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Nelson Land Commissioner records

  • GR-4123
  • Series
  • 1892-1980

This series consists of records related to land use, management and alienation in the Nelson, Revelstoke and Kootenay land districts. The records date from 1892-1980. Records include certificates of purchase and various land registers.

There are two survey systems used in the land registers: the district lot system and the township section system. Registers may also be arranged by plan number. The registers record the alienation of land from the Crown by purchase, pre-emption, lease, mineral claims, timber use, etc. Information may include the name of the purchaser, dates and numbers of certificates issued (including Crown Grants), dates and amounts of payments, and reference numbers to correspondence files and field books.

The series also includes several paper subject files and correspondence files with settlers discussing the pre-emption, lease and purchase of specific parcels of land with Government Agents in Nelson, Kaslo and Revelstoke. Most of these files have "O" file numbers assigned to them.

British Columbia. Government Agent (Nelson)

Kamloops Government Agent land records

  • GR-0522
  • Series
  • 1877-1977

The series consists of the business records, 1877-1977, of the office of the Kamloops Government Agent, including the records of several additional positions usually held by the same individual: Gold Commissioner, Mining Recorder, and Land Commissioner for the Kamloops Land District. The series also includes records of the Canadian Department of the Interior; most created and received by the Dominion Lands Agent at Kamloops as part of the administration of the Railway Belt.

Record types and subject matter include, but are not limited to the following: land alienation through pre-emption or purchase from the provincial government and homesteading or purchase from the federal government; a variety of leases of Crown land; other more general types of records; and records regarding Indigenous peoples and Indian Reserves.

Records related to land alienation include: applications for pre-emption records; land classification reports; forms completed by land inspectors of the Department of Lands Inspection Branch; declarations of occupation and permanent improvement on pre-emption claims; applications for homestead entry, cancellation, and abandonment; homestead Inspector’s reports; affidavits in support of an Application for Entry for a homestead, pre-emption or purchased homestead; land sales records including applications to purchase and certificates of purchase.

Records related to a variety of leases and other uses of Crown lands include: grazing leases; foreshore leases; dredging leases; indentures to reassign leases; special use permits; timber permits; water records including conditional water licenses, and permanent water licenses; applications for irrigation schemes; petroleum and natural gas leases; quarry leases; bar leases; coal leases; mining leases regarding surface and subsurface rights; applications for lease of crown-granted mineral claims; applications for placer leases under the Placer-Mining Act; and the lapse of a lease or forfeiture of a mineral claim to the Crown.

Other more general types of records include: correspondence regarding Crown grants; inquiries about land availability; surveyor’s reports; preliminary plans and correspondence for the surveys of townships; Soldier Settlement Board records including forms, correspondence and records of soldier land grants; attestation papers and discharge certificates; naturalization papers; personal correspondence; correspondence files on specific topics such as hay permit regulations or precipitation measurements; records regarding taxes; and business records of the office, including inter-department correspondence, circulars, and memorandum related to matters of land administration.

Files also exist for specific Indian Reserves, and can include correspondence; water records; surveys; and inspection reports created in the process of allotting new, and canceling existing Indian Reserves. Some files document instances of overlapping land use and conflict between settlers and Indigenous peoples on specific parcels of land.

Files are generally either correspondence files on a particular subject, or a variety of records related to a particular piece of land. Many files cover a wide time period and may be associated with multiple individuals or companies as land rights were often transferred to others or cancelled and reapplied for. Only the name of the first and last individual listed on the file is included in the file list. This means there may be additional names associated with files not included on the file list. The file list may also only include part of the legal description of land in cases where the description was exceptionally long, or included many different pieces of land. Single individuals may also have multiple files for each piece of land they are associated with.

Cartographic materials, consisting of blueprints and hand-drawn maps or plans, indicating the parcels of land relevant to the file, are commonly found throughout the records.

No file list or indexes were transferred with these records from the Kamloops Government Agent. Most files only included numbers with no clear names, so titles were created by the archives based on the contents of the files or by transcribing information on relevant file backs.

A fire on 17 September 1893 at the Dominion Lands Office in Kamloops destroyed some files. The contents for these files are marked [empty]. Files marked as [file back only] were likely destroyed in the fire, but then had their titles and some additional information transcribed by Lands employees onto file backs from letter books or other surviving records which were not transferred with these records.

British Columbia. Government Agent (Kamloops)

New Westminster Land Commissioner record books

  • GR-4122
  • Series
  • 1859-1980

This series consists of a variety of bound volumes related to the administration, management and alienation of land in the New Westminster land district from 1858-1980. The records were primarily created by the provincial Government Agent and the Dominion Land Agent stationed in New Westminster. The records have been arranged into the following subseries:

  1. Indexes and maps.

The indexes cover many of the homestead files in GR-4121, by file number and alphabetically by name of the homesteader or licensee. There are two volumes of reference maps for various municipalities, sub-divisions, right-of-ways and townships.

  1. BC government land registers : district lot system

Variations of this system of surveying land were used from 1859 onwards. All of these volumes appear to have been created and maintained by the BC government. The registers list the lots in numerical order and record the alienation of land from the Crown by purchase, pre-emption, lease, mineral claims, timber use, etc. Information may include the name of the purchaser, dates and numbers of certificates issued (including Crown Grants), dates and amounts of payments, and reference numbers to correspondence files and field books. There is an alphabetical name index in most volumes. The registers cover range 1 Coast District, range 4 Coast District, Yale Division Yale District (YDYD) country lands, Texada Island District, Point Grey townsite, Powell River townsite, Hastings townsite, and New Westminster District group 1, group 2 and 3 group 3.

  1. BC government land registers : township system

Variations of this survey system were used from 1873 to approximately 1912. All of these volumes appear to have been created and maintained by the BC government. The land entered in the majority of the volumes was surveyed and made available for settlement in 1873 and 1874. The registers list land in numerical order by Sections within Townships and record the alienation of land from the Crown by purchase, pre-emption, lease, etc. Information may include the name of the purchaser, dates and numbers of certificates issued (including Crown Grants), dates and amounts of payments, and reference numbers to correspondence files and field books. There is an alphabetical name index in most volumes. The registers cover New Westminster District townships 1 to 50 with some townships missing.

  1. Dominion government : general land registers

These volumes were likely created by the Dominion Land Agent. It appears that at least some records were copied from provincial records to determine what land had been alienated before the transfer of the Railway Belt and what Crown land still needed to be managed by the dominion government. The registers, arranged by legal description, indicate the nature of the grant, the number, date of entry, file number, patent approval date, and name of grantee. The registers cover various townships in the New Westminster District and various lots throughout the Hope district, Yale district, Kamloops district, town of Hope, town of Yale, and Boston Bar.

  1. Lease registers

These volumes were created in the New Westminster government agent's office. They record leases for a variety of purposes including: quarry, campsite, booming ground, agriculture, foreshore, forestry, and grazing. Many volumes are indexed and may include file numbers linking to GR-4121.

  1. Pre-emption records

These records were created by the BC government. Pre-emption was a system of obtaining title to unsurveyed land (similar to the Dominion "homesteading" system) which occurred until 1970. Individuals could purchase land which had not been fully surveyed. However, grants to these lands were not issued until the applicant had made specified improvements, passed inspections, satisfied residency requirements, and had the lands fully surveyed. Records include certificates of improvement for the Vancouver Divisions of the New Westminster District and Coast District; certificates of pre-emption for the New Westminster District and Vancouver Division; and registers of pre-emption records.

  1. Land purchase records

These records were created by the BC government. Once land was surveyed, it could be purchased outright instead of being pre-empted. These records include certificates of purchase for the New Westminster District.

  1. Mining records

The majority of these records were created by BC Government Agents, Gold Commissioners or Mining Recorders. Records include mineral claim minute books, records of conveyances, bills of sale, applications for mineral lands and petroleum and natural gas leases, and coal applications. Records are from the New Westminster District, Hope and Yale. Most volumes include an alphabetical index and some may include references to file numbers in GR-4121.

  1. Range and timber records

These records were created by the dominion and BC governments. Records include range leases, grazing leases and information on timber berths.

  1. Water licence applications

These records are water licence applications created by the BC government.

  1. Cancellation records

Cancellation registers created by the BC and Dominion governments. Some volumes include alphabetical indexes and have file numbers related to GR-4121.

  1. Financial records

Various financial records created by the Dominion government and BC Government Agents. Records include Dominion crown timber financial statements; form J (cash books) created by Government Agents documenting their expenses and fee collection, such as the sale of marriage licences; and a land revenue return of payments from the central Victoria land office.

  1. Other land administration records

Includes dominion created applications for patents and homestead inspectors instructions, as well as BC Government Agent books recording lands resumed under Soldier’s Homestead Act, Crown granted mineral claims which have reverted to the Crown for non-payment of taxes, and surveyed lands open for use.

British Columbia. Government Agent (New Westminster)

New Westminster Land Commissioner files

  • GR-4121
  • Series
  • 1882-1978

This series consists of records related to the administration, management and alienation of land in the New Westminster land district from 1882-1978. The records were primarily created by the provincial Government Agent and the Dominion Land Agent stationed in New Westminster. The majority of these records are homestead files created by the dominion government. These files contain information about homesteaders, their applications and the process of obtaining title to land.

Record types and subject matter include, but are not limited to: land alienation through pre-emption or purchase from the provincial government and homesteading or purchase from the federal government; a variety of leases of Crown land; other general subject files; and records regarding Indigenous Peoples or Indian Reserves.

Records related to land alienation include: applications for pre-emption, purchase or lease; land classification reports; forms completed by land inspectors of the Department of Lands Inspection Branch; declarations of occupation and permanent improvement on pre-emption claims; applications for homestead entry, cancellation, and abandonment; homestead Inspector’s reports; affidavits in support of an Application for Entry; land sales records; correspondence with settlers and other government officials; patents; Crown Grants; certificates; forms; maps and plans; financial records including receipts and cheques; court records, such as probates; survey records; notices of sale or cancellation; and sale agreements.

Records related to leases and other uses of Crown land include: grazing leases; foreshore leases; dredging leases; special use permits; timber permits; timber berths; water licenses; applications for dyking schemes; campsite leases; oyster bed leases; right-of-ways (ROWs) through land for railways, roads, powerlines or pipelines; petroleum and natural gas leases; quarry leases; bar leases; coal leases; mining leases; and mineral claims. Other uses include government reserves, the establishment of parks, and the reservation of land for school sites or other public uses.

Other more general subject files include: inquiries about land availability; preliminary plans and correspondence for the survey and sale of townsites; Soldier Settlement Board records including forms, correspondence and records of soldier land grants; correspondence files on specific topics such as canal construction, the reclamation of Hatzic Lake, the draining of Sumas Lake and the establishment of fish culture and fish hatcheries; and business records of the office, including inter-department correspondence, circulars, and memorandum related to matters of land administration.

Files also exist for specific Indian Reserves, and can include correspondence; water records; surveys; and inspection reports created in the process of allotting new, and canceling or amending existing Indian Reserves. Some files document instances of overlapping land use and conflict between settlers and Indigenous peoples on specific parcels of land.

Files are generally either correspondence files on a particular subject, or a variety of records related to a particular piece of land. Many files cover a wide time period and may be associated with multiple individuals or companies, as land rights were often transferred to others or cancelled and reapplied for.

Only the name of the first individual listed on the file is included in the file list. This means there may be additional names associated with files not included on the file list. The file list may also only include part of the legal description of land in cases where the description was exceptionally long, or included many different pieces of land. Single individuals may also have multiple files for each piece of land they are associated with.

The series also includes some files related to land in the Yale Division and Kamloops Division of the Yale Land District; as well as the Lillooet Land District. These records were created in the offices of the Kamloops and Clinton Government Agents, but at some point became intermingled with the New Westminster records.

Maps, plans and sketches indicating the parcels of land relevant to the file are commonly found throughout the records.

British Columbia. Government Agent (New Westminster)

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

Fort Fraser Government Agent land records

  • GR-4200
  • Series
  • 1911-1980

This series consists of records related to land use, management and alienation in the Range IV Coast District, Range V Coast District and the Cariboo Land District. The records date from 1911-1980. The records were created by various government officials stationed in Fort Fraser and Burns Lake.

The series includes subject files and correspondence files with settlers discussing the pre-emption, lease and purchase of specific parcels of land.

Other records include certificates of pre-emption; lists of pre-emptions, crown grants, cancellations, purchases and leases; Cariboo country lands registers; Atlin Townsite land register; Endako townsite land register; registers of pre-emption records; register of purchased land; Fort Fraser hay and pasture lease register; one volume of government agent record of receipts and payments financial records; and one file of Smithers mining recorder correspondence.

British Columbia. Government Agent (Fort Fraser)

Smithers Land Commissioner records

  • GR-4199
  • Series
  • 1877-1979

This series consists of records related to land use, management and alienation in the Coast Range 5, Coast Range 4, Cassiar, and Cariboo Land Districts. The records date from 1877-1979. The records were created by various government officials stationed in the following locations: Cassiar, Hazleton, Omineca, Skeena, and Smithers.

Records include certificates of purchase, agreements of sale, certificates of pre-emption, certificates of improvement, township registers, land registers, lot registers, plan registers, indexes, a register of payments related to Skeena River bank protection in Hazleton, and a register of timber licence applications for the Omineca District dated 1907. There are town lot register and townsite registers for the following towns: Burns Lake, Endako, Engen, Fort Fraser, Fort St. James, Fraser Lake, Hazleton, Houston, Smithers, Telkwa, Topley, and Vanderhoof.

There are two survey systems used in the land registers: the district lot system and the township section system. Township registers are arranged by township, section and quarter section (northwest, southeast, etc.). Country land or lot registers are arranged by lot, group and district. Registers may also be arranged by plan number. The registers record the alienation of land from the Crown by purchase, pre-emption, lease, mineral claims, timber use, etc. Information may include the name of the purchaser, dates and numbers of certificates issued (including Crown Grants), dates and amounts of payments, and reference numbers to correspondence files and field books. Some have related maps and correspondence tucked inside the volumes.

Some of the register volumes are duplicates created as a reference copy for the Hazleton land office. These are indicated in the file list as "duplicate for Hazleton office" when there was such a notation on the inside cover of the volume or "[Hazleton office duplicate?]" when the volume succeeds one with such a notation. The originals and duplicates have the same basic information, but notations added to the volumes at later dates will differ. Entries in the original volumes were added as the land was alienated, so each volume contains various lots or townships of land. The Hazleton duplicates were created with all lots or townships in sequential order, whether or not they were alienated. Thus, a Hazleton volume 1 will contain lots 1 to 605, and volume 2 will continue with lot 606, etc. All registers contain indexes.

The series also includes subject files and correspondence files with settlers discussing the pre-emption, lease and purchase of specific parcels of land, and the CN railway, with the Smithers Government Agent from 1920-1959.

British Columbia. Government Agent (Smithers)

Land records related to leases

  • GR-0385
  • Series
  • 1865-1955

This series consists of records of the Department of Lands and Forests, Lands Service, primarily relating to leases of Crown land for various purposes. Records include cancelled or expired leases for oyster beds (including leases by the Government of Canada), hay meadow, summer resort, stone quarry, mill, coal mining, grazing, agriculture, cattle ranching, and pastoral purposes. This series also includes final agreements for sale and purchase under Soldier's Better Housing Scheme for City of Victoria lots (includes rebate applications and discharge certificates) and licences of occupation.

British Columbia. Dept. of Lands and Forests. Lands Service

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)

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

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

Crown Lands records

  • GR-1088
  • Series
  • 1877-1980

This series includes correspondence files relating to the administration, management, conservation and development of Crown lands and natural resources. Series 1: early chronological series (files created, 1877-1911). Series 2: 1912 series (files created, 1912-1917). Includes correspondence, memoranda, reports, plans, 1877-1980.

British Columbia. Surveys and Land Records Branch

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

Approved resource management plans for the Cariboo region

  • GR-3903
  • Series
  • 1969-2006

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

British Columbia. Ministry of Agriculture and Lands

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

  • GR-3902
  • Series
  • 1985-2008

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

British Columbia. Ministry of Agriculture and Lands

Report on certain areas of the law relating to Indians in British Columbia

  • GR-1439
  • Series
  • 1975-1976

This series contains a report written in 1975, giving an overview of certain areas of the law relating to Indians in British Columbia, concentrating on Indian hunting, trapping and fishing, but also including material on a constitutional outline, the issue of Aboriginal Rights in British Columbia, Treaty Rights, Applicability of Provincial Laws on Reserves, miscellaneous notes and conclusions. The report includes a table of cases, a 1976 addendum, and references.

British Columbia. Fish and Wildlife Branch

Northern Interior resource management plans and aboriginal liaison files

  • GR-4003
  • Series
  • 1990-2014; predominantly 1999-2010

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.

British Columbia. Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management

First Nations land use planning agreements

  • GR-3881
  • Series
  • 2002-2006

This series contains various types of final agreements between the Province of British Columbia and First Nations related to land-use planning. The records come from the Integrated Land Management Bureau (Strategic Initiatives). Types of agreements include general protocol agreements, contribution agreement letters, strategic land use agreements, land use planning agreements and agreements-in-principle, and operational land use planning memoranda of understanding.

Agreements concern the two parties’ cooperation in identifying an overall approach for government-to-government discussions to finalize land use planning and implementation and to enhance First Nations participation in the economy.

Each file is titled with name of the First Nations group involved in the agreement, except in cases where many groups have signed collectively as was the case with the Coastal First Nations joint agreement and the KNT First Nations.
Coastal First Nations include Haida Gwaii, Gitga’at, Haisla, Heiltsuk, Kitasoo/Xaixais, Metlakatla, Wuikinuxv.
KNT First Nations include Mamalilikulla-Qwe’Qua’Sot’Em, ‘Namgis, Tlowitsis, Da’naxda’xw Awaetlatla, Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw, We Wai Kai, We Wai Kum, Kwiakah, Quatsino, Kwakiutl, Comox, Tlatlasikwala.

Some files also have copies of correspondence and decision notes signed by the minister to approve or ratify agreements.

British Columbia. Ministry of Agriculture and Lands

Parks and Outdoor Recreation operational records

  • GR-1614
  • Series
  • 1936-1993

The series consists of files created by the Parks and Outdoor Recreation Division, and its predecessor bodies, between 1936 and 1993. The files are arranged in numerical order by the parks file code number. These records document the history of the provincial government’s management and operation of provincial parks and protected areas.

These records document reserves on land for recreation and other purposes. Many files are referred to as use, recreation and enjoyment of the public (UREP) reserves or parks and protected areas case files. The files contain site report forms, plans, maps, photographs, field notes, memoranda, correspondence, copies of orders-in-council, and other material pertaining to the establishment and changes in the status of public reserve land throughout the province.

Accession 94-9043 was added to the series in 2021. It includes files of cancelled UREP reserves that appear to fit with the original file code system. Most of these files relate to reserves in the Kamloops and Thompson Okanagan region.

British Columbia. Parks and Outdoor Recreation Division

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

Land Use Committee files

  • GR-4049
  • Series
  • 1981-1986

This series consists of land use committee files created by the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources from 1981-1986. These copies of the committee files were created and used by the representative from the Ministry’s Petroleum Resources Division. The series includes records of three committees: the Ministry wide Land Use Committee as well as two subordinate committees, the Land Use Coordinating Committee and the Omineca-Peace Regional Resource Management Committee (RRMC).

The records cover a wide variety of issues. The primary objective of the committees was to establish a ministry position for presentation to the Environment and Land Use Committee (ELUC) of Cabinet. This included the creation of a ministry wide land use policy and procedures.

Other issues referenced in the series include: the review and approval of land use projects, including energy or mining projects within the ministry and providing feedback on projects from other ministries such as forest uses or the creation of new parks; creation of protocol agreements with other ministries to address conflicting land use requirements; reviewing the provincial land use strategy; investigating legal issues such as surface and sub-surface rights; reviewing recreation corridors and changes to parks; and establishing mine guidelines.

Records include meeting minutes, agendas, correspondence, reports, research, cabinet submissions, policy documents, and maps. Many of the records are copies sent to all committee members for reference.

The records are arranged by committee, then chronologically by meeting date. The records were transferred under one time schedule number 880193.

British Columbia. Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources (1978-1996)

Northern Interior Forest Region timber tenure records

  • GR-3917
  • Series
  • 1980-2010

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).

British Columbia. Prince George Forest Region

Cariboo Forest Region resource management plans

  • GR-4028
  • Series
  • 1993-2001

This series consists of records related to resource management and use planning from the Cariboo Forest Region, 1993-2001. Records currently relate to the following Forest Districts within the Forest Region: Williams Lake and Horsefly. In 2003 these two Forest Districts were amalgamated to form the Central Cariboo Forest District.

Records relating to the development of Integrated Resource Use Plans by the Ministry of Forests and Range which are designed to resolve resource use conflicts in specific areas at the local level. Records relate to the use, management and access to various resources.

Plans include the Churn Creek Local Resource Use Plan (LRUP) and lake classification records. Records include correspondence, maps, reports, data, reports, meeting minutes, and consultation with the public and First Nations.

Ministries responsible for the creation of this series, and their dates of the responsibility, are:
Ministry of Forests 1988-2005

Classified as 12600-20 and 12600-60 in the Forests Operational Records Classification System (ORCS).

British Columbia. Cariboo Forest Region

Okanagan Shuswap Forest District operational records

  • GR-3911
  • Series
  • 1987-2011

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".

British Columbia. Okanagan Shuswap Forest District

Kootenay Lake Forest District timber tenure records

  • GR-4015
  • Series
  • 1976-1992

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)

British Columbia. Kootenay Lake Forest District

Records of the Assistant Deputy Minister, Integrated Land Management Bureau

  • GR-3773
  • Series
  • 2001-2006

The series contains records pulled from the office of Ken Baker, Assistant Deputy Minister of the Resource Management Division, Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management. In 2005, the functions of this office were moved to the Strategic Initiatives Division of the Integrated Management Bureau, Ministry of Agriculture and Lands. These Records were used to inform the executive of current issues being dealt with by the ministry.
The records in this series mainly deal with important issues relating to Land Use Plans in land management areas. The records contain mainly briefing notes and correspondence sent to the executive explaining changes to Land Management programs, terminology, as well as updates on the progress with First Nations (mainly Haida) consultations and treaty negotiations related to land use planning. The records also contain numerous subject files on executive issues including several topics related to conservation, sustainable resource management plans, and plans for resource development such as mining, water, oil and gas. These files mainly contain correspondence, updates from committees, backgrounders, briefing or information notes, minutes of conference calls, presentations about land management/land use planning and assessment reports.
There are also copies of admin-related files that were reviewed by the ADM, such as changes in organizational structure, hiring, employee reviews and budget updates.

The records are arranged according to the Administrative Records Classification System. Records are filed under the following primary and secondary numbers:
102-20 : Administration - meetings - minutes
105-20 : Administration - organization - branch, region and district organization and responsibilities
125-20 : Legislation - British Columbia - B.C. Government legislation and regulations
155-08 : Invitations
160-20 : Association, club and society files
202-20 : Ministry committees
204-20 : Inter-ministerial committees
235-20 : Cooperation and liaison - federal - federal government departments, branches, and agencies
265-20 : Delegation of authority - authorizations/matrices
275-04 : Disaster planning
280-20 : Executive services - briefing notes
280-40 : Executive services - executive issues
350-20 : Legal issues
400-07 : Plans and programs - strategic planning
440-20 : General reports/statistics
1000-01 : Budgets - general
1300-01 : Personnel - general
1310-01 : Awards and honours - general

British Columbia. Ministry of Agriculture and Lands

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

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

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