Marine Log Salvage

Marine Log Salvage is legislated in Part 9 of the Forest Act. Log salvage activities within the Vancouver Log Salvage District must be done in accordance with the Forest Act and the Log Salvage Regulation for the Vancouver Log Salvage District.

Vancouver Log Salvage District Map (PDF 7MB)

Within the Vancouver Log Salvage District, all salvaged logs, including deadheads, that are deemed as merchantable by a licenced coastal log scaler, must be disposed of through a licensee holding a receiving station licence. There is currently one licensee operating within the District, Western Log Sort and Salvage Cooperative. In order to collect and dispose of logs you are required to have a valid Log Salvage Permit issued through the Natural Resource District Office in Nanaimo at an annual cost of $250.

In the waters outside of the District, no log salvage permit is required, but salvors must have a client number with the ministry and a scale site linked to their salvage operations to facilitate scaling and stumpage revenue invoicing. Logs bearing timber marks, brands or tags are the property of the holder of the timber mark, brand or tag and the owner must be contacted regarding the salvage rights. Any timber collected must be scaled by a licenced coastal timber scaler and stumpage must be paid to the Crown.

Salvaging of logs is not allowed for those trees or logs where the roots, or any portion of the tree are located above the high tide mark. There is a different process in place for trees with roots attached and logs can’t be bucked without prior approval. Salvors must contact the local Natural Resource Office to request approval to buck salvaged logs prior to scaling taking place.

• Log Salvage Permit Information Package (PDF 660KB)
• Log Salvage Procedures and Guidelines outside the Vancouver Log Salvage District (PDF 253KB)

Log Spill Closure Instructions:

• Instructions for Requesting a Log Spill Closure Order (PDF 136KB)

Log Spill Closure Orders and Maps:

• Closure Order 24-04 Port McNeill Bay - Effective from 1000 hours Nov 20, 2024 until 1200 hours Nov 30, 2024 (PDF 253KB)

For more information regarding marine log salvage, please contact your local Natural Resource District Office.