About Timber Pricing Branch

Timber Measurement (Scaling, Cruising and Residue & Waste)

The Scaling and Waste Section, as well as the Cruising section are responsible for developing policy for the measurement of timber to be harvested (the cruise), timber cut and removed from the forest (the scale) and timber not recovered in the harvesting process (the waste assessment).  The cruise provides the essential data for determining stumpage rates, for establishing conditions of sale and for planning of the logging operations by the licensee.  Reliable scale data is the basis for many transactions for both government and industry, including the billing for harvested volumes.  Waste assessments are carried out to quantify the volumes of merchantable timber and waste left on the harvested areas following the completion of primary logging.

Specific Responsibilities

  • Set standards and policy for measuring the quality and quantity of timber.
  • Provide advice on the interpretation and application of timber measurement policies to Ministry staff, licensees, industry associations, and the public.
  • Manage scale data.
  • Manage marine log salvage.
  • Manage cruising in a progressive manner.
  • Ensure all waste and residue is measured and billed.
  • Expand electronic commerce throughout the forest industry.
  • Maintain and develop provincial business applications.
  • Lead or support the development legislation, regulations and policies (pricing and non-pricing) affecting BC Timber Sales (e.g., auction/tenure/business model, registration scheme, planning, roads, stewardship, market pricing system etc.).
  • Provide expert guidance and support to MFR staff, industry associations, licensees and the public in respect of legislation, regulations, policies and litigation germane to BC Timber Sales.
  • Lead or support the development of innovative BC Timber Sales business practices (e.g., lump sum Timber Sale Licenses, First Nation and Community Forest Agreement partnership agreements etc.).

Section Contacts

Graham Archdekin, Manager Tenure Operations (BC Timber Sales Policy, Scaling & Waste)
Email: Graham.Archdekin@gov.bc.ca, Tel: 250-387-8302

Shawn Hedges, Senior Policy Forester
Email: Shawn.Hedges@gov.bc.ca, Tel: 250-387-8944

John Stephen, Tenures Forester
Email: John.Stephen@gov.bc.ca, Tel: 250-387-8637

Steve Laberge, Provincial Wood Measurement Specialist
Email: Steve.Laberge@gov.bc.ca, Tel: 250-356-7673

Cynthia Lidstone, Provincial Scaling Officer
Email: Cynthia.Lidstone@gov.bc.ca, Tel: 250-356-5795

John Wai, Residue and Log Salvage Policy Forester
Email: John.Wai@gov.bc.ca, Tel: 250-356-7671

Keith Tudor, Cruising Policy Forester
Email: Keith.Tudor@gov.bc.ca, Tel: 250-387-8357

Don Rorison, Cruising Projects Specialist
Email: Don.Rorison@gov.bc.ca, Tel: 250-356-7674

Mark Koepke, Cruising Analyst
Email: Mark.Koepke@gov.bc.ca, Tel: 250-483-5923