The series contains various correspondence and notes from public servants in the Ministry of Environment in regards to pollution monitoring. The records mainly comprise printed copies of emails. The ad hoc committee was started to look into public’s opinion of voluntary permittee self-monitoring. Essentially, it was determined that the public did not trust industrial polluters to monitor their own emissions and wanted the government to intervene and enforce these polluters to pay for a monitoring program and to produce quality and reliable data in relation the amount of pollution they were creating. The correspondence in this series consists of various members of this committee discussing ideas on how to improve both pollution monitoring programs and the public’s opinion of the government in enforcing such programs.

Director of Special Services' correspondence, reports, minutes, press releases, files regarding legislation and program files for dairy, engineering, entomology, plant pathology, soil, veterinary and youth development (farm vacations).

This series contains records from the Crown Contaminated Sites Program. The Program was under the administration of different offices depending on the year. The records in this series originate from the Crown Contaminated Sites Branch of the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands and its predecessor in the Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management.

The series contains committee files, correspondence, briefing notes and executive issues files relating to the contamination of lands and their surrounding environment.

Committee files include various records of committees and subcommittees tasked with inquiring into and making recommendations to remediate contaminated areas. The records stem from the office of the Director of the Crown Contaminated Sites Program of the Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management.

The series contains briefing notes addressed to the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management on topics related to remediation of contaminated sites. Correspondence files cover the same topics and include correspondence between agencies, non-profits and the general public.

The series also includes a series of files related to the remediation project at the Britannia Mine Site. Filed under executive issues, the records relate to the clean-up of the mine and the resulting dispute with Copper Beach Estates. Types of records include mine safety inspection plans, proposed work plans and their evaluations, Memoranda of understanding and records related to cost-sharing of the clean-up, correspondence, infrastructure program application forms, investigations, tests and monitoring analyses, removal options, reports and selected minutes from the Britannia Steering Committee.

The records are arranged according to the Administrative Records Classification System (schedule 100001).

This series consists of records created by the Ministry of the Environment, the Department of Environment and their predecessors departments, such as the Department of Lands, Forests and Water Resources. The majority of the records were created from 1970-1977.

Records relate to department administration, organization charts, reorganization, pollution control, water resources services and the agricultural land reserve.

The records relate to all functions of the Department of Environment. This includes, but is not limited to, the creation and management of the Department of the Environment; managing protected areas; hunting; trapping and traplines; guide outfitters; fishing; Indigenous hunting and land rights; wildlife management, including wolf control; game farming; fish farms and aquaculture; water rights and management; Ministry centralization and reorganization; the establishment of the Environmental Lab; conservation and habitat management; water rights and water licences; flood prevention and mitigation; the creation and management of dams and dykes; land use; pollution, including air, chemical, solid waste and sewage; waste management, including landfills and sewage systems; coal mining; pesticides and herbicides; conservation officers, including enforcement and prosecutions; the drafting of legislation and orders-in-council; flood claims, control and prevention; and surveys and mapping.

Records include correspondence from the public and within government, briefing notes, meeting minutes, minister's speeches, Cabinet submissions, Treasury Board submissions, reports, agreements, legislation, agreements, policies, procedures, maps and photos.

The records were created by the following executive:

Ray Gillis Williston, Minister of Lands, Forests and Water Resources, 1962-1972
Robert Arthur Williams, Minister of Lands, Forests and Water Resources, 1972-1975
James Arthur Nielson, Minister of Environment, 1975-1978
Kenneth Rafe Mair, Minister, 1978-1979
Charles Stephen Rogers, Minister, 1979-1983

Ben E Marr, Assistant Deputy Minister (ADM), Water Resources, 1973-1975
Ben E Marr, Deputy Minister, 1974-1987
Allan Murray, ADM Conservation, 1978-1979
V Raudsepp, DM, Water Resources, 1970-1973
GE Simmons, ADM, Water Resources, 1975
GE Simmons, ADM, Water and Air, 1976
GE Simmons, ADM, Environmental and Engineering, 1977-1978
GE Simmons, ADM, Environmental Management, 1979-1981
WN Venables, ADM Environmental Protection, 1979
Ed H Vernon, ADM, Conservation, 1974-1978

This series contains administrative and subject files relating to natural resource development and environmental policies. Includes correspondence, memoranda, reports, briefs, etc. The records were created by the Environment and Land Use Committee Secretariat, the administrative and support staff assigned to the Committee. The records were created from 1972-1980 and relate to all aspects of business conducted by the Committee, including land use decisions across the province.

This series consists of appeal files and other records from the Environmental Appeal Board, 1981-1987. The series also includes some appeal or hearing files from its predecessors, the Pesticide Control Appeal Board and Pollution Control Board dating back as early as 1964.

The appeals relate to a variety of permits and licences issued by the government to manage the use of various natural resources and other aspects of the environment. Appeal files are grouped by the piece of legislation they relate to.

Appeals and hearings under the Pesticide Control Act (RSBC 1979 c. 322) include the use and application of pesticides and herbicides for purposes including weed control, mosquito control, and wildlife (wolf and coyote) control. Most appeals wish to amend or cancel pesticide permits due to concerns including poison leeching into water supply, and injury to people or other animals.

Appeals under the Wildlife Act (SBC 1982 c. 57) relate to restoring hunting and guide outfitter licences which had been cancelled or amended as a result an of alleged contravention of the Wildlife Act.

Appeals under the Water Act (RSBC 1979 c. 429) may relate to the application, cancellation or amendment of water licences as well as other issues relating to water quality and quantity.

Appeal under the Waste Management Act (SBC 1982 c.41) and the Pollution Control Act (RSBC 1979 c. 332) relate to attempts to cancel or amend waste management permits. Permits may relate to disposing of sewage and other waste materials through burning, landfills, and release into the air or a body of water.

Appeal files may include respondent’s submissions, precedents, transcripts, exhibits, petitions, copies of permits, correspondence from stakeholders, maps, photographs, decisions, responses to decisions, permits, court records, newspaper clippings, and administrative records related to organizing the appeals.

The series also includes some transcripts of proceedings; reports or other reference material; day copies of correspondence from the Associate Deputy Minister E.H. Vernon and Deputy Minister Lloyd Brooks; and other administrative records relating to the operation of the Appeal Boards. There are also some court records related to cases that were appealed to the Supreme or Provincial courts.

Transferred under one-time schedule number 870581.

The series consists of records created by the Game Commission (1948-1957) and the Fish and Game Branch (1957-1966). The series contains subject files relating to hunting accidents, firearms safety training, the transfer of the headquarters office from Vancouver to Victoria, wildlife management, private shooting areas, game fish culture, river and stream pollution and obstructions, water licences, and parks. The records relate to a wide variety of topics such as habitat protection, pollution, the impacts of resource extraction projects, impacts of recreation activities, wildlife management and fisheries management across the province.

The series also includes the personal monthly duty diaries of a conservation officer.

This series consists of correspondence created or received by various employees in the Department of Fish and Wildlife from 1969-1979. This includes correspondence inwards and outwards from the Minister of the Department of Recreation and Conservation, who led the Branch at this time. The majority of the records are correspondence files, often referred to as flimsies. There are also a variety of subject files kept by the Deputy Minister and Assistant Deputy Minister. The records relate to a wide variety of topics such as habitat protection, pollution, the impacts of resource extraction projects, impacts of recreation activities, wildlife management, policy development, legislation, intergovernmental projects, fisheries management, the Mair Report, and the McCarthy Hearing or Paish Affair.

The series includes correspondence to and or from the following individuals: William K. Kiernan and Jack Radford, Minister of Recreation and Conservation; Director of Fish and Wildlife Branch; D.J. Robinson, Assistant Director, Management and Development; D.M. Galbraith, G.D. Taylor, and M.R. Whatley, Fish Habitat Improvement; E.H. Vernon, Chief of Fisheries Improvement; R.C. Thomas, Fisheries Management; I.L. Wither and C.J. Bull, Fish Habitat protection; D. Demarchi, D.R. Halladay and W.A. McKay, Wildlife Biologist; RAH Sparrow, Biologist; JG Terpenning, Superintendent of Hatcheries; K.R.D. Mundy, Assistant Chief of Wildlife Management; and W.G. Smith, Chief of Wildlife Management. Many other individuals may be included in the records, as many of the records are convenience copies sent to other executives as a reference. The minister's correspondence files may include letters written to or from other executives, such as the Deputy Minister.

Records also include memos and subject files used by particular employees. Correspondence files may include reports, maps and other enclosures. Correspondence referral replies are generally letters sent to the Minister or other executives and forwarded to other relevant employees for an answer. Many of these letters are from members of the public raising concerns over environmental issues such as pollution or industrial activities.

The series also include statistical summary sheets showing the number and types of licences (hunting, fishing, etc.) issued in each Agency from 1966-1969.

The series consists of records created by the Fish and Wildlife Branch between 1966 and 1978. The records include subject files relating to game, wildlife and fisheries management and conservation, environmental protection and habitat improvement; the administration of fish and game laws, ecological and scientific investigations, pollution, pesticides, and protection of stream and river habitat, predator control and outdoor recreation.

The files consist of correspondence, annual reports and memoranda.

The series consists of records created by the Game Commission (1920-1957), the Fish and Game Branch (1957-1966), and the Fish and Wildlife Branch (1966-1977) relating to game, wildlife and fisheries management and conservation; environmental protection and habitat improvement; the administration of fish, trapping, and game laws; ecological and scientific investigations; water license applications and stream obstruction reports; flood control, pollution and protection of stream and river habitat; predator and rodent control; hunting, sports fisheries, outdoor recreation, and parks; Branch policy and administration.

The files contain correspondence, annual reports, manuals, memoranda and special reports and include correspondence with conservation and environmental groups, fish and game clubs, professional organizations of conservation officers, and other agencies of government.

The series also includes a subject file index (see box 2) and an index of orders-in-council relating to game enforcement, 1885-1968; hatchery records of the Cultus Lake, Smith Falls, and Lloyds Creek hatcheries of the Fish Culture Service, administered by the Canada Dept. of Marine and Fisheries (1920-1938) and the B.C. Came Commission (1938-1949).

This series consists of the files of the Metropolitan Joint Committee Chairman, Hugo Ray, including correspondence, research notes, minutes of meetings, and reports. The series has been divided into the following subseries: general files, metropolitan government, miscellaneous literature, air pollution, planning, sewerage, water supply, finances, health & welfare, correspondence, clippings, administrative & background material, bound reports and bibliographic material.

This series consists of executive records created by the Ministry of Environment, and its successor, the Ministry of Environment and Parks, from 1978-1991.

The records relate to all functions of the Ministry of Environment. This includes, but is not limited to, the creation and management of Provincial Parks, such as Strathcona; mining in parks; hunting; trapping and traplines; guide outfitters; fishing; Indigenous hunting and land rights; wildlife management, including wolf control; game farming; fish farms and aquaculture; water rights and management; Ministry centralization and reorganization; the privatization of Ministry functions, including the Environmental Lab; conservation and habitat management; water rights and water licences; flood prevention and mitigation; the creation and management of dams and dykes; land use; pollution, including air, chemical, solid waste and sewage; waste management, including landfills and sewage systems; coal mining; pesticides and herbicides; conservation officers, including enforcement and prosecutions; the drafting of legislation and orders-in-council; flood claims, control and prevention; and surveys and mapping.

Records include correspondence from the public and within government, briefing notes, meeting minutes, minister's speeches, Cabinet submissions, Treasury Board submissions, reports, agreements, legislation, variance orders, brochures, agreements, policies, procedures, maps and photos.

The records were created by the following executive:

Charles Stephen Rogers, Minister, 1979-1983
Anthony Julius Brummett, Minister, 1983-1985
Forbes Charles Austin Pelton, Minister, 1985-1986
Charles Stephen Rogers, Minister, 1986-1987
William Bruce Stracham, Minister, 1987-1989

Earle D Anthony, Assistant Deputy Minister (ADM) Regional Operations, 1979-1981
Earle D Anthony, ADM Environmental Management, 1982-1987
Earle D Anthony, ADM Programs, 1987-1988
Earle D Anthony, Acting DM, 1988
Richard L Dalon, Deputy Minister, 1988-[1990]
Ben E Marr, Deputy Minister, 1974-1987
Allan Murray, ADM Conservation, 1978-1979
Allan Murray, ADM Environmental Management, 1980-1982
Allan Murray, ADM Regional Operations, 1983-1985
GE Simmons, ADM, Environmental Management, 1979-1981
WN Venables, ADM Environmental Protection, 1979
WN Venables, ADM Assessment and Planning, 1980-1984

This series consists of a variety of executive records, including, briefing notes, decision notes, ministry Orders in Council, ministerial orders and Cabinet submissions from 1998-2005. The records were created by the Ministry of Environment and its predecessors, the Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks, and the Ministry of Water, Lands and Air Protection. The records were created by several offices for the information or decision of the Minister, Deputy Minister, the Assistant Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection, Assistant Deputy Minister of the Enforcement Programs, and other executive members of the ministries.

Records may address any subject related to the mandate of the ministries. The records are arranged by accession number, then by file code, then chronologically by date.

Accession 95-5839 contains briefing notes from the Parks Division. Briefing notes in yearly files are arranged by District, then month and day. The topics of the briefs concern the creation and development of new parks and conservations areas; the deletion, removal or transfer of park lands; the construction of infrastructure in parks including roads and powerlines; park use permits and fees; the changing uses of park lands for recreation; issues surrounding mining and logging in and around park lands; response to pine beetle infestations; safety concerns and accidents involving park visitors; changes to legislation; First Nations treaty negotiations regarding park land; as well as approval and development of park Master Plans and Management Plans.

Accession 95-7183 contains briefing notes from the Environmental Protection Division. The topics of the briefs concern waste control and management, environmental health, climate change, pollution prevention, recycling and waste disposal programs, among other related topics.

Accession 96-0944 contains briefing notes from the Enforcement program. The topics of these records mainly concern enforcement services regarding non-compliance with environmental standards, the Conservation Officer Service (including their training and firearms safety), contaminated sites, wildlife, and habitat protection as it relates to environmental laws.

Accession 95-8904 contains executive records from the Deputy Ministers Office. Records include briefing notes, decision notes, ministry Orders in Council (OICs), ministerial orders, Cabinet submissions, correspondence, and related reference material. Subjects and issues addressed may cover all programs and divisions of the ministry. Records may be addressed specifically to the Deputy Minister for their signature or approval, or they may be informational reference copies from the Minister of other Executives. Some of the records may be duplicated in other accessions.

Records in this series are classified under ARCS numbers 135-35, 135-60, 201-40 and 280-20.

This series consists of a variety of administrative and operational records created by the Pollution Control Board from 1956-1981. Most records are related to specific appeals or objections to a permit. This includes those from individuals or groups seeking intervenor or objector status in an appeal. Appeals include objections to a variety of pollution and waste permits issued across the province. Records include:

Reports and intervenor records (presented at the hearings) from the Lower Fraser River Public Hearing or related to the environmental plan for the Fraser River Estuary.

Summary records or minutes of board meetings. These may relate to the establishment of the board; creation or alteration of procedures; approval or acceptance of new appeals; discussions of current appeals; approval of official intervenors or objectors on appeals; appeal decisions; discussions of meetings and reports submitted to the board; and other ongoing work. These files may include agendas, correspondence, copies of records referenced in meetings and meeting notices.

There are a variety of other administrative records as well. These include meeting notices, procedures, agendas, records related to the organization of meetings or public hearings, financial records, scheduling records, news releases, newspaper clippings, reports and correspondence.

There is also a correspondence file from the Pollution Control Chairman. Most records are letters from individuals or organizations who seek intervenor status in various hearings. These letters are forwarded to the Director for assessment.

Transferred under one-time schedule number 870583.

This series consists of waste management files for areas across the province from 1948-1981. The records were created by the Pollution Control Branch of the Ministry of Environment, and its predecessors. They document the management of waste outside the waste management permit system, but still under the authority of the Waste Management Act (SBC 1982 c. 41).

Waste management can involve the disposal or mitigation of: water pollution, assessing water quality, sewage, waste from slaughterhouses and canneries, garbage and other solid waste, heavy metals, oil, agricultural or manure, and other industrial discharges.

Topics addressed in the files include: major federal-provincial or international activities or issues related to large areas such as an entire watershed; assessments of the environmental health of certain areas of the province through various tests, sampling, inspections and surveys; liaison with other waste management authorities in the province, such as municipalities and other levels of government; correspondence with individuals or groups making complaints or voicing concerns over environmental issues and waste disposal; and correspondence with potential permittees prior to application of a waste management permit.

Records include correspondence, memoranda, water quality reports, studies, statistical data, agreements, newspaper clippings, photos and maps.

Some of the larger files regard places such as: Columbia River basin, Buttle Lake, Fraser River, Kamloops, Kelowna, Libby Dam, Naramata, Okanagan Basin, Thompson River, Trail Cominco Mine, Victoria, and the Greater Vancouver area. However, other files relate to other municipalities and bodies of water across the province.

The records are arranged alphabetically by area or place. Some files contain records related to multiple places beginning with a particular latter. For example, the 'Area “D”' file includes records on Deroche, Dawson Creek, Deadman Creek, etc.