Mountain Resorts Branch Timber Program

On this page:

• What we do
• Application process
• Application review process
• Stumpage
• Harvest/post harvest

What we do

The Timber Program of the Mountain Resorts Branch is responsible for:

• The implementation of the Resort Timber Administration Act (RTAA) and associated regulations such as Controlled Recreation Area (Resort Timber Administration Act) Regulation, and Resort Timber Administration Act (Specified Enactment) Regulation
• Making Statutory Decisions under the Forest Act for timber harvesting within Controlled Recreation Areas across the Province of British Columbia
• Provide expert professional and technical advice to both resort clients and to the MRB team regarding forest management including tenures, forest health, fire protection, forest legislation, timber cruising, timber harvesting, etc.
• Resolve, mitigate and manage forestry conflicts with approved and proposed resort development projects

Application process

The Mountain Resorts Branch recommends that you first contact the Land and Timber Manager or Land and Timber Technician prior to applying. In most cases you will require the services of a forest professional to complete assessments, prepare the harvest plan and sign off on the application.

At a minimum, the following will be required at the application phase:

• Harvest Application and Harvest Plan  (PDF 430 KB)

Application review process

• Application data entered into Forest Tenures Administration (FTA)
• MRB review occurs: consideration of Master Development Agreement, Master Plan, Forest Act, Forest and Range Practices Act, First Nations consultation, stakeholder referrals, etc.
• Determine if silviculture obligations are required
• Licence documents/Exhibit 'A' prepared and sent out for signing
• Stumpage rate typically is the Controlled Recreation Area Table Rate, but may also be determined through a full appraisal as per the Interior Appraisal Manual

Stumpage

Stumpage is a fee that businesses/ski resorts, local governments or individuals pay when they harvest timber from Crown land in B.C., including from within a Controlled Recreation Area.

Stumpage is a payment for use of a public natural resource and is not the same as logging tax. The money raised by stumpage is used to fund vital social services such as education and health care, and is sometimes shared with First Nations communities under forest consultation and revenue sharing agreements.

The Stumpage Rate for within a Controlled Recreation Area can be determined by doing an appraisal on the timber or, more commonly, by applying the Controlled Recreation Area Stumpage Rates.

If you harvest, purchase or sell timber from Crown land, you must ensure the timber volumes are reported.

The amount of stumpage you pay is based on the timber volumes, species and grades you report and the stumpage rates for your timber.

Harvest/post harvest

• Inspections by Mountain Resorts Branch or Compliance and Enforcement staff may occur
• Clients may be requested to provide progress reports
• A Post Harvest Report (DOC 131 KB) will be required upon completion of timber harvesting where the forest professional will assess Waste and Residue against benchmarks, fire hazard abatement, and deactivation.