Volume 1 - Resource Management
Chapter 3 - Range Management

Policy 3.1 - Allocation of Grazing Vacancy

Effective Date: 31-Jul-97
Responsible Branch: Forest Practices Branch

Resource Management Volume Table of Contents | Amendment Log

Scope

This policy covers the allocation of grazing vacancies.

Policy

Where the District Manager determines that a grazing vacancy exists and wishes to allocate the vacancy, the vacancy must be advertised. Applications will be rated using an approved applicant rating system (Range Act, s.5, 6, 10, 11).

Determination of Vacancy

To determine whether a grazing vacancy exists, the District Manager considers:

  • if unused Crown forage is available for grazing by livestock
  • goals and priorities stated in any approved resource management plans
  • forage supply in relation to forage requirements of existing tenure holders and wildlife, and
  • any other integrated resource values

Exceptions

This policy does not apply in the following situations:

  • replacement or renewal of a permit where the application is received by the District Manager prior to the permit's expiry date
  • replacement or renewal of a licence where the application is received by the District Manager during the eighth or ninth year of the licence's term
  • a permit or licence issued under s.29 of the Range Act as compensation for a deletion under s.26, or
  • amendments to licences for management increases under s.5 of the Range Act

Advertising of Vacancy

If a grazing vacancy exists, the District Manager will decide whether or not to invite applications for the vacancy (Range Regulation, s.3, 4).

When an unsolicited application is received (i.e., no advertisement was placed), the District Manager will acknowledge the application and decide whether a grazing vacancy exists.

No grazing tenure will be issued unless the District Manager advertises as prescribed under s.10 of the Range Act.

Rating of Applicants

All applicants must be rated using an approved applicant rating system which considers:

  • criteria listed in s.12 of the Range Act, and
  • other requirements, items, and conditions, in accordance with existing legislation and with Ministry approved policies, procedures, and guidelines (Range Regulation, s.6)

Unqualified Applicants

An unqualified applicant is a person who does not meet Ministry criteria specified in the vacancy advertisement.

Where there are no qualified applicants for a grazing vacancy, unqualified applicants may be considered if this was stated in the advertisement. Only a one-year permit will be issued unless otherwise authorized by the District Manager. Upon expiry of the permit, the District Manager will determine if a vacancy exists.

One-Year Permits

One-year permits may be issued to applicants whose ranch base is outside B.C. provided that (Range Act, s.6):

  • no applicant with proposed appurtenant lands in B.C., or no resident of B.C. applied who was acceptable to the District Manager
  • all Crown grazing charges and related costs are paid in advance
  • the applicant's livestock are approved livestock (see Livestock Ownership and Control Policy)

References