Amendment Policy
Chief Forester’s Standards for Seed Use

Effective Date: June 1, 2005

Scope

In accordance with section 169 of the Forest and Range Practices Act, section 43 of the Forest Planning and Practice Regulation, and section 32 of the Woodlot Licence Planning and Practices Regulation, I may establish, vary or revoke standards for regulating the use, registration, storage and selection of seed used to establish a free growing stand.

In accordance with the aforementioned authorities, I established the Chief Forester’s Standards for Seed Use in November 2004. These standards came into effect on
April 1, 2005.

Purpose

This policy provides an account of the guiding principles, information, factors and procedures that I will use when considering a proposed amendment to the standards.

Policy

A proposed amendment may consist of a new standard, a revision to an existing standard, the repeal of an existing standard, or a combination of these amendments.

A proposed amendment must be consistent with the purpose of the standards, which is to maintain the identity, adaptability, diversity, and productivity of the Province’s tree gene resources.

The proposed amendment must be submitted in writing and clearly identify the:

1. objectives and goals of the amendment,
2. rationale or reasons for the amendment,
3. potential benefits and risks of the amendment,
4. supporting scientific and technical information, including applicable references, for the amendment

In reviewing the amendment I will consider, but not be limited to, the following:

1. the origin, collection or production method, physical quality, and genetic attributes of the seed to which the amendment applies,
2. forest health and productivity, including potential effects on timber supply,
3. forest planning, management and operations, including potential impacts on other forest values and management objectives,
4. maintenance and integrity of information required for record keeping and reporting purposes,
5. the ability of persons to achieve the results of the amendment,
6. potential impacts on stakeholders, and
7. compliance and enforcement.

Amendments to the standards will, wherever possible, occur only once a year with an effective date of April 1. This date corresponds to the start of the spring planting season and fiscal reporting period, and follows completion of sowing requests.

Since amendments to the standards cannot come into effect until 4 months after notice has been published in the Gazette, notice of amendments intended to take effect on
April 1 must be published on or before December 1 of the preceding calendar year. Proposed amendments must therefore be submitted in advance of this publication date to ensure that sufficient time is available for their review and consideration.

Proposed amendments must be submitted in writing to the Director, Tree Improvement Branch (Director).

The Director will chair a committee to oversee the review of proposed amendments. The committee will consist of representatives from Tree Improvement Branch, Research Branch, Compliance and Enforcement Branch, Forest Practices Branch and Operations Division, and other offices as deemed appropriate.

The committee will review the proposed amendment and supporting information for completeness, and consistency with the legislation and this policy. If the supporting information is deemed to be incomplete or not consistent with the legislation or this policy, the Director will inform the person who submitted the proposed amendment in writing.

If the amendment and supporting information is deemed to be complete and consistent with the legislation and this policy, the committee will assess the proposed amendment accordingly and prepare its recommendations for my consideration. In conducting its review, the committee should seek input and advice from other persons, including affected stakeholders, where it is appropriate to do so.

If I reject or modify a proposed amendment, I will convey my reasons to the person who submitted it in writing.

Not withstanding the above, if in some specific circumstance it is necessary to deviate from these principles and timelines, or if it is appropriate to consider other factors, I will do so.

Jim Snetsinger
Chief Forester

June 22, 2005

References

Forest Range and Practices Act, section 169

Forest Planning and Practices Regulation, section 43

Woodlot Licence Planning and Practices Regulation, section 32