Free Use Permit - Forestry

A free use permit gives the right to remove minor volumes of Crown timber for personal purposes such as:

• Firewood collection
• Christmas tree cutting
• Using timber to develop a mining claim
• Traditional or cultural activities
• Scientific investigations
• Agriculture purposes related to agriculture leases

Free Use Permit for First Nation Traditional & Cultural Activities

• Information for First Nations Requiring Timber for Traditional and Cultural Activity (PDF)
• Application for First Nation Traditional and Cultural Activity (PDF)
• Draft Policy Memo - May 2010 (PDF)
• Draft Policy Memo - Dec 2009 (PDF)
• Free Use Permits for First Nation Traditional and Cultural Activities Administrative Guide (PDF, 1.1MB)

Free Use Permits for Mining Activities

The Inspector of Mines has the authority to issue free use permits for up to 50 m³ associated with the clearing of trees for exploration and mining activities. If a proponent is completing a notice of work application, the free use permit is linked to this electronic application and will be generated as part of that process. If a person already has a Mines Act permit, they must submit a request to amend their permit to include tree cutting. If harvest will be greater than 50 m³ an Occupant Licence to Cut application must be submitted to the local Natural Resource District office for approval by the District Manager.

• Letter providing authorization to Mines to issue Free Use Permits (PDF)

Application for Free Use Permits for other purposes

Natural Resource Districts have the responsibility to accept applications for issuance of a free use permit. If a free use permit is required for a purpose other than firewood, Christmas trees or cultural or traditional uses, please submit an Incidental Timber Harvest Application form to the local Natural Resource District office. If a free use permit is not appropriate for the activity, a Forestry Licence to Cut may be issued instead. 

• Incidental Timber Harvest Application Form – for volumes less than 50m³.