2026 FIP Fall Tree Planting and Danger Tree Assessment/Falling, Soo TSA

This opportunity consists of planting approximately 106,000 seedlings in the fall of 2026 across 82 hectares (ha) within the Sea to Sky Natural Resource District. Seedlings are to be planted in three areas impacted by wildfire – Rogers Creek (fire ID V31825, burned 2024), Mt. Athelstan (fire ID V31300, burned 2024), and North Creek (fire ID V31309, burned 2020). This project includes underplanting in burnt mature timber and plantations; planting is predominately a straight plant, with some minor fill planting. A more detailed description of the planting units and planting prescription can be found in the specimen contract (Appendix A: Contract Form).

Access to Rogers Creek is a combination of 4x4 truck (via the In-Shuck-ch FSR and Rogers Creek FSR), ATV, and walk-in. Access to Mt. Athelstan is a combination of 4x4 truck (via the Lillooet River FSR), ATV, and walk-in. Access to North Creek is a combination of 4x4 truck (via the Lillooet River FSR), helicopter, and walk-in. Sites accessed by ATV may require access improvements (i.e. brushing). Ministry funds are available to helicopter sling trees into select sites. All flights are at the Ministry’s discretion, will be booked by the Ministry Representative, and paid for by the Ministry; the Contractor does not need to include helicopter transportation costs in the Schedule B bid per unit rates. A deactivation prevents truck access to the majority of Rogers Creek PU 1; if this deactivation is not passable due to high stream flows, funds may be available to transport tree planters and forepersons to the site. A more detailed description of the access can be found in the Appendix A: Contract Form.

Due to the proximity to the Mt. Meager volcanic complex, the Upper Lillooet valley is within a landslide hazard zone and access to Mt. Athelstan is restricted when landslide hazard levels are rated high or extreme. The Contractor will be responsible for monitoring landslide hazard levels and adjust operations accordingly. A contractor prepared safety plan is a requirement for all Ministry of Forests (FOR) contracts.
Coordination of the transport of seedlings from the nursery to the planting locations will be the responsibility of the Contractor. All seedlings are located at the Arbutus Grove Nursery located in North Saanich BC, with the exception of the Whitebark Pine seedlings which are located at the Sylvan Vale Nursery located in Black Creek BC.

All planting units will require a Danger Tree Assessment (DTA) by a certified Danger Tree Assessor and the establishment of No Work Zones (NWZ) or the felling of danger trees as required. A DTA report must be provided to the Ministry for each planting unit. The requirements of the DTA assessments and report can be found in the Appendix A: Contract Form.

Layout for Mt. Athelstan PU 2B is not completed; it will be the Contractor’s responsibility to layout the boundary. The boundary between PU1A and PU1C for North Creek is not marked in the field; it will be the Contractor’s responsibility to identify this boundary during planting.

For each planting unit the Contractor will provide to the Ministry a planting map and planting label summarizing planting activities. The requirements of the planting map can be found in the specimen contract in the Appendix A: Contract Form.

All contract services will adhere to the Forest Investment Program General Standards and the Forest Investment Program Planting Standards. Contract services will be monitored by a Ministry Representative and the successful bidder of the associated tree planting implementation contract to ensure that all planting objectives are in accordance with all standards outlined in specimen contract in the Appendix A: Contract Form.

The estimated term of the contract will be from September 1, 2026, to November 30, 2026. The exact planting start date will depend on weather conditions and soil moisture.

Further details as to the scope of this opportunity and the requirements can be found within this RFP.