Showing 994 results

Map depicts the Shuswap Lakes, Rogers Pass, Kamloops, Yellowhead Pass, Thompson Valley, and the Nicola Valley. Also includes the first clues to a treasure hunt.

File consists of a speech given by Gary Runka to the BC Federation of Labour Environmental Conference entitled "Planned Development and Land Conservation".

Commentary on this speech by Barry Smith of the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands:
"GGR discusses the 'problem' of land being considered as either an "ecological natural resource" or "hot commodity".

He mentions that his background is in the natural sciences and land use planning and prefers to look at land as an ecological resource, not simply as a commodity.

The speech includes a quick review of the Land Commission's work and with reference to the Land Commission Act he makes the following observation (p.2):
"...the purpose is hardly necessary to relate to you - as what animal survives that destroys his food habitat next to his shelter or cover?"

The reason for BC's farmland preservation program could hardly be better stated."

File consists of a speech given by Gary Runka entitled "Planning for the Future Agricultural Land Base of Alberta" for Alberta Agriculture Land Use Activities, Edmonton, June 2,1981.

Commentary on this speech by Barry Smith of the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands:
"This appears to be a set of preliminary speaking notes - much of it is point form with considerable hand written notes in the margins. It is not known if these notes were ever finalized into the speech given on June 2,1981 or if the speech was simply given using these notes as its basis.

Many of the references are somewhat oblique relating to topical matters in Alberta. While agriculture is the central theme, this speech is focused on Alberta with little or no reference to the BC farmland preservation program.

Several broader themes are considered which are dealt with in other speeches but GGR speaks to the longer term importance of farmland preservation legislation when stating (p. 3):
"b) from my experience, time is demonstrating ever more clearly to me that, for a variety of reasons, legislating land preservation alone can only hold the land resource for so long if the other aspects affecting the food producing industry are not also given attention e.g.:

• review of regional planning by the ARB
• costs of production and marketing opportunities
• gov't priority for ag. related to other prov. resources
• urban planning - where are the cites going?
• rural planning - how secure are the rural communities of which agriculture is a part?"

File consists of an article written by Gary Runka entitled "Political Realities - Protecting our Dwindling Soil Resource". This was published "Agrologist" magazine (Fall 1980) as "Protecting the soil".

Commentary on this speech by Barry Smith of the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands:
"This paper is focused on the importance of soil conservation. It makes the observation that soil erosion is often not recognized until the damage has been done, but it takes even longer for politicians to be aware of the problem and then for this to translate into policy change. It is noted that this is especially a problem given the short term time horizons of politicians. There is a discussion of what jurisdiction is best to deal with protecting the soil resource. It is emphasized that we no longer have the luxury of time."

File contains original study data for Plot 102, and includes handwritten charts, tables and diagrams.

File contains photocopied measurement tables, handwritten ledger pages, and a photocopied report for plot 103.

File contains original study, measurements, and charts of plot 104.

File contains original study, charts, and measurements of plot 105.

File contains photocopies of data sheets and charts, handwritten ledger pages, and a photocopied study of plot 106.

File contains photocopied study, handwritten loose ledger pages, and photocopied data sheets for plot 107.

File contains handwritten notes, original diagrams, charts, studies, and black and white photos relating to Plot 108.

File contains handwritten germination summaries and measurements, charts, and the original study relating to Plot 111.

File contains photocopies of original study, loose handwritten ledger notes, and measurement charts relating to Plots 112 and 113.

File contains handwritten measurements and charts for Plot 114.

File contains original handwritten notes and photocopied data listing reports for Plot 116.

File contains photocopies of measurement charts, and the report for Plot 115.

File contains photocopied data report and measurements, and handwritten tables and graphs.

File contains handwritten and photocopies of measurement charts, and a photocopy of the the related study for Plot 118.

File contains photocopied and handwritten data listing reports, and a photocopy of the related study for Plot 119.

File contains original loose handwritten ledger pages and data charts, and the original related reports for Plot 120.

File contains photocopied report, loose handwritten ledger pages, photocopies of handwritten notes and data listing reports for Plot 148.

File contains photocopied related report, loose handwritten ledger pages, and photocopies of handwritten notes and data listing reports for Plot 149.

File contains photocopy of related study, photocopied handwritten notes, loose handwritten ledger pages, and working copies of photocopied data report listings for Plot 150.

File contains handwritten cross section book, original studies with handwritten measurement charts and black and white photos, loose pages of original correspondence, handwritten diagrams and measurement charts, loose handwritten tally sheets, black and white photographs, hand coloured plot diagrams, photocopies of aerial photographs, and original correspondence for Plot 160.

File contains original studies, and black and white photos for Plot 104.

File contains photocopied working copy of data listings, loose handwritten ledger pages, and a photocopy of the original study for Plot 291.

File contains loose handwritten ledger pages, a photocopy of the original report, photocopied handwritten notes, and data report sheets for Plot 292.

File contains a report, germination summaries, photocopies of permanent sample plot data charts, photocopies of logging inspection reports, maps, timber sales contracts, and related correspondence pertaining to Plot 45.

File contains a report, working copies of charts, and handwritten ledger pages of Plot 50.

Item is an original wildlife section report by R.W. Ritcey entitled "Predators in Wells Gray Park 1950-1956".

Item is an original BC Parks report entitled "Preservation and Management of the Grizzly Bear in B.C. Provincial Parks: The Urgent Challenge".

File consists of a speech given by Gary Runka entitled "Private Land Needs and the BC Agricultural Land Commission Experience" for the Perspectives on Natural Resources Symposium II at Sir Sanford Fleming College in Lindsay, Ontario.

Commentary on this speech by Barry Smith of the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands:
"This represents a major, out of province speech. It covers some familiar historic themes concerning the implementation of the BC farmland preservation program but also provides other interesting insights. It includes an informative summary of the land scarcity problem particular to BC.

With the designation of the ALR complete, the much more difficult task is: "... to make the right land-use decisions within the agricultural zone and encourage good land use planning adjacent to it in order to accomplish the stated objectives." This statement clearly establishes the perspective that the ALC is not just focused on land within the ALR but believes its protection mandate extends beyond the bounds of the Reserve.

GGR states that for competing uses there are normally non-agricultural alternatives but: "...the ability and willingness to go in these other directions necessitates a radical change in thinking on the part of governments, private industry, real estate interests, and the general public." Fourteen competing land uses are noted.

It is noted that the ALC Act "...has provided impetus for more formal planning at the local and regional levels..." - a fact all too often missed.

GGR reviews the types of plan policies that will assist the preservation of farmland and support the continued farming of agricultural land.

A number of specific initiatives are noted and mention is made of the urban / rural fringe problems and the work of the Ministry of Agriculture Green Zone Committee. Mention is made of the challenges associated with dealing with conflicts with other provincial and federal agencies.

The paper is summarized with three general approaches to looking at land needs, land uses and resource planning drawn from GGR's personal experience:

1. Canada can't afford many more mistakes in the area of land resource allocation and making land-use decisions on the basis of the land's inherent natural characteristics is more reliable and sensible than based on the protection of property values and simply accommodating growth pressures;
2. The ALC has learned that every move in rural planning and every decision in resource management has impact upon agriculture; and
3. Agricultural land preservation represents a provincial priority and it has identified a direction around which all others can plan.

GGR closes - "In the final analysis, it is the process of planning that is important, the product itself is never quite finalized."

File consists of a speech given by Gary Runka entitled "Problems and Solutions: The BC Land Commission Experience" at the Conference on Agricultural Land Preservation in Washington State at the University of Washington, Seattle.

Commentary on this speech by Barry Smith of the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands:
"This speech, written for and delivered to an international audience, reads like an article aimed at providing an historical overview of the first three years of the work of the Land Commission.

While succinct, it also has the quality of a comprehensive overview. Up to this point this is the best item in the collection explaining the background of the legislation, implementation and administrative challenges of the Commission over its first three years of operation.

Given when it was written - at a time when the formative history of the Land Commission was being made and by a person in the very centre of this history who was day-by-day helping to create this history - this is a singularly important document."

This born-digital "Profile Descriptions" document provides descriptions of Williams Lake (Skulow Lake), Aleza 1 & 2, Log Lake, and Lucille Mountain pedons.

During a year away from studies in 1987-88, Dr. Paul Sanborn developed a successful grant proposal to the Science Council of BC (SCBC) to pursue a postdoctoral project with Dr. Tim Ballard in relation to sulphur-deficient soils in BC and prescribed fire. This project built on an existing broadcast burning study conducted by Macmillan Bloedel Ltd. near Port Alberni on Vancouver Island, led by Bill Beese (later at Vancouver Island University). Dr. Sanborn's work addressed sulphur forms and amounts in the soils at these sites, and the chemical processes influencing sulphur availability in relation to prescribed fire.

Only one part of this work was eventually published:
Sanborn, P.T. and T.M. Ballard. 1991. Combustion losses of sulphur from conifer foliage: Implications of chemical form and soil nitrogen status. Biogeochemistry 12: 129–134. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00001810

The remainder of the work was documented in this Project Completion Report to SCBC, dated February 28, 1990, and entitled "Effects of Prescribed Fire on Sulphur in Forest Soils".

File consists of a speech given by Gary Runka entitled "Proposed Hydro Development - Peace River Valley: Some Questions" to the Peace Valley Environmental Association in Dawson Creek. Note that page 3 of the speech appears to be missing.

Commentary on this speech by Barry Smith of the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands:
"The speech discusses some broad questions particularly related to the lack of a provincial energy policy, the approval process and varying estimates of future energy needs and alternatives. GGR quotes the position of the ALC of October 1977 and also reviews the legal powers under the ALC Act and ends by outlining several questions he feels the Association has the right to ask and get answers to."

Item is a photocopy of "Provincial Parks and Stone Sheep: 'Affinity Through Default'" report by W.G. Hazelwood, Parks Biologist.

Item is an original report by H.M. Pogue titled "Regeneration and Growth of White Spruce After Logging".

Item is an original draft copy of "Regional Landscapes for the British Columbia Parks System".

In the mid-1990s, Dr. Paul Sanborn worked with Dr. Lito Arocena of UNBC to assemble and interpret basic physical, chemical, and mineralogical data for typical soils at important long-term forestry research sites in central and northeastern BC. The key results were published as:

J.M. Arocena and P. Sanborn. 1999. Mineralogy and genesis of selected soils and their implications for forest management in central and northeastern British Columbia. Canadian Journal of Soil Science 79: 571-592. https://doi.org/10.4141/S98-07

Nine pedons were involved, with 7 located at the sites of 4 Ministry of Forests Experimental Projects (E.P.), and 2 at the Aleza Lake Research Forest.

File consists of a speech given by Gary Runka entitled "Relationship Between A.R.D.A. Soil Capability Ratings and Soil Productivity Ratings".

Commentary on this speech by Barry Smith of the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands:
"This is a very useful overview of the agricultural capability ratings.

While no mention is of course made in this (circa) 1969 speech to the BC farmland preservation program, its value rests in the importance of the BCLI in the original designation the ALR and its future administration.

For anyone that is or has been involved with the farmland preservation program, this single sentence within the speech, made about 4 or 5 years before the designation of the ALR, provides an important insight into the value of the CLI and its relationship to farmland preservation. "For example. Class 5 soils while restricted in use to pasture or hay can produce very high yields."

Item is a photocopied "Report on Mt. Edziza, Tatlatui, Spatsizi" by Bob Henderson.

File consists of the following materials:

• Letter to Vernon C. Brink from the National Archives of Canada re: Knox McCusker holdings (March 1, 1999)
• Photocopy of article: "Living Landscapes: Exploring the wilds of northeaster BC" by Ross Peck and Brian Apland
• Some materials for an article on Knox McCusker, D.L.S.
• Material about the life of Knox Freeman McCusker
• Letter to Mrs. Rutherford (Oct. 5, 1999) re: access to interview of Knox McCusker by Frank Willis
• Accession information print-out re: interview of Knox McCusker by Frank Willis in 1954
• National Archives of Canada accession information print-out re: Dominion Land Surveyor Diaries, 1881-1930
• Mary Henry / Knox McCusker "Team" (April 19, 1998)
• Letter to Mrs. Rutherford from George Ungar re: background information on Knox McCusker

Item is a draft of "Resource Analysis 1984, Project No. 26, Silvicultural Systems" by J. Revel.

File is a Resource Folio of maps and accompanying information created by Northwood Pulp & Timber regarding Timber Sale Harvesting Licence A01847, Willow River Block, Willow River P.S.Y.U. Includes maps that depict ungulates, waterfowl, recreation areas, special influence areas, and timber types. Most of the sheets have a duplicate, some with very slight variations. The following maps are supposed to be included in the but were missing upon arrival at the Archives: fish & topography, cutting permits & roads, and soils.

File consists of a speech given by Gary Runka entitled "Resource Use Conflicts - The Fight Over What's Left" at the Canadian Bar Association Winter Meeting, Harrison Hot Springs.

Commentary on this speech by Barry Smith of the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands:
"The panel discussion that GGR was participating in was entitled "Resource Use Conflicts - The Fight over What's Left".

GGR makes the point that without legislative steps to preserve agricultural land in BC, what would be left in terms of farmland in not too many years would be "nothing at all". After this reinforcement of the need for the Land Commission Act he explains briefly the designation of the ALRs and comments at length on the different types of applications.

It is explained that the ALR is based upon agricultural capabilities of the land:
"In other words, a soil/climate combination. The ALR is aimed at preserving agricultural land in the long term. Factors, such as parcel size, economic viability, current market conditions, ownership etc. play little or no role in the decision-making process."

In light of a considerable amount of the Commission's workload being focused on the processing of applications GGR remarks that:
"If we are sincere in our attempts to preserve an agricultural land base for future generations of British Columbians, we must regard the ALR as only a first step of many that are needed."

A flow chart is referred to but not included in the package."

Item is a copy of "Review of Cutting Practices in the Spruce-Balsam Stands" in the Prince George Forest District.