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Chilliwack Forest District
Occupant Licence to Cut Policy and Procedures

 A. DEFINITION

The definition of a Occupant Licence to Cut (OLTC) as defined in The Forest Act section 47.4 is:

"OCCUPANT LICENCE TO CUT" MEANS A LICENCE TO CUT ENTERED INTO UNDER SUBSECTION (2) (A) OF THIS SECTION.

(2) THE REGIONAL MANAGER OR DISTRICT MANAGER MAY ENTER INTO

(A) AN OCCUPANT LICENCE TO CUT WITH AN OWNER OR OCCUPIER OF LAND, AUTHORIZING THE PERSON TO CUT CROWN TIMBER ON THE LAND, REMOVE CROWN TIMBER FROM THE LAND OR DO BOTH,

B. INTRODUCTION AND CURRENT POLICY

The Chilliwack Forest District’s current application procedures are aimed at improving turn around times and increasing the certainty of success for the Occupant Licence to Cut (OLTC) applications. These procedures may require the involvement of Registered Professional Foresters (RPF) employed by the OLTC client. The RPF’s may have to submit a professionally produced signed and sealed application package to the Ministry of Forests for approval. Applications will be reviewed by the Chilliwack Forest District (CFD) and approved within 30 days, provided that the submission is complete and meets the criteria set out for OLTC’s.

All OLTC clients must have a valid Occupational Tenure for the area the OLTC will cover.

C. PROCEDURES

There are three forms of OLTCs that may be issued. The OLTC client must determine which form of OLTC applies.

  1. An OCCUPANT LICENCE TO CUT with less than 2,500 m3 of *merchantable timber.

    Applications for an OLTC with less than 2,500m3 *merchantable timber will require an RPF signed and sealed application package.
  2. An OCCUPANT LICENCE TO CUT with greater than 2,500m3 of *merchantable timber.

    Applications for an OLTC with greater than 2,500m3 *merchantable timber will require an RPF signed and sealed application package, and a **timber cruise. An appraisal must be completed and submitted electronically using the Electronic Commerce Appraisals System (ECAS).
  3. An OCCUPANT LICENCE TO CUT with no *merchantable timber.

    Applications for an OLTC with no *merchantable timber will be reviewed and processed by the CFD and may or may not require the OLTC client to contract the services of a RPF.
* In order to be merchantable the timber must be a minimum of 3.0 metres in length and have a minimum top diameter of 10.0 centimetres.

** The OLTC client must gather and compile cruise data in accordance with the following ministry publications:
  1. Cruising Manual, (Cruising Manual web site:
    http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hva/manuals/cruising/),
  2. Cruise Compilation Manual.

D. PROFESSIONAL SIGNED AND SEALED APPLICATION REQUIRED

1. If a professional signed and sealed application is required the OLTC client must retain the services of an RPF. The OLTC client should be prepared to provide the RPF with the general base information needed to begin the assessment.
  • Copy of valid occupational tenure
  • A Site Plan detailing the extent of timber cutting on the Occupational Tenure.
2. The RPF will complete the RPF Check List (see Appendix “A”.) and submit it along with a copy of the valid Occupational Tenure, Exhibit ‘A’ map (see Appendix “B”) if required, site plan map and a completed application form (see Appendix “C”)
  • An Exhibit “A” map is not required if the estimated volume is less than 300m3.
3. If the volume is greater than 2,500m3, a timber cruise must be completed in accordance with the Ministry of Forests’ Cruising Manual and Cruise Compilation Manual.

4. If the volume is greater than 2,500m3 an appraisal must be completed in accordance with the Coast Appraisal Manual and must be submitted electronically using the Electronic Commerce Appraisal System (ECAS).
  • RPFs submitting an appraisal via ECAS must have a registered BCeID and can apply for one by calling 1-888-356-2741.
5. The CFD will review the signed and sealed package. Incomplete packages will be returned to RPF for resubmission. Completed packages will be dated and entered into the tracking system. Approval and issuance of the OLTC documents will be within 30 days in most cases.

E. PROFESSIONAL SIGNED AND SEALED APPLICATION NOT REQUIRED

  1. A professional signed and sealed application is not required if there is no merchantable timber to be cut. In order to be merchantable the timber must be a minimum of 3.0 metres in length and have a minimum top diameter of 10.0 centimetres.
  2. If the OLTC client believes there is no merchantable timber in the application area and therefore does not require a signed and sealed package. The OLTC client must complete the application form (see Appendix “C”) and submit it along with a Site Plan detailing the extent of timber cutting on the Occupational Tenure.
  3. The CFD will review the application. Incomplete packages will be returned to the OLTC client for re-submission. Completed packages will be dated and entered into the tracking system. Approval and issuance of the OLTC documents will be within 30 days in most cases. If the application proceeds, the Tenures Technician may arrange with the OLTC client to conduct a field review.
  4. If the OLTC client wants to ensure that there is no delay in processing their application or they are not sure whether the timber to be felled is merchantable or not, may want to submit a professional signed and sealed application.

F. RPF SUBMISSIONS

Initial Review

When approached by an OLTC client, the RPF should first verify that the client has a valid occupational tenure for the area the OLTC will cover

It is up to the Forest Consultant to set their own standards for submissions by the OLTC client.


Field Review

It is required that a field review be completed for the area under application. The information collected in the field and required for a completed submission include:
    • Estimates of volumes per species.
    • Details of stream locations and classifications.
    • A Site Plan showing cutting boundary locations.
    • Identification of any unstable areas and slopes greater than 60%.
    • Identify type of road use tenure required (if any) using the attached Road Use Approval Guide. (see APPENDIX “D”.)
Submission

The RPF must submit a complete application package to the CFD for review. A complete application will include:

  • Completed, signed and sealed copy of the RPF Check List. (APPENDIX “A”)
  • Completed, copy of the Application form signed by the OLTC client. (APPENDIX “C”)
  • Copy of valid Occupational Tenure.
  • A Site Plan map showing the proposed development within the occupational tenure area.
  • An Exhibit ‘A’ Map meeting CFD standards. (APPENDIX “B”) if the volume is estimated at greater than 300m3.
  • If required, a Timber Cruise meeting Ministry standards.
  • If required, an appraisal submitted electronically via ECAS.

Clients interested in retaining the services of an Registered Professional can contact the Association of British Columbia Forest Professionals (ABCFP) at 604-687-8027 or view the website at www.rpf-bc.org.