FOREST TENURES BRANCH Cutting Permit and Road Tenure Administration Manual Version 4.0 – August 2015 Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Disclaimer This document contains material to assist with the administration of cutting permits and road tenures associated with agreements entered into under the Forest Act. This document contains both a summary of the legal requirements and advice/suggestions from the non-legal realm. The latter are not legal requirements that you must follow, nor are they government policy. Warranty While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information herein, no warranties of any kind are made as to the precision or longevity of the contents. Readers are advised to refer to the wording of the legislation and regulations themselves, and obtain legal advice from their own sources. This information is provided as a public service by the Ministry of Forests and Range. 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For more information, please contact the Intellectual Property Program by: e-mail: [email protected]; or fax: (250) 356-0846. ii About This Manual Cutting Permit and Road Tenure Administration Manual Document Change Control Manual Date of Issue Brief Description of Change Version 1.0 March 22, 2006 Original document prepared in consultation with a CP team and a road team concurrent with work on the FLNR’s Streamlining Project. 1.1 August 4, 2006 Detailed listing of changes in versions 1.1 through 2.1 can be found in the corresponding Document Change Control section of each version. 1.2 Sep. 7, 2006 2.0 Oct 2, 2007 2.1 Mar 14, 2008 3.0 Mar 1, 2010 General edits have been made throughout the manual to improve terminology and clarity. Heading numbering was revised for greater consistency between CP and Road parts. The following are the topics with significant revisions: 1.1.1 Types of Cutting Authority - new summary table 1.2.3 new paragraph about wilderness road maintenance level 1.4.3 Timber Marking – revised 2.1 CP Rule 3 – improved rule about what can be on Exhibit A 2.2 Cutting Authority Description Conventions – new, corresponding to Roads Conventions 2.2.4 FTA Codes and Definitions – new 2.4 CP Application – new paragraph on other preparations 2.4.2 Content of CP Application – new paragraph on term 2.5.2 Exhibit A Map Boundary – revised to match new Rule 3 2.5.4 Checking Status – new paragraph describing the practice of statusing 20 m outside boundary 2.5.5 Verification with FSP – updated description of FSP tracking 2.7.1 FRPA Rules – revised wording and added FRPA reserves 2.7.2 Aboriginal Interests – updated to include preliminary assessments 2.7.3 AAC and other Agreement Provisions – new section 2.8.2 Schedule A – Link to separate clause document 2.8.4 Schedule B – revised to clarify when to use. link to clause doc 2.9 Permit Issuance – Clarified no rationale needed for issuance 2.9.1 Cover letter – revised to recognize appropriate use 2.10.2 Amendments – Added advice re-signing amendment 2.10.3 CP Extension – revised to clarify timing of application 2.10.4 Postponement – Revised for 2008 change in legislation and link to the August 2008 policy. iii Version 4.0 – August 2015 iii About This Manual Cutting Permit and Road Tenure Administration Manual Manual Date of Issue Brief Description of Change Version 2.10.5 Ending the permit – minor revisions 2.11 Managing Special Circumstances – new intro describing the web of factors to consider outside the CP issuance business 2.11.5 Subdiv, Consol, Transfer – Revised per Subdiv. & Consol Guidelines and added link to Transfer Procedures. 2.11.11 Wildlife Tree Retention and Other Reserves – revised and expanded to address other FRPA reserves 2.11.13 Danger Trees Outside Boundaries – new section 2.11.14 MSMA Treated Trees – new section linking to MSMA policy 3.2.3 Describing a Road – new figure for road segments 3.7.1 FRPA Rules – revised wording and added FRPA reserves 3.7.2 Aboriginal Interests – linked to 2.7.2 and updated 3.10.3 Ending the Road Tenure – clarity about declarations. New paragraph about wilderness road maintenance level 3.11 Managing Special Circumstances – new intro describing the web of factors to consider outside the road tenure issuance business 3.11.4 Consent to Connect to FSR – new section 3.11.6 Roads and Subdiv, Consol, Transfer – Revised per Subdiv. & Consol Guidelines and added link to Transfer Procedures 3.11.10 Options for Salvage along Roads – new section linking to General Bulletin 19 Part 4 – added and updated policies, directives, guides, bulletins and forms. Retained links to 2005 Streamlining Initiative but removed process map. 4.0 August 2015 General edits have been made throughout the manual to improve terminology and clarity. The following are the topics with significant revisions: 1.5.3 Spatial Data Repositories – updated to show replacement of Land and Resource Data Warehouse by BC Geographic Warehouse. 2.5.2 Exhibit A Map Boundary – updated for One CP’s for woodlots and community forest agreements. 2.10.5 Ending the Permit – clarification that the surrender of a CP does not have to be by mutual consent. Section on surrender of CP’s to get lower stumpage rate moved here from 2.11.4. 2.11.2 Bark Beetle Management Powers - this section was removed as there are no longer Emergency Bark Beetle Management Areas as of July 3, 2014. 2.11.3 “Blanket” Cutting Permits – renamed Blanket Salvage Cutting Permits and updated as per July 3, 2014 memo from the Deputy Minister on Blanket Salvage Cutting Permits. 2.11.4 Changes Affecting Stumpage Rates - Changing site plans after CP is issued – updated to add unless the appraisal is also amended the agreement holder will have to pay for additional timber iv Version 4.0 – August 2015 iv About This Manual Cutting Permit and Road Tenure Administration Manual Manual Date of Issue Brief Description of Change Version that has been reserved. Directive 4.2.4 Bark Beetle Salvage Permits – to be renamed Blanket Salvage Cutting Permits. Current memos to be removed and replaced with the July 3, 2014 memo from the Deputy Minister on Blanket Salvage Cutting Permits v Version 4.0 – August 2015 v About This Manual Cutting Permit and Road Tenure Administration Manual Table of Contents Table of Contents ................................................................................................ v Glossary.............................................................................................................. xi Abbreviations, Acronyms and Initialisms ................................................................................. xii Terms Used in This Manual ....................................................................................................... xiii Other Forestry Terms ................................................................................................................. xiv About This Manual ........................................................................................... xiv Purpose ......................................................................................................................................... xv Acknowledgements ..................................................................................................................... xv Organization and Format ........................................................................................................... xvi Updates and Feedback ............................................................................................................... xvi Part 1 Introduction .................................................................................... 1 1.1 Cutting Authorities ........................................................................................................... 1 1.1.1 Types of Cutting Authorities ................................................................................... 1 1.1.2 The Role of the Cutting Permit .............................................................................. 2 1.2 Road Tenures .................................................................................................................... 3 1.2.1 Types of Road Tenure ........................................................................................... 3 1.2.2 The Role of Road Tenures .................................................................................... 4 Forest Service Road (FSR) ............................................................................. 4 Road Use Permit (RUP) .................................................................................. 4 Road Permit (RP) ............................................................................................ 5 Special Use Permit .......................................................................................... 5 1.2.3 A common feature: ongoing maintenance obligations ........................................... 6 1.3 Linkage to Legislation and Agreements......................................................................... 6 1.3.1 Permits and the Forest Act .................................................................................... 6 1.3.2 Permits and the Agreement ................................................................................... 8 1.3.3 Permits and the Forest and Range Practices Act .................................................. 9 Forest Stewardship Plan Content ................................................................... 9 Site Plans ...................................................................................................... 10 Woodlot Licence Plan Content ...................................................................... 10 Associated Business Processes ................................................................... 11 1.3.4 Overview .............................................................................................................. 11 1.3.5 Revenue Activities ............................................................................................... 12 Timber Cruise ................................................................................................ 13 Appraisal........................................................................................................ 14 Scaling ........................................................................................................... 14 Stumpage Billings .......................................................................................... 14 vi Version 4.0 – August 2015 vi About This Manual Cutting Permit and Road Tenure Administration Manual Waste Assessments ...................................................................................... 14 1.3.6 Timber Marking .................................................................................................... 15 1.3.7 Cut Control ........................................................................................................... 15 1.3.8 Compliance and Enforcement ............................................................................. 16 1.4 Associated Electronic Systems .................................................................................... 17 1.4.1 General Corporate Systems and Applications ..................................................... 17 1.4.2 Activity-Specific Applications ............................................................................... 18 1.4.3 Spatial Data Repositories .................................................................................... 19 BC Geographic Warehouse .......................................................................... 20 Integrated Land and Resource Registry ....................................................... 20 Part 2 Cutting Permit Administration .................................................... 21 2.1 Key Rules for Cutting Permits ....................................................................................... 21 2.2 Cutting Authority Description Conventions ................................................................ 23 2.2.1 Cutblock ............................................................................................................... 23 2.2.2 Cutting Authority .................................................................................................. 23 2.2.3 Cutting Authority Area .......................................................................................... 23 2.2.4 FTA Codes and Definitions .................................................................................. 24 2.3 Overview of CP Issuance Process ................................................................................ 25 2.4 CP Application ................................................................................................................ 27 2.4.1 Prerequisites ........................................................................................................ 27 2.4.2 Content of the Application: ................................................................................... 28 2.4.3 Form of Application .............................................................................................. 28 2.4.4 Spatial Data Integrity ........................................................................................... 29 2.4.5 Cutblocks in the CP Application ........................................................................... 29 2.4.6 Application Overlapping an Existing Cutting Authority ........................................ 29 2.4.7 Two or More Applications for the Same Timber .................................................. 30 2.5 Exhibit A Map Process ................................................................................................... 31 2.5.1 Cutblock Mapping Conventions ........................................................................... 31 2.5.2 Exhibit A Map Boundary ...................................................................................... 31 2.5.3 Exhibit A Mapping Standards .............................................................................. 32 2.5.4 Checking Status and Adjudicating Clearance ..................................................... 32 2.5.5 Verification with Forest Stewardship Plan ........................................................... 33 2.6 Eligibility and Due Diligence .......................................................................................... 36 2.6.1 FRPA Rules ......................................................................................................... 36 2.6.2 Aboriginal Interests .............................................................................................. 37 2.6.3 AAC and other Agreement Provisions ................................................................. 39 2.6.4 Refusal or Delay .................................................................................................. 40 2.7 Document Preparation ................................................................................................... 41 2.7.1 Main Body of CP Document ................................................................................ 42 2.7.2 Schedule A ........................................................................................................... 43 2.7.3 New or Revised Schedule A Clauses .................................................................. 43 vii Version 4.0 – August 2015 vii About This Manual Cutting Permit and Road Tenure Administration Manual 2.7.4 Schedule B– Reserved Timber ............................................................................ 44 2.7.5 Schedule C - Cut Control Specifications ............................................................. 45 2.7.6 Exhibit A map ....................................................................................................... 45 2.8 Permit Issuance .............................................................................................................. 45 2.8.1 Cover Letter ......................................................................................................... 46 2.8.2 Original and Copy ................................................................................................ 46 2.9 Administering Active CPs .............................................................................................. 46 2.9.1 General CP Activities ........................................................................................... 46 2.9.2 Amendments ........................................................................................................ 47 2.9.3 Extensions ........................................................................................................... 47 Extensions for CPs in Effect on November 4, 2003. ..................................... 47 Extensions for CPs Issued After November 4, 2003 ..................................... 48 Reducing or Waiving the Extension Fee ....................................................... 48 2.9.4 CP Postponement ................................................................................................ 49 2.9.5 Ending the Permit ................................................................................................ 52 Cutblock(s) Harvested before CP Expiry ...................................................... 52 Expiry............................................................................................................. 52 Surrender ...................................................................................................... 52 Suspension and Cancellation ........................................................................ 53 2.10 Managing Special Circumstances ................................................................................. 54 2.10.1 Forest Health Treatments .................................................................................... 54 2.10.2 Blanket Salvage Cutting Permits ......................................................................... 55 2.10.3 Changes Affecting Stumpage Rates.................................................................... 55 2.10.4 CPs under an Agreement that is Subdivided, Consolidated or Transferred........ 55 2.10.5 Reallocation of CPs (Surrender & Re-Issue) ....................................................... 56 2.10.6 Incidental Cutting Outside Cutblock ..................................................................... 57 2.10.7 Transporting Timber after a CP Expires .............................................................. 57 2.10.8 Section 18 Transfers ............................................................................................ 57 2.10.9 Billing Waste Assessments after CP Expires ...................................................... 57 2.10.10 Wildlife Tree Retention Areas and other FRPA Reserves ................................... 58 2.10.11 Authorizing Landings Outside of Cutblocks ......................................................... 58 2.10.12 Danger Trees etc Outside Boundaries ................................................................ 59 2.10.13 MSMA Treated Trees .......................................................................................... 59 Part 3 Road Tenure Administration ...................................................... 61 3.1 Key Rules for Road Tenures .......................................................................................... 61 3.2 Road Description Conventions ..................................................................................... 63 3.2.1 FTA Codes and Terms ........................................................................................ 63 3.2.2 Road Timber Marks ............................................................................................. 65 3.2.3 Describing a Logical Road ................................................................................... 65 RP Sections and Segments .......................................................................... 66 Road Sections ............................................................................................... 67 viii Version 4.0 – August 2015 viii About This Manual Cutting Permit and Road Tenure Administration Manual Road Segments ............................................................................................. 67 FSR Branches and Segments ....................................................................... 69 Road Tenure Numbering ............................................................................... 70 3.2.4 Permit Area, Clearing Area and Clearing Width .................................................. 70 3.3 Overview of Road Tenure Issuance Process ............................................................... 71 3.4 Road Tenure Application ............................................................................................... 72 3.5 Exhibit A Map Process ................................................................................................... 72 3.6 Stumpage Rate Generation ............................................................................................ 75 3.7 Eligibility and Due Diligence .......................................................................................... 75 3.7.1 FRPA Rules ......................................................................................................... 76 3.7.2 Aboriginal Interests .............................................................................................. 77 3.8 Document Preparation ................................................................................................... 77 3.8.1 Document Template............................................................................................. 77 3.8.2 Road Naming ....................................................................................................... 78 3.8.3 Timber Marks ....................................................................................................... 78 3.9 Road Tenure Issuance.................................................................................................... 78 3.9.1 Cover Letter ......................................................................................................... 78 3.9.2 Original and Copies ............................................................................................. 78 3.10 Administering Active Road Tenures ............................................................................. 79 3.10.1 General Activities ................................................................................................. 79 3.10.2 Amendments ........................................................................................................ 79 3.10.3 Ending the Road Tenure ...................................................................................... 79 Suspension and Cancellation ........................................................................ 80 Declaration of Fulfilled Road Deactivation Obligations ................................. 81 3.11 Managing Special Circumstances ................................................................................. 81 3.11.1 Converting RP Roads to an FSR ......................................................................... 82 3.11.2 Transferring an FSR to Another Agency ............................................................. 82 3.11.3 Consent to Connect to an FSR ............................................................................ 82 3.11.4 Road Tenures Affected by Timber Reallocation .................................................. 83 3.11.5 Roads and an Agreement that is Subdivided, Consolidated or Transferred ....... 83 3.11.6 Re-Assigning Road Obligations Between Agreement Holders ........................... 84 3.11.7 On-Block Roads Extending Beyond Cutblock Boundary ..................................... 85 3.11.8 Options for Salvage Along Roads ........................................................................ 86 3.11.9 Discontinue and Close an FSR ............................................................................ 86 3.11.10 Short Access Roads to On-block Roads ............................................................. 86 3.11.11 Multiple Submissions May Be Required for SUP ................................................ 87 3.11.12 Bankruptcy of Road Permit Holder ...................................................................... 88 Part 4 References ................................................................................... 89 4.1 Ministry Policies .............................................................................................................. 89 4.1.1 Policy 13.6 – Waste Assessments....................................................................... 89 ix Version 4.0 – August 2015 ix About This Manual Cutting Permit and Road Tenure Administration Manual 4.1.2 Policy 15.1 – Aboriginal Rights and Title Policy & Guidelines ............................. 89 4.1.3 Cutting Permit Postponement Policy ................................................................... 89 4.1.4 Policy 26 – Cutting Permit Extension and Surrender .......................................... 89 4.1.5 MSMA Policy ........................................................................................................ 89 4.2 Directives ......................................................................................................................... 90 4.2.1 Delegation of Decision Making ............................................................................ 90 4.2.2 Electronic Submissions ........................................................................................ 90 4.2.3 CP Amendments and CP Issue Dates................................................................. 93 4.2.4 Blanket Salvage Cutting Permits ......................................................................... 94 4.2.5 Forest Service Road Administration .................................................................... 97 4.3 Guides and Bulletins .................................................................................................... 102 4.3.1 Provincial Guidebook for Resource Clerks ........................................................ 102 4.3.2 ESF Submission Guide ...................................................................................... 102 4.3.3 Aboriginal Interests ............................................................................................ 102 4.3.4 Subdivision, Consolidation and Transfers ......................................................... 102 4.3.5 Wildlife Tree Retention Areas ............................................................................ 102 4.3.6 Harvesting Dead & Dying Trees along RPs ...................................................... 103 4.4 Forms, Templates and Clauses ................................................................................... 104 4.4.1 Forms ................................................................................................................. 104 4.4.2 Templates .......................................................................................................... 104 4.4.3 Permit Clauses ................................................................................................... 104 4.5 Background: Information Requirements for Mapping, Cutblocks & Roads ........... 105 4.5.1 Mapping Requirements and Standards ............................................................. 105 4.5.2 Cutblock Information .......................................................................................... 106 4.5.3 Road Administration........................................................................................... 106 x Version 4.0 – August 2015 x