BC government Google Earth land use data file

[Slinky Pickle]

I took a stab at making a video tutorial on how to use the B.C. government Google Earth land use data file. This is my first attempt at a video tutorial so sorry for the ummmms and aaaahhhs.

I tried to get the microphone gain cranked up but it didn't really work. So for now, you're going to have to turn the volume up a little.

Here's the link to the file you will need. http://openmaps.gov.bc.ca/kml/BCGov_Web_Map_Library.kml


http://youtu.be/EqRXKLeNVBo


I've created a new video recently that uses the Front Counter BC data that is now available. Feel free to check this one out too.


https://youtu.be/0ZWFQGlC9UE

[Doostien]

Great tutorial! Only thing that I can think you missed is the option to add leases to the map.

BC Gov Land Ownership and Status
->Crown Leases- Tantalis
--->Lease Tenures

You can also look at the lease details by clicking the "Crown Lease Tenure Details". Gives expiry dates, sizes etc.

[Slinky Pickle]

It looks like Youtube doesn't like the link to the file so you will have to click on the link that I put in the video description.

[.264winmag]

Great info, thank you for posting SP. I will utilize this a lot while planning hunts!

[huntcoop]

Awesome stuff SP.

[The Hermit]

Best post on HBC 2014! Thanks. I've messed around with it before but the last few hours helped pull some things together. Very depressed now looking at all the private land on southern Vancouver Island. LOL Knowing it and seeing it are different!

[huntcoop]

What are the different colours of the private land? besides red :roll:

[ElectricDyck]

Cool thanks!

[Slinky Pickle]

What are the different colours of the private land? besides red :roll:

As far as I know, the private land is always shown in yellow. I'm not sure where you're looking but it might be that you have another layer turned on. Maybe one of the "Crown" layers???

[adriaticum]

Excellent idea. Thanks for posting!

[kilometers]

Greatness. Commenting so I can come back and try.

[Buck]

Should make this a sticky thanks

[Legi0n]

That's great in so many ways but also outdated at the same time.
I compared my GPS tracks in some area I know well and the roads on the map have completely changed. And that's not recent.
I'm not bashing the op but rather put an emphasis on "do your due diligence and check first". You don't want to plan a week-long hunt only to be staring at a missing bridge or a 10 ft pile of dirt/rocks/stumps.

[dime]

Do you subscribe to Google earth pro? You have a white update come across your screen for 3 seconds, mine is 7 minutes and then occasionally one or two yellow "private property" indicators will show up. I am on a good network connection at home and have nowhere near the functionality you seem to have.

[Slinky Pickle]

Do you subscribe to Google earth pro? You have a white update come across your screen for 3 seconds, mine is 7 minutes and then occasionally one or two yellow "private property" indicators will show up. I am on a good network connection at home and have nowhere near the functionality you seem to have.

Nope, just regular Google Earth. I've seen it run on many machines and there was never any kind of delay like that. There might be an issue with the government right now. This morning I get a big red X after a few seconds. That typically means the government data base is down temporarily.

[Slinky Pickle]

That's great in so many ways but also outdated at the same time.
I compared my GPS tracks in some area I know well and the roads on the map have completely changed. And that's not recent.
I'm not bashing the op but rather put an emphasis on "do your due diligence and check first". You don't want to plan a week-long hunt only to be staring at a missing bridge or a 10 ft pile of dirt/rocks/stumps.

There is a selection for "All forest road sections" and another for "Active forest road sections". The active ones should be current if the forest company went by the plan... which doesn't always happen.

As you say, you will always have to put boots on the ground to determine the validity of any of the information.

[XPEIer]

If I am correct, private is yellow, surveyed crown is pink/purple ish, leases are a blue green, right of ways are orange, IR's are grey, Recreation Sites and Trails green.

Xpeieer

[Slinky Pickle]

If I am correct, private is yellow, surveyed crown is pink/purple ish, leases are a blue green, right of ways are orange, IR's are grey, Recreation Sites and Trails green.

Xpeieer

If you click on the blue headings you will get a legend of what each colour means.

[ianm]

This is awesome SP, I hope this wasn't a result of my technical ineptitude!! Haha. Thanks again for the help!

[Hotwire]

Not sure if this has been brought up yet... but this file also works with Garmin Basecamp, so you can directly upload it to your GPS :)

[Ry151]

outstanding video!!

[Ry151]

Not sure if this has been brought up yet... but this file also works with Garmin Basecamp, so you can directly upload it to your GPS :)
how the heck does a person do this. lol

[tbocking]

Is it possible to get this to work on the mobile version ie for the Iphone?

[bukwild]

Yes. KMZ files will work on Apple devices using an App called KMZ loader.

Anyone able to get the private ownership details to work? If I check the private ownership details nothing comes up.

[tbocking]

ok for a computer moron how is it that you can get the kmz files to work on your iphone?

[tigrr]

Done and done.....
Thank you now I don't have to go to IMAP anymore.

[Elkaholic]

Need to bump this old thread. I am unable to get the private ownership to show up at all. I watched the video and selected what it said. Nothing shows up. Anybody with any idea. Thanks in advance.

[Elkaholic]

I found out why it was not working. It seems there is a newer version of the kml file than the one linked here. I downloaded it and now all layers are working correctly.

[Slinky Pickle]

I found out why it was not working. It seems there is a newer version of the kml file than the one linked here. I downloaded it and now all layers are working correctly.

I love it when they try to make stuff better and end up screwing it all up.

Do you have the link for the newer file? I'm not having much luck finding it.

[dmaxtech]

http://openmaps.gov.bc.ca/kml/front_counter_bc_loader.kml

[mike31154]

I still don't get the overlay when selecting the private ownership option on the openmaps .kml since downloading the latest version. Need to go the land survey bits. Found a more user friendly .kml at, of all places, front counter BC service. Check it out. Front Counter BC Discovery Tool. Page includes a video tutorial, pdf instructions & link to download the .kml (Launch Discovery Tool).

http://www.frontcounterbc.gov.bc.ca/mapping/

[Jeremiah_Johnson]

Very helpful and informative video. Thanks for taking the time to make this!!

[Elkaholic]

I seem to have misplaced my Google Earth FSR plugin, and I cannot seem to find the plugin that would show pending fsr, new fsr, retired fsr. I have the new bc database plugin as in this thread but I cant find FSR in that one. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Ryo]

I don't have my computer open, but off the top of my head, it's 'licenses and permits.' In the government IMAP standalone version you can change the labels to show the retirement date of the cut, but I'm not sure if you can get that in Google earth

[Slinky Pickle]

Ya, the Google Earth file worked so well that the government decided to screw it up royally. The old, original file still works for forestry roads and cut blocks but not for property borders any more.

Try this link and see how you make out. https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1RdmKSTFXljdENoYndIZzZDcWM

As mentioned above, the roads and cut blocks are under Licenses and Permits.

[Elkaholic]

Thanks for the tips on where to look on that new file. I had been going category by category and I just must have missed seeing it there. Already found some new goodies in my area that I cant wait to check out!

[Canadian Lumberjack]

Hey Slinky Pickle,

Thanks for spending the time to rig up the instructional video, it was a massive help. I took some time off from google earth but now I'm having issues viewing the private/ crown property borders (under "integrated cadastral fabric"). I downloaded the new file you posted here but it didn't solve my problem.

I'm just looking to clarify that this is no longer available to anyone anymore and I'm not the only one goofing this up. Thanks again!

[Slinky Pickle]

Hey Slinky Pickle,

Thanks for spending the time to rig up the instructional video, it was a massive help. I took some time off from google earth but now I'm having issues viewing the private/ crown property borders (under "integrated cadastral fabric"). I downloaded the new file you posted here but it didn't solve my problem.

I'm just looking to clarify that this is no longer available to anyone anymore and I'm not the only one goofing this up. Thanks again!

If you go to this site and click the "Launch Discovery Tool" button it should download a KML file for you. When you open that in Google Earth it should work.

http://www.frontcounterbc.gov.bc.ca/mapping/

[Eastcoasthunter]

Great info, Sure helps me out being to the Island

if anyone could recommend some areas to hunt that would be appreciated as well

[Nailknot85]

Just to revive an old thread. I was hoping someone would be willing to help me out here, I'm trying to find a Google Earth overlay that show FSR's and cutblocks.


I don't have my computer open, but off the top of my head, it's 'licenses and permits.' In the government IMAP standalone version you can change the labels to show the retirement date of the cut, but I'm not sure if you can get that in Google earth


I can't seem to find a 'licenses and permits' tab in the Google Earth Discovery tool. It is there on the iMaps site though.

Is there an overlay for Google Earth that shows cutblocks and FSR's or do I need to use iMap for that?

TIA

[Slinky Pickle]

Just to revive an old thread. I was hoping someone would be willing to help me out here, I'm trying to find a Google Earth overlay that show FSR's and cutblocks.




I can't seem to find a 'licenses and permits' tab in the Google Earth Discovery tool. It is there on the iMaps site though.

Is there an overlay for Google Earth that shows cutblocks and FSR's or do I need to use iMap for that?

TIA

Try downloading this file and then open it from Google Earth. You'll find the cut blocks and FSR info under Licenses and Permits.

I see that they have fixed the property ownership side of things now too.

http://openmaps.gov.bc.ca/kml/BCGov_Web_Map_Library.kml

[Nailknot85]

Try downloading this file and then open in from Google Earth. You'll find the cut blocks and FSR info under Licenses and Permits.

I see that they have fixed the property ownership side of things now too.

http://openmaps.gov.bc.ca/kml/BCGov_Web_Map_Library.kml

That one works perfect, thank you.

[Slinky Pickle]

Just a heads up for folks trying to work with Google Earth. The original government created file that this thread refers to was screwed up for quite some time but it now appears to be functioning as originally intended. The tutorial video should once again be valid and correct. Happy searching!

[howa1500]

Ive tried everywhich way, and can't get anything up on my dang google earth. It used to work like a hot damn... anyone else having issues?

[Mr. E]

Ive tried everywhich way, and can't get anything up on my dang google earth. It used to work like a hot damn... anyone else having issues?

Some seem to work, some do not. I cannot get the private land portion to work at all.

[SuperYeti]

Some seem to work, some do not. I cannot get the private land portion to work at all.

I've found it depends on the zoom level. Sometimes zooming in or out a bit seems to make it work again, I suspect the servers are slow and taking too long to respond, causing a timeout which G-Earth then displays no data for. YMMV

[Mr. E]

I cannot get it to work at any zoom level over any length of time. It looks great on the video though. ;)

[Slinky Pickle]

I cannot get it to work at any zoom level over any length of time. It looks great on the video though. ;)

Mine works as long as the "eye elevation" (bottom right) is at about 2km or less. You also need to wait about 5 seconds after panning or zooming for it to kick in.

[boxhitch]

Thanks again for this SP
needed it to use on a new pc.

[Slinky Pickle]

Thanks again for this SP
needed it to use on a new pc.

I've created a new video recently that uses the Front Counter BC data that is now available. Feel free to check this one out too.


http://youtu.be/0ZWFQGlC9UE

[boxhitch]

thanks but .........
Noted an error 6:20 Game Management Zones are not the same as Wildlife Management Units, further down the list

that download from Front Counter BC looks kind of funky, will have to wade through to see how to use it.

[Slinky Pickle]

thanks but .........
Noted an error 6:20 Game Management Zones are not the same as Wildlife Management Units, further down the list.

You're absolutely right, I missed that.

[boxhitch]

no prob. You can just have the narration fixed for GMZ's

[Slinky Pickle]

no prob. You can just have the narration fixed for GMZ's

Unfortunately I don't thing there is an easy way to do it (with this video) because Youtube makes it insanely difficult to modify a video after the fact. You used to be able to add a caption with a note about a mistake but they don't even allow that any more. The only way is to make a new video and anywhere this one is referenced would have to be updated. I think I'll just let it ride.
then

[boxhitch]

yeah good enough
maybe I'll delete my post, no one else will notice I bet

[joshbazz]

yeah good enough
maybe I'll delete my post, no one else will notice I bet
dude, I live for these types of posts! I used that last KMl file in huntbuddy, I use it religiously!
Cheers :)

[srupp]

Thank you Slinky Pickle..truly enjoyed your video, your effort and undestanding of these maps..thank you for taking the time and effort to bring us along.
Srupp

[Elkaholic]

I just had to a wipe and re-install on my laptop and now when I add these plugins back they do not have all the options they used to. If I go back on my old krusty trusty laptop it still has the old plugins with all the options I am looking for but the new downloads have very little information in them for some reason. I have even tried moving the files from my good setup to this new one and still crap. Not sure if anybody else is noticing this frustration. I still have no idea why my old laptop has more data than the new one with the same data files.

I have even copied my entire google earth app data folder from PC to PC and the plugins still behave the same. I am working on a screen shot to show what is up.

Second update now my old PC's plugins are behaving the exact same way. I am guessing there was an update? on the government end of things. I cant see bush roads, cut blocks nothing anymore.

[Slinky Pickle]

Second update now my old PC's plugins are behaving the exact same way. I am guessing there was an update? on the government end of things. I cant see bush roads, cut blocks nothing anymore.

I'm seeing the same thing. It used to be great, then they fixed it and it was good. Now they've fixed it again and it's worthless! Gotta love progress.

[grantk]

Thanks for the info. I use an OpenStreetMap application called JOSM for this. It allows you to load all of the Gov't data as WMS layers, which load much faster and smoother than the KML layers in Google Earth, and the program doesn't need much in the way of computing power to run. It doesn't have 3D terrain, but you can load the OpenCycleMap topo map to get an idea of terrain. Best part is, if something is missing in OpenStreetMap, you can just add it and it will show up within a couple days.

[Elkaholic]

I'm seeing the same thing. It used to be great, then they fixed it and it was good. Now they've fixed it again and it's worthless! Gotta love progress.

Good to know I am not loosing my mind. Damn they sure neutered this plugin. Now I have lost one of my best tools. Oh well, hopefully something else comes along with all the data that this used to have.

[grantk]

All of the data is still available, it's just been separated to different datasets and you need to add them individually now. I think all of these have both KML and WMS options:

Cut Blocks:
https://catalogue.data.gov.bc.ca/dataset/harvested-areas-of-bc-consolidated-cutblocks-
https://catalogue.data.gov.bc.ca/dataset/forest-tenure-cutblock-polygons-fta-4-0

Surface Ownership:
https://catalogue.data.gov.bc.ca/dataset/tantalis-surface-ownership

WMU's:
https://catalogue.data.gov.bc.ca/dataset/wildlife-management-units

Forest Roads:
https://catalogue.data.gov.bc.ca/dataset/forest-tenure-road-section-lines

Road Atlas:
https://catalogue.data.gov.bc.ca/dataset/digital-road-atlas-dra-master-partially-attributed-roads

Rec Sites:
https://catalogue.data.gov.bc.ca/dataset/recreation-sites-subset-information-purposes-only

[Legi0n]

now that's helpful
thanks grantk

[Elkaholic]

All of the data is still available, it's just been separated to different datasets and you need to add them individually now. I think all of these have both KML and WMS options:

Cut Blocks:
https://catalogue.data.gov.bc.ca/dataset/harvested-areas-of-bc-consolidated-cutblocks-
https://catalogue.data.gov.bc.ca/dataset/forest-tenure-cutblock-polygons-fta-4-0

Surface Ownership:
https://catalogue.data.gov.bc.ca/dataset/tantalis-surface-ownership

WMU's:
https://catalogue.data.gov.bc.ca/dataset/wildlife-management-units

Forest Roads:
https://catalogue.data.gov.bc.ca/dataset/forest-tenure-road-section-lines

Road Atlas:
https://catalogue.data.gov.bc.ca/dataset/digital-road-atlas-dra-master-partially-attributed-roads

Rec Sites:
https://catalogue.data.gov.bc.ca/dataset/recreation-sites-subset-information-purposes-only


Great stuff! Thanks a bunch for these links.

[boxhitch]

Thanks,
now to get those to GE

[grantk]

All of the links above have a KML Google Earth option

[303savage]

so sorry for the ummmms and aaaahhhs. Don't be sorry for the Ummms and Aahhh, most public speakers use them. It seems funny the a Um or ah was an automatic fail when I had to do public speaking when I was in school many years ago. Now there are very few speakers that can speak with out using them. They were called word spacers and the teacher failed you for not being properly prepared.

[boxhitch]

All of the data is still available, it's just been separated to different datasets and you need to add them individually now. I think all of these have both KML and WMS options:

Cut Blocks:
https://catalogue.data.gov.bc.ca/dataset/harvested-areas-of-bc-consolidated-cutblocks-
https://catalogue.data.gov.bc.ca/dataset/forest-tenure-cutblock-polygons-fta-4-0

Surface Ownership:
https://catalogue.data.gov.bc.ca/dataset/tantalis-surface-ownership

WMU's:
https://catalogue.data.gov.bc.ca/dataset/wildlife-management-units

Forest Roads:
https://catalogue.data.gov.bc.ca/dataset/forest-tenure-road-section-lines

Road Atlas:
https://catalogue.data.gov.bc.ca/dataset/digital-road-atlas-dra-master-partially-attributed-roads

Rec Sites:
https://catalogue.data.gov.bc.ca/dataset/recreation-sites-subset-information-purposes-only
These can be used with Gaia