Small Scale Salvage - Forestry

Last updated on April 24, 2024

A small scale salvage licence is a specific type of forestry licence to cut that allows the harvest of up to 2,000 m3 in volume. The small scale salvage licences are managed through the province’s Natural Resource Districts via the Small Scale Salvage Program.

Historically used as a tool to address forest health issues, the Small Scale Salvage Program mandate was invigorated in 2004 to assist in the lodgepole pine salvage occurring throughout the central plateau due to the mountain pine beetle epidemic. Initially the Small Scale Salvage Program issued Forestry Licences to Cut via a conventional application process, where each licence could harvest up to 2,000 m3. Later in 2005/2006, a Professional Reliance model application process was adopted with a new volume limit of up to 2000 m3 per licence. In 2010, the Small Scale Salvage Program was expanded to include the recovery of roadside and landing waste, allowing secondary industries to utilize fibre left behind by primary logging.

The Small Scale Salvage Program is the only form of tenure available to the small market logger where the focus of the harvest must be on small isolated patches of timber that are dead and/or in danger of being significantly reduced in value, lost or destroyed and would otherwise not be harvested.

Salvage is defined as the harvest of the following:

  1. Dead and/or dying timber
  2. Trees which have been damaged or infested with insects and will die within one year; and
  3. Logging residue

Specific information regarding the Small Scale Salvage Program can be found below under the appropriate Natural Resource District. If you do not know which Natural Resource District you are interested in or the Natural Resource District is not listed, please review the contact page for a detailed map and office information​

 

Campbell River Natural Resource District

The Campbell River Natural Resource District (DCR) encourages all interested applicants to review the below guidance and direct any questions to the Salvage Coordinator.  Please call 250-286-9300 to book an appointment. 

All applications submitted with missing information will be rejected upon receival. It is the submitting professional’s responsibility to ensure the application meets the requirements of the program.

Guides

Forms and Applications

 

Cariboo-Chilcotin Natural Resource District

District Guidelines

​Client Application Form

  • Parties interested in doing business with the Ministry of Forests require a client number.
    Please complete the Client Information Form (PDF, 65KB) before proceeding with any application.

Small Scale Salvage Applications

Reporting Forms

Small Scale Salvage Maps

Reference Documents

 

Haida Gwaii Natural Resource District

District Guidelines

​Client Application Form

Parties interested in doing business with the Ministry of Forests require a client number. Please complete the Client Information Form (PDF, 65KB) before proceeding with any application if you do not have a Client Number.

Small Scale Salvage Applications

Reporting Forms

Application Support Documents

Reference Documents

Haida Gwaii Natural Resource District Office

PO Box 39
Queen Charlotte City, BC
V0T 1S0 

Forms may be dropped off at the office in person at 1229 Oceanview Drive, Queen Charlotte City or via email FrontCounterHaidaGwaii@gov.bc.ca

 

Okanagan Shuswap Natural Resource District

 

Prince George Natural Resource District

District Guidelines and Steps in the Application Process

As of Feb. 28, 2007 all Small Scale Salvage Applications must be submitted electronically.

Please review the following:

Client Application Form

Parties interested in doing business with the Ministry of Forests require a client number.

Please complete the Client Information Form (PDF, 72KB) before proceeding with any application.

Small Scale Salvage Application Forms

Small Scale Salvage Post Harvest

Small Scale Salvage Access Information

 

Quesnel Natural Resource District

District Guidelines and Reference Maps

​Client Application Form

  • Parties interested in doing business with the Ministry of Forests require a client number.
    Please complete the Client Information Form (PDF, 72KB) before proceeding with any application.

Small Scale Salvage Application Forms

Contact the district directly with questions or concerns:

Dominique Bailey
1-236-713-2277
Dominique.Bailey@gov.bc.ca

 

Sea to Sky Natural Resource District

Small Scale Salvage Application Forms

A completed copy of your licence to cut application package should be sent or dropped off at the following address:

Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development
Sea to Sky Natural Resource District
101-42000 Loggers Lane
Squamish British Columbia
V8B 0H3
Attn: Resource Officer

Or emailed to: FTA.DCKDSQ@gov.bc.ca

The district manager will determine the disposition of the timber.

 

South Island Natural Resource District

District Guidelines and Information:

Small Scale Salvage Application Forms

Please submit your application and/or any questions by using the following information:

Be sure to attach the required location map, and photographs with your submission:

Email: FTA.DSI@gov.bc.ca

Address: South Island Natural Resource District - SINRD
4885 Cherry Creek Road
Port Alberni, B.C.
V9Y 8E9

 

Stuart Nechako Natural Resource District

Online Forms and Guides

Contact the district directly with questions or concerns

Brian Atwood (primary contact)  
(250) 567-6363
Brian.Atwood@gov.bc.ca

Jaedon Voth (secondary contact)
(250) 567-6363
Jaedon.Voth@gov.bc.ca

 

 

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Contact information

Contact your natural resource district office or FrontCounter BC for more information about Small Scale Salvage licence.

Contact us if you have questions about Small Scale Salvage licence.