Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Integrated Land and Resource Registry Project?

The ILRR project is a multiyear project that will create a single source of reliable information on 250 different legal interests on Crown land (tenures, regulated uses, land and resource use restrictions, and reservations) that is visually represented on a map and is available to the public using a standard web browser. The ILRR also contains information on Crown land parcels, private land parcels (where available), administrative boundaries (e.g. forest districts, electoral boundaries), and base map information (topography, grids, etc).

The following table shows the major milestones in the projects evolution and delivery.

What is the timeframe of the Project?

The ILRR became operational in 2005 and its development will be fully completed in 2007.

Can I use the Integrated Land and Resource Registry?

Everyone can use the ILRR, but your level of access and the functionality available to you is dependent on what type of user you are. All users are required to sign in before you can use the system. From the www.ilrr.ca home page click start which takes you to a log on page.

You are required to enter your username and password; there is information on the log on page that will help you acquire a username. There are three levels of users and the level of access depends on the user’s security profile:

1. Public Users (Guest Users) can request a MyID on line by choosing a user name and selecting a password. The public (anonymous user) will only have access through the map viewing tool;


2. External users who qualify for a BCeID would use their BCeID accounts and password to access the ILRR. They have full access to ILRR functionality. Users wanting to obtain a BCeID must contact BCeID directly;
3. Internal Government of British Columbia Users use their IDIR accounts and password to access the ILRR. IDIR users have access to full ILRR functionality (e.g. run queries, generate reports). IDIR users can apply for access to sensitive records, if they have a specific business reason to view those records. IDIR users can also export GML data from the ILRR for spatial analysis.

Access to sensitive records will be restricted in compliance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

What is a BCeID and how can I get one?

BCeID is an online service that makes it possible for you to use your Login ID and password to sign in securely to any BCeID participating British Columbia Government web site, including the ILRR.

If you are not a government user and want to use the full functionality of the ILRR you must have a BCeID. At present, only incorporated companies (including extraprovincially registered companies) are eligible to request an enrollment package for a BCeID. In the future, BCeID users will be broadened to include other businesses and individuals who register as secured users.

To request a BCeID users should go to the BCeID website (www.bceid.ca) and follow the steps indicated. Users will be asked for the business name/number, BCeID will mail the application form to the address registered for that business. After filling out and returning the form a BCeID will be created for that business.

If you belong to a company that may already have a BCeID, contact BCeID to determine who the account administrator for your company may be, this person will be able to create a BCeID for you.

Why would I use the ILRR?

The ILRR provides a single source of reliable information on 250 different legal interests on Crown land (tenures, regulated uses, land and resource use restrictions, and reservations) that is visually represented on a map and is available to the public using a standard web browser. The ILRR:
• Provides access to comprehensive current land and resource information in minutes, instead of days or weeks
• Allows the user to determine the current status of Crown land and of private land where the information is available
• Allows the user to identify if further historical research may be necessary. User can access other systems for more information such as the Land and Resource Data Warehouse (LRDW) for digital data and resource information, Tantalis GATOR for detailed Land Act and survey information, or BC On-line for information on private land
• Allows the user to quickly generate queries, maps or reports, share report parameters with others, and get notification if something changes in their area of interest
• Identifies potential land use conflicts
• Supports land planning and treaty negotiations
• Supports interagency referral processes
• Supports applications for interests in land
• Supports emergency planning
• Supports faster, consistent decision making using common information and reduced risk in decision making

Is training available?

The ILRR provides online web based training, screen specific on line help, a glossary, user reference guides, and metadata on information contained in the ILRR.

To make it easier for new users most of the training information can be accessed from the ILRR main page www.ILRR.ca, as well as within the ILRR application.

A multimedia ILRR overview

Web based training – there is web based training for guest users and known users (government and external users with a BCeID)

• Guest users (limited to using the ILRR map viewer). This web based training module is available from the link on the ILRR main page, and is specific to the ILRR map viewer. The help button on the map viewer itself only provides the generic map viewer on-line help, therefore it is recommended that you view the ILRR web module as well.


• Known users. There is extensive web based training available from the log on page or at any time by hitting the help button with in the ILRR (scroll down to the link on the bottom of the page). There are six main modules, and each module is divided into smaller units so that you can go directly to the area you are interested in. The six main modules are:
  
  1. An overview of the ILRR
  
  
  2. Map Inquiry
  
  
  3. Query Interest Record
  
  
  4. Custom Status Query
  
  
  5. Map Viewer
  
  
  6. Save Queries and Notifications

User reference guides – two page guides that provide an overview of information in the ILRR and ILRR functionality (e.g. Land Act Data Reference Guide, Forest Data Reference Guide, Map Inquiry Reference Guide, Survey Parcel Fabric Information Guide, etc.)

Glossary – provides a description of the terms and acronyms used in the ILRR
Known user issues – provides information on known problems or functionality limitations such as query limits caused by software constraints (e.g. map viewer software restricts query size to 100,000 hectares)

ILRR Metadata – the ILRR uses the Ministry standard Discovery Service to provide metadata information on ILRR contents. The Service contains the following information on each type of record in the ILRR: description, custodian, date of data, update cycle, purpose (intended use), and presentation form.

If you run into problems, contract the ILRR help desk by email at ilrrhelp@gov.bc.ca or by phone at 250-952-ILRR (4577).

We encourage organizations to identify local champions that are willing to assist others in their organization on how to use the ILRR. Champions can be provided with instruction and communications materials and are invited to participate in conference calls to discuss issues. If you would like to be a local champion please contact us.

Is there a fee for using the ILRR?

There are currently no user fees associated with using the Integrated Land and Resource Registry.

Users external to government have access to all ILRR functionality including generating, saving and sharing reports and PDF maps, however the ILRR does not support access by non-government users to digital spatial information contained in the ILRR. Due to the fees charged by other agencies the ILRR cannot provide free access to the digital spatial information provided by these agencies.

Users external to government who want to access digital base map, survey fabric or other data for analysis purposes would have to obtain the information directly from the operational agency or by using one of the following sources:

• Base Mapping and Geomatic Services Base Map Online Store

http://ilmbwww.gov.bc.ca/bmgs/ecommerce-intro.html

• Land and Resource Data Warehouse (LRDW)

http://lrdw.ca/

• Tantalis GATOR, a system used to research a variety of attributes associated with a particular parcel of Crown land, and to retrieve scanned images of Crown land records. Search options in Tantalis GATOR include search by Survey Parcel, Interest Parcel or Wellsite Data. To streamline access to Land Act and survey parcel information, the ILRR map viewer provides a link directly to Tantalis GATOR (the link requires external users to log in and a fee is charged for information obtained from the Tantalis GATOR system).

http://tantalis.clrs.gov.bc.ca/home_page.htm

How current is ILRR data?

The ILRR allows users to access comprehensive current land and resource information in minutes, instead of days or weeks. A real time acquirer takes Crown land, forest, oil/gas, mineral interests and requests, and registers them in the ILRR (target within 30 minutes) allowing you to immediately view and status those interest. Interests that change less frequently (e.g. guide outfitters areas are bulk loaded on a scheduled bases). The Discover Services provides information on the information in the ILRR including information on each type of record in the ILRR: description, custodian, date of data, update cycle, purpose (intended use), and presentation form

Additional real time acquirers are being built to capture Crown land data that is currently bulk loaded. Private land information will be added as it becomes available from the Integrated Cadastral Information Society or municipalities.

How Complete is ILRR data?

• Interest type
• Interest holder
• Term
• Geometry
• Operational system unique identifiers
• Legal descriptions

Does the ILRR have information on private land?

The ILRR is committed to providing private land information where it is available. However, there is currently no seamless private land survey fabric for the province and no method of plan exists to create a single reconciled fabric in the immediate future.
There are currently 3 different sources for private land survey fabric information:

• Integrated Cadastral Information Society (ICIS) which brings together information from utilities and municipalities. Only 135 of 185 municipalities have joined ICIS, so the information is incomplete and static "as is" data. ICIS is developing a plan for quarterly updates.
• Integrated Land Management Bureau's (ILMB) Base Mapping is building the Integrated Cadastral Fabric (ICF) product that reconciles Crown and private land survey fabric. The ICF is dependent on data being available from ICIS. The remainder of the province is not completed and there is only static "as is" data.
• Municipalities who are not members of ICIS, and therefore the province does not have access to their private land information.

Currently supported functionality in ILRR
In much of the province users will see the private cadastre in the map viewer. The ILRR partnered with ILMB’s Base Mapping to reconcile the Crown survey fabric and the private survey fabric in the Northeast and a maintenance strategy is planned. By building a process that links the private and Crown survey fabric, in the Northeast the ILRR is able to report on where land is privately owned or owned by the Crown, and users can search by legal description, Crown parcel identifiers (PIN), private parcel identifiers (PID), and in some cases BC Assessment’s JUROLS. Further work is planned for other parts of the province. The Custom Status query allows you to select your parcel type (primary, Crown Subdivision, Land Title subdivision or right-of-way) and provides you with search results showing the parcel information, legal description and ownership.

Where can I buy/get further information?

How do I know if interests are in conflict?

• a combination of surface and sub-surface resources
• different terms and conditions, interests and obligations in tenures
• both general and specific tenures
• many different companies and individuals, each holding one or more tenure
• potential impacts on one tenure holder when another exercises his or her rights
• changing land use expectations and demands

Are there any useful hints I should note when using the ILRR Map Viewer?

• To learn how to use the ILRR Map viewer, take a few minutes to watch the ILRR Map Viewer training module which is available to Public users on the log on page and to known users in both the ILRR help.
• If your query results fail to appear, your computer may be set to block pop-ups. Enabling pop-ups in your web browser will allow you to use the full ILRR functionality.
• To view large interests and large reserves in the ILRR set your map scale to 1:300,000 hectares.
• To clearly see the cadastral fabric, turn off the rights and interest layers in the map viewer.
• The AOI when using the map viewer must be less than or equal to 100,000 hectares. (The Map Viewer reports your AOI in square kilometres. 100 hectares = 1 sq. km.) When using the map viewer in the Custom Status window, the AOI can be over 100,000 hectares while following the Validation Criteria.
• Well sites survey information is found in the Crown Land parcels (Tantalis) layer in the map viewer.
• Indian Reserves and Land Claim Settlement Areas are found in the Administrative Boundary layer (they will be moved to a First Nation group in Release 4)
• To view the Petroleum Natural Grid (PNG) or Peace River Block grids on the map, select the map layer legend, open the Base Topography group, and turn on the PNG grids by clicking in the box. To status by PNG grid in the ILRR, select Custom Status, select Location, then select Grid and enter the grid type.
• Save your query using the “save query” function, enabling you to quickly return to that specific area in the map viewer.
• If you often use a specific area of the province (e.g. a specific regional district), specific interest and/or colours you can save your session to a server or desktop to be used again at a later date.
• Use the "open session" icon to load a previously saved session.

Can I upload spatial data into the ILRR?

Users can upload ESRI shape files into the ILRR, these files must be in the BC Albers NAD 83 projection.

Use the Upload Shapefile function to add a shapefile (layer) from your computer to the map. In order to successfully add a layer, you must have a shapefile (*. shp) and database file (*.dbf). You can upload a layer to the map as long as it is under 1 MB. Click the upload shapefile tool found in the analytical toolset. From the menu in the information panel, use the Browse button to locate the database file on your computer. Next, locate the shapefile on your computer. Make sure you have selected the proper file extenion for each box - attribute file as *.dbf and spatial file as *.shp.
Enter a descriptive title for your layer. This title will be displayed in the layer list and legend so make sure it makes sense and does not repeat an existing layer name already on the map. Choose a symbol colour from the pull-down menu. Finally, choose the layer position from the bottom pull-down menu. The layer position will reflect how your new shapefile will be drawn on the map in conjunction with the other layers. Click OK to start the upload.

If your shape file is over 100,000 ha you can perform a query, however you must be in the "Custom Status" window with the appropriate query validation criterion.

Are there any useful hints I should note when using the ILRR?

• To learn how to use the ILRR Map viewer, take a few minutes to watch the ILRR Map Viewer training module which is available to Public users on the log on page and to known users in both the ILRR help. ILRR help contains screen specific help and user hints.
  
• If you know the specific unique identifier (a tenure number, permit number, ilrr number, etc.) for something you want to query, status or see on a map, use the “Query Interest Record” function. It allows you to enter the number and go straight to summary record for that interest; from the summary report you can select what you want to do (see detail, status, or view on map.
  
• If your custom query is failing, you may have a problem with your individual parameters or with the combination of parameters you selected. When on the Custom query screen, click on the online help for detailed information. The question “Why are my Custom Queries failing” provides an overview.
  
• Legal Description or survey parcel searches.
  This functionality is available in areas where the ILRR has finished building tables to link private and Crown land survey parcels (currently Northeast part of BC). See the question “Does the ILRR have information on private land?”
  
• If you need to run a query again later, create a “Custom Query” and save it to your queries and notifications. You will be able to run the query, change it, share it with others, and create a notification based on your query so that the ILRR will send you an email when something changes in your area of interest.

What is the best way to save queries that I want to use again?

Using Custom Status

If you need to run a report again later, create a "Custom Status" and save it to your queries and notifications. You will be able to run the query, change it, share it with others, and create a notification based on your query so that the ILRR will send you an email when something changes in your area of interest. View the "Custom Status" web based training module, or when in the Custom Status screen click on Help for more information.

Using the Map Viewer

The ILRR map viewer also allows you to create custom query parameters and save them for later use. You can save a session to either a "server" which you specify, or to a "client" (to a folder in your network, or to your PC).

To open a saved session just click on.

All the parameters you specified will be saved when you save your session. If you want to share the query parameters with others simply email your saved session to them (it will be sent an .ssn file). They can save the file on their network or PC, then they can "open saved session" in the ILRR map viewer and import the specific .ssn file.

• Create a view for a specific area. For example, if you need to regularly look at information in the Kamloops area, you would zoom into the area of interest and save the session. When you open the session in the ILRR map viewer that map zooms in to the area you defined.
  
• Customize the Layers. The ILRR has a default setting for layers that are turned on and off. You can select the layers required to support your business (eg. Turn on the Land Act, forest roads, and parks and protected area layers and the base maps. Have all other information turned off). Click the check box to turn layer on and off.
  
• Customize the Symbology to meet your business needs. Click icon beside the layer to change the layer symbology, symbolize the layer by attribute, or to restore the default symbology (In the following oil and gas example, well sites were turned on and show in green, oil and gas tenures were changed to pale blue, Land Act in pink, etc). The legend updates to reflect your new symbology. When you save your session the new symbology is automatically saved with that session.

How do I share my queries, map sessions, and report results with others?

What you save is the query parameters and when the other person uses your custom status or your saved session they will see the most current information at the time they run the report and they will see that information which their security level permits (e.g. if they have a higher level of access to sensitive data than you they will see that data).

You can also share report and query results with others by outputing the results in one of the formats provided.

Sharing a map query result

In you want to share map query results, use the "print to PDF" function.

Sharing report results

If you want to share your custom query, on the "Generate Report - Display Options Screen" select either the "File" or "Batch" option to output your results. The "File" option allows users to output in PDF, CSV and RFT file formats. The "Batch" option allows users to output results in PDF, CSV, RFT and GML (government users only) and the results are emailed to the user at the specified email address.

Sharing Custom Status Parameters

Create a "Custom Status" and save it to your queries and notifications. You will be able to run the query, change it, share it with others, and create a notification based on your query so that the ILRR will send you an email when something changes in your area of interest. View the "Custom Status" web based training module, or when in the Custom Status screen click on Help for more information.

Sharing Map Viewer Query Parameters

Option 1

• Email your saved session to them (it will be an .ssn file).
• They save the file on their network or PC.
• They log onto the ILRR map viewer and open the .ssn file using "open saved session" feature

Option 2

• Save your session to a network server which you both have access to.
• They log onto the ILRR, open the map viewer and select the "open saved session" feature
• They then select the file from the network folder.
  

Why are my Custom Queries Failing?

There are general two types of errors which can cause your custom query to fail:

1. you made an error in the individual parameter screens, or
2. the combination of parameters you selected does not conform to certain Query Validation criteria

Errors in the individual Parameter screens:
In order for your query to be successful, the individual parameters you select must conform to certain Parameter Validation criteria.
The ILRR validations help to control the size or runtime for queries. The following is a list of all validation criteria for each of the Custom Status parameters.

Term or date: validation criteria

• The default for this parameter is NO Terms or Other Dates are selected.
• You can select one or more date types using the checkboxes.
• When you activate a date type by clicking a checkbox, you must enter a corresponding date. You can type in the date using the format yyyy/mm/dd, or choose a date using the calendar function.

• The default for this parameter is ALL interest statuses are selected.
• At least ONE interest status must be selected.

• The default for this parameter is ALL interest types are selected.
• At least ONE interest type must be selected.

• The default for this parameter is ALL interest agencies are selected.
• At least ONE interest agency must be selected.

• The default for this parameter is NO Interest Holders are selected.
• If you activate a radio button (either the Organization or Individual/Partner), and perform a search, you must select one or more checkboxes from the search results list. Otherwise, click the Cancel button.

• The default for this parameter is the ILRR Approved Area, which is the Northeast of the province.
• At least ONE location type must be selected.
• For PID and PIN, ILRR first determines whether the PID or PIN is an integer, then performs ONE search: Does the PID or PIN have spatial data associated with it? If it does not, you will receive an error If you have entered an invalid number for PID or PIN, you will receive the same error message.

• The default for this parameter is NO size is defined.
• If you activate a radio button, you must enter a size value greater than zero.

Query Validation criteria

The ILRR validations help to control the size or runtime for queries. When you have finished selecting the parameters for your query, and click the Submit button, the system looks at the combination of parameters that you have selected, and performs a validation. The parameter Location Type drives this validation.

Online help contains a table that describes the validation rules that ILRR will apply when you click the Submit button on the Custom Query Parameter screen. The site also has examples of valid and invalid combinations.

Query Validation Criteria Table

Parameter Combinations: Valid and Invalid

Why does Custom Status not work correctly with Windows NT?

To resolve this issue, users must change the Internet Explorer settings.

1. Open Internet Explorer
2. From the menu bar “click” Tools > Internet Options
3. Under the “General” tab click on Settings in the Temporary Internet files area.
4. Ensure that the radio button for “Every visit to the page” is highlighted. (see graphic below).
5. Click “OK” > Click “OK” again to save the settings.
6. Exit Internet Explorer.
7. Open Internet Explorer and continue to the ILRR.

What interests are registered in the ILRR?