Volume 1 - Resource Management
Chapter 3 - Range Management

Policy 3.2 - Allocation of Hay Cutting 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 hay cutting vacancies.

Policy

Where the District Manager determines that a hay cutting vacancy exists and wishes to allocate the vacancy, the vacancy must be advertised. Applications will be rated using an approved applicant rating system.

Determination of Vacancy

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

  • if unused Crown forage is available to mechanically harvest for use 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.8 of the Range Act

Advertising of Vacancy

If a hay cutting vacancy exists, the District Manager will decide whether or not to invite applications for the vacancy (Range Regulation, s.3, 5).

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

No hay cutting 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:

  • all information given on the hay cutting application, in accordance with s.7 of the Range Regulation
  • criteria listed in s.12 of the Range Act, adapted for hay cutting tenures, and
  • other requirements, items, and conditions, in accordance with existing legislation and with Ministry approved policies, procedures, and guidelines (Range Act, s.6)

Unqualified Applications

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 hay cutting 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.

References