Showing 87 results

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.

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).

This series consists of records created by the Fort St. James Forest District from 1960-2007. The majority of records are related to timber tenures such as forest licences, timber sale licences, timber sale harvesting licences, woodlot licences, cutting permits, free use permits, burning permits, special use permits, and tree farm licences. 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.

Other records unrelated to timber tenures include road permits, hay cutting permits, range use permits, fire prevention and control records, and tree planting.

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 19500-45, 19600-45, 19710-20, 19720-20, 19720-25, 19720-50, 19720-55
in the Forest Operational Records Classification System (ORCS).

The series consists of working documents, microfilmed from their three ring binder in 1965, used by the vault staff of the Surveys and Inventory Division as location guides, finding aids and loan sheets, mainly for maps and air photographs. The collection includes some textual records and cruise sheets.

British Columbia Forest Service

Surveys and Inventory Division

Guides to the Surveys and Inventory Division maps and photos

This series consists of public meeting records of the Haida Gwaii Forest District, 1995-2001. These are records relating to the efforts of the Ministry of Forests to involve the public in the process of planning for the future uses of Provincial Forest resources.

All records regard the Islands Stability Community Initiative (ISCI) Community forestry issues meetings. This group included a variety of community members and assisted in the planning of the utilization of forestry resources on Haida Gwaii. Records include meeting minutes, newspaper clippings, resumes, agendas and correspondence.

This series is classified under ORCS number 12080-20 of the Ministry of Forests schedule (881261).

This series consists of reports and studies created as part of the planning of forest resources, often as part of planning timber sale areas (TSAs). Most files were created between 1990 and 2003. Most reports are prepared by private contractors hired by the Ministry. Culturally modified tree (CMT) reports were conducted by the Haida Nation.

Files are arranged in the order received by the Archives. Most files relate to studies done for a particular TSA or other area. Files may include additional types of reports related to the same area, even if not specifically listed in the file title, or a similar type of report for multiple locations.

The series contains studies such as: terrain stability assessments, reconnaissance studies, wildlife surveys or studies, culturally modified tree surveys, site plans, stream classification, hydrology studies, geological studies and engineering reports for site access construction projects.

Many files are layout studies which plan how an area will be used, including, cut block boundaries, harvest method, access routes, site plans, silviculture prescriptions and impacts on nearby bodies of water.

There are also reports utilized in the Haida Land and Resource Planning program (LRMP) process; these files include documents regarding creation of reports and background information used in workshops and consultation.

Records include final reports, photos, aerial photos, maps, correspondence, statistics, field notes, tables, land profiles, and floppy disks containing electronic records. One file contained a sample of tree cores.

This series is classified under ORCS number 12090-20, 12440-25, 18920-30 and 19400-20 of the Ministry of Forests schedule (881261).

This series consists of the interim report, final report and indexed notes of evidence of the Dominion Crown Timber Commission (British Columbia). Records were created by Commissioner Archer Martin to the Minister of the Interior.

This series includes records related to forest tenures in the Kamloops Forest Region from 1987-1998. The series currently includes records from the Kamloops Forest District, Penticton Forest District and Vernon Forest District within the larger Kamloops Forest Region.

Types of forest tenure records in this series include non-replaceable timber sale licences (TSLs), including licences issued under the Small Business Forest Enterprise (SBFEP) program and BC Timber Sales Program.

Records regard the issuance, evaluation, administration, monitoring, planning, replacement, cancellation and extension of forest tenures under the Forest Act.

Records include correspondence; licences; logging plans; log hauling and harvesting contracts; preharvest silviculture prescriptions, reviews and amendments; harvest inspection reports and appraisals; stumpage calculations; records related to right of ways and Forest Service Road permits; reports; maps; and photos.

The series also includes legal documents for cutting permits for replaceable forest licences and tree farm licence (TFL) 35. These files may include some of the records described above, but primarily contain records related to silviculture prescriptions and surveys.

The records have been classified as 19500-45 and 19620-25 in the Forestry Operational Classification System (ORCS).

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

This series consists of timber tenures from the Kootenay Lake Forest District from 1976-1992. Some early records may have been created by the Nelson, Creston and Kaslo Forest Ranger.

Forest tenures in this series include non-replaceable timber sale licence cutting permits. Records regard the application, issuance, maintenance, administration, monitoring and cancellation of these tenures pursuant to the Forest Act.

Record types include legal documents such as permits and licences, correspondence, appraisals, stumpage rates and maps.

Records in this series are covered under ORCS numbers 19620-25 and 19620-45 in the Ministry of Forests records schedule (number 881261).

The ministries responsible for the creation of these records, 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 consists of various timber tenures created by the Merritt Forest District and its predecessors from 1958-1985. Tenures include timber sale licences (TSL), timber sale harvesting licences (TSHL), forest licences (FL) and their associated cutting permits (CP).

Records may 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, and maps.

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)

The series consists of one film and 71 videos created or acquired by the Ministry of Forests and its predecessor bodies between 1963 and 1989. The contents of the records cover many aspects of forestry including fire management, forest management, seed and cone management and pests and pesticides. It also includes video interviews with retired staff on the history and practice of the Forest Service and a copy of the documentary "A Proud Past" which those interviews contributed to.

This series contains operational records of the District Forester/Regional Manager relating to forest administration and lumber management. Includes annual reports, records relating to cooperation with other resources ministries, Public Sustained Yield Units, range management, and construction and maintenance reports relating to forest roads, boathouses, ranger stations, and other structures.

This series consists of records related to tree farm licences (TFLs) managed by the Nelson Forest Region and its predecessor the Nelson Forest District. This currently includes records in the Arrow Forest District, which was part of the larger Region. Records date from 1970-1987.

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. Records relate to TFL 3 and TFL 23.

The records are arranged by TFL number, then by the cutting permit number within the TFL. Each file will contain a variety of records relating to one cutting permit. This includes licences, cutting permits, other legal documents and operations information. Records include correspondence, reports, forms, maps, photos, applications, amendments, approvals, road tight-of-way documents, stumpage records and appraisal records. The majority of files are arranged with stumpage and appraisal records on the right side of the file, and most other records on the left side of the file. This organization may not be consistent for each file.

The records have been classified as 19700-45 in the Forestry Operational Classification System (ORCS). However, these records predate the creation of ORCS. They were originally created under the Ministry of Forests File Directory number 870-3-1 where all records related to a TFL were filed together.

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

This series consists of a variety of operational records from the Northern Interior Forest Region, 1975-2009. The Northern Interior Forest Region was previously known as the Prince George Forest Region. The region has included a variety of different forest districts, and the series may include records from additional districts outside the region’s boundaries. Records may regard the following Forest Districts: Cassiar, Dawson Creek, Fort Nelson, Fort St. John, Fort St. James, Kalum, Kispiox, Mackenzie, Morice, Prince George, Quesnel, Robson Valley, and Vanderhoof. Note that the names and boundaries of districts and regions varied over the years.

This series includes a wide variety of types of records and subjects. Each records type has been assigned an ORCS number of the Ministry of Forests schedule (881261). This number is included at the beginning of each file code in the finding aid. These are the file numbers used by the creator. In order to search for a particular file type, try searching for all or part of the ORCS number in the finding aid.

The following types of records are included in this series:

Local resource planning Integrated Resource Use Plans are designed to resolve resource use conflicts in specific areas at the local level. Plans generally relate a specific area - usually a watershed or other distinct resource management unit. Types of Local Integrated Resource Use Plans include: Local Resource Use Plans (LRUP) and Integrated Watershed Management Plans (IWMP). 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 correspondence, meeting minutes, community and indigenous consultation, terms of reference, reports, 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. Classified under ORCS numbers 12600-20 and 12600-60.

Sub-regional LRMP policy and procedure records relate to the development of a procedural framework concerning LRMPs. Includes records concerning the development of procedural methods for a variety of LRMP phases, including public input, resource analysis, development, interagency planning teams, implementation and monitoring of plans, and reviews and amendment of plans. Classified under ORCS numbers 12446-00, 12446-01, 12446-04, 12446-06, 12446-08, 12446-10 and 12446-11.

Regional Program Management Plans relate to the development of plans and review of operational program accomplishments at the regional level. Includes draft and approved program management plans (including updates) for programs within regional offices. Classified under ORCS numbers 12360-25 and 12360-30.

Timber product export records relate to the application for and granting of permission to export timber, timber products and surplus timber residues from the Province. These records include Ministerial order exemptions, Order In Council (OIC) Approvals, some Timber Advisory Committee records and chip export reports. Classified under ORCS numbers 20740-03, 20740-04, 20740-05 and 20800-03.

Pricing appeal records relate to appeals and protests concerning timber prices (stumpage rates) set by the Province, and resolved by decision of the Regional Manager. Records include correspondence, summary of evidence, decisions, exhibits, photos and maps. Classified under ORCS numbers 21680-20.

Procedure files regard a wide variety of topics related to all aspects of the Region’s operations.
Silviculture procedures include: prescriptions, obligations, audits and assessments, contracted services, nursery services and pesticides. Forest tenure and timber procedures include: replaceable forest licences, timber licences, woodlot licenses, mill licences, timber harvesting, timber marks, timber export and log salvage. Other procedures regard visual resource management, geomorphology, cone and seed services, residue and waste management, local resource planning, regional management plan development, district program planning and evaluation, special use permits, free use permits, forest service roads, access plans, utilization, pricing, scaling, and cruising. Records include correspondence, briefing notes, manuals, forms, reports, reference materials and training materials. Some files include information about contractors and third party service providers. Procedure records have the secondary “-02” and are classified under a variety of ORCS numbers. Additional procedures may be in related series.

There are also files on a variety of miscellaneous topics, most of which only contain one or two files. These include: scaling examinations; research project reports; damage to roads; timber harvesting contract regulation registers of arbitrators and mediators; silviculture program implementation policies; Interior utilization guidelines; Coast utilization guidelines; access plans; and timber harvest appeals. Classified under ORCS numbers 23900-03, 21610-06, 21610-07, 17440-25, 17440-40, 11200-08, 17640-25, 18040-00, 19920-04, 19920-03, 11050-20 and 19020-20.

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)
British Columbia. Ministry of Forests and Range (2005-2010)

This series consists of silviculture experiments and audit records from the Northern Interior Forest Region, 1973-2009. The Northern Interior Forest Region was created with the amalgamation of the Prince George Forest Region and Prince Rupert Forest Region in 2003. The region has included a variety of different forest districts. Records may regard the following Forest Districts: Cassiar, Dawson Creek, Fort Nelson, Fort St. John, Fort St. James, Kalum, Kispiox, Mackenzie, Morice, Prince George, Quesnel, Robson Valley, and Vanderhoof. Note that the names and boundaries of districts and regions varied over the years.

The Ministry of Forests 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.”

Silviculture (SX) experiment files regard trials completed under the jurisdiction of the silviculture program. Includes records detailing all silviculture trials conducted, working plans, results, evaluations, reports, models, copies of articles, maps, data, photos, slides, field notes and video tapes.

Silviculture audit and assessment files regard the audits and assessments made by the Ministry to ensure basic silviculture is carried out in accordance with regulations and approved silviculture prescriptions detailed in the Forest Practices Code of British Columbia Act. Audits evaluate whether or not there has been compliance with the regulations, the silviculture prescriptions are suitable, and there is acceptable progress towards achievement of silviculture objectives in the approved silviculture prescription. Silviculture prescription audits are carried out on areas under both major licences and areas under the Small Business Forest Enterprise Program (SBFEP) with approved silviculture prescriptions. Major licence audits relate to the operations of a specific company identified in the file title. SBFEP audits will include multiple operations in a particular district; these are identified in the files by timber sale licence (or other tenure type) number. Records can include correspondence, inspection forms, reports, and compliance reports for soil conservation, regeneration, free growing obligations, slides, photos and video tapes.

The series also includes some additional records related to silviculture such as openings, stock surveys and planting information. Related procedures may be included in this series or GR-3918.

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)
British Columbia. Ministry of Forests and Range (2005-2010)

This series is classified under ORCS numbers 18765-20,18765-30, 18990-20 and 18990-30 of the Ministry of Forests schedule (881261).

This series consists of forest tenure records from the Northern Interior Forest Region, 1980-2010. The Northern Interior Forest Region was created with the amalgamation of the Prince George Forest Region and Prince Rupert Forest Region in 2003. At this time all open tenure files were transferred to the new Northern Interior Forest Region. The region has included a variety of different forest districts. Records may regard the following Forest Districts: Cassiar, Dawson Creek, Fort Nelson, Fort St. John, Fort St. James, Kalum, Kispiox, Mackenzie, Morice, Prince George, Quesnel, Robson Valley, and Vanderhoof. Note that the names and boundaries of districts and regions varied over the years.

Types of forest tenure records include: forest licences, licences to cut, timber licences, timber sale licences, timber licences, records related to Tree Farm Licence 51 (TFL 51) and pulpwood agreements. Pulpwood Agreements allow the continuance, establishment or expansion of a timber processing facility.

Records regard the issuance, evaluation, administration, monitoring, planning, replacement, cancellation and extension of forest tenures, as well as operations information. Operations information includes business and planning records regarding the establishment and operations of mills and other forestry related projects. They provide additional context of how and why licences were applied for and approved, as well as relevant administrative history of the companies such as name changes, changes in ownership and financial information.

Records include legal documents, annual reports, licences, licence applications, development plans, management plans, invitations for applications, financial records, briefing notes, correspondence, maps, photographs, agreements, proposals, drafts and procedures.

Some records regard First Nations owned logging operations and consultation with First Nations. Groups include the Tsay Kay Dene, Carrier Sekani Tribal Council, Takla (Takla Lake Indian Band), Kitwanga, Gitanyow, Gitxsan and others.

The ministries responsible for 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)
British Columbia. Ministry of Forests and Range (2005-2010)

This series is classified under ORCS numbers 19500-20, 19500-25, 19500-60, 19560-20,19580-20, 19600-25, 19600-20, 19700-60, 19710-45 and 19710-65 of the Ministry of Forests schedule (881261).

This series consists of resource management plans (RMPs) and aboriginal liaison files from the Northern Interior and surrounding region. Most records date from 1999 to 2010. These records document the creation of various kinds of land and resource management plans, as well as the government’s related consultation and relations with Indigenous groups. Many files relate to Old Growth Management Areas (OGMAs) and other forestry resources.

This series includes a wide variety of types of records and subjects. Each records type has been assigned an ORCS number from the Resource Management ORCS (schedule 144100). This number is included at the beginning of each file code in the finding aid. These are the file numbers used by the creator. In order to search for a particular file type, try searching for all or part of the ORCS number in the finding aid. The following types of files are included in the series:

Aboriginal liaison case files document the government’s 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. 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. Classified under ORCS number 17020-20.

Resource management plan referral case files relate to the review of plans submitted by organizations outside government, such as industry, First Nations, non-profit groups, and other government bodies. Classified under ORCS number 17490-20.

Land and Resource Management Plans (LRMPs) are sub-regional integrated RMPs. They are large scale and cover a number of resource sectors (a discrete natural or social resource such as tourism, forestry or mining). Regions are divided into smaller management areas called sub-regions. Records may relate to the development, including research, consultation with interested parties and creating terms of reference; implementation; monitoring to determined if the plans objectives are being met; and amendment of LRMPs over time. Similar steps are used for all RMPs in this series. Includes LRMP files for Mackenzie, Prince George, Fort St. James, Vanderhoof, and Kalum. Classified under ORCS numbers 17550-02, 17550-25, 17550-50 and 17550-60.

Landscape unit plants relate to the development, implementation, monitoring and amendment of landscape unit RMPs. Landscape unit plans often result in a set of legally binding resource management goals called 'landscape unit objectives'. These objectives are measurable goals defined by a geographic area, a specific timeframe and an individual resource or use of a resource. Classified under ORCS numbers 17580-55, 17580-25 and 17580-03.

Sustainable resource management plans (SRMPs) cover a relatively small area (usually under 100,000 hectares), referred to as a landscape unit, and address multiple resource management issues in the area. An SRMP is divided into chapters, with each chapter providing the planning for a specific resource value. Records relate to the development, implementation, monitoring and amendment of sustainable resource management plans (SRMPs). This series includes records related to the Fort St. James, Mackenzie, South Trench, Prince George Timber Supply Area, Interior Cedar Hemlock Biodiversity Project, McBride Valemount, Robson Valley and Slim/Dome SRMPs. Classified under ORCS numbers 17730-02, 17730-20, 17730-25 and 17730-30.

Many files relate to a particular Indigenous group, mostly from the Northern Interior region of BC. These include (outdated names used in the records are listed in brackets): Carrier Sekani Tribal Council, Cheslatta Carrier Nation, Gitxsan, Iskut, Lake Babine Nation, Lheidli T’enneh, Lhoosk’uz Dene, Lhtako Dené (Red Bluff), Nadleh Whut’en, Nak’azdli, Nakawē (Saulteau), Nazko, Nisga’a, Saik’uz, Simpcw (North Thompson), Stellat’en, Takla Lake, Tl’azt’en, Tsay Keh Dene, Tse’khene (Kwadacha and McLeod), Tsq’escen (Canim Lake), Ulkatcho, Xat’sūll (Soda Creek), and Yekooche.

Record types include approved plans, terms of reference, objectives, consultation case files, First Nations consultation files, implementation files, planning team records, development case files, correspondence, memoranda, maps, photographs, data, and reports.

This series consists of operational records of the Okanagan Shuswap Forest District and its predecessors, 1987-2011. This series may contain records created by the Salmon Arm Forest District, Penticton Forest District and Vernon Forest District in the Kamloops Forest Region. These districts (or parts of them) were amalgamated to form the Okanagan Shuswap Forest District in 2003.

Records primarily relate to resource management, silviculture audits, appeals and procedures.

Resource management related records regard integrated resource planning guidelines, geomorphology studies, fish inventory reports, stream classification studies, watershed research projects, community watershed policies, pesticide application reports and a local resource use plan (LRUP) for Cherryville. Records include correspondence, briefing notes, manuals, forms and reports.

Silviculture audit and assessment files audit the processes and status of timber cut blocks to ensure foresters are keeping sites clean, following rules and complying with their silviculture obligations. Major licencees’ files can include multiple assessment forms for different cut blocks. Records can include pre-harvest silviculture prescription regulation checklists, pre-harvest silviculture prescriptions, correspondence, Forest Practice Board audit and investigation records for specific timber sale licenses (TSLs), and compliance reports for soil conservation, regeneration, and free growing obligations.

Appeal records include a few files from the Timber Harvesting Appeal Board, appeals to the Chief Forester and pricing appeals to the Regional Manager. Records can include procedures, decisions and correspondence.

Procedure and policy files regard residue and waste measurement, forest revenue inspector investigations, utilization, timber harvesting, billing, accounts receivable, pricing, silviculture compliance, silviculture, timber sale licences, district evaluation, protection, fuel management, fires, aviation management, trespass, collection management, timber export, waste management, scaling, compliance, tree farm licences, soil degradation, hydrology, geomorphology, research, visual resource management and forest planning. Records include correspondence, briefing notes, manuals, forms, reports, reference materials and training materials.

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

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)

This series is classified under ORCS numbers, 12210-30, 19910-20, 17370-25, 17370-40, 12605-20, 18360-60, 18765-20, 18765-30, 19020-40, 19020-30, 21680-20 and 14680-40 of the Ministry of Forests schedule (881261). Procedures and policy files end with the secondary numbers "-00" and "-02".

This series consists of silviculture openings from the Okanagan Shuswap Forest District and its predecessors from 1962-1994. This series may contain records created by the Salmon Arm Forest District, Penticton Forest District and Vernon Forest District in the Kamloops Forest Region. These districts (or parts of them) were amalgamated to form the Okanagan Shuswap Forest District in 2003.

The Ministry of Forests 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.”

Most files consist of silviculture opening records which 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, changes in site prescriptions and records involving impacts on silvicultural treatments.

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. Other types of records include prescription documents, which provide the management plan for the area; stand tending descriptions and reports, which show completed forest treatments; traverse sheets, which provide location information; planting reports; final harvesting reports; surveys; site plans; and inspection reports.

Opening files are arranged in several numerically ordered groups by a classification number. The first part of that number (ex. 82E097) corresponds with the National Topographic System location codes and the second part of the number consists of a sequential three digit number applied to each file.

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

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

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

This series consists of forest tenure records from the Okanagan Shuswap district and its predecessors, 1969-2004. This series may contain records created by the Salmon Arm Forest District, Penticton Forest District and Vernon Forest District in the Kamloops Forest Region. These districts (or parts of them) were amalgamated to form the Okanagan Shuswap Forest District in 2003, and continued to manage the existing tenures in the new District.

The series includes a variety of forest tenure records, including tree farm licences, replaceable forest licence cutting permits, timber licence cutting permits, licences to cut, non-replaceable timber sale licences, replaceable timber sale licences, woodlot licences and special use forest use permits. Files contain forest development plans, management plans, legal documents, annual reports, operations information and a TFL management plan recreation analysis report. Records regard the issuance, evaluation, administration, monitoring, planning, replacement, cancellation and extension of forest tenures

Records in these files include licences, correspondence, maps, photos, road permits, annual reports, inspection reports, pre-harvest prescriptions and assessments, cutting permits, licence replacements, licence applications, silviculture prescriptions, harvest inspection reports, status clearance forms, logging plans and records regarding cancellation, extension of licences, and some archaeological impact assessments.

The majority of files consist of replaceable forest licence cutting permits. These files provide licences to harvest windblown salvage timber, harvest salvage from pine beetle infested timber, burn logging debris, clear timber for road right-of-ways, etc. Records include maps, silvculture information system definitions, silviculture and stand treatment reports, activity reports, amendments, burn plans, logging inspection reports, logging plans, harvesting reports and some photos.

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 numbers 19500-45, 19500-60, 19540-25, 19570-25, 19580-45, 19600-25, 19600-55, 19620-25, 19620-45, 19700-45, 19700-20, 19710-20, 19710-30, 19710-45, 19720-20 19720-25, 19720-45, 19720-50 and 19720-60 of the Ministry of Forests schedule (881261).

This series consists of forest development plans created from 1985-2002 by the Port McNeill Forest District, a division of the Vancouver Forest Region. The majority of the records relate to Tree Farm Licences (TFL).

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 6, TFL 25, TFL 37, TFL 39, TFL 43 and TFL 47. Over the years, TFL boundaries and rights holders may have changed. 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).

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 impacted First Nations; reasons for why a plan or amendment was or was not approved; advertisements in newspapers and the Gazette; maps and map overlays; reports; and charts.

The series also includes development plans for the following other types of timber tenures: replaceable forest licences, replaceable timber sale licences, and woodlot licences.

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 19500-45, 19600-55, 19710-20 and 19720-55 in the Forest Operational Records Classification System (ORCS).

This series consists of various operational records created from 1986-1994 by the Port McNeill Forest District, a division of the Vancouver Forest Region.

The series currently consists of fish and forestry guidelines created for tree farm licences (TFLs) and other forest tenures. Guidelines are provided for major licensees and smaller scale companies operating as part of the Small business forest enterprise program (SBFEP). The records relate to the guidelines followed by the Ministry of Forests concerning the harvesting of timber and the resulting affects on fish habitat. The records include maps, photos, guideline assessment action plans, correspondence, reports, and audits related to compliance or completed work.

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 19910-20 in the Forest Operational Records Classification System (ORCS).

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)

This series consists of silviculture records from the Prince George Forest District, 1994-2004. The Ministry of Forests 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.”

Silviculture obligation or prescription exemption case files allow for exceptions under section 129.11 of the Forest Act. Silviculture prescriptions document planned silviculture activities prior to logging begins. Activities can include seed collecting, site preparation, artificial and natural regeneration, brushing, spacing and stand tending in order to establish a new free growing crop of trees of a commercially valuable species. Silviculture prescriptions were introduced in the 1980s and exemptions were formally implemented in 1993.

Records include forms, applications, silviculture prescriptions, correspondence, maps and photos.

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

This series is classified under ORCS numbers 18790-40 of the Ministry of Forests schedule (881261).

This series consists of various timber tenure records from the Prince George Forest District, created from 1957-2005. The majority of the records were created in the 1990s. The Prince George Forest District was part of the larger Prince George Forest Region from 1978-2003, and the Northern Interior Forest Region from 2003-2010. Records from prior to 1978 were created by the original Prince George Forest District, which covered a much larger area with multiple sub regions. All records in this series relate to the area surrounding the city of Prince George.

Types of forest tenure records in this series include: licences to cut, special use permits, forest licences, cutting permits, timber sale licences, and woodlot licences. There are also records related to tree farm licences (TFL) numbers TFL 28, TFL 29, TLF 30, TFL 31, TFL 34, and TFL 53.

Records regard the issuance, evaluation, administration, monitoring, planning, replacement, cancellation, deletion and extension of forest tenures, as well as operations information. Operations information includes business and planning records regarding the establishment and operations of mills and other forestry related projects. They provide additional context of how and why licences were applied for and approved, as well as relevant administrative history of the companies such as name changes, changes in ownership and financial information.

Records include legal documents, clearance records, stumpage rate calculations, correspondence, maps, development plans, working plans, policies, applications, procedures and photos.

The ministries responsible for 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 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)
British Columbia. Ministry of Forests and Range (2005-2010)

This series is classified under ORCS numbers 19300-20, 19400-02, 19500-25, 19500-45, 19540-25, 19570-25, 19600-45, 19620-20, 19620-25, 19620-45, 19680-25, 19700-45, 19720-45, 21100-02, and 21680-40 of the Ministry of Forests schedule (881261).

This series consists of a variety of operational and land use records from the Prince George Forest Region, created from 1954-2010. Some records may have been created by its predecessor, the Prince George Forest District, and its successor, the Northern Interior Forest Region.

The Prince George Forest Region consisted of several smaller forest districts. Records created in the Prince George Forest Region may relate to the following Forest Districts: Fort St. James, Vanderhoof, Mackenzie, Robson Valley, Fort St. John, Dawson Creek, Prince George and Peace. Records may also relate to the nearby Kamloops Forest District.

This series includes a wide variety of records and subjects. Records primarily relate to forest administration and resource management. The following types of records are included in this series:

Facility and trail management files relate to the routine maintenance, rehabilitation and development of Forest Service recreation sites and trails, such as the Alexander Mackenzie Heritage Trail (AMHT). This includes records relating to the planning, designation, assessment, evaluation, design and construction of recreation sites and trails.

Resource management files include protected areas strategy submissions and proposals relating to the identification, evaluation and management of protected areas within the Province of British Columbia. Resource management inventories relate to identifying opportunities for recreation features, caves, and recreation opportunity spectrum (ROS) inventories. There are also resource management planning records for recreation corridor plans (rivers and trails) and other wilderness management records.

Resource planning files include local resource use plans (LRUP) and timber supply area (TSA) files.

Access plans relate to access or transportation investigations, and studies concerning the proposed development of forestry roads and bridges. This includes clearance approvals to determine any conflicts with alienated land for proposed construction, and meeting minutes with stakeholders for project consultation.

Road permit files may relate to the application and amendment of permits, as well as the construction, use and maintenance of forest service roads (FSRs) and other roads related to forestry on Crown land. Records include road permits, road use permits, vehicle permits, correspondence, maps, records related to road right-of-ways, clearances, and inspections. Permits give the right of way to build, modify and use a road on that right of way. Road use permits allow the operation of vehicles on a Forest Service Road. Roads include Finlay and Parsnip Forest Service Roads. Some files also relate to damages to roads.

District program evaluation files relate to the development of program management plans and reviews of operational program accomplishments at the district level. This includes draft and approved five year program management plans and associated updates, reports and correspondence for programs within district offices. Files regard topics such as timber harvesting audits, five year silviculture plans and the Small Business Forest Enterprise Program.

There are also records filed under additional ORCS numbers, including files on: community watershed guidelines; Prince George community forest proposal; Forests of the World Commission; special use permits for gravel pits; timber harvesting Appeal Board records; a sawmill site; range seeding; as well as procedures for Visual resource management, visual landscape inventory, timber marks, fire management and fire prevention. The series also includes a few replaceable forest license files and timber sale licence files and annual reports for the Prince George East Forest District.

Records may include correspondence, licences, permits, reports, forms, management plans, developments plans, inspections, evaluations, maps, sketches, photos, proposals, studies and financial records.

Records are covered by ORCS 10765-20, 11050-20, 11200-08, 11250-20, 11400-25, 12210-30, 12450-20, 12380-25, 12380-30, 12600-20, 12600-60, 12605-20, 15420-08, 15420-02, 16210-02, 16225-02, 16250-02, 16290-02, 16300-40, 16350-20, 16350-30, 16350-60, 16400-50, 16660-20, 16800-20, 19020-40, 19200-02, 19500-25, 19550-20, 19570-25, 19600-55 and 19600-60 of the Forest ORCS (schedule 881261).

The ministries responsible for the Forest 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 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)
British Columbia. Ministry of Forests and Range (2005-2010)

This series consists of various timber tenure records from the Prince George Forest Region, which managed several Forest Districts. Records created in the Prince George Forest Region may relate to the following Forest Districts: Fort St. James, Vanderhoof, Mackenzie, Robson Valley, Fort St. John, Dawson Creek, Prince George and Peace.

The records were created from 1970-1996. Types of forest tenure records in this series include: regional manager timber pricing appeal files, timber sale licences, timber sale harvesting licences, cutting permits, woodlot licences, cash sale timber licences, and forest licences. These tenures were created under the Forest Act between the BC Forest Service and various companies or individuals.

Records regard the issuance, evaluation, administration, monitoring, planning, replacement, cancellation, deletion and extension of forest tenures, as well as operations information. Operations information includes business and planning records regarding the establishment and operations of mills and other forestry related projects. They provide additional context of how and why licences were applied for and approved, as well as relevant administrative history of the companies such as name changes, changes in ownership and financial information.

Records include legal documents, clearance records, stumpage rate calculations, correspondence, maps, development plans, procedures, contracts, logging plans, forest management plans, appraisals and photos. Pricing appeal files relate to appeals and protests registered concerning timber prices (stumpage rates) set by the Province of British Columbia, and resolved by decision of Regional Manager.

The ministries responsible for Forest and Range Districts, 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)

This series is classified under ORCS numbers 19720-20, 19720-45, 19720-55 and 21680-20 of the Ministry of Forests schedule (881261).

This series consists of records related to forest tenures from the Prince Rupert Forest Region, 1968-1980. It had been previously known as the Prince Rupert Forest District. The Prince Rupert Forest Region has included a variety of different Ranger Districts or smaller Forest Districts over time. The records in this series relate to the Burns Lake Ranger Office, South Bank Ranger Office and Lakes Forest District (near Ootsa Lake or the Nechako Reservoir). Note that the names and boundaries of districts and regions varied over the years.

These records include the following types of forest tenures: cutting permits, timber sale harvesting licences, timber sale licences and special use permits. Each file relates to one forest tenure.

The records regard the issuance, evaluation, administration, monitoring, planning, replacement, cancellation and extension of forest tenures. Many of the records consist of waste assessments, logging inspections and maps. There is also correspondence, permits, licences and other operational and legal records.

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

These records were created before the implementation of ORCS, but have been retroactively scheduled under ORCS number 19500-45 of the Ministry of Forests schedule (881261).

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.

This series consists of cutting permits and other forest tenure records created from 1967-2003 by the Quesnel Forest District, a division of the Cariboo Forest Region. Before 1978 the records were a part of the Cariboo Forest District. Records may also relate to the Williams Lake, Cariboo, and Prince George Forest Districts. All files were managed as part of the Quesnel Forest District when the files were closed and transferred to the archives.

The series includes the following types of timber tenures: forest licences, timber sale licences (TSL), timber sale harvesting licences (TSHL), cash sales, licences to cut, woodlot licences, farm woodlot licences, as well as Tree Farm Licences (TFL) 5 and 52. There is also one silviculture opening file. Some records regard the Big Valley, Bowron, Cottonwood and Narcosli public sustained yield units (PSYU). 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, annual reports, development plans, management plans, operations information, correspondence, forms, reports, maps, licences, permits, permit amendments and renewals, logging plans, cruise compilations, compilation summaries, reports, silviculture prescriptions, Stumpage adjustment, timber marks, scale site designation, stumpage invoices, appraisal reports, harvesting reports, inspection forms, road layout or design information, financial records, timber scales, timber mark designations, inspection records, photos, and stumpage fees.

Accession 92-2643 also includes some administrative records related to timber tenures. This includes reports, policies, pulpwood agreements

The ministries responsible for creating these records, and the years that they were responsible, are:
Department of Lands, Forests and Water Resources (1962-1975)
Department 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, 19540-25, 19600-45, 19600-55, 19600-60, 19620-25, 19700-45, 19710-20, 19720-20, 19720-45 and 19720-50 in the Forest Operational Records Classification System (ORCS).