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Archival description
Only top-level descriptions British Columbia. Ministry of Forests (1976-1986) Land use--British Columbia
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Special use permits

  • GR-3582
  • Series
  • 1889-2011

This series consists of special use permit files relating to forest lands. The Forest Branch, and its successor agencies, approved these permits to give municipalities, companies and individuals the authority to use Crown forest land for a variety of land uses. Some of the permitted uses include logging, recreation, agriculture, fisheries and housing.

The records date from 1889-2011 and were created and maintained by the Victoria Forest Office. The records deal with all regions of the province. The records are arranged by special use permit number which consists of the prefix S, or SUP, and a sequential number. Note that this order may not be exact, particularly for later records.

The files contain copies of the permit, applications for a permit, correspondence, sketches and maps of the area covered by the permit, receipts for the lease payments, reports, and clearance forms. Some documents in the file have been stamped with 6-7 digit correspondence register numbers and references to the “O” lands file number.

The ministry maintained a register and index that provides additional information for each file. This index listed the following information: file number, district, forest, applicant/holder, function, location, atlas reference, date received, date cleared and comments. Although the original registers have not been transferred to the archives, the ministry provided the archives with scans of the registers.

There were multiple government offices responsible for managing these records between 1931 and 1992.

The following ministries and offices were responsible for the creation of these records:
1931-1945 Forest Branch (1931-1945)
1945-1979 Forest Service (1945-1979)
1979-1986 Ministry of Forests (1979-1986)
1986-1988 Ministry of Forests and Lands (1986-1988)
1988-2005 Ministry of Forests (1988-2005)
2005-2010 Ministry of Forests and Range (2005-2010)
2010-2011 Ministry of Forests, Mines and Lands (2010-2011)

The records have been classified as 19570-25 of the Forests ORCS (schedule 881261).

British Columbia. Ministry of Forests, Mines and Lands

Non-replaceable timber sale licences

  • GR-3631
  • Series
  • [ca. 1968]-1997

Series consists of non-replaceable timber sale licence files. These licences provide an applicant with a one-time right to harvest timber in a specified area.

Each file documents the issuance, administration and cancellation of licences as per the Forest Act. The majority of the files in this series date from 1978-1995 although there are also some files that date back to 1968. The records are from all areas of the province.

The files consist primarily of copies of the licence, applications, maps, deletion notices, status clearance forms, correspondence and reports. The ministry assigned A numbers to the files which have been assigned sequentially. There are many gaps in the numbering since the ministry only transferred cancelled licence files to the archives.

The records were created by the Timber Management Branch and the Timber Harvesting Branch. The following ministries were responsible for forestry between 1973-1994:
1973-1975 Dept. of Lands, Forests and Water Resources
1975-1976 Dept. of Forests
1976-1986 Ministry of Forests
1986-1988 Ministry of Forests and Lands
1988-1994 Ministry of Forests

The records have been classified as 19620-25 in the Forest ORCS.

British Columbia. Dept. of Lands, Forests and Water Resources

Public sustained yield unit policy files

  • GR-3700
  • Series
  • 1955-1985

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

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

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

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

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

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

British Columbia. Dept. of Lands and Forests

Public sustained yield unit general files

  • GR-3703
  • Series
  • 1955-1980

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

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

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

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

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

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

British Columbia. Dept. of Lands and Forests

Public sustained yield units management files

  • GR-3708
  • Series
  • 1952-1984

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

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

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

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

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

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

British Columbia. Dept. of Lands and Forests

Planting reports

  • GR-3709
  • Series
  • 1962-1987

Series consists of forestry planting reports. The reports were created to document reforestation work in the province. The reports were written on standardized form and the description on the back of the form says that “the object of the form is to provide a complete and realistic report of planning project for record and cost comparison purposes.”

The forms were usually completed by the contracted party who carried out the reforestation work. The reports document the number of trees planted, where the planting took place and the cost of doing the work. For most of the years covered by this series, the forms were completed in triplicate with one copy being submitted to the Ranger Office, one to the Reforestation Officer in the District Office and one to the Reforestation Division in Victoria. The reports in this series are from the Victoria Office.

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

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

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

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

British Columbia. Dept. of Lands, Forests and Water Resources

Special timber licences

  • GR-3736
  • Series
  • 1911-1990 (primarily 1963-1982)

Series consists of special timber licences created by the Ministry of Forests and its predecessors. The ministry created these records to manage the process of providing applicants with the right to cut in forests. The records were created between 1911-1990 although the majority of the records in this series were created between 1963 and 1982. The records deal with all areas of the province and were created in accordance with the Forest Act and its sections on timber licences.

Special timber licences were first referred to in the 1888 Lands Act (SBC 1888, c. 16). The 1912 Forest Act (SBC 1912, c. 17) stated that a “special timber licence shall vest in the holder thereof all rights of property whatsoever in all trees, timber, and lumber cut within the limits of the licence during the term.” These licences remained in effect until the January 1, 1979 enactment of the new Forest Act (SBC 1978, c. 23). This 1978 act replaced special timber licences with a new form of timber licence.

The records are arranged by the timber licence number which begins with TL followed by a sequential number. The TL number was phased out in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s with the introduction of the timber licence files. Many files have the new timber licence number, which begins with “T”, written on the front of the file. There is also a sheet in the front of the file that contains information about the file that replaced it.

The files usually consist of a copy of the licence, renewal documentation, correspondence, logging inspection reports, and termination documents.

There are also two volumes of file 18043f from the Dept. of Lands and Works’ “O” files series. These files contain documentation about multiple licences. These have been placed in the last box.

Ministries that were responsible for this series include:
Dept. of Lands (1908-1945)
Dept. of Lands and Forests (1945-1962)
Dept. of Lands, Forests and Water Resources (1962-1975)
Dept. of Forests (1975-1976)
Ministry of Forests (1976-1986)
Ministry of Forests and Lands (1986-1988)
Ministry of Forests (1988-2005)

British Columbia. Dept. of Lands

Land and resource management committees

  • GR-3793
  • Series
  • 1982-2009

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

British Columbia. Commission on Resources and Environment

Ministry correspondence and briefing notes

  • GR-3817
  • Series
  • 1999-2007

The series contains the executive services records of the Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management and its successor the Integrated Land Management Bureau (ILMB). Records include briefing notes for distribution (including information notes and decision notes) to executives of the Ministry regarding a variety of topics related to land use planning and implementation while ILMB records have a strong focus on First Nations issues as they relate to land use planning. Records also include executive correspondence and referral replies. Correspondence is between the Ministry and the public or organizations/associations and covers mostly the same topics as in the briefing notes.

The records are classified according to the Administrative Records Classification System (ARCS) schedule 100001. The records are arranged for the most part by year and then by topic.
The majority fall under ARCS primary number 280: Executive Services. The primary numbers -20 and -30 correspond to Executive Briefing Notes and Executive Correspondence Referrals respectively. There are however a very small number of documents from accession 95-9631 that were filed alongside executive services documents that are included in this series as misfiles. These records may also be closely related to the correspondence files and complement the detailed responses from the Ministry in regard to matters concerning LRMPs in the region. Records from accession 95-9631 relate to the monitoring process of the Skeena Region following the approval of its Land and Resource Management Plans (LRMP). The majority of the records come from the Regional Director’s office of the Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management in Smithers, B.C. Earlier records came from the Kispiox Forest District of the Ministry of Forests who chaired the implementation and monitoring process of the region’s LRMP prior to those responsibilities being transferred to the Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management in 2001.
Furthermore, these records document the creation of the LRMP monitoring committees and the Ministry’s involvement with monitoring and making changes to the Skeena Region’s Land and Resource Management Plans. Committee files include terms of reference, presentations and a series of invitations, nomination forms, recruitment letters, newspaper ads and contributions, correspondence, meeting minutes and draft recommendations.
There are also a small number of plans and programs for the region proposed by the Ministry, which include resource inventory, resource assessments, habitat mapping, recreation opportunities, timber, environmental assessments and other related data studies. Records relating to agreements surrounding these projects detail appointments, contracts and funding provided by the ministry.

British Columbia. Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management

Okanagan Shuswap Forest District timber tenure records

  • GR-3910
  • Series
  • 1969-2006

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).

British Columbia. Okanagan Shuswap Forest District

Northern Interior Forest Region operational records

  • GR-3918
  • Series
  • 1963-2008

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)

British Columbia. Prince George Forest Region

Rocky Mountain Forest District resource management records

  • GR-3921
  • Series
  • 1944-2010

This series consists of resource management and other operational records from the Rocky Mountain Forest District for the years 1944-2005. This series may also include records created by the Cranbrook, Kootenay Lake and Invermere 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.

This series includes a wide variety of types of records and subjects. Each record type has been assigned an ORCS number of the Ministry of Forests records schedule (number 881261). The ORCS 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 file list.

The following types of records are included in this series:

Integrated resource planning guidelines. They include specific guidelines, and records used in their development, for particular geographic areas or watersheds. Records include photos, maps, aerial photos, lake classification information, lake characteristics and uses, lake management guidelines and correspondence. ORCS 12210-30.

Other resource management records relate to the development of Integrated Resource Use Plans which are designed 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. Types of Local Integrated Resource Use Plans include: Local Resource Use Plans (LRUP) and Coordinated Resource Management Plans (CRMP), coordinated access management plans, and integrated watershed management plans. Files address issues such as the construction of infrastructure, land management and various kinds of land use in the areas, particularly managing grazing land. Records include maps, correspondence, range improvement records, range inspection reports, range management plans, meeting minutes, final plans, and the review of plans. Plans cover various areas in the Kootenay and Rocky Mountain area, including the Libby Dam. ORCS 12600-20, 12600-25, 12600-30, 12600-40, and 12600-60.

Forest planning public meeting files relate to public involvement in the process of planning for the future uses of Provincial Forest resources. ORCS 12080-20.

Range program management records relating to co-operation and liaison with other ministries in the BC Government and with the federal government; most regarding the 1977 agriculture and rural development subsidiary agreement. ORCS 15120-25 and 15120-55.

There are also files on a variety of miscellaneous topics, most of which only contain one or two files. These include: Forest Service projects with old trail improvement progress reports, damages to roads, district program management files, regional resource planning files, Integrated Watershed Management Plans (WMP), integrated weed plan, riparian guidelines recreation system plans, water survey of Canada, recreation maps, a forest planning study related to the Rocky Mountain trench, a research study on range use interactions between livestock and wildlife, information on guide outfitters, archaeological sites maps, and other local resource plans. ORCS 10740-50, 11200-08, 12090-20, 12210-30, 12380-25, 12380-30, 12430-20, 15380-03, 15600-06, 16350-40, 16400-20, 16660-20, 16700-05 and 17340-40.

The series also includes the following administrative records: approved legislation, ombudsman investigations related to range use complaints, and compliance and enforcement year end reports. Transferred under schedule 100001, ARCS numbers 00140-60, 00155-20 and 00400-02.

There are also policy and procedure files regarding a variety of additional topics and issues.

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)

British Columbia. Rocky Mountain Forest District

100 Mile House Forest District operational records

  • GR-3932
  • Series
  • 1970-2005

This series consists of resource management plans and procedures from the 100 Mile House Forest District, 1970-2005. The 100 Mile House Forest District is part of the Cariboo Forest Region. Note that their exact boundaries may have changed over the years.

The majority of files relate to the development of Integrated Resource Use Plans which are designed to resolve resource use conflicts in specific areas at the local level. Each file includes records relating to data concerning a specific area - usually a watershed or other distinct resource management unit. Types of plans include Resource Folios, Coordinated Access Management Plans (CAMP), Coordinated Resource Management Plans (CRMP) and Integrated Watershed Management Plans (IWMP). Files may include correspondence, reports, maps, photos, meeting minutes, community and indigenous consultation, and a variety of other records which may document the creation of plans, the annual review of plans by stakeholders, and the execution of the plan.

Procedure files relate to timber harvesting, silviculture treatments, stumpage rates, trespass, timber sale licences and harvesting weight scales. There is also a file related to road damage and an access study for English Lake.

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

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)

Records are classified under numbers 11200-08, 11050-20, 12600-25, 12600-30, 12600-35, 12600-40 and 12600-60 in the Forest Operational Records Classification System (ORCS). Procedure files are classified with the secondary -02.

British Columbia. 100 Mile House Forest District

Prince George Forest Region operational records

  • GR-3934
  • Series
  • 1954-2010

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)

British Columbia. Prince George Forest District (1953-1978)

Prince Rupert Forest Region forest tenure records

  • GR-4001
  • Series
  • 1968-1980

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).

British Columbia. Prince Rupert Forest District

Vanderhoof Forest District timber tenures

  • GR-4131
  • Series
  • 1965-2004

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

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

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

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

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

British Columbia. Vanderhoof Forest District

Vanderhoof Forest District operational records

  • GR-4133
  • Series
  • 1979-1998

This series consists of miscellaneous operational records that are not related to range management or timber tenures from the Vanderhoof Forest District for the years 1979-1998. This district was part of the Prince George Forest Region (1978-2003) and the Northern Interior Forest Region (2003-2010). Note that the names and boundaries of districts and regions varied over the years.

Records relate to road damage and maintenance; an approved copies of inventory management plan, an approved recreation management plan, an approved resource analysis plan, an approved small business management plan, a timber supply area plan and records relating the Arability Steering Committee Arability Assessment Project.

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

This series is classified under ORCS number 11200-08, 12380-25, 12440-30 and 12450-20 of the Ministry of Forests schedule (881261).

British Columbia. Vanderhoof Forest District

Fort St. James Forest District records

  • GR-4134
  • Series
  • 1960-2007

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).

British Columbia. Fort St. James Forest District