CA2 ALLF A56 1952/1953 AXXIIAl REPORT OF THE Department of Lands and Forests OF THE PROVINCE OF ALBERTA FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED MARCH 31st 1953 PUBLISHED BY ORDER OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY EDMONTON: PRINTED BY A. SHNITKA, QUEEN’S PRINTER 19 5 3 [alberta legislature library" 3 3398 00411 1968 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Department of Lands and Forests OF THE PROVINCE OF ALBERTA FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED MARCH 31st 1953 PUBLISHED BY ORDER OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY EDMONTON: PRINTED BY A. SHNITKA, KING’S PRINTER 1953 To the Honourable J. J. Bowlen, Lieutenant-Governor of the Province of Alberta. Sir: I have the honour to submit the Report of the Department of Lands and Forests for the fiscal year ended March 31st, 1953. I have the honour, to be, Sir, Your obedient servant, IVAN CASEY, Minister of Lands and Forests. Edmonton, November 16, 1953. TABLE OF CONTENTS REPORT OF THE DEPUTY MINISTER . 9 I— LANDS ADMINISTRATION Report of the Public and School Lands Division . 10 II— FORESTRY ADMINISTRATION Report of the Director of Forestry . 26 Report of the Senior Superintendent, Eastern Rockies Forest Reserves . . . 47 Report on Forest Insect Conditions . 48 Report on the New Forest Diseases Laboratory . . . 50 III— FISHERIES AND GAME ADMINISTRATION Report of the Fish and Game Commissioner . 53 IV— TECHNICAL DIVISION Report of the Technical Division . 65 V— ACCOUNTS ADMINISTRATION Report of the Accountant . . . 82 VI— REGISTRATION DIVISION Report of the Registrar . 92 VII— PROVINCIAL PARKS . . 95 VIII— PERSONNEL 98 CHIEF OFFICERS DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND FORESTS March 31st, 1953 Honourable Ivan Casey -Minister of Lands & Forests H0 Go Jensen . _ Deputy Minister Lands & Forests V0 A0 Wood . Director of Lands E.P. Shaver . ~Asst. Director of Lands E„S. Huestis . . Director of Forestry J.RoH, Hall . „Asst. Director of Forestry J. L„ J annsen . Chief Timber Inspector A„ Earnshaw . .....Radio Superintendent D. Buck . . . „„Supt. Brazeau-Athabasca Forest Area C 0 Har vie _ _ Supt. Provincial Parks E. So Huestis . . . — . . Fish and Game Commissioner D0 E. Forsland . . Superintendent of Game Ho Bo Watkins . . Superintendent of Fisheries T. W. Dalkin . . Director, Technical Division A. McCallum . . Administrative Accountant Co B. Kenway . . . Registrar Miss R. Lavallee . Personnel Officer Mrs. L. M . Brown . Stationery & Supplies EASTERN ROCKIES FOREST CONSERVATION BOARD Major General Howard Kennedy, C.B.E., M.C., B.Sc., Chairman G. Tunstell . . Deputy Chairman H. G. Jensen . Member J. P. Alexander . Administrative & Liaison Officer F. V. Keats . —Supt. Clearwater Forest Reserve L. R. West . „.Supt. Bow River Forest Reserve F. N. H. Lind . I . Supt. Crowsnest Forest Reserve Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2017 with funding from Legislative Assembly of Alberta - Alberta Legislature Library https://archive.org/details/annualreportofde1952albe REPORT OF THE Department of Lands and Forests 1952 - 1953 HONOURABLE IVAN CASEY, Minister of Lands and Forests , Edmonton. SIR: I have the honour to submit the fourth annual report of the Department of Lands and Forests for the fiscal year ending March 31st, 1953. Respectfully submitted, H. G. JENSEN, Deputy Minister. Edmonton, September 8, 1953. 0 DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND FORESTS Pahlic easel !§els®®l l«@ads ^ksinaimisgratiora REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF LANDS, V. A. WOOD During the fiscal year under review there were 98, 649 items of outgoing mail from the Lands Division, compared to 95, 444 items for the previous fiscal year. This is a slight increase and indicates an increase in the volume of business conducted by the division. Under the clearing and breaking contract 11 one-half section units, 7 in township 82, range 10, west of the 6th meridian and 4 units in township 82, range 11, west of the 6th meridian, north and west of the town of Spirit River, were completed in 1952. These units will be offered for homestead lease in 1953. In addition, the contractor partially completed brushing and piling on 43 units in township 82, ranges 10 and 11, west of the 6th meridian. In the fall of 1952 the contract between the government and Lassiter's Limited was terminated. It is proposed to open the 43 units, par¬ tially completed, for homesteading to eligible persons willing to assume the cost of brushing and piling completed on the units. Improvements consisting of roads were completed during 1952 in the clearing and breaking project area between Tangent and Wanham, north of the Burnt River and into the Blueberry Mountain area. The Western Provincial Land Directors 1 Conference was held in Regina from August 4th to 7th, inclusive. The conference was attended by representatives of the lands divisions from British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. The report of the conference includes several recommendations regarding problems of public land administration. As a result of these recommenda¬ tions several changes have been made in the method of public land administration in this province. The newly surveyed portions of townships 94 and 95, range 22, west of the 5th meridian; townships 95 and 96, ranges 20 and 21, west of the 5th meridian, were advertised and made available for the acceptance of applications for homestead leases at a temp¬ orary sub-agency held at the town of Peace River on the 27th and 28th of May, 1952. There were 126 applications accepted at this temporary sub-agency. The newly surveyed portions of townships 81, ranges 11 and 12, west of the 6th meridiem; townships 82, ranges 8 and 12, west of the 6th meridian, were advertised and made available for the acceptance of applications for homestead leases at a temporary sub-agency held at the town of Spirit River on the 30th and 31st of May, 1952. There were six applications accepted at this temporary sub-agency. During the year many more applications for homestead leases were accepted in these townships . PUBLIC LANDS ADMINISTRATION 11 During the fiscal year, surveys of the following townships were completed or partially completed and these townships will be made available for the acceptance of applications for homestead leases at Grande Prairie on the 26th and 27th of May, 1953 and at Peace River on the 29th of May, 1953. township 82, range 7, west of the 6th meridian township 82, range 9, west of the 6th meridian township 82, range 10, west of the 6th meridian township 82, range 11, west of the 6th meridian township 83, range 12, west of the 6th meridian township 83, range 13, west of the 6th meridian township 67, range 22, west of the 5th meridian township 68, range 22, west of the 5th meridian township 71, range 16, west of the 5th meridian township 71, range 17, west of the 5th meridian township 94, range 21, west of the 5th meridian township 96, range 21, west of the 5th meridian The report prepared by Stevenson and Kellogg Limited, Man¬ agement Engineers, concerning the lands division administration was received in 1952. Most of the recommendations made in the report referring to the lands division have now been put into effect. One of the main recommendations referred to the necessity of establishing sections or groups within the lands division with a supervisor in charge of each section. In accordance with this, five sections have been established with a supervisor in charge of each section. A total of 999 veteran and civilian homestead leases were issued during the fiscal year, a decrease of 232 from the 1231 issued for the previous fiscal year. On March 25th, 1939, the granting of homesteads was dis¬ continued and was replaced by the establishment of agricultural lease regulations. The first "agricultural lease" which is now designated "homestead lease" was issued on September 1st, 1940. Since that time the number of leases in force has been increasing steadily as is shown on the accompanying diagram. 12 DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND FORESTS Fiscal Year Ending March 31st. ORDERS -IN-COUNCIL The following are a few of the more important orders -in- council pertaining to the lands division which were passed during the fiscal year: O.C. 443-52, March 31st, 1952. Established regulations governing the issue of licenses of occupation on public lands for rights of way, drainage canals and PUBLIC LANDS ADMINISTRATION 13 other specific purposes in so far as the Crown has the right to grant same. O.C. 444-52, March 31st, 1952. Established regulations governing the issue of head tax grazing permits on public lands. Head tax permits may be issued for the grazing of stock on available public land or on a grazing reserve for a period not exceeding one year. O.C. 997-52, July 5th, 1952. Established regulations governing the issue of townsite leases on public lands. O.C. 998-52, July 5th, 1952. This order - in - council rescinded order s -in-council 497-49 and 499-49 which established the settlement and non- settlement areas in the province. By a ministerial order new settlement and non -settlement areas were established. O.C. 1389-52 and 1390-52, September 22nd, 1952. These orders -in-council authorized the Minister to sell va¬ cant and available public lands located jn the Bow River Irrigation Project to the Colonization Manager of the St. Mary and Milk Rivers Development Project. The lands sold were for settlement purposes and were to be settled on a similar basis as lands sold to the Colonization Manager located in the St. Mary and Milk Rivers Development Project. O.C. 1391-52, September 22nd, 1952. Established regulations granting military protection to agri¬ cultural and homestead lessees. O.C. 1813-52, December 15th, 1952. This order -in-council provides for a royalty of five cents per cubic yard for sand and gravel removed from a lease by a railway company when such sand and gravel is required for ballast pur¬ poses. A minimum annual royalty of $50. 00 is payable by the rail¬ way company. AMENDMENTS TO THE PUBLIC LANDS ACT There were several amendments pertaining to the administra¬ tion of public lands passed during the 1953 session of the legisla¬ ture and contained in chapter 94 of the Statutes of Alberta. The following are a few of the more important amendments. Section 18 By an amendment to this section a homestead lessee will not be required to commence residence duties until the fourth year of the term of the lease and will then be required to do six months residence duties each year thereafter. Residence duties for lands in the clearing and breaking project will commence in the second year. 14 DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND FORESTS Section 21 By an amendment to this section the breaking and cropping requirements for a person doing residence on leased land are now the same as for a lessee performing residence duties on vicinity land. Section 63, subsection 3 Changes the due date for payment of rental on grazing leases from the 1st of February to the 1st of May for leases held by grazing associations and to the 1st of April for all other grazing leases. Section 72a Stipulates that a grazing lease held by a grazing association shall be operated for the benefit of the residents in the district. The registration of assignments of Crown Lands Act was re¬ pealed during the 1953 session of the legislature which means that no further unearned increment tax will be collected for assign¬ ments of leases , permits or sales of public lands administered by the lands division. In lieu of the unearned increment tax a schedule of fees for assignments will be established. CROP CONDITIONS Due to the wet fall in 1951 threshing of the remainder of the 1951 crop was completed in the spring of 1952 under favourable dry weather conditions. Generally the weather for 1952 was favourable throughout the season and as a result the crops were good as indicated in the estimated average yields for the various crops as shown below. Cutting of the 1952 crop was commenced about August 18th in the south and September 4th to the 8th in the Peace River Dis¬ trict. Dull weather in September stopped threshing, but swath¬ ing continued, resulting in much grain being swathed on the green side. There was some frost damage in September. Hail damage was about average. There was ideal harvest weather in October which permitted the completion of threshing and fall cultivation. Estimated average crop yields for 1952 were as follows: Crop Bushels per Acre Wheats Oats _ Barley. Rye _ Flax _ 26. 9 49.9 35.4 22.0 13.9 The crop failure basis for 1952 for cultivation or homestead leases was established as follows: PUBLIC LANDS ADMINISTRATION 15 Wheat and rye _ less than 4 bushels per acre Oats and barley _ less than 5 bushels per acre Flax _ less than 2 bushels per acre All other crops were considered a failure when the value of the yield was less than $3.00 per acre. Prices estimated by the Canadian Wheat Board for the crop year commencing August 1st, 1952, basis in store at Fort William for number one grades were: Wheat _ $1.40 per bushel Oats _ .65 per bushel Barley _ . 98 per bushel Flax and rye were again sold on the open market, and prices for 2CW flax , ranged from $2.94 to $2.48 and rye from about 89£ to $1.45 per bushel. The price of wheat was increased by 20£, Durham wheat 25£ and barley 1 5<£ as at March 1st, but no interim payment was de¬ clared on oats. Prices for all grass seed, except Creeping Red Fescue, de¬ clined drastically, consequently most advance payments for grass seed were above the final price. Canadian Wheat Board adjustments on bonus payments have been taken over by the Accounts Branch and will be included in their report. Settlement of crop share accounts is becoming more and more difficult, due to the use of combines, which do not have weighing devices, and to a lack of elevator storage space resulting in the lessee selling his grain in small amounts, by quota, at different times of the year. Consequently part of the 1952 crop was not sold by March 31st, 1953. Despite these handicaps in marketing grain the inspectors assisted greatly in settling as many accounts as possible. SALES OF LAND During the fiscal year, a total of 381 parcels of school and public lands were offered for sale by public auction throughout the province. One hundred and fifty-two of these parcels were public lands and of this number 104 parcels were sold. The lands located in areas reserved from settlement are not being offered for sale; and in the settlement area, only lands which are not suitable for homestead and those designated as school lands, are offered for sale by auction. The average price received for the public and school lands sold by auction was $17. 31 per acre. This is a great¬ er average than for the preceding year and is considered satisfac¬ tory. The highest price paid for a parcel of land was $99.00 per 16 DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND FORESTS acre for a parcel of land offered for sale at Three Hills. SUB-AGENCIES Public lands sub-agencies were maintained at Bonnyville, Lac La Biche, Peace River, Edson and Rocky Mountain House. The Office of Information, Calgary, was also continued. Temporary sub-agencies for one or two days a month were continued at High Prairie, Falher, Manning, Hines Creek, Valley- view, Cherry Point, Spirit River, Fort Vermilion and Grande Prairie. Due to the amount of departmental business, and public demand, arrangements were made to establish a permanent sub¬ agency at Grande Prairie on April 1, 1953, with Mr. Watson as sub-agent. INSPECTIONS The inspection work was carried out by fourteen permanent and one temporary inspector . During the winter and early spring, when unable to work in the field, the permanent inspectors were preparing lists of land to be offered for sale by public auction and doing other office work. They also conducted the auction sales of school and public lands throughout the province. The following is a summary of field inspections: Soil Survey (Applications for homestead leases): Requests outstanding at April 1st, 1952, _ 468 No. of reports called during fiscal year _ 1012 No. of reports received during fiscal year _ 1198 Reports outstanding at March 31st, 1953 _ 282 General, Grazing and School Lands: Requests outstanding at April 1st, 1952 _ 1443 No. of reports called during fiscal year _ 3944 No. of reports received during fiscal year _ 3581 Reports outstanding at March 31st, 1953 _ 1806 COLLECTIONS The Inspector of Collections was in the field from April 15th until late December, when weather conditions made further travel impracticable. Approximately 600 calls were made including collections and inspections in connection with applications for renewal of cultiva¬ tion leases in all parts of the province except the Peace River area. During the winter of 1953 eight weeks were spent arranging for and holding sales of Crown lands. Collections of $50,649.67, including old accounts, were re¬ mitted to the department by the Inspector of Collections and he also obtained a large number of grain storage tickets on account of the department's share of crop. PUBLIC LANDS ADMINISTRATION 17 The following is a summary of other business transacted: ACCRUED AREA LEASES Number Area in Acres Leases in force at April 1. 1952 770 47.970.95 Leases insued during fiscal year 75 3, 747.27 Leases cancelled during fiscal year 58 3.680.58 Leases in force at March 31, 1953 787 48r 037.64 HOMESTEAD LEASES - CIVILIAN Leases in force at April 1, 1952 _ 4, 131 _ 945, 089.10 Leases issued during fiscal year _ 869 _ _ 222, 769. 85 Leases cancelled during fiscal year _ 413 _ 106,778.25 Leases patented during fiscal year _ 105 _ 20,547.46 Leases in force at March 31, 1953. _ 4,482 _ 1,040,533.24 HOMESTEAD LEASES - VETERAN Leases in force at April 1 , 1952 _ 1 , 842 _ 496, 710. 54 Leases issued during fiscal year _ 130 _ 37,504.85 Leases cancelled during fiscal year _ 105 _ 29, 950. 04 Leases patented during fiscal year _ 60 14,811.99 Leases in force at March 31 , 1 953 _ 1 , 807 _ 489, 453. 36 CLEARING PROJECT LEASES INCLUDED IN THE ABOVE TWO SECTIONS AT MARCH 31, 1953 Civilian 43 13, 805.01 V eteran 174 . 55, 741.86 Total 217 69, 546. 87 LICENSES OF OCCUPATION Licenses in force at April 1 , 1952 _ 249 _ 5, 685. 85 Licenses issued during fiscal year _ 59 _ 1, 112.68 Licenses cancelled during fiscal year _ 18 _ 333.37 Licenses in force at March 31, 1953 _ 290 _ 6, 465. 16 MISCELLANEOUS LEASES Leases in force at April 1 , 1952 _ 220 _ 8, 835. 77 Leases issued during fiscal year _ 45 _ 643.66 Leases cancelled during fiscal year _ 19 _ 280. 14 Leases in force at March 31 , 1953 _ 246 _ 9, 199.29 18 DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND FORESTS TOWNSITE LEASES Number Leases in force at April 1, 1952 _ _ 1 Leases issued during fiscal year _ 0 Leases cancelled during fiscal year _ 0 Leases in force at March 31, 1953 _ 1 MINERAL SURFACE LEASES Leases in force at April 1 , 1 952 _ 1 1 Leases issued during fiscal year ________ 1 Leases cancelled during fiscal year 2 Leases in force at March 31, 1953 _____ 10 FUR FARM LEASES Leases in force at April 1, 1952 . 5 Leases issued during fiscal year _ _ 0 Leases cancelled during fiscal year _ _ 0 Leases in force at March 31, 1953 _ 5 CULTIVATION LEASES Leases in force at April 1, 1952 _ 564 Leases issued during fiscal year 39 Leases cancelled during fiscal year _ 43 Leases in force at March 31, 1953 _ _ 560 PUBLIC LANDS SALES Sales in force at April 1, 1952 _ _ 597 Sales granted during fiscal year 230 Sales cancelled during fiscal year_ _ 8 Sales patented during fiscal year _ 200 Sales in force at March 31, 1953 619 ROAD ALLOWANCE LEASES Leases in force at April 1, 1 052 821 Leases issued during fiscal year _ 207 Areas added to existing leases _ _ Leases cancelled during fiscal year _ 29 Decrease by withdrawal _ _ _ _ Leases in force at March 31, 1.953____ 999 Area in Acres (Lot) (Lot) 17, 571.59 85. 66 180. 07 17,477. 18 1, 825.20 1, 825.20 101, 608.25 7,237.99 7, 670.81 101, 175.43 62, 949. 38 20, 870. 97 1, 152. 99 9, 231.56 73,435. 80 36, 527. 52 12, 054. 55 208. 80 1, 210.75 24.10 47, 556. 02 PUBLIC LANDS ADMINISTRATION 19 RIGHTS OF ENTRY Number Rights of Entry in force at April 1, 1952 _ 312 Applications received during fiscal year _ 232 Rights of Entry cancelled during fiscal year _ 80 Rights of Entry granted during fiscal year _ 198 Applications pending at March 31, 1953 _ 223 Rights of Entry in force at March 31, 1953 _ 430 EASEMENTS Leases in force at April 1 , 1 952 - 9 Leases issued during fiscal year _ _ 26 Leases cancelled during fiscal year _ 0 Leases in force at March 31, 1953 _ _ 35 QUARRYING LEASES Leases in force at April 1, 1952 _ _ _ 42 Leases issued during fiscal year _ _ 2 Leases cancelled during fiscal year _ 14 Leases in force at March 31, 1953 _ 30 These quarrying leases cover sand and gravel only. SAND AND GRAVEL LEASES Leases in force at April 1, 1952 _ 60 Leases issued during fiscal year _ _ 36 Leases cancelled during fiscal year _ 2 Leases in force at March 31, 1953 _ 94 NOTIFICATIONS FOR TITLE (Homesteads and Soldier Grant Entries) Applications for Notification for Title on hand April' 1, 1952 _ _ 54 Applications for Title received during fiscal year _ 5 Notifications for Title issued during fiscal year _ 4 Applications on hand (Checked and waiting completion) _ ’ _ 55 Unpatented Homesteads and Soldier Grants _ 56 Cancellations of Homesteads and Soldier Grants _ 2 MISCELLANEOUS PERMITS Issued during fiscal year _ . _ 625 20 DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND FORESTS MISCELLANEOUS PERMITS Number Area in Acres For building sites on traplines issued during fiscal year _ 253 - GRAZING PERMITS Issued _ 1,578 285,931.56 CULTIVATION PERMITS Issued _ 71 1,848.00 HAY PERMITS Issued _ 685 (Total number of tons - 8, 345) HAY SEIZURES Seizure _ 1 - ASSIGNMENTS REGISTERED (Leases, Permits and Sales) _ 179 GRAZING The average price for all grades of cattle, except fed calves sold on the Calgary market during the period July 1st to December 31st, 1952, was 19.04* per pound, as compared with 29.46* per pound for the same period in 1951. Accordingly the rental and taxes per acre for the period from January 1st, 1953, to December 31st, 1953, on grazing leases and from April 1st, 1953, to March 31st, 1954, on grazing permits was reduced from 1952 as follows: 1952 1953 One head to 24 acres 38 1/4* 24 3/4* One head to 32 acres 28 3/4* 18 1/2* One head to 40 acres 23* 15* One head to 50 acres 18 1/2* 12* One head to 60 acres 15 1/4* 10* The grazing rentals on a head tax basis for 1953 on Provincial Grazing Reserves, are as follows: PUBLIC LANDS ADMINISTRATION 21 Horses _ $1.75 per head, per month Cattle _ $1.50 per head, per month Sheep _ $ .12 per head, per month Where no caretaker or other facilities are provided by the department the grazing rental on a head tax basis is as follows: Horses_ _ 6o£ per head, per month Cattle _ 50£ per head, per month Sheep _ 10£ per head, per month There were twenty -three Departmental Grazing Reserves and Community Pastures in operation in 1952 and one Community Pasture in the process of formation. The following is a summary of the Grazing Reserves and Com¬ munity Pastures: DEPARTMENTAL RESERVES (Permanent Caretakers) Vauxhall Provincial Grazing Reserve The area of the Vauxhall Provincial Grazing Reserve, avail¬ able for allotment in 1952, was approximately 136, 000 acres, with 75 3/4 miles of two, three and four wire fencing belonging to the department. The area of this reserve is being reduced from year to year by the expansion of the Bow River Irrigation Project. The allotment system was continued in 1952 similar to that followed in previous years. Twin River Provincial Grazing Reserve The Twin River Provincial Grazing Reserve comprises an area of 21, 388 acres with 24 1/2 miles of fencing. In 1952, 25 permits were issued to provide for the grazing of 1 , 170 cattle for a six-month period. The caretaker was resident on the reserve during the entire grazing season. RESERVES HANDLED BY ASSOCIATIONS (Association respon¬ sible for upkeep and care of the stock). Grazing Reserves under long term grazing leases by associations Name of Grazing Reserve Area in Acres Blackfoot _ 24,614 Bluefield _ 11,602 Bow Island, M.D. of_ _ 24,366 Bowell West _ 8,171 Castle River _ 6,159 Chauvin District _ 1,113 Comrey _ 30, 026 Cresthill Farmers Community _ 14,271 Drowning Ford _ 33,06.9 22 DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND FORESTS Name of Grazing Reserve Area in Acres Dunn Lake Cattle _ 3, 596 Fir Grove _ 3, 750 Hilda District _ 26, 350 Jumping Pound _ 12,762 Many Island Lake _ 17, 652 Nemiscam Community _ 4,781 Pipe Line. _ 23,175 Poll Haven Community _ 10,462 Rock Coulee _ 4,432 Ross Lake Community _ 4,473 Stirling Pasture Co. _ 747 The Lakes _ 1,907 Tide Lake _ 14, 344 The Tulliby Lake Provincial Grazing Reserve comprises an area of 22,000 acres. For 1952 the Provincial Grazing Reserve Permit was issued authorizing the grazing of 260 head of stock for a five -month grazing period. A few head -tax permits were issued for the grazing of stock in the Brazeau- Athabasca area. Long-term Grazing Leases Number Area in Acres Leases in force at April 1 , 1 952 _ 2, 038 _ 2, 870, 331.00 Leases issued during fiscal year _ 52 _ 15, 833.44 Leases renewed during fiscal year _ 9 10,546.83 Leases cancelled during fiscal year _ 68 _ 28, 204. 32 Leases in force at March 31, 1953 _ 2, 022 _ 2, 857, 960. 12 During 1952, regular grazing lease inspection work was car¬ ried out, which included the investigation of applications prior to the issuance of new leases, and inspection of leases on which re¬ newal applications had been received, in order to determine that all lands applied for were non-agricultural and best suited for grazing. Other work undertaken was the assessing of grazing lands to determine carrying capacity on new and existing grazing leases, investigation of complaints of lessees and inspecting leases to determine if they are being overgrazed. In late August and part of September a grazing survey was undertaken in the High Prairie, Peace River, Grande Prairie and Beaverlodge districts of northern Alberta. In this survey all lands heldunder long-term grazing lease or grazing permit in 36 town¬ ships were inspected and carrying capacities were established. Prior to this survey grazing rates were set on a flat rate basis. PUBLIC LANDS ADMINISTRATION 23 Additional work conducted by the inspection branch was the checking of applications received from lessees who requested assistance under the Range Improvement Program, which the de¬ partment inaugurated in 1952. The grazing inspector s kept a very close check in the southern portion of the province for a possible invasion of range weeds from the United States, especially two noxious range weeds, namely, goat weed and Halogeton glomeratus, the latter being very poison¬ ous to sheep. So far these plants have not been discovered in Alberta. Details pertaining to the revenue in connection with the ad¬ ministration of public lands may be found in the report of the ac¬ counting division of this department. NOTE: The term "leases cancelled during fiscal year" in¬ cludes leases which expired. SCHOOL LANDS There were 229 parcels of school lands listed for sale by public auction, of which 190 parcels were sold. This is approx¬ imately one -quarter of the number of parcels listed for sale during the previous year but a higher proportion of the parcels listed were sold. The amount collected on new school land sales during the fiscal year was $139, 113. 96. The total revenue derived from school lands sales accounts during the fiscal year was: Principal _ $ 366, 000. 98 Interest _ $ 61,502.25 Total _ $ 427, 503. 23 The following is a summary of other school land business transacted: SCHOOL LAND SALES Number Sales in force at April 1 , 1952 _ 1,595 Sales granted during fiscal year _ 212 Sales patented during fiscal year _ 92 Sales cancelled during fiscal year _ 10 Sales in force at March 31 , 1953 _ 1,705 MISCELLANEOUS LEASES Leases in force at April 1, 1952 _ 70 Leases issued during fiscal year _ 9 Leases cancelled during fiscal year _ 5 Leases in force at March 31, 1953 _ 74 Area in Acres 244,493.28 31, 940. 61 12, 292. 51 1, 469. 35 262, 672.03 3, 119.66 199.28 55.11 3, 263. 83 24 DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND FORESTS LICENSES OF OCCUPATION Number Area in Acres Licenses in force at April 1, 1952 _ 49 519.24 Licenses issued during fiscal year _ 12 12.84 Licenses cancelled during fiscal year _ 2 2. 30 Licenses in force at March 31, 1953 _ 59 529.78 CULTIVATION LEASES 247,468. 87 25, 610. 60 33, 165. 82 239, 913.65 Leases in force at April 1 , 1 952 _ 1 , 228 Leases issued during fiscal year^ _ 133 Leases cancelled during fiscal year_^ _ 168 Leases in force at March 31, 1953 _ 1, 193 GRAZING PERMITS Issued during fiscal year _ _ 1, 333 410, 800.45 CULTIVATION PERMITS Issued during fiscal year _ 28 828 HAY PERMITS Issued during fiscal year _ 133 (Total number of tons - 1, 898) HAY SEIZURES Nil ASSIGNMENTS REGISTERED Leases, Permits and Sales _ 115 Statement of revenue pertaining to School Lands may be found in the report of the accounting division. NOTE: The term "leases cancelled during fiscal year" in¬ cludes leases which expired. STAFF Three member s of the lands division staff, after having given manyyearsof faithful service, were retired during the past year. PUBLIC LANDS ADMINISTRATION 25 namely Mr. A. B. Spence, Assistant Director of Lands, Mr. Peter Cooke, land inspector and Miss M. L. Speer, correspondent clerk. Mr. E.P. Shaver was appointed Assistant Director of Lands to replace Mr. Spence. I wishto express my appreciation for the co-operation and the faithful service rendered by the staff of the lands division during the past year. 26 DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND FORESTS Forestry REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF FORESTRY E. S. HUESTIS During the year under review, a company of efficiency experts from Stevenson-Kellogg of Vancouver made an exhaustive study of various branches of the Department of Lands and Forests, includ¬ ing the Forest Service, and submitted a report. The report con¬ tained numerous suggestions to give more efficient service to the public with a proposed decentralization of activities in connection with the issuance of settlers' timber permits. The report outlined various suggestions with regard to additional staff and equipment for forest fire protection throughout the Province. All of the re¬ port was carefully reviewed by departmental officials and it was realized that it would take several years to put the suggestions in¬ to operation. However, the estimates being prepared for the fol¬ lowing fiscal year were based on carrying out the first part of the proposed plan. FIRE (a) Fire Season The weather, from a fire protection standpoint, was quite, fa¬ vourable throughout most of the fire season and the fire hazard seldom went above normal, with the exception of two short periods, one in May and the other in September, on the northern divisions. (b) Fire Prevention The policy of only issuing permits to burn after inspection by a forest officer was continued, and again proved very successful in the prevention of settlers' fires. Fire prevention activities were continued as in previous years by personal contact, publicity through the press and radio. The Canadian Forestry Association again made a very successful tour of the forested areas showing fire prevention films. (c) Fire Detection The present lookout system again functioned very well, but owing partly to the limited coverage a great many fires were again first reported by forest officers and other agencies. The number of fires first reported by different agencies is listed below: Forest Officers Lookout Towers Public Railwaymen Aircraft 52 21 66 27 12 Percentages : 29 12 37 15 7 (d) Fire Suppression Suppressive action was taken on 178 fires by the Forest Ser¬ vice. Of the fires in the forest protection area, 100 (56 percent) FORESTRY 27 originated on the agricultural zone and 78 (44 percent) on the forest zone. These 178 fires burned over a total area of 484, 313 acres consisting of 299,412 acres of forest lands and 184,901 acres of non-forested lands. Total loss is estimated at $1,283,407. 00 and suppression costs were $70, 197. 00. (e) Prosecutions A total of 75 prosecutions were instigated by the Forest Ser¬ vice staff under The Forests Act, Part III, and 14 under The Game Act. Of the above, 68 convictions were obtained under Part III of The Forests Act and 13 under The Game Act. (f) Personnel Several changes occurred through transfers, resignations and other causes, but all vacancies were filled either by promotion or appointment of new men. Three new lookout positions were au¬ thorized and filled. No other new positions were authorized. (g) Firefighting Equipment No new equipment was obtained other than replacements for worn equipment and loss. (h) Co-operation Very good co-operation was received from the Royal Canadian Air Force in reporting smokes sighted, and in many cases from the Canadian Pacific Air Lines and private pilots. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police continue to give us their co-operation, especially in the gathering of fire crews and pro¬ secuting infractions. Co-operation by the general public continues to improve, espe¬ cially in the matter of reporting fires. (i) General Aircraft were employed very successfully on different occa¬ sions in scouting and locating fires in areas not covered by look¬ out towers. On a very few occasions we received authority to transport men by aircraft, to a lake in the vicinity of a newly dis¬ covered fire. On these occasions we were invariably successful in controlling the fire in a short period of time. In spite of a great deal of publicity through the radio and press, and in spite of a conducted tour of publicity carried out by the Canadian F orestry Association through most parts of Alberta, there are still far too many fires occurring through carelessness of the public. Most people in these areas are, either directly or indi¬ rectly, dependent upon the forests for their livelihood and it would appear that they should acauire a sense of responsibility to protect the forests. During the year under review the fire hazard was not 28 DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND FORESTS extreme. The fires in general were not considered large, but the number was almost as high as in the previous year, which was con¬ sidered a high hazard year. It would appear, therefore, that the people who live in the forested area are still careless with fire, to the extent that they are not protecting their own interests, by keeping down the losses of timber resources. MISCELLANEOUS (a) Entomology Our field staff again co-operated with the Dominion Forest Service Insect Survey and forwarded sample collections to the Kananaskis Forest Insect Laboratory. (b) Pathology Our field staff co-operated with the staff of the Dominion Pathological Laboratory in Calgary. (c) Fish and Game Our field staff again administered the Fish and Game Acts in the forested areas of the Province included in the old Northern Alberta Forest District and Brazeau-Athabasca Forest in a very satisfactory manner. TIMBER There was a decrease in the number of active timber opera¬ tions throughout the province, but there was an increase in the production of lumber and other forest products. On account of poor markets and increased freight rates, the amount of fire -killed pulpwood cut and shipped to the U. S. A. droppedfrom a 1952high of 105, 073 cords to 13, 225 cords in 1953. The demand for green lodgepole pine telephone and power poles has greatly increased. Production was double that of 1952- 53. The poles are treated with preservative in plants located at Caroline, Calgary and Edmonton. The cutting of this type of ma¬ terial is an excellent thinning operation. The lumber export market was not as good as last year but the local demand increased. There was a slight increase in the prices of some forest pro¬ ducts, but on the whole retail prices changed very little this year. Forest Survey The functions of the Forest Surveys Branch have been, first, to provide general information under the Provincial Forest In¬ ventory useful for general planning; second, to provide detailed information concerning individual timbered areas under application for cutting rights; third, to make special studies of forest condi¬ tions as these are related to forest management; fourth, to provide forestry information as interpreted from aerial photos to other FORESTRY 29 divisions of the department and to the public. These functions shall be dealt with separately. Provincial Forest Inventory During this fiscal year emphasis has been on completing, by March 31st, an inventory south of the 57th parallel. As this is the area under contract to Photographic Survey Corporation of Toronto, it has been their responsibility. Every effort was made to reach this objective, both by the Corporation and ourselves. It was their duty to produce the original work, and ours to check the photo interpretations of forest cover maps, totalling 294 maps, each containing on the average 275 square miles of forest land. It is satisfying to report that this phase of our provincial forest inventory was completed on time. Our four foresters who were on loan for the past four years to the Corporation under the agree¬ ment, were returned to Alberta. A short summary of what has been accomplished is as follows: This survey was produced from 99.997% interpretation of medium scale vertical aerial photographs and 0. 003% groundwork. That is, for every acre of forest land measured on the ground, 33, 332 acres were classified by interpretation of air photos. In¬ terpretation of forest types and the field work was completed pro¬ gressively each year since the contract was signed in 1949. As pointed out above, the principal source of information was the air photographs. Every effort, therefore, was made to have this information up to date throughout the whole area. In order to have up to date photographs of the required scale of 1320' to one inch, 34, 000 square miles of the inventory area which had been photographed by the R. C. A. F. in 1945 and 1946 was rephoto¬ graphed during the fall of 1 952 under a contract given to Aero Sur¬ veys of Vancouver. Detailed Forest Cover Maps for Stumpage Sales During the fiscal year ending March 31st, 1953, a total of 429 applications for license timber berths and special timber permits were handled by the Forest Surveys Division. Inmost cases, forest cover maps were prepared at the scale of four inches to one mile, using aerial photographs. The maps were for use by the field staff when cruising and estimating the timber on areas which were under application for cutting rights. Approximately 500, 000 acres were mapped in detail for this purpose. During the latter part of the year it was arranged that in the future, the Eastern Rockies Forest Conservation Board would prepare, in their Calgary office, the timber sale maps for the area under the Board's jurisdiction. This procedure has not had an appreciable effect on the flow of work, as of the 429 applica¬ tions dealt with during the year, only 13 were in the Conservation Area. 30 DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND FORESTS Forest Management During the year a start was made in the preparation of forest management plans based on long-range goals, so that when the in¬ ventory results become available, management on a sustained yield can be established as quickly as possible. The preliminary work has been mainly a cut-over survey, the purpose of which has been to ascertain by field examination the net results of the present and immediate past timber disposal regulations as they have affected commercial timber stands in the N. A. F.D. Other preliminary work started on forest management plans has been: 1. Source documents for setting up records by the punch card system. 2. Preparation of a procedure for inventory maintenance for changes such as cut-over and burned areas. 3. Considerable work has been done toward obtaining operation data from the major lumbering companies. Miscellaneous (Such as providing information to other divisions and to the public). Information regarding forest cover on proposed homestead leases and land sales was supplied to the Lands Branch on fifty individual parcels of land. Information from photographs has been supplied to other branches, the most important being the locating of possible sites for forestry lookout towers. A counter service has been maintained to the public whereby assistance has been given to timber operators in locating individ¬ ual blocks of timber so that their applications when submitted would be more correctly described as to location. Volume estimates were made for the Primrose Lake Air Wea¬ pon's Range, and used in submitting a timber valuation to the Fed¬ eral Government. In addition, there have been numerous individual estimates made for a number of areas under application for cutting rights on the range, so that permits would be issued without the necessity of a ground cruise. RADIO During the year under review work was continued on the instal¬ lation of the VHF FM circuits in the Eastern Rockies Area, al¬ though it was hampered to some extent by both bad weather con¬ ditions and shortage of personnel. The Board decided to add several more lookouts to the existing chain so that our installation work was increased. In the remainder of the Province work is continuing as in pre¬ vious years, with maintenance of existing equipment, installation FORESTRY 31 of mobile equipment in new vehicles and the installation of new equipment at new lookout towers. A total of fifteen radio -equipped towers are now completed in the Forest Protection Division and this number will be increased yearly over the next five or six years. Serious consideration is being given to the use of VHF cir¬ cuits in some portions of the Forest Protection Division because our channels are becoming more and more over -loaded under the present as signment of frequencies in the medium wave spectrum. It is hoped that further studies in this connection will be made during the next fiscal year and that plans may be evolved for suit¬ able circuitry in at least some portions of the Forest Protection area. Plans are also being drawn to permit control of our remote receiving and transmitting equipment in the Edmonton Head¬ quarters, by the use of radio circuits instead of wire lines. This planning is prompted by the fact that line trouble causes a fair amount of circuit outage over the period of a year and also by the requirements of the Alberta Civil Defence Communications net¬ work, in which the Lands and Forests stations form an important part. It is expected that this form of control will be established, and in use, before the end of the coming year. The summary of the season's operations is appended and it is noted that traffic figures seem to have stabilized themselves, at least for the present. SUMMARY OF THE YEAR'S OPERATIONS 1952-53 Lookout Stations - 60 & 100 Watt Messages Words Adams Creek Alder Flats Brazeau Carrot Creek Goose Mountain Heart Lake Lovett Mayberne Nose Mountain Puskwaskau Pelican Mountain Round Hill Saskatoon Mountain Swan Dive White court 520 6,485 574 8,482 670 11, 102 942 18,132 544 8,702 1,239 24,271 790 12,415 269 3, 978 648 11,109 558 9,228 563 8, 817 447 6,425 379 5, 824 143 1,440 865 15,491 Total 9,151 151,901 32 DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND FORESTS Headquarter Stations Messages Words Calgary Edmonton Edson Grande Prairie Lac La Biche Peace River Rocky Mountain House Slave Lake 5,174 124,892 13,587 286,417 1,865 32, 987 1, 567 36, 859 2, 236 50, 205 1,544 37, 833 366 7, 123 619 12,762 Total 26, 958 589, 078 Grand Total 36, 109 740, 979 FORESTRY TRAINING SCHOOL 1 952 markedthe secondyear for the Forestry Training School carried out at the Dominion Forestry Kananaskis Experiment Station west of Calgary. From experience gained in the previous year the curriculum was carefully reviewed with a view to giving proper emphasis to those subjects which would be of most value to the rangers on their return to their districts. It was also decided that there should be more field work than in the previous year and the wea¬ ther was very favorable in carrying out this arrangement. It was further decided to concentrate more time on the subject of forest fire protection and other subjects which related to that very im¬ portant aspect of the work. As in the previous course, instructors were drawn from var¬ ious Government agencies within the Province - University of Alberta, DominionForest Service, Dominion Department of Agri¬ culture (Entomology and Pathology), Eastern Rockies Forest Con¬ servation Board, Alberta Forest Service and the Fish and Game Branches. In addition, courses were given by the Search and Rescue Division of the Air Force and by Civil Defence. The school again came under the able guidance of Victor Heath. His assistant during this school term was S.R. Hughes, Assistant Forest Super¬ intendent of the Bow River Forest Reserve in Calgary. Twenty rangers were chosen again this year, fourteen from the forest protection branch and two from each of the three re¬ serves. The results of the first year's school have been very encour¬ aging. The superintendents and inspectors have all reported that the men came back to their work with a very much better attitude and training to carry out their duties. This is particularly true as far as timber cruising is concerned. FORESTRY 33 PERSONNEL Over a period of years it has been difficult to attract the right type of man to our ranger staff. Part of this is due to the higher rates of pay being offered in industry, and part to the fact that many of our ranger headquarters are at isolated points and not attractive to a man with a wife and family. The turn -over of personnel remains about the same as in previous years. C ONC LUSION It is hoped that the better parts of the Stevenson-Kellogg report will be implemented in the years to come. The Forest Service within the northern part of the Province has been understaffed for many years, and districts covered by some rangers are extreme¬ ly large. In order that forest protection and other work can be carried out in a satisfactory manner to conserve our natural resources, many of these districts will have to be cut in half and two men do the work where one man was formerly employed. Our lookout system is not yet complete and in order that we may have complete coverage to detect fires when they originate and can be controlled when they are a small size, it will be nec¬ essary that many more lookouts be constructed in the next few years. FIRE SUPPRESSION During the fire season of 1952 a total of 192 fires were dealt with as shown below in classes: 27 Class "A" or small fires (Less than 1/4 of an acre) 63 Class "B" fires (over 1/4 acre up to 10 acres) 68 Class "C" fires (over 10 acres up to 500 acres) 34 Class "D" fires (over 500 acres) COMPARISON OF FIRE CAUSES BY PERCENTAGES FOR THE YEARS 1941 TO 1952 INCLUSIVE CAUSE 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 Cam peri 20.9 31. 5 26. 8 24.0 18.7 14.9 15.5 29.9 21.4 23. 8 16.7 25.0 Smoker* 2. 2 3. 3 7. 5 6.5 8. 8 5. 5 6.6 12. 5 9.6 10. 1 23. 8 9.4 Settlers 22.7 13.9 12.4 14.5 15.1 10.5 7.4 10. 9 23. 6 14.9 19. 0 12.5 Railways 7. 6 11. 1 23. 0 16.0 12.0 21. 1 32. 8 15.2 8.9 10. 9 10. 7 17.7 Lightning 1.6 .9 .4 3.4 6. 0 4.4 4. 1 3. 8 6. 8 8.9 8. 3 3. 1 Industrial Operations 1.4 3.6 1.9 3.6 3.5 9.5 4.9 8.7 3. 5 4. 0 6.0 7. 8 Incendiary 10.8 6. 9 5. 7 6.8 6.0 2.9 4. 1 2.7 7.3 8. 0 8. 3 12. 0 Public Works . 2 . 5 .4 .4 1.6 1.2 Unclassified 8. 8 10. 2 7. 5 6.5 13.4 6.9 . 8 .6 3.9 6.9 6.0 4.2 Unknown 23. 8 18. 1 14. 4 18.7 16. 1 24.3 23. 8 15.7 13.4 11. 3 1.2 8. 3 34 DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND FORESTS COMPARISON OF FIRE LOSSES AND CAUSES BY PERCENTAGES FOR THE YEAR 1952 FIRE CAUSES Number of Fires % Merchantable Timber Losses Acres % Total Acreage Burned % Campers 25.0 7.4 34.4 Smokers 9.4 .5 . 8 Settlers 12.5 9.7 14. 9 Railways 17.7 — .2 Lightning 3. 1 — 1.8 Industrial Operations 7. 8 .3 . 1 Incendiary 12.0 79.3 46. 1 Public Works — — Unclassified 4.2 — .1 Unknown 8. 3 2. 8 1.6 RAILWAY FIRE LOSSES, CALENDAR YEAR 1952 CAUSES AND NUMBER OF FIRES: Railway Causes - Locomotives _ Employees _ Number 26 8 Total NUMBER OF ACRES BURNED: Slashing or old burn Acres Nil Timber land 8 Young growth 86 Non-forested 562 Total 656 LOSS: Timber _ Young Growth _ Forest Products Other Property Total $664.00 $ 114.00 250.00 300.00 Nil SUMMARY SHOWING TOTAL NUMBER OF FIRES AND BURNT OVER AREAS FROM 1941 TO 1952 INCLUSIVE YEAR TOTAL FIRES No. NON- FORESTED Acres FORESTED Acres TOTAL AREA Acres SUPPRESSION COSTS $ 1941 445 459,475.00 895, 949.50 1,355,424.50 170,488.58 1942 215 182,208.25 143,607.50 325, 815.75 40, 546. 17 1943 265 409,503.50 105,645.75 515, 149.25 22,286.77 1944 325 273,186.25 449,471.75 722,658.00 88, 085.72 1945 284 128,263.50 88,473.00 216,736.50 64, 001.53 1946 275 179,731.00 92,552.50 272,283.50 54, 128. 89 1947 122 46,894.75 33, 166.00 80, 060.75 19, 875.55 1948 184 195,491.00 107,725.59 293,216.59 90,903.76 1949 314 552,184.65 908, 862.25 1,461, 046.90 248,635.47 1950 248 233,508.95 472, 178. 10 705,687.05 336, 303.78 1951 84 13,303.00 10,565. 00 23, 868.00 25,092.00 1952 192 184, 905.00 299,424.00 484, 329.00 70,443.00 Totals 2,953 2, 848,654. 85 3, 607, 620. 94 6,456,275.79 1,230,791.22 ANNUAL SUMMARY OF FOREST FIRE LOSSES 35 FIRES WITHIN FOREST RESERVES LANDS AFFE 3TED LOSS SUPPRESSION COSTS OWNERSHIP AREA CONDITION TIMBER (MERCHANTABLE AND CUT- 6ver) Loss of Loss of CLASS Public Private Total Merchantabl Cut-over Young Not SALVABLE UNSALVABLE Loss >f Y oung Other Total Ranger Other A B C D Total Timber Timber Growth Forested Saw -Timber Other Depreciation Saw-Timber Other Loss Timb< Growth Property Loss Service Expenditure Total Acres Acres Acres Acres Acres Acres Acres M. Ft. B.M. Cords $ M. Ft. B.M. Cords $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ Campers 8 _ _ _ 8 — — Spot — l|tfp ' ■ s 2 2 — ■ 2 27 _ 27 Smokers - 3 — — 3 7 — 7 4 2 * — -V. IHSIS' — — 95 65 >5 8 . 33 -I 73 100 30 130 Settlers — 1 — — 1 7 — 7 — — 4 3 fy — — — — 18 18 Railways — — — — — — — I — — ' ' • ■ pYipp - , V;f; .. -s-4— ■' — — * _ ’ IB — — Lightning Industrial - — - — — I — — Si — ■ ' Ip! — — — — iTE-'* ^ HESS Operations 1 _ 1 — — Spot Hgp j — 71 71 Incendiary Public Works Unclassified Unkown 1 ] _ Mil 1 2 Mil Spot 2 1 \:JJ 1 'is 2 _ mi _ _ 6 ■ l l 36 36 F 20 3, 000 3, 036 20 1 1 1 1 — T 1 1 1 TOTALS 9 6 15 16 — 16 4 2 6 4 — — — 7 95 103 i b3 28 3, 000 3, 131 216 30 246 FIRES OUTSIDE FOREST RESERVES Campers 2 16 15 7 40 156, 141 10,480 166,621 8,748 104 72, 964 84, 805 10 50 — 2, 075 76, 050 72, 573 72, 5 f7 3 488,704 Igg3| I 561,277 1,359 16,777 18, 136 Smokers 3 6 4 2 15 4, 031 46 4, 077 542 1 1, 615 1,919 5,400 — — 312 1, 026 1, c 126 6,767 $=^04, 7,793 104 1, 134 1, 238 Settlers 2 1 13 7 23 70,130 2, 100 72,230 11,482 2, 050 38,723 19,975 4, 550 225 338 6, 841 222, 065 198,909 199, 2 p 17,489 ■ frT~: 216,736 . 435 21,597 22, 032 Railways 2 20 12 — 34 534 122 656 8 — 86 562 80 92 ■ ' -0 :- 10 22 1 14 250 300 664 146 387 533 Lightning 1 1 2 2 6 8, 472 — 8,472 2 1 — 8,470 — — — ' . — ; 18 — 12, 150 12, 1 50 10, 225 ps Ha 22, 375 99 7, 132 7,231 Industrial Operations 3 6 5 - 14 455 2 457 295 102 20 40 2 ■ 2,528 5, 069 . , 5, *C p9 140 150 5,359 50 1, 156 1,206 Incendiary - 4 5 13 22 222, 024 1, 388 223, 412 93,492 — 54, 246 75,674 1, 265 — 1,200 1,906 375, 050 153,311 154, 5 111 258,950 — 413,461 646 8,639 9,285 Public Works — - — — Unclassified 2 1 4 - 7 429 — 429 83 - - 125 221 — — 434 800 378 3 I78 775 — 1, 153 716 — 716 Unkown 3 2 8 3 16 7,609 350 7,959 3, 248 — 3, 006 1,705 48 — 8, 299 21, 510 39,787 39,7 87 14, 802 54, 589 604 9,216 9, 820 TOTALS 18 57 68 34 177 469, 825 14,488 484,313 117,900 2,257 179,255 184,901 5, 875 5,755 1,630 19, 573 698, 325 483, 225 484, 8 55 798, 102 450 1,283,407 4,159 66,038 70, 197 FIRES WITHIN AND WITHOUT FOREST RESERVES Campers 10 16 15 7 48 156, 141 10,480 166,621 8,748 104 72,964 84, 805 10 50 — 2, 076 76, 050 72, 575 72, £ 75 488, 704 — 561,279 1, 386 16,777 18,163 Smokers 3 9 4 2 18 4, 038 46 4, 084 546 3 1,615 1,920 — 5,400 " — I 407 1, 091 1, c 91 6,775 — 7, 866 204 1, 164 1,368 Settlers 2 2 13 7 24 70,137 2,100 72, 237 11,482 2, 050 38,727 19,978 4, 550 225 338 6, 841 222, 065 198, 909 189, 2 47 17,489 — 216,736 453 21,597 22, 050 Railways 2 20 12 — 34 534 122 656 g _ 86 562 — 80 92 — 10 22 14 250 300 664 146 387 533 Lightning 1 1 2 2 6 8,472 8,472 2 1 — 8,470 — — - — 18 — 12, 150 12, 1 50 10,225 — 22, 375 99 7,132 7,231 Industrial Operations 3 7 5 15 455 2 457 295 102 20 40 2 — - — 2, 528 5, 069 5, ( 69 140 150 5.359 121 1,156 1,277 Incendiary 1 4 5 13 23 222, 024 1,388 223,412 93,492 _ 54, 246 75,674 1,265 _ 1,200 1,912 375,050 153, 347 154, £ 47 258,950 3, 000 416,497 646 8,639 9,285 Public Works — — — - — — ' — 1 py ■ — — — — — — — — — — — Unclassified 2 2 4 — 8 431 — 431 83 — 127 221 — — — 434 800 378 78 795 — 1,173 716 — 716 Unkown 3 2 8 3 16 7,609 350 7,959 3,248 — 3, 006 1,705 48 — — 8, 299 21, 510 39, 787 39,1 87 14, 802 — 54, 589 604 9,216 9,820 TOTALS 27 63 68 34 192 469, 841 14,488 484, 329 117,904 2,259 179, 261 184, 905 5, 875 5,755 1,630 19, 580 698,420 483, 328 484, £ 58 798, 130 3,450 1,286,538 4,375 66,068 70, 443 SUMMARY BY DIVISIONS N.A.F.D. 18 57 67 34 176 469,765 14,488 484, 253 117,900 2,257 179, 195 184, 901 5, 875 5,755 1, 630 19, 573 698, 325 483,225 484, § 55 797, 502 450 1,282,807 4, 159 65,780 69,939 Outside Res. — — 1 — 1 60 — 60 — — 60 — _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 600 — 600 — 258 258 Clearwater - 2 - - 2 3 — 3 — — 2 1 _ _ _ _ _ _ 20 — 20 17 — 17 Bow River 7 - — 7 — — — — — — — — — — 7 _ 38 38 3, 000 3,038 82 — 82 Crowsnest 2 4 “ 6 13 ~~ 13 4 2 4 3 — — — 95 65 65 8 — 73 117 30 147 TOTALS 27 63 68 34 192 469,841 14,488 484, 329 117, 904 2,259 179, 261 184, 905 5, 875 5,755 1, 630 19,580 698,420 483, 328 484, < 58 798, 130 3,450 1,286,538 4,375 66,068 70, 443 Within & Without Forest Reserves - Calendar Year 1952 FORESTRY 37 X H 2 O S cn fa w & C u |H w w cd fa fa O Eh w 2 w Eh < Eh m J < & Z 2 < 38 DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND FORESTS FORESTRY 39 40 DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND FORESTS NUMBER OF FIRES CAUSED BY CAMPERS 1952 .1 -1- mm Mi NUMBER OF FIRES CAUSED BY SETTLERS . 1952 l iLLi BRETON EDMONTON EDSON WHITECOURT LAC LA BICHE CALLIINC LAKE SLAVE LAKE GRANDE PRAIRIE PEACE RIVER BRAZ - ATHA DISTRICTS NUMBER OF FIRES FORESTRY 41 20 NUMBER OF FIRES CAUSED BY SMOKERS 1952 15 a 10 10 NUMBER OF INCENDIARY FIRES 1952 DISTRICTS 42 DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND FORESTS TIMBER CUT UNDER PERMIT ALBERTA FOREST RESERVES FISCAL YEAR 1952-53 Bow River Crowsnest Clearwater Total Nitmlwr of permits 55 152 29 236 Round timbers (lineal feet) _ _ 696,950 936, 869 418, 200 2, 052, 019 Fuelwood (cords) 349 289 40 678 Lumber (F. B. M. ) . 68, 963 285, 043 100, 000 454, 006 Poles and Piling (lineal feet). 9,974 1, 050 11, 024 TIMBER OPERATIONS ON ALBERTA FOREST RESERVES FISCAL YEAR 1952-53 Bow River Crowsnest Clearwater Total Number of Active Operations _ _ 17 22 39 78 Lumber (F.B.M.) 3,419, 279 19, 643, 741 20, 720, 752 43, 783, 772 Round Timbers (lineal feet) _ 1, 741, 334 1,261,287 778, 826 3,781,447 Poles and Piling (lineal feet) _ . _ 24, 993 1, 232 26,225 Pulpwood (cords) — 1, 673 1, 673 Railway Ties (pieces) — — 30, 934 30, 934 Slabs (cords) 12 600 612 Lath (pieces) 1, 227, 500 1, 227, 500 TIMBER OPERATIONS ON LANDS OUTSIDE OF FOREST RESERVES FISCAL YEAR 1952-53 Timber Berths and Special Permits Number of Active Operations 1, 198 Fuelwood (cords) 5, 664 Lath (pieces) 305, 700 Lumber (F.B.M. 1 335. 064. 051 R nnr»H TimKpr q / 1 i -n a 1 fpot ^ - Poles and Piling (lineal feet) 1, 510, 187 Pulpwood (cords) 4, 666 Railway Ties (piece si 1, 557, 045 Slabs (cords) Q03 Mine Ties (pieces) 103, 601 Shingles (pieces! 355, 550 Shingle Bolts (cords) 194 SETTLERS' TIMBER PERMITS Number of Permits 2, 979 Round Timber for Mines, Fencing, Corrals, Building Logs, etc. (lineal feet) 4, 358, 540 Lumber (feet board measure) 18, 187, 560 Fuelwood (cords) 4, 630 Pulpwood (cords) 6, 885 Shingle Bolts (cords) 16 Shingles (pieces) 72, 000 Slabs (cords) 4 Lath (pieces) 100, 000 Timber Seizures (number) 182 SUMMARY OF TIMBER OPERATIONS ON PUBLIC LANDS AND ALBERTA FOREST RESERVES FISCAL YEAR 1952-53 FORESTRY 43 Timber Seizures (number) - 182 “ 182 44 DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND FORESTS GRAZING STATEMENT ALBERTA FOREST SERVICE - 1952-53 Forest No. of Permits No. of Horses No. of Cattle No. of Sheep Bow River 76 — 7, 302 — Crowsnest 179 51 12,634 1,800 Clearwater 28 146 456 Total 283 197 20,392 1,800 Total for the Period 1931-53 Average Per Year Number of Permits 10,715 466 Number of Horses 58,605 2, 548 Number of Cattle 492,274 21,403 Number of Sheep 91,750 3,989 IMPROVEMENTS - STATEMENT OF MAN-DAYS WORKED - FISCAL YEAR 1952-53 FORESTRY 45 8S3DOV BSAcug ;stxtiox snrq^O STP^L fpxmojo sauyi atioqdatai ssiq^S pxre sujreg stuaisXg Ajddng sa«S jno3[Ooq spaqs saS^a-eo I I ir> in co if) co saSpjjg | | $ 5 I I =0* | ^ TOTALS 185.5 255.5 655 229.5 89.5 67 998 47.5 6 417.5 888 520.5 13.5 1110 21.5 170.5 MODE OF TRANSPORTATION AND MILEAGE TRAVELLED BY EMPLOYEES 46 DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND FORESTS Ae/AiT'ey soiree jspaadg aipp'Bg Q 5 < l Z o FORESTRY 47 EASTERN ROCKIES FOREST RESERVES Report of Senior Superintendent - J. P. Alexander FOREST PROTECTION (a) Fire Season Snowfall during the 1951-52 winter was above average and a prolonged spring and satisfactory precipitation during the summer months delayed any appreciable fire hazard until late fall when a major dr.y period occurred during the greater part of the big game hunting season. Fortunately no serious fires resulted and the sit¬ uation was relieved by snowstorms in late November. (b) Fire Prevention Fire prevention was carried on in the same manner as in recent years by means of posters, personal contact with reserve users and radio and press publicity. The Canadian Forestry Associa¬ tion's fire prevention publicity was also of benefit. (c) Fire Detection Ten lookout stations and ground patrol continued to constitute the principal fire detection system. A number of new lookouts will improve the overall efficiency and two of these were built during the season, but not manned. Co-operation by reserve users also serves as a useful detection medium. (d) Fire Suppression Eighteen fires were dealt with on the three reserves, none of them attaining serious size. Six of these fires were outside of the reserve boundaries, one of which accounted for the greater part of the damage of $3, 038. 34, occurring outside the reserves. Altogether 104 plus acres were burnt at a suppression cost of $245. 07, all but $29. 50 being reserve labor. Total damage was $3,131.84. Causes of fires were as follows: Campers - 9; Smokers - 4; Settlers - 2; Lumbering - 2; Public Works - 1; Total - 18. (e) Personnel Assistant Superintendent J. D. Clark of the Clearwater Forest resigned during the year and was succeeded by J. A. Schalkwyk of the Edmonton staff . Otherwise there were no changes in the super¬ visory staff. The strength of the field staff remained the same although there were a number of changes in individuals due to transfers, resignations and new appointments. (f) Firefighting Equipment No new equipment was obtained as our supply is considered sufficient for the present. 48 DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND FORESTS ADMINISTRATION (a) Timber Timber continued to be in demand and there were 68 active berths during the year, an increase of 17 over last year. Seven timber berths were completed and closed out during the year. Seven special timber permits and two hundred and fifty-three settlers' permits were issued during the year. (b) Grazing Two hundred and eighty -three grazing permits were issued for 20, 392 cattle, 197 horses and 1, 800 sheep. (c) Hay Four permits for hay were issued for a total of 140 tons. (d) Uses Two hundred and fourteen grazing and miscellaneous use per¬ mits were issued during the year. (e) Fish and Game Fish and game patrol and control were carried on for a total of 1, 068 man-days, the greater part of the time being spent during the big game hunting season. (f) Recreation With the greatly improved roads developed during the past few years, recreational use of the reserves is increasing to a marked degree on the three reserves. In addition, the use of the Clearwater Reserve is increasing to a considerable extent due to improved fishing in that area. REPORT OF FOREST INSECT CONDITIONS IN ALBERTA IN 1953 George R. Hopping, Officer -in-Charge Forest Zoology Laboratory, Calgary The Forest Insect Survey disclosed damage by a number- of insects to forests and shelterbelt trees in various parts of Alberta. The most important were the forest tent caterpillar, the lodgepole needle miner, the American poplar leaf beetle, the larch sawfly, the black-headed budworm, the yellow-headed spruce sawfly, the lodgepole pine root weevil, and the spotted tussock moth. With the exceptions of the tent caterpillar, the larch sawfly, and the root weevil, damage was confined to very small areas in Provincial forests. A combined air and ground survey showed that the heaviest defoliation of aspen by the tent caterpillar was just north of Chip Lake about 85 miles west of Edmonton. From there the patchy infestation extended northward to the Athabasca River westward FORESTRY 49 to Medicine Lodge and southward to a line between Sundre and Bearberry. Defoliation was noted along the Saskatchewan River as far as Saunders. Severe defoliation occurred west of Rimbey and a small amount of damage occurred at Spr ingbank near Calgary. Usually control by spraying is not necessary because most of the trees recover satisfactorily. Control over small areas may be¬ come necessary if the caterpillars become too numerous near towns, resorts, or in municipalities such as Springbank. The status of the lodgepole needle miner outbreak has changed little during the past year. In Banff Park the population is in¬ creasing again on the floor of the Bow Valley where it was heavily killed in the severe winter of 1949-50. Damage by this pest is still confined to the National Parks. The American poplar leaf beetle caused heavy defoliation of aspen in the Porcupine Hills. The trees usually recover satis¬ factorily. The larch sawful population has risen to outbreak proportions over a considerable area west and north of Cold Lake. Heavy de¬ foliation occurred in many of the larch swamps. Larvae were numerous in the Smith, Calling Lake, Athabasca and Westlock areas. A few larvae were found in the Coal Branch country, and in that part of the N. A. F.D. lying east of the Clearwater Forest District. It is apparent that the outbreak is spreading steadily westward and may cause considerable mortality of larch. The black-headed budworm was found all along the East Slope but the only noticeable defoliation was near the Banff golf course. Local but severe infestations of the yellow-headed spruce saw- fly were found at many points: Cremona, Sylvan Lake, Edmonton, Rimbey, and others. Control is often necessary for ornamental trees and shelterbelts . Over 90 per cent of lodgepole pines on some areas in the Stra- chan district have suffered severe root damage by a large weevil (Hypomolyx sp. ). Similar damage was found in varying degree in many other localities of west central Alberta. Although no tree mortality could be attributed directly to this damage, it is almost certain that tree vigour is reduced with a consequent decrease in growth rate. The damage has been cumulative over a long period. The spotted tussock moth caused severe defoliation of alder covering about one-half acre a few miles northwest of Athabasca. Research work has been continued on the lodgepole needle miner, the spruce budworm, and bark beetles in lodgepole pine slash. A new project was initiated dealing with bio climatology related to poplar insects with different micro -habitats. 50 DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND FORESTS The detailed life history of the lodgepole needle miner has been determined, precise population sampling techniques devel¬ oped, and field trials have been started in an attempt to introduce a virus disease as a control factor. The object of the spruce budworm study is to see if there are any consistent differences in environmental factors between stands of spruce and alpine fir where outbreaks have been recurrent over a considerable time and similar stands where outbreaks seldom, if ever, occur. Some interesting mesoclimatic and plant associa¬ tion differences have already been established. Results of the bark beetle -slash project have indicated the type of cutting most conducive to bark beetle build-up. The biol¬ ogies of the principal bark beetle species have been recorded and related to natural control factors such as parasites, predators, and sub-cortical and air temperatures. It is too early to indicate any results of the bioclimatological studies related to poplar insects. FOREST DISEASE WORK IN ALBERTA IN 1952 Vidar J. Nor din Forest Biology Laboratory, Calgary, Alberta The 1952 field season marks the initial program of research in forest diseases undertaken by the 'new Forest Biology (Path¬ ology) Laboratory which has been established to serve the region embracing the Province of Alberta, the Northwest Territories, and the Rocky Mountain National Parks. During this first year of organization and development the Laboratory has enjoyed the close co-operation and very helpful assistance accorded by the Alberta Department of Lands and Forests. The new unit, temporarily accommodated in the Customs Building, has now been moved to permanent quarters at 102 -11th Avenue East, Calgary. The third floor of this building has been entirely renovated to provide excellent facilities in offices and research laboratory rooms. The following is a brief summary of the work initiated in 1952. More detailed information on any phase of the studies in progress can be obtained from the Laboratory on request. FOREST DISEASE SURVEY The Forest Disease Survey has been organized as an essential mechanism to obtain information on the presence, distribution, and development of native and exotic tree diseases. This survey has verified that the dwarf mistletoe parasite ( Arceuthobium ameri- canum Nutt. ) occurs throughout the range of lodgepole pine in the FORESTRY 51 National Parks, in the Rocky Mountain Forest Reserves south of the Clearwater Forest Reserve to the United States border, as well as in the Cypress Hills of Southeastern Alberta. The same organism parasitic on jack pine was noted in the vicinity of Lesser Slave Lake and at Calling Lake. Extensions of the present known distribution of this destructive disease will probably result from further survey studies. The lodgepole pine mistletoe was also dis¬ covered attacking white spruce at the Kananaskis Forest Experi¬ ment Station. The significance of this occurrence is being invest¬ igated. A leaf spot of trembling aspen occurred in epidemic propor¬ tions in the Banff -Canm ore area and was associated with the fun¬ gus, Mars sonina tremuloidis Kleb. Yellow witches broom attributed to Peridermium coloradense (Diet. ) Arth. & Kern, was found to be ubiquitous on the black, Engelmann, and white spruce species in this region. Collections of the disease, which is made conspicuous by the typical witches brooms of the branches and terminals, were recorded for Wild¬ wood, Smith, Nordegg, Whiteman's Creek, Mistaya River, Edson, Carrot Creek, Spray Gate, Celestine Lake, Eagle Creek, Crows - nest Forest Reserve, and at the Kananaskis Forest Experiment Station. Hail damage, as evidenced by numerous scars on one side of the host, was conspicuous on eastern larch both at Rimbeyandat Entwistle. DECAY IN SPRUCE In 1952, studies of the decays of sub-alpine spruce were ini¬ tiated. These studies are designed to relate decay to site factors such as soil (pH, nitrogen content, texture, etc.) and flora; to examine relationships of organisms associated with decay; and to show the significance of decay to improved forest management in¬ ventory procedures and to factors as diameter, age, density and growth rate. An analysis was made of 456 trees which were felled and crit¬ ically examined for decay. Thirty-five per cent of the sample trees had some measure of decay. Of the infected trees, 22 per cent had root- and butt-rots and approximately 22 per cent had trunk rots. Preliminary compilations demonstrate a correlation between diameter and decay and age and decay. More detailed information on this investigation will be available shortly in an interim report under preparation. RED STAIN IN PINE A red stain condition in pine is responsible for serious losses in the pole and tie industries in the Province. Preliminary invest¬ igations on this problem are aimed to elucidate the identity and nature of the agents associated with red stain and to demonstrate 52 DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND FORESTS the importance of this abnormality in the utilization and mange - ment of pine forests. The initial studies have been located exclu¬ sively in fire-injured pine stands to show concurrently the signif¬ icance of fire scars in the occurrence of stain and decay. A dissection study has been made of 133 trees of lodgepole pine distributed in five 1/10-acre plots located in the vicinities of Strachan, Nordegg, and Water Valley. An unidentified fungus, arbitrarily named "Unknown L", was the most common organism isolated from red stain wood. Of the fungi identified in association with red stain, their frequency of occurrence is, as follows: F ungus Percentage of Infections % Unknown L 85 F omes pini 6 Stereum sanguinolentum 3 Polyporus anceps 3 Poria taxicola 1 Fomes pini and Unknown L 1 Unidentified 1 This means that, in the three areas and age class (84 years) examined, F omes pini, the fungus previously thought to be the major cause of red stain, is a relatively minor organism asso¬ ciated with this abnormality. Three infections of brown cubical decay and 8 infections of white pitted decay were associated re¬ spectively with Coniophora puteana and Polyporus abietinus. A detailed illustrated report on this investigation is being prepared for distribution. DETERIORATION OF SLASH OF LODGEPOLE PINE This project, begun in 1952, has been designed on a long-term basis to assess the relation of different silvicultural cutting treat¬ ments to the subsequent rate of deterioration of slash; the relative effects of spraying of slash with nutrient and the artificial inocula¬ tion of slash with minced cultures of wood-destroying fungi; the identification, ecological succession, and significance of fungi associated with deterioration; the 'significance of moisture, temp¬ erature, pH, and other factors that may influence decay; and the role of insects in the deterioration and the distribution of slash fungi. This work is being undertaken in co-operation with the Forestry Branch, Department of Resources and Development, the Forest Zoology Unit, and the Alberta Department of Lands and F ©rests. FISH AND GAME ADMINISTRATION 53 Fish and Game Administration REPORT OF THE FISH AND GAME COMMISSIONER E. S. Huestis During the year under review Stevens on-Kellogg of Vancouver, a company of management consultants, made an exhaustive study of various branches of the Department of Lands and Forests, in¬ cluding the Fish and Game Branches, and submitted a report. The report contained numerous suggestions towards the amalgamation of the services of fish and game officers to more adequately cover both branches of the work within the various districts where of¬ ficers are located. It is hoped that within the next year the pro¬ posed recommendations can be implemented. The big game season of the fall of 1952 was conspicuous by the reopening of the moose season after a two year closure, due to the shortage of these animals in some areas and to their loca¬ tion in other areas where they were too close to transportation and too easily slaughtered. The big game hunting season was warm and dry with the result that hunting territory was extremely noisy. A careful check in certain areas showed that elk and deer were able to avoid the hunter when he arrived, but the moose, with his slower movements and possibly due to two years protec¬ tion, became the principal target of big game hunters. It was found that at least 60% of all the big game killed of the antlered animals were moose. After a two year closure the drain on moose during the year was extremely high. Because of the dry, warm fall the shooting success of big game hunters was not as good as in previous years. It was diff¬ icult to get close to the animals because of the noisy condition of the bush. Many hunters returned without having any luck. The migratory bird situation was again extremely good. Sur¬ veys showed a further 48% increase in migratory waterfowl re¬ turning to the breeding grounds in Alberta and the brood count was again very high, giving us the highest migratory waterfowl popula¬ tion in many years. Statistics show that the hunter obtained a good share of the migratory waterfowl before they migrated to the south. The upland bird situation, which had been extremely good in 1951, began to deteriorate in some districts. It was found that birds disappeared in certain areas , particularly north of Edmonton. This was presumably due to what is known as the cyclic crash. However, there was still excellent shooting in many areas, and hunters reported a good bag of most upland birds. Pheasants, particularly, seemedto be infair supply in most districts in which they have become established. The beaver population continues to increase and a great deal 54 DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND FORESTS more work had to be done by the department in removing beaver from settled areas, where they were causing some flooding of hay meadows, and from locations where they were causing flooding of roads and bridges. It is felt, that the benefits gained in the water storage ability of these animals more than offsets the minor diff¬ iculties encountered by certainfarmers, and by the Department of Highways and Municipal Districts in the flooding of their roads. These difficulties can be overcome by corrective measures, and are taken care of as rapidly as possible by employees of the Game Branch. The price of fur remained at a low level, except for certain species. Statistics show that more pelts were taken by trappers, but the return to the trappers and revenue to the department showed some decrease. Long-haired fur has been low in price for some years and, until milady changes her taste, this trend will probably continue. The campaign against crows and magpies was carried on again by the Alberta Fish and Game Association and its local associa¬ tions, using funds provided by the department. The results of the campaign were not as good as in previous years possibly due to the weather conditions during the period in which the campaign was operated. Reports received from different areas show that this campaign should be increased if we are to make any headway in cutting down the crow and magpie population. It would appear that, although the population fluctuates from time to time, there has been little gained in reducing the population through the efforts of this campaign. Big game predators still remain a problem in many areas of the Province. The department, through fish, game and forest officers, is continuing their campaign against wolves and coyotes, the department supplying the necessary ammunition, poison, snares and traps to carry it out. During the latter part of 1952 the rabies epidemic started in the northern part of the Province, north of Peace River. It was immediately necessary that trappers be employed to cut down the number of animals which might spread this disease into the settled areas of the Province. By the end of the fiscal year under review, it was essential to set up a double trapline on the edge of the for¬ ested area completely surrounding the settled area of the Province. For this purpose 170 trappers were employed and 5, 000 miles of trapline were established. All trappers were supplied with every means possible to kill off predators and other animals which might spread the disease. It is expected that, as this program continues, the number of predatory animals should be reduced and this should have a very beneficial effect on the big game population in the for¬ ested area. It should also have an effect on the survival of those upland birds which frequent the edge of settlement and the edge of the forested area. FISH AND GAME ADMINISTRATION 55 The interest in angling in trout waters of the Province con¬ tinues to increase. Approximately 3, 000 additional angling per¬ mits were issued during 1952 than for the previous year, bringing the total number of permits to 23,270. The increase in commercial fishing was slight, with 5, 159 fishermans' licenses and 280 commercial licenses being issued. This increase in licenses reflected an increase in the total catch of the principal species, of which just under ten million pounds were taken during the fiscal year. Of this total, slightly over three million were whitefish and five and one-half million tullibee. It is unfortunate that, even with an increase take, the market value was less, because of a slump in prices. The most noteworthy increase in angling pressure, in trout waters, was the interest taken in the Canmore District, where a large number of anglers went into the new Spray Lake Develop¬ ment, where excellent catches of°trout were taken from this lake. In addition, the Highwood system reopened in 1952 which increased the angling in that area, particularly with the opening of Trap and Sullivan Creeks, tributaries of the Highwood. The catch per angler remains fairly steady. The average number of fish caught per angler was 20.2 as compared with 18 for 1951. It was noted that whereas the southern part of the Pro¬ vince produced larger catches, the Edson district showed a drop. Angling for coarse fish such as pike, perch, pickerel and gold- eye is becoming more popular. No license is issued for this type of angling but it is felt that the number of anglers far exceeds those who take out licenses for the taking of trout. A great deal of attention is being given by the Fisheries Branch to an examination of various lakes containing coarse fish with a view to increasing their production if at all possible. The biological station at Gorge Creek, tributary of the Sheep River west of Turner Valley, was conducted for the third success¬ ive year. This is a research project carried out jointly with the University of Alberta to test the survival of hatchery-raised trout in streams typical of the Eastern Rockies. Information to date suggests a change in trout rearing procedures requiring trout fry to be placed in raceways at an early age so that they will become adapted to fight against fairly fast waters similar to those pre¬ valent in East Slope streams. The Fish and Game Branches wish to express their apprecia¬ tion for the co-operation received from the Forest Service of the Department. The East Slope areas are supervised by the Forest Service and this is of great assistance to the Fisheries Branch. Our thanks are also due to the co-operation received from the R. C. M. P. in enforcement work. The Alberta Fish and Game 56 DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND FORESTS Association and its various locals are to be commended in their co-operative efforts with the fish and game branches , particularly in the distribution of fish and pheasants and the crow and magpie campaign. GAME COMPARISON OF THE NUMBER OF GAME LICENSES ISSUED Kind 1949 1950 1951 1952 Resident Bird Game Licenses 34, 829 36, 308 39, 190 50, 965 Non Resident (Canadian) Bird Game Licenses Non Resident (Non-Canadian) Bird 460 490 317 454 Game Licenses 422 449 419 406 Resident Big Game Licenses 15. 279 12,732 14, 340 19, 862 Non Resident (Canadian) Big Game Licenses Non Resident (Non-Canadian) Big — — 4 8 Game Licenses 139 98 119 84 GAME LICENSES April 1st 1952 to March 31st 1953 Number of Total Licenses Fee Amount Residents' Bird Game Licenses 50, , 965 $2. 50 $127, 412. 50 Non-Residents' (Canadian) Bird Game 454 5.00 2, ,270. ,00 Non-Residents ' (Non -Canadian) Bird Game _ 406 50. 00 20, , 300. 00 Residents' Big Game Licenses 19, , 862 5.00 99, , 310. 00 Non-Residents' (Canadian) Big Game Licenses_ 8 50.00 400. 00 Non-Residents' (Non-Canadian) Big Game Licenses 84 100.00 8, o o ** ,00 Permit to Collect 27 F ree Taxidermists' Licenses . 6 5.00 30. 00 Residents' Special 214 5.00 1, , 070. 00 Non -Residents' Special 69 25.00 1, ,725. 00 Guide's Licenses (Class "A" & "B") 140 2. 50 350. 00 Guide's Licenses (Class "C") 4 1.00 4. 00 Game Farms 8 5.00 40. 00 Outfitters' Licenses 34 25.00 850. 00 Fur Farms 7 Various 42. 00 Resident Trapper's Licenses 3, 336 3.00 10, 008. 00 Permit to Trap Beaver 468 10.00 4, 680. 00 Dog Trainers 7 Various 75. 00 BOUNTY ON TIMBER WOLVES AND COUGARS-SEASON 1952-53 Timber Wolves and Cougars killed from April 1st, 1952, to March 31st, 1953. 476 Timber Wolves at $12.00 each _ $5,712.00 555 Timber Wolves at $15. 00 each _ 8, 325. 00 35 Cougars at $15.00 each _ 525.00 LICENSED ALBERTA FUR FARMS Beaver _ _ _ 4 Muskrats _ 3 FISH AND GAME ADMINISTRATION 57 ALBERTA FUR PRODUCTION - SEASON 1952-53 (WILD FUR) Kind Total Number of Pelts Average Value ' of Pelts Total Value of Pelts 3d $ 1.78 $ 69.42 192, 872. 28 Beaver 14, 068 13.71 182, 589 1. 32 241, 017.48 607. 50 1, 659. 35 81 7.50 3. 85 Cross Fox 431 Red Fox 675 2. 00 1, 350. 00 White Fox 27 14. 50 391. 50 Blue F ox 2 6. 58 13. 16 Lvnx 3, 683 6. 87 25, 302. 21 5, 591.25 Marten 315 17.75 Mink 4, 923 20. 50 100, 921.50 544, 809. 05 1, 879.44 1, 151.60 Muskrats 473, 747 1.15 Otter 82 22.92 .20 Jack Rabbits 5, 758 Bush Rabbits 6,420 Skunk 86 1. 25 107. 50 Squirrel 976,967 . 50 488,483.50 Coyote 4, 554 2. 00 9, 108.00 Timber Wolf 175 7. 00 1, 225. 00 Wolverine 18 18. 00 324. 00 Total 1, 674, 640 $1 , 616, 883.74 CONVICTIONS UNDER THE GAME ACT, 1952-53 Number of Convictions 232 CONFISCATED FURS Amount realized from the sale of confiscated fur during the period April 1st, 1952, to March 31st, 1953 _ $1, 568.92 TRAP-LINE REGISTRATIONS Number of Registered Trap-Lines and Revenue, April 1st, 1952, to March 31st, 1953 2, 508 at $10. 00 $25, 080.00 137 at $20.00 2, 740. 00 9 at $ 1. 00 9. 00 FUR DEALERS' LICENSES, ETC. Kind Number Revenue Resident Fur Dealer's Licenses to carry on business in a city, and elsewhere than in a city _ 282 Non-Resident Fur Dealer's Licenses to carry on business in the Province _ 5 Resident Travelling Fur Purchasing Agent's Licenses _ 17 Furrier's Licenses _ 22 Tanner's Licenses _ 3 $2, 820.00 500. 00 425.00 220. 00 30. 00 58 DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND FORESTS FUR TAX REVENUE Amount Collected $88, 535. 27 MUSKRAT AND BEAVER Number Muskrat Permits issued. _ 290 Muskrat reported taken _ 26, 526 Beaver Permits issued _ 719 Beaver reported taken , _ _ 1 1 _ _ _ 3,596 FISH LICENSES AND PERMITS 1948-49 1949-50 1950-51 1951-52 1952-53 Kind No. No. No.’ No. No. Angling Permits (Season) 11, 832 17, 208 18, 658 20, 303 23, 270 Angling Permits (Limited) 1, 151 1, 788 2, 181 2, 113 2, 318 Domestic Licenses 100 90 102 118 139 Fisherman's Licenses 3, 088 2, 581 3, 617 4, 926 5, 159 Commercial Licenses 127 147 166 230 280 Fish Dealer's Licenses 97 93 124 119 93 Motor-Boat Licenses 23 32 40 73 32 Total 16,418 21,939 24, 888 27, 882 31,291 COMMERCIAL PRODUCTION OF FISH Species 1948-49 Lbs. 1949-50 Lbs. 1950-51 Lbs. 1951-52 Lbs. 1952-53 Lbs. Whitefish 1, 759, 816 1, 869, 849 2, 108,434 2, 745,433 3, 113, 007 Trout 3,463 15, 177 9, 154 8, 393 10, 886 Pike 559, 797 592, 782 376,458 513, 049 475,485 Pickerel 259, 044 135, 656 127, 622 224, 135 142, 446 Perch 46, 555 54, 265 19, 098 58, 972 192,775 Tullibee 4, 339, 130 3, 159, 532 3, 591, 704 5,004,601 5,703,285 Mixed Fish 255, 096 456, 799 378, 630 .355, 911 297,932 Total 7,222,901 6,284, 060 6, 611, 100 8, 910,494 9, 935, 816 Weight Lbs. Value to Value as Fishermen Marketed $ $ Totals for year 1948-49 _ 7, 222, 901 Totals for year 1949-50 _ 6,284,060 Totals for year 1950-51 _ 6,611,100 Totals for year 1951-52 _ 8,910,494 Totals for year 1952-53 _ 9,935, 816 374, 991. 83 377, 114.44 381, 018.63 617, 834. 15 629, 847. 60 636, 396. 01 652, 538. 06 652, 000. 34 946, 535.62 899,720.32 FISH AND GAME ADMINISTRATION 59 FISH EXPORTED FROM ALBERTA 1952-53 Species Canadian United States Markets Markets Lbs. Lbs. Whitefish 32, 244 1, 597,444 80, 820 71, 476 168, 744 7, 823 66,430 856 Pickerel 2, 475 Pike 9, 931 Perch 2, 770 Trout Tullibee _ Suckers _ _ Total 47,420 1,993, 593 1951-52 1952-53 Prosecutions Confiscations 100 137 52 101 STOCKING OF ANGLING WATERS 1952 Species Eyed Eggs Finger lings Y ear lings Adult No. No, No. No. Rainbow trout 162, 261 5, 627 _ Eastern Brook trout 35, 756 Cutthroat trout 32, 450 18, 000 13, 218 . _ 2, 780 12, 267 — Lake trout Salmon 100, 000 86, 876 — Cutthroat ) Eastern Brook ) mixed — — 3, 512 — Loch Leven ) Perch and Pike 140, 266 Pi rlfprpl 7. ^nn nnn ’ 9 Total 2,632,450 269, 917 70, 380 140, 266 TOTAL DISTRIBUTION 3, 113, 013 60 DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND FORESTS Preliminary biological surveys carried out during 1952: THE RED DEER RIVER DRAINAGE: Bighorn Creek Eagle Creek and Eagle Lake Wildhorse Creek Fisher Creek Yara Creek Fallen Timber Creek THE PEACE RIVER AND GRANDE PRAIRIE DISTRICTS: The Heart River Development Fairview Reservoir Saskatoon Lake Cutbank Lake Anderson Lake Albright Lake Sinclair Lake Hythe Reservoir Grande Prairie Reservoir IMPOUNDMENTS AND IRRIGATION RESERVOIRS: St. Mary Irrigation Reservoir Armstrong and Cooper Reservoirs, near Irvine Gros Ventre Reservoir, near Medicine Hat Thomas Dam, near Alliance Berry Creek Reservoir, near Hanna HEINSBURG DISTRICT: Borden Lake Laurie r Lake Ross Lake Whitney Lake OTHER LAKES: Davey Lake, near Bowden Mann Lakes, near Ashmont Gadsby Lake, near Tees Isle Lake, near Gainford Rock Lake, near Entrance FISH AND GAME ADMINISTRATION 6l ESTIMATED TOTAL CATCH IN EACH DISTRICT Approximately 600, 090 trout, grayling and Rocky Mountain whitefish were taken during the 1952 season. This represents an increase of 66% over the 1951 season but is substantially the same as that for the 1950 season. The statistics indicate that the greatest number of fish again came from the Red Deer River district. 62 DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND FORESTS AVERAGE NUMBER OF FISH CAUGHT PER ANGLER IN EACH DISTRICT The Upper Oldman-Castle-Crowsnest district had the highest catch with an average of 38,8 fish per angler. The East Bow-Carseland district had the lowest with an average of 7. 1 fish per angler, a slight decrease from 1951. The average catch per angler for the 1952 season was 20.2 fish. FISH AND GAME ADMINISTRATION 63 DISTRIBUTION OF THE FISHING TRIPS OF 23, 000 ANGLERS 0) The West Bow - Jumping Pound - Elbow district was subjected to the heaviest angling pressure with an increase of 35% over the 1951 season, The opening of Spray Lake accounted for most of the 115% increase in the Kananaskis district and the Upper McLeod - Coal Branch district had the lowest angling pressure with a total of 410 visiting anglers. 64 DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND FORESTS TOTAL CATCH PER SQUARE MILE IN EACH DISTRICT > 2 rt fd -O ni < ID _> 2 O s ft ft □□ 50.4 41. 1 72. 6 56. 2 The statistics indicate that the two Oldman River districts had the greatest catch per square jmile, the returns closely resembling those for the 1950 season. The Upper McLeod-Coal Branch district showed the lowest Catch return per square mile. Kananaskis - Cypress Hills - Others TECHNICAL DIVISION 65 Technical Division Report of the Director of the Technical Division T. W. Dalkin It is now just over a year since the Technical Division moved from the south end of the fifth floor of the Natural Resources Build¬ ing to more commodious quarters on the new top floor of the same building. The move was made necessary due to the fact that the space on the fifth floor was totally inadequate for the staff and it was not possible to give proper service to the public as most of the maps were located in vaults not easily accessible, and in the basement. The situation was further aggravated by the ever-growing demand from industrial organizations and the general public for copies of our new planimetric maps which when completed will comprise a series of 595 maps on a scale of one mile to the inch compiled from the aerial photography of the province. Then again, the new Aerial Survey Section and Photographic Library were located in a downtown building which meant that the public had to call at the Natural Resources Building for maps and relevant information and then call at the downtown office to obtain information and prints from the Photographic Library. The whole of the Technical Divis¬ ion is now under one roof and can operate as a more efficient unit, and further it is more convenient to the public. Air conditioning and lighting in the new quarters need to be greatly improved, and in this respect, we have the assurance of the Public Works Department that these features will be remedied. NOTIFICATIONS The amount of land patented during the last fiscal year is again on the upswing. A total of 434 Notifications were forwarded to the Land Titles Offices and new titles were issued for 58,468.237 acres, more or less, in addition to 1 07 lots in subdivisions scatter¬ ed throughout the Province ranging from Canmore in the south to Peace River Landing in the north. This acreage represents an increase of just over 40% over the previous year when 41,602. 530 acres and 57 lots were patented. From the following details of the 434 Notifications it should be pointed out that there is an increase of approximately 76% in the homestead sales and no doubt this is, in some measure, an indica¬ tion of the general prosperity prevailing in the agricultural areas: 66 DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND FORESTS NOTIFICATIONS ISSUED DURING FISCAL YEAR April 1st, 1952 to March 31st, 1953 (For Surface Rights) Classification Notifications Area Homesteads 4 631. 00 Sales (Including Lots in Subdivisions) 146 5, 244.62 Homestead Sales 162 34, 884.43 Irrigation Sales 13 2, 062. 80 Quit Claim 1 Release of Habendum 1 .92 Supplementary Patents 4 58. 15 Exchanges 11 2, 879. 14 Special Grants 8 28.41 Free Grant 1 406. 87 School Land Sales (Including lots in Subdivisions) 83 12, 271. 897 Total 434 58,468.237 NO. OF SALES IN SUBDIVISIONS WHICH ARE INCLUDED IN THE 146 NOTIFICATIONS REFERRED TO ABOVE Subdivision Notifications No. of Lots No. of Blocks Canmore, 39 General 33 61 10 Coleman, 6808 C.U. 1 3 1 Waiparous, 3046 E.X. Peace River Landing 5 7 2 Settlement 7361 A.H. Peace River Landing 5 10 1 Settlement 6242 A. X. 1 1 1 Grandview, 1109 B.F. 5 19 2 Seven Persons, 610W 2 6 2 Main Street Centre, 1237 B.D. 1 Block X 1 17. 80 acres Total 53 107 20 SUBDIVISIONS INCLUDED IN THE 83 NOTIFICATIONS ISSUED UNDER SCHOOL LAND SALES Subdivision Notifications No. of Lots No. of Blocks Willingdon, 1329 H. W. 1 1 1 McLennan, 1394 E. U. 1 1 1 Venice, 6036 E.T. 1 1 Total 3 3 2 500 TECHNICAL DIVISION 67 S 3 y 0 V 30 SQNVSnOHl FISCAL YEARS ENDING MARCH 31 st. 68 DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND FORESTS TECHNICAL DIVISION 69 Area not stated in these 56 Total No. of Notifications in which area stated _ Total No. of Notifications 52 sales 3 School Land Sales 1 Quit Claim _ 56 378 434 LAND SURVEYS In accordance with the policy of the Department to keep just comfortably ahead of applications to settle upon the land, surveys of suitable areas were again continued this year in the Peace River, Valleyview and Snipe Lake areas. Whilst good progress was made the unpredictable weather is always a serious element with which to contend and in this regard the heavy rains interfered with the progress of the surveys. During this season a total of about 324 square miles was made available for settlement representing approximately nine townships. Peace River Area Lands surveyed in this area are located in Township 79, Ranges 10 and 12, part of Township 82, Ranges 7 and 9, part of Township 83, Ranges 8, 9, 10, 12 and 13 and part of Township 84, Range 8, all West of the 6th Meridian. As a result of this survey an area comprising approximately four townships are now avail¬ able for new homesteads. 70 DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND FORESTS Battle River Area The surveys commenced last year in Township 94, Ranges 21 and. 22, Township 95, Ranges 20, 21 and 22, and in Township 96, Ranges 20 and 21, all West of the 5th Meridian, were continued this year. The survey involved the running of township outlines and the correction line and also the traverse of the Meikle and Notikewin Rivers. This traverse work was continued during the winter months and it is questionable whether winter surveys are more economical than summer surveys. One advantage is obvious in that the crossing of the rivers can be made upon the ice. About 2 1/4 townships of additional land were made available for settlement. Snipe Lake Area Owing to the location of this land and the unusually wet season better progress was not possible and about three-quarters of a township was surveyed and made available for settlement. TECHNICAL DIVISION 71 Valley view Area The Battle River survey party- entered the unsurveyed lands in Townships 67 and 68, Range 22, West of the 5th Meridian, late in the fall and approximately two townships were surveyed. On account of winter closing in, however, it was not econ¬ omical to dig the pits in Township 67. This work will be completed next season. It is expected that there will be a good demand for lands in this area because, apart from its suitability, the new Whitecourt-Valleyview High¬ way runs through these townships and provides ready access. Provision is being made to allow a 200 foot right- of-way through Crown land for this highway. It is expected that additional townships will be surveyed in this area in the near future. Restoration Surveys The Surveyor in charge of the Snipe Lake area was also placed in charge of the restoration of survey monuments which were destroyed by exploratory parties sent out by oil companies. Owing to the con¬ tinued destruction of monuments it was necessary to cancel the old regulations and issue new regulations under Order - in - Council No. 122/52 and referred to in last year's report. Since the issue of these new regulations', copies of which were sent out to all oil companies or their operators, there is no doubt that the oil com¬ panies have issued strict instructions to their employees in order to prevent the destruction of the monuments. These monuments are, of course, of great benefit to the oil companies in the out¬ lying areas and there now seems to be a keen desire to co-operate and respect the regulations. Objections, however, were raised by the oil industry to Sub¬ section 6 of Section 3 of the new regulations, whereby the assess¬ ment of $25. 00 per monument, plus the full costs of investigation and restoration, and the additional assessment of $50. 00 per mon¬ ument for failure to report destruction would be charged, irrespec¬ tive of whether the destruction occurred before or after the new regulations were established. It was claimed that the imposition of the assessments retro¬ actively under the new regulations was an unjust and unfair liability. PLAN SHOWING EXTENT OF LAND SURVEYED BY PHILLIPS, HAMILTON 8 ASSOC.’S DURING 1952 SEASON i TP 6 i i t o z 8 • % r] j _ —l J _ 1 51 11 _ -j s u ! 1 “1 ' _ L if 1 ] li-l °l TP 67 h “i A i V \ — RGE 22 W.5th M 72 DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND FORESTS After due consideration the retroactive charges were not imposed and the regulations are now applicable in full to all destruction that has taken place since the passing of the new regulations. An inspector and investigator was appointed, to thoroughly inspect the areas, and investigate the extent of the destroyed sur¬ vey monuments to be restored, and the companies responsible for the destruction were assessed the cost as provided for under Order -in-Council No. 122/52. The restoration work began on the 20th of May and the survey party completed the year's activities on December 20th. During the season 493 survey monuments were restored in various loca¬ tions in Northern Alberta and accounts amounting to $25, 384. 59 were sent out to and paid in full by the following oil companies: Amerada Petroleum Corporation California Standard Oil Company Canadian Gulf Oil Company Canadian Superior Oil of California Pacific Petroleums Limited Seaboard Oil Company of Delaware Shell Oil Company Stanolind Oil Company Texaco Exploration Company It must be pointed out, however, that there are still many areas in the Province where it has not been possible for the investigator to reach as there is a considerable backlog of reports to be invest¬ igated. With the increasing co-operation of the oil companies the work is progressing quite favourably. It should be reported that lumber companies are also respon¬ sible, but in a much lesser degree, for the destruction of survey monuments when bulldozing the land to create logging roads into the timbered areas, and these companies are, of course, subject to the same costs of restoration as the oil companies. BOUNDARY SURVEYS Wood Buffalo Park The boundary survey of the Wood Buffalo National Park in the north easterly portion of the province has been completed and as soon as plans are available from Ottawa, copies of the plans show¬ ing the location of the survey monuments, will be made available to the oil companies. Boundary Between Alberta and Northwest Territories The survey of this boundary from the Slave River west to the north west corner of the province has now been completed and it is anticipated that the remainder of this boundary east from the Slave River comprising about 66 miles will be completed in the TECHNICAL DIVISION 73 forthcoming season. Provisional plans of the completed portions of this survey, extending from the MacKenzie Highway westerly for a distance of 104.48 miles to the north west corner, and east¬ erly from the MacKenzie Highway for a distance of 90.48 miles, were received from Ottawa. These plans are most useful in that they show the profile of the boundary with elevations, and also the bearings and the distances between the monuments. The oil in¬ dustry was circularized as to the availability of these plans with the result that many ozalid prints were disposed of. Boundary Between Alberta and British Columbia The survey work on the Alberta-British Columbia boundary has now been completed and plans of this survey have just been received showing the boundary extending from approximately 3. 84 miles south of Latitude 57° 30' to 59° 20'. In order to safeguard the monuments oil companies will be advised and copies of these plans made available. MISCELLANEOUS SURVEYS Incompliance with a request from the Advisory Committee of Kinbrook Island Park, a subdivision of twenty lots was surveyed on the east shore of Lake Newell in Section 19, Township 17, Range 14, West of the 4th Meridian. The subdivision is located about ten miles south of Brooks, and the lots will be leased to local residents for summer homes. Additional view lots for resort homes were also surveyed in Cypress Hills Provincial Park. As the residents of Medicine Hat and vicinity are keenly interested in creating a golf course within the park's limits, this possibility was also surveyed and a report and design were received from a professional golfer for a nine- hole course. Beauvais Lake Provincial Park also received attention in that additional lots for summer homes were surveyed. Suitable Crown lands for resort purposes are somewhat hard to find, however, it was possible to survey a small subdivision of ten lots on the shore of Buck Lake in the North East quarter of Section 10, Township 46, Range 6, West of the 5th Meridian, which is located west of Pigeon Lake. Gravel disputes were also settled. Usually these disputes occur where gravel beds in rivers are leased to operators who do not own the adjoining lands and on account of the river changing their courses the boundary lines have been washed out. It then be¬ comes necessary to establish upon the ground the dividing lines between the patented areas and the leased areas. These dividing lines are the traverses of the rivers according to the survey upon which the original patents were issued. Surveys Adjoining Land Covered by Water An amendment was made to the Land Titles Act and assented 74 DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND FORESTS to April 10th, 1952, whereby: "6. (2) No plan of subdivision of land adjoining a lake, river, stream or body of water shall be registered unless the plan has indorsed thereon a certificate signedby or on behalf of the Director of the Technical Division of the Department of Lands and Forests stating that no part of the plan purports to subdivide land vested in Her Majesty in the right of the province. " This amendment to the Land Titles Act was necessary in order to prevent owners subdividing adjoining Crown lands which had been given up through the recession of the waters of lakes, or due to the changes in the courses of rivers. Provision has been made whereby the registered owners subdividing the adjoining lands into lots may purchase the Crown or accrued areas. Upon the lands being purchased, notifications are issued in favour of the reg¬ istered owners of the adjoining lands and a certificate upon each plan of subdivision is then signed in order to permit of the reg¬ istration of the plan in the Land Titles Office. Where the original surveys, according to which the original patents were issued, are correct there is no difficulty in disposing of the Crown areas. Problems, however, are now arising in reach¬ ing solutions in some cases, particularly where the original sur¬ veys of the water areas, according to which patents were issued, have been found to be incorrect. Since the passing of this amend¬ ment many subdivision plans have been presented for approval, most of which are located around lakes at summer resorts. PIPE LINES Plans of survey of the Trans Mountain pipe line right-of-way to carry oil from Edmonton over prairie lands, rugged mountains, raging torrents and dense forests to the Coast in British Columbia were checked and filed in this division. The construction of this pipeline represents an engineering feat of colossal magnitude and has been aptly recorded on a film entitled "Man Against The Mountain". Oil is already flowing to eastern markets, and in the near future, oil will be flowing westward to markets on the Pacific, which enhances still further the importance of the natural resources with which Alberta is endowed. In all, sixty-four plans of pipe line surveys affecting Crown lands in Alberta were examined and recorded. These plans were filed by various companies operating in Alberta. Twelve of these plans show that pipe lines were constructed across rivers, the locations of which are as follows: Canadian Gulf Pipe Line Company - River Lots 12 and 36-46-21 W.4th Mer. Battle River Trans Mountain - SE 24-51-25-W. 5th Mer. Hardisty Creek TECHNICAL DIVISION 75 - SE 22 and SW 23-52-25- W. 4th Mer. North Saskatchewan River - SE 20-53-16-W. 5th Mer. McLeod River - SE 19 and SW 20-53-7 W. 5th Mer. Pembina River - NE 22-53-16-W. 5th Mer. Wolf Creek Canadian Montana Pipe Line Co. - L. S. 12-22-2-9-W. 4th Mer. Milk River - NE 14-45-8-W. 4th Mer. Battle River - River Lots 5 and 8 Ft. Saskatchewan Settlement North Saskatchewan River - SW 3-25-2-W. 5th Mer. Bow River WELL, BATTERY SITES AND PU MP ING STATIONS The continued industrialization of the province can be noted from the fact that one hundred and twenty-three plans of survey were examined and recorded in order that Crown lands may be acquired for wellsites, battery sites and pumping stations. App¬ lications for these sites were received under the Right of Entry Arbitration Act. TRANSMISSION LINES Sixteen plans of survey of rights - of - way for transmission lines were examined and recorded. ROAD SURVEYS Forty -nine plans of survey of roadways crossing Crown lands were received from the Department of Public Works and Municipal Districts, and the usual reservations were entered in the records reserving the land for road purposes. MAPS On account of the rapid development of our province, it was important that this department pay particular attention to the map requirements of other industries as well as agriculture and it is with a measure of satisfaction to report that this division now stocks the largest collection of maps in the province. These maps are available to settlers, industrialists and the general public. In our new location, the various types of maps including the Dominion publications and those of the neighboring provinces, can be readily inspected and purchased. Without going into details, it can be reported that a "land office" business was done over the counter and through the mail. The latest maps added to our collection are of course the planimetric maps referredto elsewhere in this report. North Western Utilities Ltd. Canadian Western Natural Gas Company Limited 76 DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND FORESTS These new maps were prepared from the aerial photographs of the province, and by this modern method were completed in a fraction of the time it would take to survey the land upon the ground. The township and settlement maps, however, must be prepared from surveys made upon the ground as all such maps must show the location of the survey monuments, the distances, bearings, rivers, lakes and areas. We still owe a debt of gratitude to the pioneer surveyors who surveyed the land and opened it for settle¬ ment. Some of these surveys were made in the early eighties and the maps of these surveys, drawn upon a scale of one inch to forty chains, number over three thousand one hundred. Great care is exercised in the storage and handling of these maps, particularly the old ones, as all these maps form the basis for the issue of patents and upon which certificates of title are issued in the Land Titles Offices. During this year five hundred and fifty-one of the old town¬ ship maps were reproduced and fourteen new township maps were issued covering new surveyed land, mostly in the Peace River area. Copies of all these maps are available to the public. A re-run of the north-west section of the eight-mile map of the province was obtained, as there was an increased demand for this particular section, no doubt due to the oil activity. Work is now proceeding on a revised issue of this eight -mile map covering the whole of the province, and it is anticipated that the work will be sufficiently advanced so that a new publication will be off the press by the end of 1953 or early 1954. Our present eight-mile map is dated 1948. It is also expected that drafting will be completed on a new base map, twenty miles to the inch, and this should be off the press sometime during 1953. The boundaries of the areas of land opened for settlement keep changing from time to time and it was necessary again this year to issue a revised map of the province showing the lands opened and closed to settlement. AERIAL SURVEYS Progress continues to be made in the photographing and map¬ ping of the province as provided for in Order - in - Council No. 1338/49 dated the second day of November, 1949, and subsequent Order 8 -in -Council. Photography 3333s to 1" Square Miles Area already photographed up to March 31st, 1952 _ 249, 782. 00 Area photographed during present year _ 5, 503. 00 Total area of province _ _ 255, 285. 00 TECHNICAL DIVISION 77 With the exception of a few gaps between the flight lines and certain distortions, this photography can be considered completed. 1320' to 1" Area already photographed up to March 31st, 1952 Area photographed during present year Total area photographed to March 31st, 1953 Balance of area to be photographed Square Miles 53, 846.66 5, 817. 34 59,664.00 500. 00 These 500 square miles are for the most part gap flights in high mountainous terrain in the south-westerly portion of the pro¬ vince. Arrangements have been made for this photography to be completed within the next two years. Photographic Library Photographs on file Size Number 3333' to 1" 75,480 1320' to 1" 164,052 1320' to 1", R.C. A.F. _ 28,418 Total on file _ 267,950 There is a considerable increase in the number of photographs onfile over lastyear 's, particularly in the 1 320 ' to 1" photography. This photography was represented by 89, 447 prints last year, but an additional 34, 000 square miles of lands were photographed for Forest Inventory purposes south of latitude 57° 00'. Aerial Photographs Sold During the Fiscal Year Month Commercial Rate Departmental Rate Departmental Use 3333 1320 3333 1320 3333 April 1,119 2 105 54 May 1,798 12 195 73 June 1,965 4 93 89 July 2,704 7 500 112 August 1,892 65 366 6 69 September 2,603 14 1,798 19 489 October 1, 135 9 67 715 November 620 9 29 1,439 December 334 60 43 5 3, 822 January 1,782 896 49 6 2,418 F ebruary 1, 343 9 22 2,998 March 21, 888 2 23 4 63 Totals 39, 183 1, 089 3,290 40 12, 341 78 DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND FORESTS From the above sales, it will be noticed that March was the peak month due to demands from the oil companies and explora¬ tion parties. A comparison with last year's sales shows that over 15, 000 fewer prints of the 3333' photography were sold this year. This may be due to the fact that more planimetric maps became available, whereas there was a heavy demand for the photography before the maps were issued. The records showthat about two-thirds of the photographs for departmental use were allocated to the Forestry Branch for in¬ ventory purposes, nevertheless, it is quite evident that there is a decided increase in the use of the photography by other depart¬ ments within the government. Aerial Mapping The slow delivery of our planimetric maps was somewhat dis¬ appointing. These maps should have been completed and delivered by March 31st, 1952. Whilst assurances were given that delivery would be completed by August, 1952, it must be reported that there are still about one hundred and twenty maps to be received. Pros¬ perous times have certainly created difficulties throughout the government departments so that it is quite understandable that problems must also be encountered in the commercial field. One of these problems can be attributed to the fact that approximately 17, 640 square miles of mapping are located in the mountainous terrain which could not be mapped by the slotted templet method and still maintain the degree of accuracy required. In order to continue to use good aerial survey practice to achieve the best pos sible accuracy, the Photographic Survey Corporation of Toronto decided that the mountainous area could not be mapped by the slotted templet method and, therefore, mapped the area by the multiplex projector mapping equipment which has been modified to project a 1/40,000 model, thus eliminating the reduction and transfer phase from multiplex plot scale to compilation scale. The multiplex method has proven very satisfactory and planimetric maps of the mountainous area of reliable accuracy will now be available to our industries. No. of Map Sheets Square Miles Area mapped as of March 31st, 1952 310 107, 978.200 Area mapped April Ist-March 31st, 1953 164 58,750. 100 Total area mapped as of March 31st, 1953 474 166,728. 300 Ninety-two 1/40, 000 compilation sheets for finalized reproduc¬ tion were stereoscopically checked and proof read. Also, 148 one inch to the mile finalized autopositive linen and film map sheets were checked and headed for publication. A total of 480 one inch to the mile planimetric maps are now available to the public. TECHNICAL DIVISION 79 SVS.ro. 80 DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND FORESTS Large scale maps were compiled from aerial photographs of the following Provincial Parks. 1. Writing -on-Stone 2. Saskatoon Park 3. Park Lake 4. Rochon Sands 5. Lac Cardinal 6. Big Island 7. Beauvais Lake 8. Crimson Lake •9. Gooseberry Lake 10. Dilberry Lake Mosaics Mosaics were prepared of areas totalling 1, 757 square miles of which 1, 057 square miles were compiled for the oil industry and 700 square miles for departmental use. Indices Indices for aerial photography at scales of 3333' to 1" and 1320' to 1" were compiled on 1 mile to 1" maps for an area of 60, 000 square miles. These 1 mile to 1" maps are reduced by photostat to the scale of 4 miles to 1" and are available to our clients free of charge with all photographic orders. This facil¬ itates the selection of photographs by our industries and the general public purchasing photographs. A Williamson Ross 7 projector multiplex mapping unit was purchased by the department thus allowing the Technical Division to expand its service to other departments within the government. The multiplex is an optic mapping unit which permits more acc¬ urate contouring of large areas from aerial photography. The south half of map sheet 83-H-5, containing 179 square miles was contoured as a training program and good results were obtained. Aerial Photographic Survey Act During the year, seven flying licenses were issued under this act, of which five were for commercial projects and two for gov¬ ernmental programs. License No. 17 License No. 18 License No. 19 License No. 20 License No. 21 License No. 22 License No. 23 May 22nd, 1952 - Photographic Survey Corporation - commercial August 5th, 1952 - Canadian Engineering Surveys - government August 12th, 1952 - Photographic Survey Corporation - commercial August 22nd, 1952 - Canadian Engineering Surveys - commercial August 30th, 1952 Aero Surveys Limited - government September 24th, 1952 - Photographic Survey Corporation - commercial October 14th, 1952 - Aero Surveys Limited - commercial TECHNICAL DIVISION 81 Photostat and Ozalid Machines These machines turned out a large volume of work. The photo¬ stat machine takes care of all the requirements of the government, the Land Titles Office in particular being a steady client. Many special maps were prepared and photostated for the Civil Defence Office and thousands of copies of our new planimetric maps were run through the ozalid machine. Looking back over the year it can be regarded as a busy one within the department as the work of this division is closely inter¬ woven with the Lands Division and Forestry Division in the dis¬ posal of the natural resources. It can also be regarded as a busy one in our relations with officials of industries, surveyors, engineers and the general public. Apart from the problems that arise in connection with certificates of title, plans of survey, etc., the large volume of maps, plans and aerial photographs is also indicative that it has been a busy and interesting year. Apprecia¬ tion is again herein expressedto the staff for rendering this service within the department and to other government departments and the general public. 82 DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND FORESTS Accounting Division REPORT OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE ACCOUNTANT, A. McCallum The following summarizes the result of operations for the year under review. Receipts from all sources (Net) $7,286,082. 12 Total disbursements $3, 013, 348. 70 Excess of receipts over disbursements $4,272,733.42 Net receipts on income account amounted to $5,251, 502.65, an increase of $1, 188, 358. 13 over the previous year. Active accounts receivable were 1 8, 252 as at March 31 , 1953. New accounts opened were 2, 296. Accounts closed or paid in full 590. For the year under review cash entries were 53,314 for which 49, 872 receipts and permits issued. Under the Crown Cultivation Leases Act as amended and the Grazing Lease Taxation Act as amended, $481,234.08 was re¬ funded to the taxing authority. Disbursements for the year on income account amounted to $2, 518, 514. 65, while capital expenditure was $494, 834. 05. Cost of land settlement and boundary survey s was $171, 535. 41, including wages. Firefighting costs for the year were $66, 120.05. In connection with the destruction of pests an amount of $84, 390. 94 Was disbursed. Under the terms of agreements entered into by the Province and Canada, capital expenditure in connection with East Slope Reserves amounted to $921,569.46, for which the Province re¬ ceived full reimbursement. Also under the Dominion - Provincial Forestry agreement in respect of forest inventories the Province was reimbursed in the amount of $166, 000.00. INDEX OF STATEMENTS A. Statement of Receipts from all Sources. B. Statement of Receipts - Income Account. C. Statement of Receipts - Capital Account. D. Statement of Receipts - School Lands. E. Statement of Expenditures for the year ending March 31, 1953. F. Statement of Net Receipts by Branches. G. Statement of Disbursements by Branches. H. Alberta School Land Trust Fund. I . Alberta School Land Sales - Revenue Account. ACCOUNTS ADMINISTRATION 83 Statement A STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS FROM ALL SOURCES From April 1, 1952 to March 31, 1953 Gross Receipts $ Refunds $ Net Receipts $ Income Account 6,762,744.47 1, ,511,241.82 5,251, 502.65 Capital Account 269, 133.91 4, 365.47 264, 768.44 Reimbursement of Previous Years Expenditure 3, 192. 91 9. 00 3, 183.91 School Land Trust Fund 366, 389. 14 388. 16 366, 000.98 Timber Deposits Trust 1,441, 014.66 417, 169.90 1, 023, 844.76 Homesteader's Compensation Trust 2,789.21 1, 553.90 1,235. 31 East Slope Road Tolls Trust 1, 290.64 — 1, 290.64 Parks Board Trust 18, 179.75 325. 20 17, 854. 55 Unapplied Receipts carried F orward: Suspense 405, 923. 95 231, 705. 80 174, 218. 15 Improvements 11, 145.31 3, 881.31 7,264.00 Land Patent Cultivation Crop Share 12, 834.76 12, 834.76 Land Patent Homestead Lease Crop Share 104,422.67 104,422. 67 School Lands Cultivation Crop Share 57, 661. 30 57, 661. 30 Total $9,456,722.68 $2, , 170, 064. 56 $ 7, 286, 082. 12 84 DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND FORESTS Statement B STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS - INCOME ACCOUNT F rom April 1 , 1952 to March 31, 1953 Gross Receipts Refunds Net Receipts Fisheries Account Fishing Licenses Fisheries Miscellaneous Fisheries Royalty $ 80, 794. 85 138.74 $ 294. 60 $ 80,500.25 138.74 17, 544.40 Total 98, 477.99 294. 60 98, 183. 39 Game Account Game Licenses Fur Tax Game Branch Miscellaneous 284, 348.84 91,245.67 2, 372. 36 1,491. 12 3, 879. 03 646.79 282, 857.72 87, 366.64 1, 725. 57 Total 377, 966. 87 6, 016. 94 371, 949.93 Lands and Grazing Grazing Leases, Permits, Etc. Hay Permits, Fees and Dues Homestead Leases Public Land Sales Interest Cultivation Leases, Permits, Etc. Miscellaneous Leases Land Patent Miscellaneous 505, 727.44 5,911.35 209, 862.42 6, 926. 73 71, 963.60 96, 122. 86 43, 916.46 101, 812. 31 1, 343.00 132, 576.75 11.25 35, 034. 33 2, 090. 36 3, 845. 04 403,915. 13 4, 568. 35 77,285.67 6,915.48 36,929.27 94, 032.50 40, 071.42 Total 940,430. 86 276, 713. 04 663, 717. 82 Timber Timber Fees, Rental, Dues, Etc. 3, 858,972.74 865, 500.22 2, 993,472. 52 School Lands School Land Sales Interest 61,526.06 School Land Leases, Berths, Permits 703, 132. 22 23. 81 235, 549.25 61, 502.25 467,582.97 Total 764, 658. 28 235,557.06 529, 085.22 Unearned Increment Tax 500. 35 189.30 311.05 East Slope Surface Rights Revenue 592, 130. 30 124, 190.77 467, 939. 53 Miscellaneous Administration Sundry Maps and Plans Restoration of Survey Monuments Photographic Survey Reimbursement from Dominion 26,449. 87 36, 705. 86 2,754.79 23,695.08 28,219.97 8,485.89 33,417. 17 33,426.27 9.10 Government Re: Forest Inventory 33, 025.08 — 33, 025.08 Total 129,607.08 2,763.89 125, 843. 19 TOTAL INCOME ACCOUNT (Carried to Statement A) $6,762,744.47 $1,511,241.82 $5,251,502.65 ACCOUNTS ADMINISTRATION 85 Statement C STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS - CAPITAL ACCOUNT F rom April 1 , 1952 to March 31, 1953 Gross Receipts Refunds Net Receipts Land Sales Principal $ 93, 675.98 $4, 044.69 $ 89,631.29 187. 50 Clearing and Breaking Project Seed Grain Principal 187. 50 Clearing and Breaking Project Crop Share 42, 295. 51 320.78 41, 974.73 Reimbursement from Dominion Government re: Forest Inventory 132, 974. 92 — 132,974.92 Total $ 269, 133. 91 $4, 365.47 $264,768.44 STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS - SCHOOL LANDS From April 1, 1952 to March 31, 1953 Statement D Gross Receipts Refunds Net Revenue INCOME ACCOUNT School Land Sales Interest $ 61,526.06 $ 23.81 $ 61, 502. 25 School Land Grazing Lease Rentals. Etc. 66, 072. 26 42, 813. 11 23, 259. 15 School Land Hay Permits, Fees and Dues 1, 085. 05 138. 50 946. 55 School Land Cultivation Rentals, Fees, Etc. 493,783.36 189, 574.25 304, 209. 11 School Land Timber Rentals, Fees, Dues, Etc.. 119, 167. 39 1, 966. 63 117, 200.76 School Land Miscellaneous Leases 7, 306. 56 31.56 7, 275.00 . School Land Miscellaneous Revenue s 15,717.60 1, 025. 20 14, 692.40 TRUST ACCOUNT School Lands Sales Principal 366, 389. 14 388. 16 366, 000.98 Total $ 1, 131, 047.42 $235,961.22 $ 895, 086. 20 87 Government of the Province of Alberta LANDS AND FORESTS DEPARTMENT EXPENDITURE CLASSIFIED BY APPROPRIATIONS AND CHARACTER FOR THE YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 1953 INCOME ACCOUNT STATEMENT E 111 is =13, 1?! »»« ° 1 e •- gV-3j*.E Advertising . Automobiles . Board . Books and binding . . Bounties for destruction of pests Buildings and sites . Cinema and photographic supplie Clothing . Construction Equipment . Feed and seed commissions Freight, express and cartage . Heating, lighting and power . Laundry and cleaning . . Miscellaneous expenses and supplies .. Newspapers and periodicals . Printing, stationery and office supplie Rates, rentals and insurance . Repairs and replacements . Salaries . Special services . Telegrams and telephones . Travelling expenses Wages . TOTAL: Income Account . 20.00 65.00 106.06 76.97 622.28 7,266.84 139.58 292.48 25,430.78 $ 894.57 11,959.17 39.98 7.90 '739.07 0,204.48 . 6.63 1,986.10 1,030.60 $ 5,388.82 15,449.13 126.14 20.86 14.00 14,90o!l9 1,240.60 887.55 669.60 658.81 1,988.30 20,426.39 169,316.05 775.35 14,394.64 13,854.79 754.57 854.81 69.30 3,036.34 3.00 160.00 52.00 1.515.24 8,923.671 82,608.26| 109.88 677.01 32,437.89 5.171,73 51.88 6,228.46 1,167.07 10.00 2,388.20 8.56 655.00 622.32 237.80 15.76 394.36 773.75 3.90 1,772, 34.65 967.00 887.22 2,552.88 33,496.85 418,619.11 329.37 240.64 950.82 40,033.32 10.15 93.00 12.00 1,521.50 4,527.28 74,042.62 257.21 ’ 86"ii 5,552.43 3,398.66 177,427.08 1,578.26 72,323.52 26,687.75 96. C 954.44 29,367.54 12,375.69 715.33 29,692.96 1,154.00 5,061.73 725.87 54.49 "24:47 ’505"51 82.00 705.94 968.73 3,333.79 6,146.71 ,936.36 16,487.43 199.71 2,780.26 84,820.30 17,862.81 133,443.89 98.52 8,877.42 38.091.52 10.60 590.72 215.23 62,160. 45,039.42 288.70 22:922.05 215.90 867.42 1,230.17 618.84 8,995.55 9,713.81 292.30 197.2! 166.62 2,628.20 7,925.86 12,260.84 59,304.60 62,786.83 1,010.44 84,390.94 125,620.12 11,046.03 9,085.80 1,467.00 103,221.64 3,869.81 428,89 10.224.27 8,388.33 241.63 14.833.27 99.14 14.310.56 49,943.07 18.372.35 91,352.19 .291,313.93 18,165.26 142.048.98 6,007.76 200,374.39 178.346.58 $ 66,120.051 $ 176,382.27 I l ( $ 10,717.051 $ 102,028.62| $ 8,297.96| $2,518,514.65 Servic Clearing and breaking land Miscellaneous expenses . Rates, rentals and insurance Repairs and replacements ... Salaries . Travelling expenses . Wages . TOTAL: : Capital Account 1980 Land Settlement, Clearing and Breaking Land 1982 Aerial Photography and Forest Inventory Totals $180,292.50 88.50 1.50 277.46 4,435.25 2,610.38 808.00 $ . $180,292.50 88.50 1.50 277.46 4,435.25 306,320.46 2,610.38 306,320.46 $188,513.59 $306,320.46 $494,834.05 ACCOUNTS ADMINISTRATION 89 STATEMENT OF NET RECEIPTS BY BRANCHES From April 1, 1949 to March 31, 1953 Fiscal Year Ending March 31/50 March 31/51 March 31/52 $ $ $ INCOME ACCOUNT Fisheries Branch 67,728.80 78,015.34 91, 544. 27 Game Branch 342, 370. 78 311,207.23 324, 890.60 Lands and Grazing Branch 446, 514. 66 480,481.42 714,989. 88 Timber Branch 1, 557, 190.36 2, 029, 901.62 2, 227, 043. 96 Unearned Increment Tax 14,483.97 1, 293. 28 1, 722. 65 School Lands 335, 881.56 263, 395. 38 379, 955. 03 East Slope Surface Rights 171, 354.77 185, 138. 18 224, 688. 37 Clearing and Breaking Project - seed grain interest 112.73 Miscellaneous 73, 526. 04 51, 932.72 98, 309.76 CAPITAL ACCOUNT Land Sales Principal _ 84,527.02 110, 547.72 72, 095. 72 Clearing and Breaking Project - seed grain principal 3,'883. 33 127. 00 32. 86 Clearing and Breaking Project - crop share _ , 28,657.62 18, 635. 54 23,492.64 Reimbursement from Dominion Government on Forest Inventory _ Reimbursement from Dominion Government on Eastern Rockies _ 133.37 Transferred to other departments 6,232. 15 1, 212. 05 8,498.73 School Land Trust Fund . 255,010.09 318,620.30 387, 306.46 Timber Deposits Trust Homesteader's Compensation Trust _ 470.25 242. 05 385.05 East Slope Road Tolls Trust 138.46 Parks Board Trust — — 10, 594. 29 Unapplied Receipts Carried Forward 167, 130. 88 359, 581.06 1, 248, 356.42 Statement F March 31/53 $ 98, 183. 39 371, 949. 93 663,717.82 2, 993,472. 52 311.05 529, 085. 22 467, 939.53 126, 843. 19 89,631.29 187. 50 41, 974. 73 132, 974. 92 3, 1,83. 91 366, 000.98 1, 023, 844. 76 1, 235. 31 1, 290. 64 17, 854. 55 356,400. 88 Total $ 3,555,075.01 4,210,330.89 5, 814, 178.52 7,286,082. 12 90 DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND FORESTS Statement T3 STATEMENT OF DISBURSEMENTS BY BRANCHES From April 1, 1949 to March 31, 1953 Fiscal Ye, ar Ending March 31/50 March 31/51 March 31/52 March 31/53 $ $ $ $ INCOME 5. 945. 89 6, 255. 08 10,476.46 9, 214.65 1902 Deputy Minister 's 33, 179. 86 35, 021.83 40, 774. 62 26, 995.43 1903 Accounts Division _ _ 75,751.63 82,447.23 91, 180. 82 96, 323. 84 584, 86 899. 59 949. 27 688.65 1905 Destruction of Pests 30, 197.23 39, 321.05 19, 147. 85 84, 390. 94 1906 Eastern Rockies 206, 697. 18 185, 004. 81 224, 688. 37 240,715.73 1907 Fisheries Division_ _ 139, 267. 68 129, 899.37 139, 146. 59 156, 892. 88 1909 Forest Protection & Timber Operation _420, 290.91 483,882. 88 561, 585. 56 642, 686.46 1910 Forest Survey Division 21, 125. 10 29,784. 80 45,437. 14 55, 511.74 1911 Forest & Prairie Fires Suppression Act 266,261.66 260, 052. 39 28, 071.74 66, 120. 05 1912 Game Division 85,794.49 105, 316.46 117, 909.72 176, 382.27 1913 Eastern Rockies F orest Conservation Board _ 7, 011. 16 8,242.00 8, 535.75 63, 349. 37 1914 Lands Division _ _ 188, 067. 18 198, 220. 23 222, 834. 38 244, 509. 90 1915 Parks Division _ _ 18,270. 12 14, 385. 11 _ — 1916 Radio Communication _ 91,261.79 90,420.89 110, 115.50 84,414.01 1917 Surveys Division _ _ 55, 103.88 183, 122. 10 291,469.95 340, 549.73 1918 Registration Division 49, 381. 80 60,207.25 72, 943. 02 63, 995. 68 1919 Postage 9,237. 86 11, 092. 92 12,708. 15 12, 501. 85 1 92-0 Printing Stationery & Office Supplies _ 1921 Forestry Training School r — — 31,402. 37 7, 612. 81 32, 227. 84 10, 717. 05 1922 Provincial Parks _ An QKQ C\A 102, 028. 62 1 t 7 D 0 0 SW 38/49-50 Cost of Drilling Wells - 5,676.95 Slave Lake SW 33/50-51 Medical Examinations of Forestry Officers _ 115.40 SW 43-63/51-52 SW 2 & 25/52-53 Cost of Survey of Depart¬ ment by Stevenson Kellogg Ltd. 14, 000.00 8, 297. 96 Total Income Account _ 1,709,107.23 1,923,691. 39 2,098,948. 11 2,518,514.65 CAPITAL 1980 Land Settlement Clearing & Breaking_ 296, 027. 79 368,747.24 164,733.26 188,513.59 1981 Eastern Rockies Forest Cons ervation_ - 133.37 1982 Aerial Photography & Forest Inventory _ 386,287.10 405,703.29 306,320.46 SW 26/49-50 Photographic Survey - Natur al Resources of the Province _ 81,075.24 - SW 87/51-52 Purchase of Land for Vermilion River Prov. Park 27, 511. 19 Total Capital Account $ 377,103.03 $755,167.71 $ 597,947.74 $494,834.05 ACCOUNTS ADMINISTRATION 91 Statement H ALBERTA SCHOOL LAND TRUST FUND Balance Sheet - March 31st, 1953 As at March 31st, 1953 the fund amounted to $14, 885, 879. 19 made up as follows: Cash _ $ 403,747. 58 Accounts Receivable _ 167,041.28 (a) Issued in settlement of the sum standing to the credit of the fund when the natural resources were transferred to the Province on October, 1930 _ (b) Purchased by the Province since October 1, 1930 from payments of principal on school land sales, book value _ $ 12, 524, 301.43 $ 9, 564, 569. 20 2,959,732.23 Unpaid principal on school land sales (a) Not due _ Due or in arrears _ 1,757,956.60 32, 832. 30 $ 1,790, 788. 90 $ 14, 885, 879. 19 Statement I ALBERTA SCHOOL LAND SALES - REVENUE ACCOUNT From April 1, 1952 to March 31, 1953 Arrears Interest as at March 31, 1952 _ $13,144.00 Interest Charges _ 65,940.73 Interest Revenue _ Interest Written Off (Cancelled Sales) _ Arrears Interest, as of March 31, 1953 _ $ 61, 588.72 1,708.58 15, 787.43 $79, 084.73 $79,084.73 92 DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND FORESTS Registration Division REPORT OF THE REGISTRAR. C. B. Kenway Incoming mail, which is a good criterion of work flowing through the department, was down about 12% from the last year and about 14% from the previous year. Similarly, there was a marked falling off in the principal entries in the township reg¬ isters. Figures showing these differences may be found at the end of this section. Despite the decrease in routine work, the Division kept extre¬ mely busy in making much-needed changes. Changing the timber files from the numerical system to one of berth and permit num¬ bers, mentioned in the last report, has proven very satisfactory and provided the desired results. Consequently, the grazing files were changed to agree with the lease numbers. By the retention of the lease number on renewals, much unnecessary recording has been eliminated during the past year on grazing leases. The graz¬ ing change-over was done by the staff formerly engaged to clean up the backlog of microfilm work. New townsite files were set up according to land description, thus tying the file to the plan, block and lot number. These had to be changed from the old numerical system, but it now provides us with a system of direct filing and eliminates all cross-refer¬ encing throughout the department. All the Provincial Park files, sent over by Public Works, were scrutinized carefully, broken down, and set up anew according to park and land description, and where certain resorts had been sub¬ divided, then by block and lot number. Considerable work was entailed in this project alone, and this had to be done before the Board could properly carry out its function. Indian Reserve files were changed also from the numerical system to one of reserve numbers. These three groups of files were all provided with folders to keep correspondence from being torn or lost from files. In co-operation with the Accounts Branch, the various cash blotters were amalgamated into one, and this redesigned to give duplicate copies, thus reducing holdups and both the cash and mail cages wanting the same book at the same time. Again in co-operation with the Accounts and Forestry Branch¬ es, the elimination of "Nil" debit slips on "Nil" timber returns, has dispensed with much needless typing, checking, attaching and filing, etc. REGISTRATION DIVISION 93 On the assumption of the grazing register from the Lands Branch, the plans were removed from the register and placed in the township registers. This eliminated entering in two different registers . Plans are now being inserted in the township registers for all townships in order to give a complete picture of the township at a glance. A small staff worked on the Kardex, inserting the full land description against each land file shown on each card in the Kar¬ dex. Although this job looked monumental at the beginning, and a possible hindrance to the setting up of a system of land filing, it was completed in about 3 1/2 months. From the above resume it can be readily seen that the extra time provided by a reduction in routine work, has been used to good advantage. The microfilming of closed files was completed around the beginning of the year, and all but one of the staff on this work transferred to changing grazing files. Consequently, only 61 films were exposed during the past year. Filming of these files has resulted in a saving of space valued at $10, 000. 00 annually. The next phase will be to photograph old correspondence on live files. No matter how efficiently changes are made, a certain amount of confusion arises. It is also a trait of human nature to resist change, even though the change is considerably better. My ad¬ miration and appreciation is extended to the staff for the manner in which each and every one met the situations as they arose, for their good judgment, and for their cheerfulness in the fulfilment of their duties. It should be a pleasure to the staff to know that the appreciation is extended by others in the various branches. SUMMARY OF INCOMING AND OUTGOING MAIL BY NUMBER OF PIECES FOR THE PAST FOUR YEARS YEAR INCOMING* OUTGOING* TOTAL 1949 - 50 1950 - 51 1951 - 52 1952 - 53 98, 545 121, 873 119, 154 104, 965 173, 546 272,091 220,041 341,914 230, 376 349,530 174,388 279,353 * Actual mail cage count + Total count as reported by branches 94 DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND FORESTS A COMPARISON OF RECORD ENTRIES FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS Item 1952-53 1951-52 Difference Assignments registered 294 313 - 19 Notifications for patent 434 344 90 Timber berth & special timber permit applications 744 672 72 Forestry reservations 602 589 13 Accrued area leases entered 75 108 - 33 Accrued area leases cancelled 58 67 - 9 Homestead leases (Civilian) entered 869 1, 037 -168 Homestead leases (Civilian) cancelled 413 518 -105 Homestead leases (Veteran) entered 130 194 - 64 Homestead leases (Veteran) cancelled 105 100 5 Licenses of occupation entered 59 57 2 Licenses of occupation cancelled 18 17 1 Miscellaneous leases entered 45 52 - 7 Miscellaneous leases cancelled 19 19 0 Cultivation leases entered 39 89 . - 50 Cultivation leases cancelled 43 73 - 30 Public land sales entered 230 207 23 Public land sales cancelled 8 5 3 Road allowance leases entered 207 455 -248 Road allowance leases cancelled 29 27 2 Grazing leases entered 52 98 - 46 Grazing leases cancelled 68 58 10 TOTAL 4, 541 5, 099 -558 A COMPARISON OF NEW FILES OPENED FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS SHOWING THE TOTALS TO DATE KIND OF FILE 1952-53 1951-52 TOTAL Land files 2, 964 3,760 127, 734* Land personal 794 1, 565 10,498 Timber applications 1,762 ) 1, 636 ) 16,481 Timber lands (C.S.M.) 135 ) ) Timber personal 2,408 2, 191 15, 380 Grazing 185 • 104 10, 984 School land 269 566 15, 823 Right of entry 248 220 948 Cabins 53 92 758 Road allowance 198 227 1, 627 Provincial Parks 720 — 720 Townsite 1,356 — 1, 356 Indian Reserves 76 — 76 Timber Sales --- 518 TOTALS 11,168 10, 361 202, 903 * Adjusted total after townsite and Indian reserves deducted, PROVINCIAL PARKS 95 Provincial Parks Administration REPORT OF THE PROVINCIAL PARKS BOARD V. A. WOOD, Chairman T. W. Dalkin, Board Member The Provincial Parks Board was reorganized in 1952^ and by Order in Council 749/52 a board was appointed consisting of V.A. Wood, Chairman and T.W. Dalkin, Member. By Order in Council 1 814/ 52 regulations were established for the administration of provincial parks. These regulations cover, generally, the use of park lands and the operation of boats, pre¬ servation of property, prevention of nuisances and disposal of garbage, the removal of sand, stone and gravel, cutting of hay and timber, water utilization and miscellaneous subjects within the parks. There were 89 park leases and 115 permits, mainly for sum¬ mer residences, in effect on the 31st of March, 1953. During the period from the 1st of April, 1952, to the 31st of March, 1953, 2 leases and 40 permits were cancelled. During the fiscal year a considerable portion of the park appro¬ priation was utilized for capital expenditures . The major improve¬ ments consisted of five picnic shelters, two each at Cypress Hills and Garner Lake and one at Taber; two new piers, one at Cypress Hills and one at Saskatoon Island; and four miles of new roadways, at Cypress Hills (2 1/2 miles), Garner Lake (1/2 mile), Crimson Lake (1/2 mile), and Beauvais Lake (1/2 mile). In addition, gravel¬ ling and road maintenance, were carried out on many miles of roadways within provincial parks. Buildings and other structures were maintained, either by caretakers or voluntary labor from residents of the area. Several steel stoves of improved construc¬ tion were purchased and distributed to various parks. Playground equipment, which proved to be a major attraction to the children, was supplied to twelve parks. Because contracts for certain maintenance work could not be obtained locally, a mobile maintenance unit was operated on an experimental basis. The equipment for this unit consisted of one 3-ton truck with trailer, one Fordson tractor with attachments, a paint spray unit, power saw and miscellaneous tools. The unit performed plowing and tilling of sand beaches, painting of several buildings, gravel hauling, road maintenance, brush and grass cut¬ ting, etc. Due to the lack of adequate personnel to operate same, the results were not as satisfactory as anticipated. It was found to be more efficient to locate the equipment of the mobile unit at several of the larger provincial parks. A new townsite subdivision has been surveyed at Kinbrook Island Provincial Park and an extension has been added to the 96 DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND FORESTS existing subdivision at Beauvais Lake. At the Vermilion park negotiations were continued for the acquisition of lands required for park purposes. During the past year the local advisory committees have given considerable time and effort to develop their respective parks and are to be commended for their splendid service. Although no attempt has been made to place a monetary value on the labor and materials which have been donated by residents in the areas served by these parks, undoubtedly it has been considerable. Even with the help given by the local committees and other residents, it has been necessary to hire caretakers at ten of the provincial parks to ensure the parks being maintained in a satisfactory manner. Such a step was necessary because of the increased use of the provincial parks by residents of the province. t Several requests have been received for the establishment of new parks in the province. Investigations have been made by the Superintendent of provincial parks and his recommendations have been considered by the board. Several areas are still under con¬ sideration as possible sites. The following is a summary of the revenue and expenditures for the fiscal year: 1. Amount appropriated for provincial park purposes $125, 000. 00 2. Revenue received from each park: Aspen Beach Beauvais Lake Crimson Lake Cypress Hills Dilberry Lake Garner Lake Gooseberry Lake Little Fish Park Lake Red Lodge Saskatoon Island Saskatoon Mountain Taber Wapiti River Writing -on-Stone Nil $ 309.00 425.00 16, 813.92 Nil Nil 40.00 Nil 43. 00 Nil 78. 63 Nil 30. 00 Nil 25.00 Total $ 18,414.55 PROVINCIAL PARKS 97 3. Expenditures for each park: Beauvais Lake $ 1,225, Cypress Hills 41, 317, Dilberry Lake 1, 220, Crimson Lake 3,444, Gaetz Lake Sanctuary 36 Garner Lake 4, 863, Gooseberry Lake 800, Kinbrook Island 1, 728, Ma -Me - O- Beach 451, Park Lake 2, 590, Red Lodge 2, 545, Riverside 1, 551 Rochon Sands 2, 157, Saskatoon Island 3, 109 Sylvan Lake 162 Taber 3, 148 Vermilion River 7, 118 W riting -on-Stone 986, Total $ 78,459, General expenses such as office. salaries, travelling, etc. Salaries $ 9,713, Miscellaneous and General 6, 335, Mobile Maintenance' Unit 7, 519 Total $ 23, 569, 41 29 34 35 21 13 64 64 44 58 37 96 55 96 55 94 18 78 32 81 70 79 30 98 DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND FORESTS PERSONNEL Of Department of Lands and Forests by Branches 1. MINISTER'S OFFICE 1 Minister 1 Secretary 1 Messenger Clerk 3 2. DEPUTY MINISTER'S OFFICE 1 Deputy Minister 1 Departmental Solicitor I Special Investigator 1 Clerk (Stationery and Equipment) 1 Clerk (Personnel Officer) 1 Secretary 4 Stenographers 1 Clerk 1 Clerk-Typist 12 3. PUBLIC LANDS .1 Director of Lands 1 Asst. Director of Lands 1 Grazing Appraiser 1 Asst. Grazing Appraiser 1 Examiner of Soils IV 1 Examiner of Soils III 9 Examiners of Soils II 3 Examiners of Soils I 1 Inspector of Collections 5 Supervisors 12 Correspondence Clerks 2 Counter Clerks 1 Clerk 22 Stenographers 4 Clerk-Typists 1 Sub-Agent, Bonnyville 1 Caretaker, Vauxhall Grazing Reserve 1 Clerk, Calgary 1 Sub-Agent, Peace River 1 Clerk, Peace River 70 4. FORESTRY 1 Director of Forestry 1 Asst. Director of Forestry 1 Timber Administrative Officer 1 Chief Clerk 1 Clerk - Accouiitant 4 Correspondence Clerks 10 Clerks > 1 Clerk-Typist 1 Stenographer to Director 7 Stenographers 4a. Northern Alberta F orest District 1 Chief Timber Inspector 2 Timber Auditors 9 Forest Officers (V) (Chief Ranger & Timber Inspector) 3 Forest Officers (IV) (Timber Inspector) 9 Forest Officers (III) (Asst. Chief Ranger & Timber Inspector) 42 Forest Officer (II) (Forest Ranger) 13 Forest Officer (I) (Asst. Forest Ranger) 14 Lookout Men - classified and full time 9 Lookout Men - seasonal 2 Stenographer s 104 4b. Brazeau Athabasca Forest 1 Forest Superintendent 1 Asst, Forest Superintendent 1 Forest Officer (III) (Head¬ quarters Ranger) 12 Forest Officers (II) (Forest Rangers) 7 Forest Officer (I) (Asst. Forest Rangers) Fqrest Clerk 1 Stenographer 24 4c. Forest Inventory Branch 1 Forest Survey Engineer 6 Forest Engineers 1 Compiler 1 Asst. Compiler 1 Clerk-Typist 10 4d. Radio Communications 1 Radio Superintendent 1 Asst, Radio Superintendent 2 Radio Operators (III) 3 Radio Operators (II) 6 Radio Operators (I) 3 Radio Technicians •1 Stenographer 17 28 PERSONNEL 99 5. EASTERN ROCKIES FOREST RESERVES ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE, CALGARY I Administrative and Liaison Officer 1 Maintenance Foreman (Construction) 1 Maintenance Foreman (Mechanical) 1 Office Supervisor 1 Stenographer 5 5a. Crowsnest Forest Reserve 1 Forest Superintendent 1 Asst. Forest Superintendent 1 Forest Officer (III) (Head¬ quarters Ranger) 5 Forest Officers (II) (Forest Rangers) 5 Forest Officers (I) (Asst. Forest Rangers) 1 Lookout Man - Classified - Seasonal 2 Lookout Men - Unclassified - Seasonal 1 F orest Clerk 1 Stenographer 18 5b. Bow River Forest Reserve 1 Forest Superintendent 1 Asst. Forest Superintendent 1 Forest Officer (III) (Head¬ quarters Ranger) 5 Forest Officers (H) (Forest Rangers) 10 Forest Officers (I) (Asst. Forest Rangers) 3 Lookout Men - Classified - Seasonal 1 Lookout Man - Classified - Full time 1 Forest Clerk 1 Stenographer 24 5c. Clearwater Forest Reserve 1 Forest Superintendent 1 Asst. Forest Superintendent 1 Forest Officer (IH) (Head¬ quarters Ranger) 5 Forest Officers (II) (Forest Rangers ) 9 Forest Officers (I) (Asst. Forest Rangers) 1 Lookout Man - Classified - Seasonal 2 Lookout Men - Unclassified - Seasonal 1 Forest Clerk 1 Stenographer 6. FISHERIES 1 Superintendent of Fisheries 1 Fishery Officer (IV) - Calgary 1 Fishery Officer (III) - Calgary 9 Fishery Officer s (II) 8 Fishery Officers (I) 1 Superintendent Fish Hatchery - Calgary 1 Asst. Superintendent Fish Hatchery - Calgary 1 Hatchery Assistant - Calgary 4 Pond Attendants 1 Chief Clerk 1 Stenographer 29 7. GAME 1 Superintendent of Game 1 Game Officer (III) 1 Game Officer (II) -Calgary 14 Game Officers (I) 1 Chief Clerk 2 Clerks 1 Clerk-Typist 1 Stenographer - Calgary 4 Stenographers 26 8. TECHNICAL 1 Director Technical Division 1 Asst. Director Technical Division 1 Interpreter - Aerial Surveys 3 Photogrammetrists 1 Junior Engineer 2 Assistant Surveyors 1. Senior Draughtsman 11 Draughtsmen 1 Librarian - Aerial Surveys 1 Photostat Operator 5 Clerks 4 Clerk-Typists 2 Stenographers 34 9. ACCOUNTS 1 Administrative Accountant 1 Asst. Administrative Accountant 3 Supervisors 19 Clerks 2 Cashiers 9 Bookkeeping Machine Operators 3 Stenographers 5 Clerk-Typists 22 43 100 DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND FORESTS 10. REGISTRATION 1 Registrar 2 Chief Clerks 1 Correspondence Clerk 1 Recordak Operator 19 Clerks 1 Methods -Analyst 2 Clerk-Typists 2 Stenographers 11. PROVINCIAL PARKS BOARD 1 Superintendent of Parks 1 Provincial Park Warden - Cypress Hills 1 Asst. Prov. Park Warden Cypress Hills 29 501 Total for Department