Forest and Range Practices Act implementation tools
Last updated on May 12, 2025FRPA implementation is achieved through the application of a range of policy tools, such as bulletins, guidance documents, and letters of expectations. This page provides up-to-date information on these tools to help you understand the planning and practice requirements.
Please note: this information and implementation guidance does not constitute legal advice. Government as well as third-party practitioners are encouraged to seek their own legal counsel.
On this page
FRPA bulletins
Bulletins consolidate and communicate information on how:
- The legislative language of FRPA and its regulations apply to various situations
- Resource professionals can prepare and meet forest stewardship plan and woodlot licence plan's content requirements
- Certain planning and reporting processes must be completed
Administration bulletins
- Forest Stewardship Planning: First Nations Information Sharing (PDF, 121KB)
- Administration of Declared Areas Under Section 14 of the FPPR (PDF, 103KB)
- Interpretive Guidance Respecting Forest Stewardship Plan Questions (PDF, 803KB)
- Administration of Sections 12(3) and 52 of the FPPR: Considerations Regarding Content Requirements for FSPs (PDF, 99KB)
- First Nations Information Sharing Bulletin for Woodlot Licence Planning (PDF, 109KB)
- Transfer of Obligations to Establish a Free Growing Stand under section 29.1 of FRPA (PDF, 111KB)
- Considerations for Making Orders Under Section 9 of FRPA and Section 19 of the FPPR: Cumulative Effect of Multiple FSPs: Proportional Targets (PDF, 98KB)
- Guidance on Administrating a Transition Forest Stewardship Plan (PDF, 45KB)
- Interpretive Guidance Respecting Woodlot License Plans (PDF, 117KB)
- Interpretative Guidance Respecting FSP Questions (PDF, 111KB)
- Removed
- Amending Site Level Information - Ability to Amend Code Site Plans Under FRPA (PDF, 259KB)
- Silviculture Prescription Stocking Standard Amendments (PDF, 273KB)
- FSP Review and Comment Requirements Relative to Tenured Commercial Recreational Operations on Crown Land (PDF, 3.2MB)
- Removed
- Interpretive Guidance Respecting the Extension of Woodlot Licence Plans (PDF, 234KB)
General bulletins
- Collection, Registration, Processing and Distribution of Seed (PDF, 231KB)
- Managing Through Transition - FSP Opportunities (PDF, 75KB)
- Use of the Term "Practicable" under FRPA and Regulations (PDF, 54KB)
- Strategies to Assist FSP Development and Administration in Areas with Established Land Use Objectives (PDF, 108KB)
- The Role of Information and Considerations Influencing Statutory Decision-Makers (SDM) Determinations in the Plan Approval Process (PDF, 95KB)
- Wildlife Habitat Objectives: Considerations Respecting the Content of FSPs (PDF, 120KB)
- Interpreting Section 196 of FRPA for Major Licences and BC Timber Sales (PDF, 127KB)
- Wildlife Tree Retention: Guidance for District and License Staff (PDF, 603KB)
- Managing Visual Resources (PDF, 111KB)
- Beetle Wood Salvage and Visual Quality (PDF, 304KB)
- Forest Health Bulletin (PDF, 116KB)
- Use of Practicable in Results or Strategies (PDF, 58KB)
- Transition Guidance for Licensees Making Cutting Permit and Road Permit Applications (PDF, 408KB)
- Management of Lakeshore Management Zones under FRPA (PDF, 383KB)
- Managing and Tracking Wildlife Tree Retention Areas under FRPA (PDF, 314KB)
- Application of FRPA to Independent Power Producers, Mineral Interests and Other Occupiers of the Land (PDF, 284KB)
- Effects of Orders Made Under FRPA, GAR on FSPs (PDF, 358KB)
- Promoting Co-operative Planning under FRPA (PDF, 415KB)
- Options for Harvesting Dead and Dying Trees along Road Permit Roads (PDF, 162KB)
- Declaration Regarding Free Growing Obligations Met to the Extent Practicable Under FPPR Section 97.1 (PDF, 230KB)
- Managing Section 48 of FRPA - "Natural Range Barriers" (PDF, 472KB)
- An Overview of FSP Extensions (PDF, 173KB)
- Providing Notice of Road Construction or Deactivation Activities in a Community Watershed (PDF, 148KB)
- 20-Year Time Limit for Establishing a Free Growing Stand under Section 44 (1)(b) of the FPPR and the Mechanism for Extending the Late Free Growing Date (PDF, 261KB))
- A Comparison of FSP Results or Strategies Flexibility Options (PDF, 346KB)
- Government May Fund Extra Expenses or Waive Obligations Under FRPA Section 108 and FPPR, Section 96 (PDF, 351KB)
- Adding / Removing / Transferring a Party to / from Existing FSP (PDF, 206KB)
Other applicable bulletins
- Guidance to C&E Program Staff on the Assessment of Measurable or Verifiable Results or Strategies Within a Forest Stewardship Plan (FSP) (PDF, 80KB)
- Guidance to C&E Program Staff and Delegated Decision Makers on Interpreting the words "Material Adverse Effect" and "Material Adverse Impact" (PDF, 190KB)
FRPA facts and handbooks
Learn about more implementation tools available to practitioners under FRPA.
FRPA Facts
- FRPA Facts: Forest Operations Plan (PDF, 241KB)
- FRPA Facts: New Definition for Natural Range Barriers (PDF, 135KB)
- FRPA Facts: Forest and Range Practices Requirement Updates (PDF, 186KB)
- FRPA Facts: Forest Operations Map (PDF, 212KB)
- FRPA Facts: Forest Stewardship Plan Administration (PDF, 153KB)
FRPA Handbooks
- Fish Stream Identification Handbook (PDF, 3.5MB)
- Visual Impact Assessment Handbook (PDF, 8.7MB)
- Administrative Guide for Forest Stewardship Plans Volume 1 (PDF, 2.8MB)
- Administrative Guide for Forest Stewardship Plans Volume 2 (PDF, 2.3MB)
Chief Forester guidance
The chief forester is an assistant deputy minister responsible for determining timber harvest levels for each timber supply area and tree farm licence in the province. Reporting to the deputy minister, the chief forester also provides key strategic guidance and direction on forest stewardship to forestry practitioners in government and industry. The following is guidance around forest sustainability provided by the Chief Forester:
- Chief Forester Expectations Around Utilization of Harvested Fibre (PDF, 190KB)
- Post-Natural Disturbance Forest Restoration Guidance - Wildfires (PDF, 1MB)
- Chief Forester Expectations - Harvest Prioritization in Response to Spruce Beetle Outbreaks (PDF, 2.8MB)
- Chief Forester Guidance on Tree Species Composition (PDF, 280KB)
- Chief Forester Expectations for Optimization of Silvicultural Investments (PDF, 1.1MB)
- Chief Forester Expectations for Improving Residual Fibre Utilization in Order to Reduce Emissions from Slash Pile Burning While Carrying Out Government Funded Silviculture Activities (PDF, 800KB)
- Chief Forester Forest Management Options for Reducing Slash Pile Burning: Best Management Practices (PDF, 630KB)
- Chief Forester’s Update to Guidance on the Replacement of Forest Stewardship Plans - 2023 (PDF, 197KB)
- Chief Forester's Guidance on the Replacement of Forest Stewardship Plans - 2016 (PDF, 667KB)
Silviculture implementation tools: Silviculture is the art and science of establishing, growing and tending to the composition, health, and quality of forests in order to sustainably manage a diverse set of values such as wildlife habitat, cultural heritage, water quality, timber, recreation and others. Several tools have been developed by the Office of the Chief Forester to support the implementation of silviculture across the Province.
Practitioner guidance
Several provincial policy tools have been developed that apply to specific regions or areas of the province. Resource practitioners should apply guidance such as Regional Direction, District Managers’ Letters of Expectation or site-specific Best Management Practices (BMPs) when operating in applicable areas.
- Omineca Region Guidance (PDF, 1.5MB)
- Cariboo Regional Guidance (PDF, 8MB)
- District manager letters of expectation when preparing forest stewardship plans
- Interim Guidance: FRPA Section 108 Policy and Process (PDF, 336KB)
- Interim Guidance: FRPA Section 108 ACD Block Allocation and Funding Process (PDF, 832KB)
- FSP Amendment and Exemption Guidance (2022) (PDF, 300KB)