Volume 1 - Resource Management
Chapter 13 - Revenue - Scaling

Policy 13.2 - Timber Marking and Transportation

Effective Date: 01-Apr-93
Updated: 15-Oct-97
Responsible Branch: Revenue Branch

Resource Management Volume Table of Contents | Amendment Log

Scope

This policy covers the marking and transport of timber.

Policy

Ministry requirements for scaling, marking, and documentation must be sufficient to ensure timber movement is controlled and the Crown's financial interests are protected. Checks will be conducted to ensure these requirements are met ( Forest Act, s.94 (1)).

Consideration of Risk

Ministry requirements must consider the risk of revenue loss and the loss of scale data control. Requirements must consider the following:

  • volume, nature, frequency, and complexity of the proposed mode of transportation
  • adequacy of data controls already in place
  • place and method of scaling

Designation of the Place of Scale

The place of scale for all timber marks must be designated to one or more authorized scale sites prior to transport (Scaling Regulation, s.3).

Timber Marking

All timber must be conspicuously marked on the area of origin as soon as possible after it is cut and prior to any transportation off the area or manufacture (Forest Act, s.84 (1)(b)).

Marking Method

Unless exempted, timber must be marked in accordance with the Timber Marking and Transportation Regulation.

Exemptions must be in writing and provide for the required format of marking which may include crayon, hammer or paint. Exemptions may be specific to a (Forest Act, s.84 (3))

  • designated scale site
  • geographic area
  • form of timber transport
  • licence or group of licensees or marks
  • type of forest product
  • combination of the above

The minimum standard of marking will be set by the Regional Manager.

Exemptions will not be issued if timber will be waterborne, subject to export, or transported out of the jurisdiction, unless a different level of marking is approved by the receiving jurisdiction.

Timber Mark Posting

Where considered appropriate, harvesting agreements and cutting authorities may include a standard clause requiring the licensee to erect signs at the exit point of each cut block, clearly showing the timber mark applicable to that cut block.

Timber Branding

Minimum levels of branding are as follows (Timber Marking and Transportation Regulation):

Marine log brand: Each piece must be hammer indented on each end, except where the face of the log is too small to carry the full brand. The minimum branding requirement in all instances will be one hammer indentation on each log (Forest Act, s.88).

Scaled timber brand: The brand must be applied by hammer indentation, paint, and/or crayon, and the level of branding will be set by the forest region (Forest Act, s. 89).

Additional Documentation for Controlled Timber Transport

Anyone transporting timber may be required to carry additional documentation describing the timber being transported and the nature of the transport.

The objective of specific documentation requirements is to ensure controlled scaling and timber transport. Transporters may be exempted from full documentation requirements if the transport is readily controlled, such as across the road to another log yard controlled by the same licensee.

References