Identifying and reporting natural resource violations
Last updated on August 6, 2025
We all play a role in protecting our natural resources.
If you have seen misconduct related to natural resources involving forest harvesting, fire use, heritage sites, water use or damage, or unauthorized use of Crown land, please report it using one of these two methods:
Method one:
Report a natural resource violation with the online form if the infraction concerns water, roads, forestry operations or any misuse of Crown lands or a heritage site.
Method two:
Call 1 877-952-7277 toll-free (or #7277 on a cellphone). Then, depending on what you've witnessed, you may choose to report either to a Natural Resource Officer or a Conservation Officer.
On this page
Identifying violations
Natural resource violations may include illegal or unauthorized activities related to:
- Use of water
- Construction of works (e.g., pumping equipment) or altering terrain near water (for a definition of “works”, see Section 1 of the Water Sustainability Act)
- Use of fire in forests or on grasslands, infractions related to fire prohibitions
- Long-term unauthorized occupation of Crown land
- Unauthorized foreshore development
- Unauthorized timber harvesting
- Unauthorized road construction and maintenance
- Culturally sensitive sites or artifacts
- Use of resource roads
- Environmental damage in sensitive ecosystems
- Habitat damage (fish and wildlife)
- Crown pastures and associated livestock
What to include when you file a report
Natural Resource Officer Supervisors review every natural resource violation report to determine the appropriate response according to the mandate and NROS priorities. Natural Resource Officers respond to many complaints but are not able to respond to every report.
What to record
Your observations should be recorded in note form as soon as possible. Where possible, include:
- Description of suspect(s) including number of people, name, sex, race, age, height and weight, eye colour, hair, hair colour and style, facial hair, physical attributes such as tattoos or scars, clothing, accent and mannerisms
- Details of violation including date, time, location, type of violation, suspects actions and comments, type of hunting or fishing gear and other equipment used
- Transport involved including vehicle or vessel number, province or state, make, model, year, colour and distinctive features such as damage, stripes or customizing
- Witnesses including name, address and phone number for each
How to report a violation
Report a natural resource violation with the online form if the infraction concerns water, roads, forestry operations or any misuse of Crown lands or a heritage site.
Or
Call 1-877-952-7277 toll-free (or #7277 on a cellphone). Then, depending on what you've witnessed, you may choose to report either to a Natural Resource Officer or a Conservation Officer.
​Thank you for taking the time to report a natural resource violation and for your help protecting B.C.’s natural resources.
Other natural resource questions
Please contact FrontCounter BC if your concern does not involve a violation, or if you need to find out where to report another concern:
- FrontCounterBC website
- 1-877-855-3222​
To report a public health or safety matter, call 911.
Use the Natural Resource Violation (NRV) form to report known or suspected violations of illegal water use, works around water, unsafe fire use, roads, forestry operations, and any illegal activity on Crown lands or archaeologically sensitive areas.