports (that show what forest treatments were taken), traverse sheets (that provide location information), pruning examination cards and printouts, planting reports, final harvesting reports, site preparation reports. Pre-1970 documents usually consist of copies of logging inspection reports.

The files are arranged numerically by a classification number. The first part of that number corresponds with the National Topographic System location codes and the second part of the number consists of a sequential number applied to each file.

Ministries responsible for the creation of this series, and the dates of the responsibility, are:

Dept. of Lands 1943-1945
Dept. of Lands and Forests 1945-1962
Dept. of Lands, Forests and Water Resources 1962-1975
Dept. of Forests 1975-1976
Ministry of Forests 1976-1986
Ministry of Forests and Lands 1986-1988
Ministry of Forests 1988-2005
Ministry of Forests and Range 2005-2010

Classified as 18750-20 in the Forests Operational Records Classification System (ORCS).

British Columbia. Port Alberni Forest District

Kamloops District grazing permits

  • GR-3756
  • Series
  • 1931-1982

Series consists of grazing permits from the Kamloops and Vernon Grazing District. The records were created in accordance with the 1919 Grazing Act (SBC 1919, c. 30) and subsequent legislation. The Ministry of Forests, and its predecessors, was responsible for managing this program. The records document activities in the Kamloops Region which includes areas such as Vernon.

The government approved permits annually for the use of the land. The permit set out the name of the applicant, the area, and the number of cattle/sheep/horses that would be grazing on the land.

Series is arranged alphabetically by the name of the individual or business that holds the permit and licence. The records consist primarily of a copy of the application for a grazing permit, the approved permit, correspondence among staff and the applicant as well as sketches of the geographic area. Some files also contain copies of inspection forms completed by ministry staff.

Ministries responsible for these records are:

Dept. of Lands 1908-1945
Dept. of Lands and Forests 1945- 1962
Dept. of Lands, Forests and Water Resources 1962-1975
Dept. of Forests 1975-1976
Ministry of Forests 1976-1986

Records were classified as 15700-20 in the Forests Operational Records Classification System.

British Columbia. Kamloops Forest District (1913-1978)

100 Mile House Forest District cutting permits and other timber tenure records

  • GR-3698
  • Series
  • 1973-2006

The series consists of cutting permits and other timber tenure records. These records were created from 1973-2006 by the 100 Mile House Forest District, a division of the Cariboo Forest Region. Files include cutting permits, forest licences, timber sale licences, timber sale harvesting licences, woodlot licences and licences to cut. Records regard the issuance, evaluation, administration, monitoring, planning, replacement, cancellation, deletion and extension of these timber tenures. The vast majority of records are cutting permits for forest licences. Licensees were required to apply for a forest licence and cutting permits in order to harvest timber.

The records may include legal documents, management plans, development plans, correspondence, forms, reports, maps, licences, permits, permit amendments and renewals, logging plans, cruise compilations, compilation summaries, reports, silviculture prescriptions, traverse cards, appraisals, harvesting reports and inspection forms, permit extension documentation, road permits, financial records, timber scales, timber mark designations, inspection records, photos, and stumpage fees.

The ministries responsible for creating these records, and the years that they were responsible, are:
Dept. of Lands, Forests and Water Resources (1961-1975)
Dept. of Forests (1975-1976)
Ministry of Forests (1976-1986)
Ministry of Forests and Lands (1986-1988)
Ministry of Forests (1988-2005)
Ministry of Forests and Range (2005-2010)

The records were classified as 19500-45, 19540-25, 19620-25, 19720-25, 19720-45, 19720-50 and 19720-55 in the Forest Operational Records Classification System (ORCS).

British Columbia. 100 Mile House Forest District

Prince Rupert Forest District wild fire mapping records

  • GR-4048
  • Series
  • 1921-1991; predominant 1921-1980

This series consists of wildfire mapping records including fire atlas maps and fire reports from the Prince Rupert Forest District. The records date from 1921-1980. Collectively these records provide a comprehensive image of the amount and extent of forest fires in the area.

The Prince Rupert Forest District was divided into smaller Ranger Districts. These Ranger Districts changed over the years, but included: Burns Lake, Hazleton, Terrace, Prince Rupert, Kitwanga, Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Islands), Ocean Falls, Francois Lake, Smithers, Telkwa, Houston, Pendleton Bay, Kitimat, Lower Post, Topley, Bella Coola, Southbank, Telegraph Creek and Atlin.

Annual fire reports are oversized handwritten tables that provide detailed information on individual fires for the years 1921-1967. The tables list: name of the fire; name of officer in charge; date; district fire number; fire origin; cost of fighting and source of funds; area burned; total area of damage done; amount of merchantable and unmerchantable timber burned; amount of range land burned; amount of property or other damage caused; and the cause of the fire. Possible causes include lightening, recreational activities, railroad clearing, smokers, brush or range burning, construction, industrial activities, incendiaries, miscellaneous known causes and unknown causes. The pages are arranged by year, with one page used per Ranger District. Each year includes a summary sheet with the totals for all Ranger Districts.

Fire atlas maps and overlays show the location and type of fires, as well as the extent of some burned areas. The majority of the maps are forest cover maps which have been annotated or had overlays added with this additional information. Many of the maps have been cut to fit in the bound volume they were originally stored in. This can make it difficult to determine the precise year the maps were created and annotated.

The series also includes one scrapbook of newspaper clippings related to forest fires, fire protection and firefighting for the years 1988-1991. This item was created by the successor of the Prince Rupert Forest District, the Prince Rupert Forest Region.

Ministries responsible for the creation of this series, and their dates of the responsibility, are:
Dept. of Lands (1908-1945)
Dept. of Lands and Forests (1945-1962)
Dept. of Lands, Forests and Water Resources (1962-1975)
Dept. of Forests 1975-1976
Ministry of Forests 1976-1986
Ministry of Forests and Lands 1986-1988
Ministry of Forests 1988-2005

British Columbia. Prince Rupert Forest District

Quesnel Forest District range management records

  • GR-4058
  • Series
  • 1927-2006

This series consists of range management records created by the Quesnel Forest district in the Cariboo Forest Region, and its predecessors, from 1927-2002. This series may contain records created by the Prince George (also known as Fort George), Kamloops, Cariboo and Williams Lake Forest Districts and/or Grazing Districts. Note that the names and boundaries of districts and regions varied over the years. All files were managed by the Quesnel Forest District when the files were closed in or before 2006.

Records relate to the administration of Grazing Licences and Grazing Permits as defined under the Range Act, and Grazing Leases as defined under the Land Act. This includes their issuance, amendment, transfer, billing, monitoring, policy, and administration. This may include records concerning additions and deletions of land and/or authorized Animal Unit Months (AUM) from grazing tenures.

The series also includes individual range unit files which relate to the management of larger range units. These are areas of range land that may be shared by multiple tenure holders. This includes operational records such as range unit plans, inspections covering more than one range tenure, and general information concerning the history of the management of specific range units.

Records in this series include tenure application forms, grazing plans, range use plans, correspondence, maps, photos, surveys, reports, records determining range boundaries and use, and information on range improvements and clearing. Improvements can include infrastructure such as fences, gates and improving access to water sources for livestock.

Each file relates to a particular range tenure. Note that there may be additional individuals or companies who held the tenure over time which are not listed in the file title. Files within each box are arranged alphabetically by file title.

The ministries responsible for the Forest and Range Districts, and the years that they were responsible, are:
Dept. of Lands (1908-1945)
Dept. of Lands and Forests (1945-1962)
Dept. of Lands, Forests and Water Resources (1962-1975)
Dept. of Forests (1975-1976)
Ministry of Forests (1976-1986)
Ministry of Forests and Lands (1986-1988)
Ministry of Forests (1988-2005)

This series is classified under ORCS number 15700-20 and 15720-20 of the Ministry of Forests schedule (881261).

British Columbia. Cariboo Forest District

Fort Nelson Forest District timber tenures

  • GR-4065
  • Series
  • 1979-1999

This series consists of cutting permits and other forest tenure records created from 1979-1999 by the Fort Nelson Forest District, a division of the Prince George Forest Region. All files were managed as part of the Fort Nelson Forest District when the files were closed and transferred to the archives.

The series includes the following types of timber tenures: forest licences and one silviculture audit file. The majority of files relate to cutting permits. Licensees were required to apply for a forest licence or similar tenure and cutting permits in order to harvest timber. Records regard the issuance, evaluation, administration, monitoring, planning, replacement, cancellation, deletion and extension of these timber tenures.

The records include legal documents, operations information, correspondence, forms, reports, maps, licences, permits, permit amendment or renewal documentation, applications, logging plans, reports, silviculture prescriptions, stumpage adjustment, and financial records.

The ministries responsible for creating these records, and the years that they were responsible, are:
Ministry of Forests (1976-1986)
Ministry of Forests and Lands (1986-1988)
Ministry of Forests (1988-2005)

The records were classified as 18765-20 and 19500-20 in the Forest Operational Records Classification System (ORCS).

British Columbia. Fort Nelson Forest District

Columbia Forest District range and land use records

  • GR-4069
  • Series
  • 1985-1998

This series consists of a variety of range management and recreational land use records created from 1985-1998 by the Columbia Forest District, a division of the Nelson Forest Region. The series also includes records from the Revelstoke Forest District, Golden Forest District, and Mica Creek Forest Station. All files were managed as part of the Columbia Forest District when the files were closed.

The series includes the following types of records:

Range management records relate to the administration of Grazing Licences and Grazing Permits as defined under the Range Act, and Grazing Leases as defined under the Land Act. This includes their issuance, amendment, transfer, billing, monitoring, policy, and administration. This may include records concerning additions and deletions of land and/or authorized Animal Unit Months (AUM) from grazing tenures. Records may include tenure application forms, grazing plans, range use plans, correspondence, maps, surveys and reports.

Forest Service facilities, sites and trail files relate to the routine maintenance, rehabilitation and development of Forest Service recreation sites and trails. Includes records relating to the planning, designation, assessment, design and construction of recreation sites and trails. Types of records can include correspondence, reports, studies, published material, photos, and maps.

There are also files regarding related brochures and recreation maps, as well as protected areas strategies.

The ministries responsible for creating these records, and the years that they were responsible, are:
Ministry of Forests (1976-1986)
Ministry of Forests and Lands (1986-1988)
Ministry of Forests (1988-2005)

The records were classified as 15700-20, 16300-20, 16400-50, 16660-40, 16700-05, 16700-06, and 16800-20 in the Forest Operational Records Classification System (ORCS).

British Columbia. Columbia Forest District

Rocky Mountain Forest District timber tenures

  • GR-4079
  • Series
  • 1946-2008

This series consists of timber tenures from the Rocky Mountain Forest District for the years 1946-2008. This series may also include records created by the Cranbrook, Invermere and Kootenay Lake Forest Districts, as well as the Nelson and Southern Interior Forest Regions. Note that the names and boundaries of districts and regions varied over the years.

Timber tenures include replaceable forest licences, licences to cut, replaceable timber sale licences, non-replaceable timber sale licences, woodlot licences, special use permits and Christmas tree permits. There are also records regarding tree farm licence (TFL) 13, TFL 14, TFL 26, TFL 36 and TFL 37.

Files contain cutting permits, legal documents, operations information, charts, applications, development plans, annual reports, management plans, an “A” number bid deposit register, correspondence, maps, reports, amendments, logging inspection reports, logging plans, licences, policy, procedures, and a variety of other documents.

The series also includes some records related to silviculture. These include silviculture openings, obligations, as well as silviculture experiment (SX) files regard trials completed under the jurisdiction of the silviculture program. Includes records detailing silviculture trials conducted, working plans, results, evaluations, reports, models, maps and data. Silviculture obligations may relate to major licensees, woodlot licences or the small business program.

The ministries responsible for the Forest and Range Districts, and the years that they were responsible, are:
British Columbia. Dept. of Lands and Forests (1945-1962)
British Columbia. Dept. of Lands, Forests and Water (1962-1975)
British Columbia. Dept. of Forests (1975-1976)
British Columbia. Ministry of Forests (1976-1986)
British Columbia. Ministry of Forests and Lands (1986-1988)
British Columbia. Ministry of Forests (1988-2005)
British Columbia. Ministry of Forests and Range (2005-2010)

Records in this series are classified under ORCS numbers 18750-20, 18765-20, 18765-25, 18765-30, 18990-20, 19440-25, 19500-20, 19500-45, 19500-60, 19540-25, 19570-25, 19600-30, 19600-45, 19620-25, 19620-45, 19680-20, 19700-25, 19700-45, 19700-60, 19710-20, 19710-30, 19720-20 and 19720-45 of the Ministry of Forests schedule (881261).

British Columbia. Rocky Mountain Forest District

Squamish Forest District silviculture records

  • GR-4081
  • Series
  • 1910-2005

This series consists of silviculture experiment files created from 1910-2005 by the Squamish Forest District, a division of the Vancouver Forest Region. The ministry defines silviculture as “the art and science of controlling the establishment, growth, composition, health, and quality of forests and woodlands to meet the diverse needs and values of landowners and society on a sustainable basis.” These files document the historical silviculture treatment work that has been undertaken on specific areas of land that are referred to as openings.

The majority of the records are silviculture opening files. These files were created from the 1970s on, but may include earlier records. Openings document the historical silviculture treatment work that has been undertaken on specific areas of land that are referred to as openings. These files regard changes in the forest cover, changes in prescriptions, cut boundaries and records involving impacts on silvicultural treatments. Files may contain a wide variety of record formats including textual records, maps and photos. The textual records include computer printouts, photocopies, cards, field notes, reports and correspondence.

All opening files include maps or site plans, a forest attribute cover form and other documents related to the opening. Additional documents commonly found in files include: various survey or assessment forms; computer printouts titled the History of Crop Establishment and Tending which provides a history of use and information regarding prescriptions, site preparations, reforestation and stand tending; prescription documents, which provide the management plan for the area; stand tending cards and reports, which show completed forest treatments; and various reports.

Other types of records relate to audits and assessments for major licensees, a 5 year silviculture plan for the district, and
silviculture trials.

The ministries responsible for creating these records, and the years that they were responsible, are:
Ministry of Forests (1976-1986)
Ministry of Forests and Lands (1986-1988)
Ministry of Forests (1988-2005)

The records were classified as 12380-30, 18765-20, 18750-20 and 18990-20 in the Forest Operational Records Classification System (ORCS).

British Columbia. Squamish Forest District

Provincial Forest information files

  • GR-4083
  • Series
  • 1932-1983

This series consists of Provincial Forest information files created by the Ministry of Forests and its predecessors from 1932-1983. The records consists of tables recording the various tenures, permits and other forms of land use in Provincial Forests. These include: special use permits, logging road right of ways, reserves, map notations, land withdrawals for public use (parks, reserves, archaeological sites), and land withdrawals for other uses (personal, agricultural, commercial, industrial use).

The series also includes a file on stumpage rates paid, including statistical and financial information related to timber harvesting.

British Columbia. Ministry of Forests (1976-1986)

Campbell River Forest District timber tenures

  • GR-4085
  • Series
  • 1955-2007

This series consists of timber tenures from 1955-2007 by the Campbell River Forest District, a division of the Vancouver Forest Region. The majority of the records are Tree Farm Licence (TFL) cutting permits.

TFLs are a type of timber tenure which grants a virtually exclusive right to harvest timber and manage forests in a specified area. They are issued for a term of 25 years, but can be replaced every 5-10 years. The records relate to TFL 2, TFL 7, TFL 19, TFL 22, TFL 25, TFL 36, TFL 39, TFL 45 and TFL 47. Over the years, TFL boundaries and rights holders may have changed. There are also two cutting permits for forest licence A19233.

Other types of timber tenures in this series include: replaceable forest licences, licences to cut, timber licences, replaceable timber sale licences, non-replaceable timber sale licences, special use permits, and woodlot licences.

Records regard the issuance, evaluation, administration, monitoring, planning, replacement, cancellation, deletion and extension of these timber tenures. The files may consist of applications, ministry approvals, copies of the permit or licence, revisions, correspondence, legal documents, annual reports, operations information, development plans, charts, procedures, audits, reviews, maps, photos and silviculture records.

The ministries responsible for creating these records, and the years that they were responsible, are:
Dept. of Lands and Forests (1955-1962)
Dept. of Lands, Forests and Water (1962-1975)
Dept. of Forests (1975-1976 )
Ministry of Forests (1976-1986)
Ministry of Forests and Lands (1986-1988)
Ministry of Forests (1988-2005)

The records were classified as 19500-45, 19500-60, 19540-25, 19570-25, 19580-45, 19600-20, 19600-25, 19600-30, 19600-45, 19600-55, 19600-60, 19620-25, 19700-45, 19710-20, 19720-20,19720-25 and 19720-45 in the Forest Operational Records Classification System (ORCS).

British Columbia. Campbell River Forest District

Mackenzie Forest District operational records

  • GR-4103
  • Series
  • 1951, 1970-2001

This series consists of miscellaneous operational records that are not related to range management or timber tenures from the McKenzie Forest District for the years 1951-2001. This district was part of the Prince George Forest Region (1978-2003) and the Northern Interior Forest Region (2003-2010). Note that the names and boundaries of districts and regions varied over the years.

Records relate to the creation of resource analysis plans; special recreation projects; construction work resulting from floods in 1990; the inventory and management of recreation sites; the Muskwa Kechika coordinating group; and the deactivation and stabilization prescription of the Kemess mines infrastructure.

The ministries responsible for the Forest and Range Districts, and the years that they were responsible, are:
British Columbia. Ministry of Forests (1976-1986)
British Columbia. Ministry of Forests and Lands (1986-1988)
British Columbia. Ministry of Forests (1988-2005)

This series is classified under ORCS number 11200-08, 11370-25, 12125-02, 12443-20, 16090-20 and 16350-20 of the Ministry of Forests schedule (881261).

British Columbia. Mackenzie Forest District

Vanderhoof Forest District timber tenures

  • GR-4131
  • Series
  • 1965-2004

This series consists of timber tenure records created by the Vanderhoof Forest District from 1965-2004. Types of tenures include forest licences, licences to cut, timber sale licences, timber sale harvesting licences, woodlot licences and cutting permits. Licensees were required to apply for a forest licence or similar tenure and cutting permits in order to harvest timber. Records may regard the issuance, evaluation, administration, monitoring, planning, replacement, cancellation, deletion and extension of these timber tenures.

The files may consist of records such as applications, ministry approvals, copies of the permit or licence, revisions, correspondence, legal documents, annual reports, operations information, development plans, charts, procedures, audits, reviews, photos, development plans, timber cruise compilations, stumpage rates, appraisals, cruise cards, survey notes, photos, and maps.

The ministries responsible for creating these records, and the years that they were responsible, are:

Dept. of Lands, Forests and Water (1962-1975)
Dept. of Forests (1975-1976 )
Ministry of Forests (1976-1986)
Ministry of Forests and Lands (1986-1988)
Ministry of Forests (1988-2005)

The records were classified as 19500-40, 19500-45, 19500-55, 19540-25, 19620-45 and 19720-45 in the Forest Operational Records Classification System (ORCS).

British Columbia. Vanderhoof Forest District

Vanderhoof Forest District range management records

  • GR-4132
  • Series
  • 1953-2004

This series consists of range management records from the Vanderhoof Forest District for the years 1953-2004. This district was part of the Prince George Forest Region (1978-2003) and the Northern Interior Forest Region (2003-2010). Note that the names and boundaries of districts and regions varied over the years.

Records relate to the administration of Grazing Licences and Grazing Permits as defined under the Range Act, and Grazing Leases as defined under the Land Act. This includes their issuance, amendment, transfer, billing, monitoring, policy, and administration. This may include records concerning additions and deletions of land and/or authorized Animal Unit Months (AUM) from grazing tenures.

Each grazing permit and licence file relates to a particular range tenure. Note that there may be additional individuals or companies who held the tenure over time which are not listed in the file title.

Records in this series include tenure application forms, grazing plans, range use plans, correspondence, maps, surveys, reports, records determining range boundaries and use, and information on range improvements such as range seeding and clearing.

The ministries responsible for the Forest and Range Districts, and the years that they were responsible, are:
British Columbia. Dept. of Lands, Forests and Water Resources (1962-1975)
British Columbia. Dept. of Forests (1975-1976)
British Columbia. Ministry of Forests (1976-1986)
British Columbia. Ministry of Forests and Lands (1986-1988)
British Columbia. Ministry of Forests (1988-2005)

This series is classified under ORCS number 15700-20 and 15740-20 of the Ministry of Forests schedule (881261).

British Columbia. Vanderhoof Forest District

Forest Service lookout photographs

  • GR-3263
  • Series
  • 1936-1983

The series consists of ca. 4300 negatives and ca. 5000 photographic prints taken from forest lookouts between 1936 and 1993. Falling under the function of forest protection, "lookout photography" or "panoramic lookout photography" was first initiated in B.C. in 1936. It involved taking a set of eight large-format film images at 263 fire lookout sites.

The negatives were used to create 20 x 32 cm (7½ x 12¾" black and white photo prints, and a grid was photographically superimposed on each print, indicating the compass bearing from 0 to 360 degrees and vertical angle from +10 to -15 degrees from the horizontal. These prints were bound into book form, and kept on hand in the lookout and at the Ranger Station to aid in communicating the details of fire locations using visual references. They were also used to orient the fire finder in the lookout - a rotatable sighting device mounted over a map located in the centre of the building. The books list the date of the images and the location. Some books also contain notations on the photos. The series also contains 2 boxes of photographic proofs which contain information about the date and time that the image was taken and the weather conditions at that time.

In the photographing process, bearings were established with the use of a surveyor's transit and level, and an interchangeable camera. With the transit, the photographer determined the precise known bearing of a distant reference object (usually a mountain peak or another lookout, sometimes a topographic survey cairn). By lifting the transit off the mount and replacing it with the camera, they could then take their eight photographs at 45-degree horizontal intervals. Photographs from the lookout were taken in this order: shot #1, North; shot #2, 45 degrees; shot #3, East; shot #4, 135 degrees; shot #5, South; shot #6, 225 degrees; shot #7, West; shot #8, 315 degrees. A suitable camera was initially borrowed from another agency until one specially built by the National Research Council in Ottawa was obtained in the summer of 1945. One report from the late 1940s states that the eight views each included a horizontal angle of 50 degrees, so that the full panorama was completed with an overlap of 5 degrees per photograph. Photos were taken on infrared film to maximize haze penetration, and a duplicate set of negatives were taken with panchromatic.

Most lookouts were photographed at least once; some were photographed two or three times. This “rephotography” was deemed necessary when there were appreciable changes, over time, in a view from a lookout. Changes in view were caused by various factors: elimination of vegetative cover due to wildfires or logging; the erecting, rebuilding or relocation of a tower; construction of dams; or the change in view caused by tree clearing at the mountain summit. Most lookouts were sites that had established structures; however, some were undeveloped sites.

The photography was sometimes carried out by a two-man crew consisting of UBC forestry students. In time, "visibility mapping" to evaluate potential new lookout sites was combined with lookout photography at existing sites; in some years a two-man crew would do both. Access to lookout sites by helicopter was used by 1960. The same crews sometimes also took photographs on behalf of the National Parks Service for parks lookouts located in B.C. For some years there was limited or no field work undertaken in either lookout photography or visibility mapping. The last photos were taken by professional surveyors on a contract basis as a pilot project.

The majority of the lookout structures were built by the B.C. Forest Service; however, several had been built by the federal government to fulfill their obligation to protect timber from wildfire within the Railway Belt. In 1930 the Railway Belt and its lookout structures were turned over to the Province of B.C.

The number of lookouts that were staffed declined in the late 1970s and early 1980s as other means of fire detection became more efficient, notably, aircraft patrols and public reporting. In addition, the electronic lightning location system that began in 1980 indicated where lightning activity had occurred, and computer models then predicted the likely location and number of new lighting-caused and people-caused fires. The decline in fire lookouts was due to technological changes, and cost-benefit analyses probably showed that some lookouts were no longer good investments. Lookout photography was given up as lookouts declined in value.

The photographs are a resource for studying landscape change. Old harvesting, regeneration, and the impacts of wildfire and urban expansion may be observed in many of the photograph sets.

British Columbia. Dept. of Lands

Papers of Project 87

  • GR-1366
  • Series
  • 1981-1983

This series contains miscellaneous papers of Project 87. This project was established in 1981 to do research in preparation for the 75th anniversary of the Forest Service in 1987 and to facilitate transfer of archival records to the Provincial Archives. This series consists of papers and reports prepared, coordinated, or collected by the project. Contents are: (1) Working Paper No. 7, Historical headquarters staff and organizational tables, 1888-1979. (2) Catalogue of Original Timber Leases, 1870-1906, prepared by A. Lazenby. (3) Early history of the B.C. Forest Service, by D. Climenhaga. (4) Forest protection a government responsibility, a draft by Stephen Gray. (5) Protection as conservation - Safeguarding B.C.'s forests from fire, 1874-1921, by John Parmenter.

British Columbia. Ministry of Forests (1976-1986)

Civil service specifications and other material

  • GR-1380
  • Series
  • 1959-1978

This series contains records related to civil service specifications for positions in the B.C. Forest Service. Information captured in the records includes job classifications and descriptions for foresters, forest agrologists, surveyors, carpenters, clerks, forest assistants, conservation officers, and other positions with the Forest Service.

British Columbia. Ministry of Forests (1976-1986)

Operational records

  • GR-1191
  • Series
  • 1917-1981

This series contains the operational records of the Kamloops Forest District relating to range and timber management. The records include correspondence files pertaining to improvements, pest control, public sustained-yield units, timber berths, tree farm licences, farm woodlots and timber marks. Some records were inherited from Cariboo, Vernon and Southern Interior Forest Districts, and from the Canadian Forestry Service during its administration by the Railway Belt.

British Columbia. Kamloops Forest District (1913-1978)

Mackenzie Forest District timber tenures

  • GR-3754
  • Series
  • 1967-2006

The series consists of various timber tenures from the Mackenzie Forest District. These records document the Government’s administration of timber licences during the period of 1967-2006. This forest district was part of the Prince George Forest Region (1978-2003) and the Northern Interior Forest Region (2003-2010). Note that the names and boundaries of districts and regions varied over the years.

The series includes the following types of timber tenures: timber sale harvesting licences (TSHL), timber sale licences (TSL) and Forest Licences (FL), licences to cut and woodlot licences.

TSHLs provide the right to cut a volume of timber whereas TSL’s provide the right to cut in a geographic area. TSHLs were first introduced in 1967 and provided individuals and businesses with a permit to cut a volume of timber. The majority of the records relate to the following licences: A00516, A00780, A08597, A15384, A15385, and A07739.

The majority of files relate to cutting permits for these licences. Licensees were required to apply for a forest licence or similar tenure and cutting permits in order to harvest timber. Records regard the issuance, evaluation, administration, monitoring, planning, replacement, cancellation, deletion and extension of these timber tenures.

The series contains files of cutting permits, correspondence, maps, technical data, development plans, annual reports and exhibit A charts for the licences. Most files do not contain the original application for a licence. The development plans contain forest company reports, maps and correspondence. The annual report files contain forest company reports on annual activities, maps and correspondence. The exhibit A files consist of correspondence, clearance forms and maps. The series also includes an annual silviculture MLSIS report and public meeting records regarding timber harvesting transfers.

Ministries responsible and the dates that they were responsible for creating the records include:
Dept. of Lands, Forests and Water Resources, 1967-1975
Dept. of Forests, 1975-1976
Ministry of Forests, 1976-1986
Ministry of Forests and Lands, 1986-1988

The records have been classified under classification 19500-45, 19540-25, 19590-20, 19590-25, 19590-45, 19595, 19600-20, 19600-25, 19600-45 and 19620-25 in the Forest Operational Classification System (ORCS).

British Columbia. Mackenzie Forest District

Stand tending reports

  • GR-3714
  • Series
  • 1977-1987

Series consists of stand tending reports which were created to document forest treatments in the province. According to the Ministry of Forests, “stand tending is a subset of silviculture that includes a variety of forest treatments, including pre-commercial thinning, fertilizing, pruning and commercial thinning, which are carried out to maintain a healthy forest and to increase the quality and quantity of timber produced.”

The reports were maintained by the Victoria Office of the Ministry of Forests. Each report is on a standardized form and a map of the area treated attached to many of them. The reports contain information about the forest region, the district as well as the National Topographic System map number to provide the location of the work. The forms also list the type of project that was undertaken, the project objective and the accomplishments. The forms were usually completed by the contracted party who carried out the work and there is a space on the form to record who did the work, the costs and the date that the work was started. The forms were also signed by the project foreman and forestry staff.

The records are arranged by the Forest District with individual folders for each year. The folders consist primarily of copies of the planting report form and a map of the area planted. Some folders also contain other documents such as planting inspection reports, daily planting progress reports, and correspondence.

Ministries responsible for the creation of this series, and the dates of the responsibility, are:

Ministry of Forests 1976-1986
Ministry of Forests and Lands 1986-1988

Classified by the ministry as 18750-20 in the Ministry of Forests ORCS.

British Columbia. Ministry of Forests (1976-1986)

Public sustained yield units management files

  • GR-3708
  • Series
  • 1952-1984

The series consists of management files relating to public sustained yield units. These files document day to day operations and were used for implementing and managing yield policies throughout the province. These records were created between 1956 and 1984 by the Ministry of Forests and its successors. The records were created by the ministry’s central office in Victoria and relate to all areas of the province.

Public sustained yield units (PSYU) were used by the ministry between 1948 and 1978. They were a method by which the ministry regulated harvest rate. PSYUs were an outgrowth of the Royal Commission on the Forest Resources of British Columbia of 1945. This commission recommended that the ministry should establish forest management units that would be managed for a long term sustained yield of timber.

The ministry established 88 public sustained yield units in the province and these are reflected in the records of this series. In 1978, the ministry replaced public sustained yield units with timber supply areas. The 88 PSYU’s were reduced into 33 timber supply areas.

Records contain correspondence, maps, and reports. The correspondence is with ministry staff, other ministries, other governments, businesses and members of the public. The correspondence includes letters about annual cutting rates including information about companies that exceed or do not meet their annual rates of harvesting. There are also requests from municipalities, members of the public and businesses for an increase in cutting quotas.

Files are arranged alphabetically. There is a file for each of the PSYUs in the province. Each file has also been assigned a classification number that begins with the numbers 700-6-1. This classification number was first assigned to the records ca. 1979. Documents in each file that were created prior to 1979 have been assigned a “0” number. The “0” numbers are 7 digit numbers that are part of a filing system that was created by the Dept. of Lands which was a predecessor of Forests.

Ministries responsible for creating these records, and the dates that they were responsible, include:
British Columbia. Dept. of Lands and Forests (1955-1962)
British Columbia. Dept. of Lands, Forests and Water Resources (1962-1975)
British Columbia. Dept. of Forests (1975-1976)
British Columbia. Ministry of Forests (1976-1984)

British Columbia. Dept. of Lands and Forests

Public sustained yield unit general files

  • GR-3703
  • Series
  • 1955-1980

The series consists of general files relating to public sustained yield units. The files were used to calculate the long term sustainable yield in the forests. These records were created between 1955 and 1980 by the Ministry of Forests and its successors. The records were maintained by the Victoria central office in Victoria and relate to all areas of the province.

Public sustained yield units (PSYU) were used by the ministry between 1948 and 1978. They were the method by which the ministry regulated harvest rates. PSYUs were an outgrowth of the 1945 Royal Commission on the Forest Resources of British Columbia. This commission recommended that the ministry should establish forest management units to ensure the long term sustained yield of timber.

The ministry established 88 public sustained yield units in the province and these are reflected in the records of this series. In 1978, the ministry replaced the system of public sustained yield units with timber supply areas. The 88 PSYU’s were reduced to 33 timber supply areas.

Records consist primarily of reports and maps as well as correspondence among ministry staff. The records were used to calculate yield volumes and therefore contain documents used for that purpose including yield calculation reports, forest inventory summaries, mill surveys and statistics, and information about allowable cuts.

Files are arranged alphabetically. There is a file for each of the PSYUs in the province. Each file has been assigned a classification number that begins with the numbers 700-6-1. This classification number was first assigned to the records ca. 1979. Documents in each file that were created prior to 1979 have been assigned a “0” number. The “0” numbers are 7 digit numbers that are part of a filing system that was created by the Dept. of Lands which was a predecessor of Forests.

Ministries responsible for creating these records, and the dates that they were responsible, include:
British Columbia. Dept. of Lands and Forests (1955-1962)
British Columbia. Dept. of Lands, Forests and Water Resources (1962-1975)
British Columbia. Dept. of Forests (1975-1976)
British Columbia. Ministry of Forests (1976-1980)

British Columbia. Dept. of Lands and Forests

Tree farm forest management plans from the Port Alberni Forest District

  • GR-3659
  • Series
  • 1971-2005, predominant 1981-2005

The series consists of tree farm forest development plans and forest management plans and created for tree farm licences (TFLs). The records were created by the Port Alberni Forest District, and its successor the South Island Forest District, between 1971 and 2005. Many of the records relate to the forestry management in the Barkley Sound, Clayoquot Sound, Walbran and Fairy Creek areas. Including forest that was the focus of protests and acts of civil disobedience in the 1990s, known as the Clayoquot protests or War of the Woods.

TFLs are a type of timber tenure which grants a virtually exclusive right to harvest timber and manage forests in a specified area. They are issued for a term of 25 years, but can be replaced every 5-10 years.

These files document the management of TFL 20, TFL 21, TFL 22, TFL 25, TFL 44, TFL 46, TFL 47, TFL 54 and TFL 57. Over the years, TFL boundaries and rights holders may have changed. For example, in 1984, TFL 20 and 21 were combined to form TFL 44, and TFL 44 was later divided to create TFL 57 in 1999.

TFL holders are required to submit a management plan every five years to the Chief Forester (RSBC 1996, c. 157, s. 35, and BC Reg. 23/2013). The Forest Act requires that the plan must:

  1. Be prepared by a professional forester;
  2. Include inventories of forest, recreation, fisheries, wildlife, range and cultural heritage resources in the area;
  3. Be consistent with the tree farm licence, legislation and regulations;
  4. Propose objectives regarding the management and utilization of timber resources, the protection and conservation of non-timber values, forest fire prevention and suppression, forest health, silviculture, and road construction and deactivation;
  5. Include proposals for meeting proposed management objectives;
  6. List measures to identify and consult with persons using the licence area for purposes other than timber production;
  7. Include a timber supply analysis that analyzes the short term and long term availability of timber for harvesting;
  8. Include an operational supply projection for the licence area, in support of the timber supply analysis that indicates the availability of timber.

These records include draft and final management or development plans; revisions or amendments to existing plans; correspondence between the ministry and licence holders, as well as correspondence with ministry staff; records related to public review of the development plans; consultation and correspondence with First Nations; reasons for why a plan or amendment was or was not approved; advertisements in newspapers and the Gazette; and maps and map overlays. The series also includes some records related to the construction, maintenance and deactivation of forest service roads in the TFLs.

The records have been classified as 19710-20 and 19710-30 in the Forestry Operational Classification System (ORCS).

The ministries responsible for these records, and the years that they were responsible, are:
Ministry of Forests (1976-1986)
Ministry of Forests and Lands (1986-1988)
Ministry of Forests (1988-2005)

British Columbia. Port Alberni Forest District

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