Amendments to the Standards – November 2008In accordance with requirements and authorities provided under section 169 of the Forest and Range Practices Act (FRPA), section 43 of the Forest Planning and Practices Regulation and section 43 of the Woodlot Licence Planning and Practices Regulation, Jim Snetsinger amended the Chief Forester’s Standards for Seed Use as follows: 1) Appendix 3 – Lots from natural stands. The upper elevation transfer limit is increased by 100 m for Ba and Ss, and 200 m for Bl, Cw, Fdi, Lw, Pli, Py, Sx and Yc. Pli seed sourced from TOA seed planning zone (SPZ), 1300 to 1600 m, and TOD SPZ, 1200 to 1400 m, may also be transferred to BB SPZ. 2) Appendix 5, Table 5.1 – Lodgepole pine superior provenances. The upper elevation transfer limit for each provenance’s SPZ of origin is increased by 200 m. Pli seed sourced from Oie Lake and Udy Creek provenances may also be transferred to BB seed planning zone. This amendment comes into effect on April 1, 2009. This 4-month notification period, required under section 169 of FRPA, may be waived by persons in accordance with section 169(4)(c)(ii) if they so choose. This amendment and additional information is also posted at http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/code/cfstandards/ Related to the CF Standards, seed transfer limits for orchard seed sources are also amended as follows: 3) Tree Improvement Branch Website, Tested Parent Tree – Areas of Use by Seed Planning Unit / Coastal. The upper elevation transfer limit for Cw is increased by 100 m in the Cw M Low south seed planning unit (SPU) and 200 m for Fdc in the Fdc M Low south SPU. 4) Tree Improvement Branch Website, Tested Parent Tree – Areas of Use by Seed Planning Unit / Interior. The upper elevation transfer limit is increased for Fdi, Lw, Pli and Sx by 200 m in the following SPUs: Fdi CT, Fdi NE Low, Fdi NE High, Fdi PG Low, Fdi QL Low, Lw EK, Lw NE Low, Pli BV Low, Pli CP Low, Pli NE Low, Pli PG Low, Pli TO Low, Sx BV Low, Sx EK, Sx NE Low, Sx NE Mid, Sx NE High, Sx PG Low, Sx TO Low and Sx TO High. 5) Newly created table, Tree Improvement Branch Website, Tested Parent Tree – Areas of Use by Seed Planning Unit / Interior / Orchard Exceptions. Specific transfer limits are provided by orchard. These amendments to the above tested parent tree areas of use come into effect immediately. However, these amendments will not be reflected in SPAR and SeedMap until April 1, 2009. The amendments and additional information are posted at http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hti/seedplanning/parenttree-aou.htm The purpose of these amendments is to address potential forest health and productivity impacts associated with climate and to guide the appropriate selection and deployment of tree seed. The recommended changes are based upon a report by G. A. O’Neill et al, “Assisted migration to address climate change in BC: recommendations for interim seed transfer standards”, see link http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfd/pubs/Docs/Tr/Tr048.htm Dr. O’Neill’s analysis is based upon examining the climatic transfer distance associated with elevational transfers. However, the analysis reveals that some existing seed transfers at the lower elevation are not beneficial. No change in seed transfer is made but the deployment of orchard seed in the lowest 200 m of the Pw Maritime and Sx East Kootenay seed planning units is discouraged, as is the transfer of natural stand seed of amabilis fir and western hemlock more than 200 m downward and western red cedar more than 300 m downward. Overall, these interim changes increase seed deployment options – not restrict them. Questions regarding this amendment can be directed to: Lee Charleson, MBA, RPF (250) 387-4839
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