Print preview Close

Showing 87 results

Archival description
Only top-level descriptions Forest management--British Columbia
Print preview View:

Timber licenses and other material

  • GR-0511
  • Series
  • 1959

Typescript of statistical information corrected to Dec. 31, 1959, including timber licences, list of holders; record of pulp licences; list of active licence timber berths; record of pulp leases.

British Columbia. Forest Service

Dominion timber berth administration files

  • GR-1499
  • Series
  • 1896-1932

The series consists of Dominion Lands Branch timber berth administration files created by the Canadian Department of the Interior from 1896 to 1932. Timber berths were an area based system of timber tenure established by the Dominion (Federal) Government in 1872. Most of the records are on microfilm and arranged by land district and section. Records from the following land districts are included: New Westminster, Kamloops and Revelstoke.

The series also includes several paper files of similar records which were likely transferred to the custody of the Provincial government after the return of the railway belt. The records are primarily homestead inspection reports for timber berths. Other records include correspondence, applications, statistics on timber volumes and maps. The records are in no discernable order; they contain a variety of dates, names and timber berth numbers. Some of these records may be duplicated on the microfilm in this series.

Canada. Department of the Interior

Submission to Commission on Forest Resources, 1943

  • GR-0181
  • Series
  • 1945

The series consists of two copies of a three volume submission to the Royal Commission on Forestry by the Bureau of Economics and Statistics. It includes a statement showing the amount of timber held under all types of tenure, by individuals and firms in B.C. during 1938 and 1944.

British Columbia. Bureau of Economics and Statistics

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

Forest Branch executive records

  • GR-0948
  • Series
  • 1915-1920

This series consists of Chief Forester reports, memoranda and correspondence with B.C. Lumber Commissioner regarding timber marketing and export policy; semi-official correspondence with District Foresters of Vancouver and Cranbrook Forest Districts; and preliminary report on grazing of livestock on Crown lands.

British Columbia. Forest Branch

Timber Inspector reports

  • GR-0949
  • Series
  • 1911-1913

This series consists of Timber Inspector reports to Minister of Lands and Chief Forester, March 1911 to December 1912.

British Columbia. Forest Branch

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)

Royal Commission on Forest Resources, 1955

  • GR-0668
  • Series
  • 1955-1957

This series consists of records of the 1955 Royal Commission on Forest Resources, led by Commissioner Gordon McGregor Sloan. Records include transcripts of evidence, exhibits, proceedings, arguments, and report synopsis. Box 1 contains a bound index of commission records. It should be noted that some exhibits are missing from this unit. They were never received by BC Archives and their location is unknown. Some page numbers were not used in printed volumes.

British Columbia. Royal Commission on Forest Resources (1955-57)

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

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

Haida Gwaii Forest District studies

  • GR-3907
  • Series
  • 1979-2003; predominant 1990-2003

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).

British Columbia. Haida Gwaii Forest District

Forest Practices Board special investigation case files

  • GR-4010
  • Series
  • 2002-2011

This series consists of special investigation case files created by the Forest Practices Board from 2002-2011. Special investigations are initiated by the Forest Practices Board. The Board annually identifies issues of major public importance and of high significance for public confidence in the management of the province's public forests. Issues may relate to practices that have resulted in many complaints or for matters of larger public interest and concern. These issues may arise from prevailing environmental conditions such as major forest fires or insect infestations; from public concerns such as conserving endangered species or protecting community watersheds; or from technical issues such as the management of roads and bridges or riparian areas. The records document matters of significant public interest that may not be addressed through another complaint investigation or an audit.

Investigations may involve field investigations, research, and liaison with relevant Forest Districts and other stakeholders. Many records in this series are likely copies of records created by Ministry of Forests officials which were collected during the course of the investigation.

Investigations may relate to a specific area, or issues that are more widespread throughout the province. Subjects of special investigation include: free growing, biodiversity, terrain stability and landslides, post fire site rehabilitation, Forest Service Road (FSR) maintenance, compliance with section 86 of the Forest Planning and Practices Regulation, soil conservation, high retention harvesting, fish passage at stream crossings, Oil and Gas Commission ALR Agreement Audit, fire hazard assessment and abatement, compliance inspections and management data, species at risk on the Sunshine Coast, establishment of conservation areas for old growth and wildlife habitat in the Squamish and Chilliwack Forest Districts, effect of range practices on grasslands, and Little Lamb Creek.

Record types Include reports, statistics, correspondence, photographs, maps, plans, press releases, reference and research materials related to the creation of reports, briefing notes, and terms of reference outlining the scope of the investigation.

Files are arranged by subject. These records are covered by ORCS number 97325-20 in the Forest Practices Board schedule (number 131791).

British Columbia. Forest Practices Board

South Island Forest District resource inventories and land use plans

  • GR-4018
  • Series
  • 1975-2007

This series consists of a variety of resource inventories and land use plans. The records were created by the South Island Forest District and its predecessor the Port Alberni Forest District from 1975-2007.

Many of the records are recreation resource inventories. These relate to the identification of opportunities from the Provincial Forest recreation resource, to ensure that recreation values are considered in resource management decisions.

Other records include land use planning studies, protected area studies, landscape inventories integrated resource management and recreation plans, as well as questionnaires and consultation with user groups. Records regard land across the South Island Forest District, including TFL 25, TFL 44, TFL 46 and other areas near Clayoquot Sound and Barkley Sound.

These records have been classified as 16350-20 in the Forestry Operational Classification System (ORCS). However, some records may have been misclassified.

British Columbia. Port Alberni Forest District

Prince George Forest District silviculture records

  • GR-4024
  • Series
  • 1994-2004

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).

British Columbia. Prince George Forest District (1978-)

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

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

Campbell River Forest District operational records

  • GR-4087
  • Series
  • 1990-2001

This series consists of a variety of operational records created by the Campbell River Forest District, a division of the Vancouver Forest Region, from 1990-2001. This includes land and resource management records, range tenures, and procedure files.

The series includes the following types of records:

Records relating to Land and Resource Management Plans (LRMP) consider all resource values within a given area of land. This area of land can consist of a TSA, a forest district, or other areas as designated. Each plan is prepared by an Interagency Planning Team in consultation with the public. These plans can be further subdivided into resource units and resource management zones. The participants in the planning process may build scenarios that include a set of resource management objectives and strategies both for the entire planning area and for each of the smaller units it contains. This primary includes the development, monitoring and review and amendment of plans for specific areas, and input from the public. The series includes terms of reference for the establishment of LRMPs.

Records relating to Local Resource Use Plans (LRUPs) to resolve resource use conflicts in specific areas at the local level. Includes records relating to data concerning a specific area - usually a watershed or other distinct resource management unit.

Utilization records regard the guidelines followed by the Ministry of Forests concerning the harvesting of timber
and the resulting affects on fish habitat. Includes guidelines, audits of licensees to ensure compliance with
guidelines, action/assessment plans.

The series also includes one district inventory program file and a range tenure file. There are also procedures related to engineering, road damage, forest service roads, district program planning, nurseries silviculture obligations and silviculture treatments.

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

The records were classified as 12380-25, 12440-20, 12600-20, 15700-20, 19910-20, plus several procedure files ending in the secondary "-02" in the Forest Operational Records Classification System (ORCS).

British Columbia. Campbell River Forest District

Merritt Forest District timber tenures

  • GR-4109
  • Series
  • 1958-1985

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)

British Columbia. Merritt 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

Cariboo Forest District records

  • GR-4267
  • Series
  • 1923-1978

This series consists of various administrative and operational records created by the Cariboo Forest District and its predecessors from 1923-1978. The records are arranged by the following categories of subject matter:

General records. This includes a variety of administrative and operational records, including: meeting minutes, meeting agendas, correspondence, annual reports and other reports. Records relate to topics such as: unit organization, research, engineering and recreation projects, Royal Commission on Forest Resources, pesticides, herbicides, resource management, provincial forests, and forest fires.

Grazing and range management records. This includes: grazing district annual reports, range readiness, range improvement, horse control, leasing inquiries, hay permits, and grazing permits.

Timber tenure records. This includes: PSYU (public sustained yield unit) records, engineering and recreation projects, TSLs (timber sale licences, including "X" files and "A" files), TSHL (timber sale harvesting licenses), LC (licences to cut), and Christmas tree permits.

British Columbia. Cariboo Forest District

Nelson Forest District operational records

  • GR-1119
  • Series
  • 1922-1981

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.

British Columbia. Nelson Forest District (1913-1978)

Timber investigations files

  • GR-0946
  • Series
  • 1913-1915

This series consists of Forest Branch timber investigations and inspections files, 1913-1915. Records include correspondence and reports from Nelson, Prince Rupert, Vancouver and Vernon Forest Districts. Includes file on early logging railroads, Vancouver Forest District.

British Columbia. Forest Branch

Commission on Forest Resources, 1975

  • GR-0347
  • Series
  • 1975-1977

This series consists of records of the 1975 Royal Commission on Forest Resources led by Commissioner Peter H. Pearse. Records include exhibits, transcripts of evidence, correspondence, subject files, working papers, financial records and newspaper clippings.

The finding aid provides an alphabetical listing of exhibits (volumes 1-9), a file list of correspondence and subject files (volumes 10-13), and a file list of working papers (volumes 14-16). Volumes 17 and 18 contain newspaper clippings about the activities of the Commission, volume 19 is a Ledger of accounts and volumes 20 to 28 contain the transcripts of evidence taken at public hearings of the commission. An alphabetical index of participants providing the transcript volume number and page numbers of testimony given is included at the end of the finding aid.

To find briefs of particular participants, researchers are advised to search the alphabetical listing of briefs for the appropriate box number. References to the original numbering of briefs done by the Commission no longer have meaning for retrieval purposes.

British Columbia. Royal Commission on Forest Resources (1975-76)

Commission on Forest Resources, 1943-1945

  • GR-0520
  • Series
  • 1944-1946

This series consists of records of the Commission on Forest Resources (1943-1945). Records consist of transcripts of proceedings of public meetings of the commission, exhibits received, correspondence, arguments, secretary's record book of sittings and subject index to proceedings. A subject index to proceedings was created by the commission and is located in boxes 1 and 2. The finding aid gives a list of exhibits and file list of other records. Immediately following the inquiry, many of the exhibits were transferred to the Forest Service Library and are therefore missing (see box 9, file 1).

British Columbia. Royal Commission on Forest Resources (1943-45)

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

Forest licence development plans from the Port McNeil Forest District

  • GR-3682
  • Series
  • 1991-2000

The series consists of forest licence development plans from the Port McNeill Forest District. The majority of the forest licences are from the Kingcombe Timber Supply Area and Central Coast of BC. The records were created between 1991 and 2000.

The ministry required a copy of a development plan before the forest licence holder could harvest the timber in that area. The series contains five year development plans created by the licence holder as well as ministry correspondence with the licensee about the plan and future plans for developing the area.

The development plans contain photographs and maps inside the reports. There are also many oversize maps that have been removed from the reports and stored separately.

Each file is identified by the forest licence number, the name of the licence holder, the location of the cutting block, and the years covered by the development plan.

The series contains the following forest licence files: A19238, A19242, A19243, A19244, A32687, A53812. There is also a file for timber licence T0860. The companies that hold licences n this series include: Canfor, International Forest Products Ltd., MacMillan Bloedel, Mill & Timber Products Ltd., Richmond Plywood Corporation Limited, Scott Paper Ltd., Shushartie Log Sales Ltd., Timfor Contractors Ltd.

This series is classified as 19500-55 in the Forest ORCS.

British Columbia. Port McNeill Forest District

Results 1 to 30 of 87