Chilliwack District Road Permitting Information

All industrial users on a forest service road (FSR) are required to obtain a Road Use Permit unless an exemption is granted in accordance with section 22.1 (4) of FRPA.

If the FSR is currently maintained to a wilderness level by the district manager or timber sales manager then the applicant must submit a reactivation prescription (plan). The plan must be prepared by a qualified registered professional*. The plan must address all improvements required to reactivate the road to a safe industrial standard and an environmentally sound manner. This plan may become integral to the Road Use Permit.

On occasion, the designated maintainer may want to carry out road improvements or make changes to the FSR. The administrative vehicle for accomplishing this is the Road Use Permit (RUP). In this regard, an RUP holder may make application to the district manager with a proposal to carry out road related improvements/works to an FSR, and the district manager will work with the permittee in reviewing and approving plans, similar to the process used for approval of major structure and bridge works on an FSR. The ministry will designate the user responsible for maintenance (designated maintainer).

*Qualified registered professionals are expected to know and meet the requirements of the Forest and Range Practices Act (FRPA) legislation for Road Maintenance Practices and Standards. The FRPA approach is focused on achieving defined and measurable results. 

Please refer to the

• Road Maintenance Standards FS1287a.
• Notice to all road use permit holders
• District Manager Guidance for Road Use Permit Holders

Road Use Permit applications

For new RUPs:

• Email application form (FS109) and location map to FTA.DCKDSQ@gov.bc.ca

For amendments to existing RUPs:

• Email application form (FS109) and location map to FTA.DCKDSQ@gov.bc.ca
• Identify branch additions on Schedule A of the application form
• State in the email that the application is an amendment

FSR Road Use Permit Closure

Industrial users may apply to the district manager to be relieved of its RUP on an FSR when that road will not be required for industrial purposes. Before the RUP of the designated maintainer is cancelled, ensure that the road has been maintained to the level required for non-industrial use, to the extent necessary to ensure there is no material adverse effect on a forest resource, as evidenced by:

• The structural integrity of the road prism and clearing width are protected and drainage systems of the road are functional;

Or

• by transferring the responsibility to another active party

Otherwise, the permit will remain in force even while the user is idle for periods of time, and any designated maintenance obligations remain during those same periods.

When your operations have been completed and you wish to be relieved of further obligations you are required to make a request in writing to the District Manager to have your RUP terminated. Before removing equipment from the area serviced by this permit please contact the Chilliwack Natural Resource District Engineering Group at 604 702-5700 to ascertain the level of maintenance required for the roads outlined in your Schedule A.

To assist the district manager in making a decision on an application for relief of RUP obligations, please complete and return the Statement of General Conformance RUP – Road Use Permit Closure Request form with a map and application letter. Conformance letters must be prepared, signed and sealed by an appropriate registered professional.  See below for mapping standards

Updated application and conformance forms are posted on the Chilliwack District’s ftp
Email application form (FS109) and location map to: FTA.DCKDSQ@gov.bc.ca

To connect a road to an FSR section 23 of the Forest and Range Practices Act (FRPA) requirement is to obtain a “junction permit” from the district manager. Industrial use scenarios are cover off by the Road Permit document. The district manager authorizes any connection to an FSR using a Road Junction Requirements Form Letter (FS 1209).

1. Application submission criteria and considerations, consistent with FS 1209 content:

            Map (plan) of appropriate scale and scope illustrating:

• Location
• Description of sight-line distance
• Brushing requirements
• Appropriate warning signage
• Cross drain culvert (if necessary)
• Curves/corners
• Grades
• GPS location/ coordinates
•  Design speed (based on sightlines should be posted on the section of road (anything less than 80 km/hr or the posted speed of the road)
• Signage informing users of the connecting road (T-Junction)
• Stop sign may be required in some situations
• Gradient, if in excess of 2%
• Culvert may be required to address drainage concerns.
• If so, culvert size and justification if less than 500mm.
• Justification if culvert is not required.
• In some cases, the FSR itself may require the cross-drain culvert as a result of the junction.

1.  Angle of junction and justification if unable to achieve right angle. Gate location on access road (if applicable) - is it within or outside the FSR R/W?
2.  Duration of use (e.g., Is this a temporary access road? If so, include rehabilitation and deactivation plans).

Note: Requests from landowners for variance from the established alignment conditions must be accompanied by a professional engineer‘s recommendation.

Email Junction Permit Application Form and location map (See below for mapping standards) to: FTA.DCKDSQ@gov.bc.ca

Updated application and conformance forms are posted to the Chilliwack District’s ftp

This is for situations where using an FSR is required for non-industrial short term use. Example: road use for film industry.

The permit holder must:

• Comply with the Traffic Control Standards of the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure for the full duration of the road use, as detailed at the following site: Traffic Management for Work on Roadways
• Contact all road users named in the list of Road Use Permit holders and inform them of the intended activities, and as required modify activity schedules to ensure the least amount of disruption to other road users.
• Follow radio use practices on resource roads in BC as described in the Best Management Practices for Mobile 2-way radio use on resource roads in BC, installation and maintenance
• Contact designated maintainer for confirmation of correct radio channels and local protocols.

Upon the district manager satisfaction that there are no outstanding obligations associated with the TRUA, the authorization will terminate.

Updated application and conformance forms are posted on the Chilliwack District’s file transfer site. A Certificate of Insurance will be required to be submitted with the application covering:

• Minimum $2 million commercial general liability  
• Firefighting insurance ($500,000 outside fire season, $1,000,000 within fire season)

Email completed Temporary Road Use Authorization application form and supporting documents to: FTA.DCKDSQ@gov.bc.ca

For a non-industrial user to carry out maintenance works on an FSR. For situations where the wilderness level of maintenance is not sufficient for a commercial or public user, the user may elect to undertake some or all of the surface maintenance (grading, brushing, etc., required for providing motor vehicle access) of the FSR as authorized by the FSR Maintenance Agreement. Examples may include: recreation opportunities, utility companies, commercial operations, or for access to private property.

The Maintenance Agreement is a standard document that can authorize such a user to conduct road maintenance activities on an FSR. The agreement is signed by both parties, the contractor, who must be a legal entity (an individual, company, society etc.), and the district manager, on behalf of the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development.

Email FSR Road Maintenance Agreement Application Form and location map (See below for mapping standards) to: FTA.DCKDSQ@gov.bc.ca

Updated application and conformance forms are posted on the Chilliwack District’s ftp

A person must not erect a traffic control device on an FSR without the prior written consent of the district manager in whose district the road is situated.

Include a detailed rationale for the purpose of the restriction and the company/organization’s access control policy. This rationale will help determine whether or not the district manager authorizes the request. Applications without a rationale will not be accepted.

The detailed rationale for the access restriction must include reasons for the authorization request and why other means of traffic control are not sufficient.

Upon installation, a Statement of General Conformance Form must be completed and submitted to the district manager. Photos of the structure, signage and approach from various angles (digital format) must also be submitted.

After completion of operations, the structure and all signage, other obstructions, railings, barriers created as a result of the Works must be removed. Any “excavated materials” must be replaced to its original state.

Upon removal of structure a Statement of General Conformance Form must be submitted to the district manager for approval.

Updated application and conformance forms are posted on the Chilliwack District’s ftp
Email completed Access Control Authorization application form, map and rationale to: FTA.DCKDSQ@gov.bc.ca

Written authorization must be given by the District Manager under Section 22.2(3) of the Forest and Range Practices Act for temporary closures of FSRs.

• Road closures are limited to weekdays only, Monday to Friday with daily schedule of closures noted below. The FSR is to remain open all weekends and statutory holidays. Any changes to this schedule must be pre-authorized through the Chilliwack Natural Resource District office and approved by the district manager.
  • Example of closure schedule:

Road Closure Start Time: 7:00 a.m.
1st Road Opening: 8:00 a.m.
2nd Road Opening: 10:00 a.m.
3rd Road Opening: 12:00 p.m.
4th Road Opening: 2:00 p.m.
Road Closure End Time: 4:30 p.m.

• Road closure signs must be erected at the start of the FSR (0.0km) notifying road users of the closure days and the daily closure schedule.
• Signage must include a contact number and email accessible on a timely basis where persons may inquire for more information or questions.
• Traffic control must be in place for all operations during working hours.
• The above schedule and information will be posted to the district website.
• Contact number and email address will be posted to the district website similar to the information required for the signs placed.

You are obliged to make contact with the designated maintainer and all active RUP holders, inform them of your activities and proposed schedule and reach agreement as to an appropriate work schedule and sharing of the road maintenance costs or activities.

Updated application and conformance forms are posted on the Chilliwack District’s ftp

Email completed Temporary FSR Road Closure Authorization application form, map and letter to: FTA.DCKDSQ@gov.bc.ca

Purpose

Any non-transportation-related works (infrastructure / facilities) constructed within a FSR right-of-way MUST be authorized by a Works Permit. Due to the varied nature of works covered by a Works Permit, contact the district engineering officer to discuss next steps prior to submitting a formal application. Provincial design and conformance standards for various infrastructure installations (buried power, penstock, pipeline, overhead cables, etc.) are available.

Application requirements

• Contact the district engineering office at 604 702-5700 with the following general information:

  • Identify FSR name, number and branch
  • State permittee name and address
  • State nature of work
  • State duration of permit - start date and completion date
  • Complete location map (see below for mapping standards)

Purpose

Only major licensees, as defined in section 115 (1) of the Forest Act, are eligible to apply for a road permit.

Application requirements

Licensees are directed to contact the district licensed authorizations officer at 604 702-5700 or FTA.DCKDSQ@gov.bc.ca for further details on the application process.