Introduction

Public consultation under the Forest Practices Code does not stand alone. More comprehensive public participation for strategic plans occurs outside the requirements of the Code under policies such as the Land and Resource Management Planning program, the Protected Areas Strategy, the Timber Supply Review, and regional plans sponsored by the Commission on Resources and Environment.

• In accordance with the regulations, advertisements notifying the public of a forest development plan, five-year silviculture plan, or access management plan review must be placed in the Gazette and at least one newspaper circulating nearest to the area of proposed operations. Range use plans must be advertised by newspaper. Advertisements may be placed in one or more of the major daily newspapers where circumstances warrant.

• Notification by radio is also encouraged for remote areas where people (such as trappers and guide outfitters) do not have access to a newspaper, local government office or forest district office.

• Advertisements notifying the public of the opportunity to view range use plans must be placed in at least one newspaper circulating nearest to the area of proposed development.

• Consolidating advertisements to allow for simultaneous public viewing is encouraged. Separate advertisements should only be placed when plans are outside a forest development plan or when they are not prepared in time for public review.

Time frame for advertising

• Advertise proposed plans at least twice within a period of two consecutive weeks. The last advertisement should appear at least one week prior to the first date on which the proposed operational plans will be available for public viewing. Advertise in such a way so as to reach as many of the affected parties as possible.

Advertising format

• Wherever possible, advertise five-year silviculture plans and access management plans simultaneously with forest development plans.
• For efficiency, consider consolidating the advertising of forest development plans for small licences (e.g., woodlot licences).
• Newspaper advertisements for forest development plans, five-year silviculture plans, and access management plans should contain:

  - forest licence number, tree farm licence, pulpwood agreement, or Small Business Forest Enterprise Program (and the numbers for these)
  - geographic area (including distance and direction from nearest community)
  - purpose of the plan review
  - location, date, and time of public viewing
  - indication of whether other operational plans or higher-level plans will be available for viewing
  - indication that a representative of the proponent will be on hand to answer questions
  - contact name and phone number for more information.

• Plans should be advertised in the main and/or legal section of the paper in large format (suggested minimum size 4" by 6") as noted in the following example:

Other avenues for notifying the public

• Forest district staff, with the assistance of major licensees, should assemble a mailing list of interested members of the public and aboriginal groups with traditional territories in the district. The names of groups and/or individuals who are interested in proposed development activities can be solicited through any combination of media advertisements (newspaper, radio, television), public meetings, open houses and/or questionnaires. Direct contact should also be made with public advisory groups, associations, special interest groups, and/or individuals known to have an immediate interest in local land and resource management issues. Licensees should be provided with copies of the ‘final’ list and encouraged to contact groups and/or individuals as appropriate for their planning areas.

• In addition to newspaper advertising, public notices advising the public of opportunities for plan review should be placed in different public locations such as postal stations, public libraries and/or municipal/regional district offices in the vicinity of proposed operations.