There’s never been a better time to Buy BC and support local growers, producers and the food we love right here in B.C.
Small Scale Salvage - Forestry
Last updated on February 25, 2025A 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:
- Dead and/or dying timber
- Trees which have been damaged or infested with insects and will die within one year; and
- 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
- DCR Small Scale Salvage iMap User Guide (PDF, 329KB)
- DCR Standard Operations Procedure for Professional Applications (PDF, 295KB)
- DCR Standard Operations Procedure for Cash Sales (PDF, 290KB)
- DCR Tenures Operations Map 2020 (PDF, 10MB)
- Mapping Standards for Small Scale Salvage Application (PDF, 94KB)
- Q&A for Wildlife Hazard Assessment and Abatement (PDF, 404KB)
Forms and Applications
- Online application for a Ministry of Forests client number
- Conventional Salvage Application Form for less than 50m3 (PDF, 205KB)
- Miscellaneous Appraisal Data Submission Form (DOC, 162 KB) for Professional Applicants Only
- Post Harvest Report (PDF, 97KB)
- Professional Salvage Application Form for 50-2000m3 (PDF, 218KB)
- Timber Mark Site Designation Form (PDF, 150KB)
Cariboo-Chilcotin Natural Resource District
District Guidelines
- Small Scale Salvage Information Package (PDF, 447.5KB)
- SSS Application Checklist (PDF, 59KB)
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
- Referral Submission Form (DOC, 19KB)
- Professional Salvage Application Form (DOC, 313KB)
- Field Report Template (DOC, 250KB)
- Interior Stumpage Rate Request Form (PDF, 2MB)
- MDWR GAR Exemption Order DFBB Sanitation Exemption - draft for trial (DOC, 50KB)
- Land Act Grazing Lease Joint Harvesting Agreement (PDF, 181 KB)
Reporting Forms
- Notice of Commencement (PDF, 196KB)
- Notice of Completion (PDF, 164KB)
- Post Harvest Report Template (DOC, 52KB)
Small Scale Salvage Maps
- Interactive Cariboo-Chilcotin Small Scale Salvage Webmap
- BCTS Operating Areas Map (PDF, 7MB)
- WL TSA Licensee Operating Areas (PDF, 6MB)
- 2018 Cash Sale Maps
- 2020 Douglas-fir Bark Beetle Flight Data
Reference Documents
- Amended Order - Ungulate Winter Ranges Cariboo Chilcotin Land Use Plan,Transition and Deep Snow Pack (PDF, 766KB)
- Amended Order - Ungulate Winter Ranges Cariboo Chilcotin Land Use Plan, Shallow and Moderate Snowpack (PDF, 853KB)
- Land Use Objectives for the Cariboo–Chilcotin Land Use Plan (CCLUP) Area (PDF, 567.4KB)
- Regional Biodiversity Conservation Strategy update Note #7b (PDF, 108.7KB)
- 2018 Blanket Phase 2 MDWR wildfire salvage exemption (PDF, 228.4KB)
Cascades Natural Resource District
The Cascades Forest District Small Scale Salvage Program covers both the Lillooet TSA and Merritt TSA. The district has shifted to a Professional Salvage Application process.
Online Forms and Guides
- Small Scale Salvage Guidelines - SSS Manual (PDF, 476KB)
- SSS Professional Application Checklist (PDF, 240KB)
- SSS Pre-Plan Application (template) (DOC, 82KB)
- SSS Standardized Site Plan (DOC, 121KB)
- SSS Standardized Site Plan Amendment (template) (DOC, 33KB)
- SSS Harvesting Table (PDF, 97KB)
- SSS DCS Post Harvest (template) (DOC, 64KB)
- Fire Hazard Assessment Form (template) (DOC, 19KB)
Coast Mountain Natural Resource District
District Guidelines and Steps in the Application Process
- Steps in the Small Scale Salvage Process (PDF, 212KB)
- SSS Electronic Submission Framework (PDF, 158KB)
- Small Scale Salvage Guidelines (PDF, 690KB)
- SSS Strategic Plan (PDF, 77KB)
Treatment Decisions and Guidelines for Bark Beetle Salvage and Sanitation
- Treatment and Decision Flowchart – Salvage within new and active spruce beetle (IBS) infested stands (PDF, 716KB)
- Treatment Decision Flowchart - IBM (Pine Beetle) (PDF)
- Guidelines for Spruce Beetle Small Scale Sanitation with Conventional Trap Trees (PDF, 611KB)
Small Scale Salvage Application and Reporting Forms
Haida Gwaii Natural Resource District
District Guidelines
Client Application Form
Parties interested in doing business with the Ministry of Forests require a client number. Individuals and businesses (and other legal entities) can apply through the online submission form for a Ministry of Forests client number.
Small Scale Salvage Applications
- HGNRD Small Scale Salvage Referral Form (PDF, 172.1KB)
- Cover Letter Template (DOC, 71.3KB)
- HGNRD Small Scale Salvage Professional Application Form (DOC, 49.6KB)
- Miscellaneous Appraisal Data Submission Forms
Reporting Forms
- Notice of Commencement Form (PDF, 125.6KB)
- Notice of Completion Form (PDF, 125.5KB)
- Final Harvest Report (PDF, 212KB)
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
Nadina Natural Resource District
District Guidelines and Steps in the Application Process
- Steps in the Small Scale Salvage Process (PDF, 212KB)
- SSS Electronic Submission Framework (PDF, 158KB)
- Small Scale Salvage Guidelines (PDF, 690KB)
- SSS Strategic Plan (PDF, 77KB)
Treatment Decisions and Guidelines for Bark Beetle Salvage and Sanitation
- Treatment and Decision Flowchart – Salvage within new and active spruce beetle (IBS) infested stands (PDF, 716KB)
- Treatment Decision Flowchart - IBM (Pine Beetle) (PDF)
- Guidelines for Spruce Beetle Small Scale Sanitation with Conventional Trap Trees (PDF, 611KB)
Small Scale Salvage Application and Reporting Forms
Okanagan Shuswap Natural Resource District
The Small Scale Salvage section of the Okanagan Shuswap Natural Resource District is responsible for the administration of disposal of small volumes of timber within our district.
Please review the following:
- Important Direction from the District Manager (PDF, 390KB)
- Okanagan Shuswap Small Scale Salvage Manual (PDF, 840KB)
Online Forms and Guides
- Small Scale Salvage Pre-Application (DOCX, 90KB)
- PSA Salvage Plan (DOCX, 66KB)
- Interior Stumpage Rate Request Form (PDF, 2.6MB)
- Small Scale Salvage Major Licensee Referral (PDF, 22KB)
- Small Scale Salvage RPF Certification (PDF, 208KB)
- Salvage Plan Amendment Form (DOCX, 34KB)
- Small Scale Salvage Post Harvest Assessment Form (PDF, 405KB)
- Small Scale Salvage Forestry Licence to Cut Notice of Commencement form (DOCX, 43KB)
- Fire Hazard Assessment Form (DOC, 40KB)
- Waste Assessment Form (PDF, 248KB)
- Forest Weed Information (PDF, 116KB)
- Range Impact Assessment (PDF, 211KB)
Contact the district directly with questions or concerns:
Email: FLNRDOSTenures@gov.bc.ca
Peace Natural Resource District
Online Forms and Guides
- SSS Application Package (PDF, 753KB)
- Application for FLTC (DOC, 131KB)
- FLTC SSS Site Plan Template (DOC, 165KB)
- Referral Form (DOC, 68KB)
- iMap Client Information (PDF, 403KB)
- Post Harvesting Report (DOC, 47KB)
- Interior Stumpage Rate Request Form (PDF, 1.9MB)
- Small Scale Salvage Registration Form (DOCX, 31KB)
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. Individuals and businesses (and other legal entities) can apply through the online submission form for a Ministry of Forests client number.
Small Scale Salvage Application Forms
- Salvage Registration Form (DOC, 13KB)
- Small Scale Salvage Application Form (DOC, 284KB)
- Interior Stumpage Rate Request Forms
- Wildland Urban Interface Wildfire Threat Assessment Worksheet (PDF 44KB)
Small Scale Salvage Post Harvest
Small Scale Salvage Access Information
Quesnel Natural Resource District
District Guidelines and Reference Maps
- Mapping Standards
- Quesnel TSA Reference Maps - This map may be slow to load
- Quesnel Natural Resource District Field Layout Procedures (PDF 181KB)
- Quesnel Natural Resource District SSS Info Package (PDF 278KB)
- Quesnel Natural Resource District Small Scale Salvage Opportunities Map
- Quesnel Silviculture Levy Memorandum (PDF 25 KB)
- Quesnel Security Deposits Memo
Client Application Form
Parties interested in doing business with the Ministry of Forests require a client number. Individuals and businesses (and other legal entities) can apply through the online submission form for a Ministry of Forests client number.
Small Scale Salvage Application Forms
- SSS Post Harvest Reporting (PDF 74KB)
- Professional Salvage Application (PDF 80KB)
- Small Scale Salvage Application Checklist (PDF 75KB)
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
- Application for a licence to cut (PDF, 133KB)
- Operational Chart Area and First Nation Boundary map (PDF, 3.4MB)
A completed copy of your licence to cut application package should be sent or dropped off at the following address:
Ministry of Forests
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.
Skeena Stikine Natural Resource District
District Guidelines and Steps in the Application Process
- Steps in the Small Scale Salvage Process (PDF, 212KB)
- SSS Electronic Submission Framework (PDF, 158KB)
- Small Scale Salvage Guidelines (PDF, 690KB)
- SSS Strategic Plan (PDF, 77KB)
Treatment Decisions and Guidelines for Bark Beetle Salvage and Sanitation
- Treatment and Decision Flowchart – Salvage within new and active spruce beetle (IBS) infested stands (PDF, 716KB)
- Treatment Decision Flowchart - IBM (Pine Beetle) (PDF)
- Guidelines for Spruce Beetle Small Scale Sanitation with Conventional Trap Trees (PDF, 611KB)
Small Scale Salvage Application and Reporting Forms
District Guidelines and Information:
- District Operating Procedures and Guidance for Conventional Salvage Applications
- Note: this document also contains a checklist for content for a SSS conventional application.
- District Guidelines for Professional Salvage Applications (PDF)
- Small Scale Salvage-Silviculture Levy (PDF)
- District Manager's letter requiring a silviculture levy to be paid on Professional Salvage Applications, October 2011.
- Instructions to fill out the Miscellaneous Timber Appraisal Data Submission Form (PDF)
- TSA/TSB/TFL and Point of Appraisal Boundary Map for the South Island District (PDF)
- Useful for determining the Timber Supply Blocks and the point of appraisal required for filling up the Misc ADS form.
- Revenue and Timber Pricing website
Small Scale Salvage Application Forms
- Conventional Application for Forestry Licence to Cut Form (PDF)
- Professional Salvage Forestry Licence to Cut - FLTC Application (PDF)
- Professional Salvage Post Harvesting Report Form (PDF)
- Miscellaneous Timber Appraisal Data Submission – ADS Form (XLSX)
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
- Application Package
- Opening Definitions for Licensees
- Contacts for Referrals to Licensees
- Planning Map for DSN
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
Online Forms and Guides
- SSS Information Package (PDF, 592KB)
- Professional SSS Application Package (50-2000m3)
- Conventional SSS Application Package (0-50m3)
Small Scale Salvage Maps
Use the index map to find the location you are interested in and open the corresponding map below.
Related Links
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.