Crown Land Tenure

The Process for Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure Projects License of Occupation, Right-of-Way and Easement

The Ministry of Forests administers the Land Act and is responsible for the sale, lease and license of Crown lands throughout British Columbia. Tenure for the use of provincial Crown land for highway operations and construction, including the disposition of Crown land by lease, license of occupation, right-of-way and easement, is issued under the Act.Activities related to highway development that are often undertaken on Crown land include: geotechnical field investigations; construction of a temporary access road; establishment of a borrow pit or a quarry; and construction of a road or highway. 

The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure must apply for tenure to use crown land. Completed forms are submitted to Front Counter BC. 

Crown Land Reserves

Crown land may also be temporarily reserved from alienation on behalf of Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure pursuant to Section 16 of the Land Act.

Crown land reserves may be appropriate for highway operations and construction including development of gravel resource sites, short-term stockpiling of material unsuitable for highway construction, or to protect environmental compensation sites from development until permanent protection can be established.

Statute: Land Act

Relevant Section or Regulation:

• Land Act, Part 2, Disposition of Crown Land - General
• Land Act, Part 3, Application Procedure for Disposition of Crown Land

Regulating Agency: The Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations & Rural Development