Defined Forest Area Management

Information Gathering & Management

Timber Supply Analysis (for IFPAs and DFAM Scheduled Analyses) Activity Area Expectations
The Defined Forest Area Management (DFAM) initiative, funded under the Forest Dynamics and Decision Support activity area, enables each DFAM group to carry out timber supply analysis to support Chief Forester allowable annual cut (AAC) determinations for TSAs. DFAM groups comprise BC Timber Sales managers, holders of replaceable forest licenses, and other holders of agreements that meet the prescribed requirements.

If a DFAM group elects to take on timber supply analysis for the TSA, the group will complete data package and timber supply analysis reports by collecting and analyzing timber supply information, and will ensure that this information is made available to the public and First Nations. The reports and comments will then be provided to the Chief Forester to support the AAC determination.

Legislation to support DFAM was introduced in the spring of 2003, but has not yet been enforced with supporting regulations. A transition period during which the DFAM group may voluntarily carry out timber supply review activities using FIA funding was initially planned to end in April 2004. This transition period will continue through 2006/2007.

Eligible activities include:

preparation of data (must consider data content, quality and physical storage standards). The data must be electronically submitted to the government as per the DFAM TSR standards;
completion of data packages;
activities related to providing information for public reviews and information sharing with First Nations, and
completion of timber supply analysis reports, including base case forecast, sensitivities and socio-economic assessment.

The expectations for the DFAM timber supply review activities are that:

All expenditures in this activity area will be for the purpose of supporting the specific requirements described in the Forest Act, Section 8(8).
Timber supply review activities will be continued or initiated in TSAs that are scheduled to be underway to achieve the five-year or earlier deadline as required by the Forest Act, section 8(1). For the list of these TSAs for 2005/06 check the timber supply review schedule.
All resource information gathered, reports generated and public reviews undertaken, which are funded through FIA, will be consistent with government approved standards or guidelines, and any data gathered will be managed in publicly available warehouses (public or privately owned).
FIA applicant(s) have confirmed that the BC Timber Sales manager(s) and holders of replaceable forest licences in the TSA have no objections to the applicant undertaking the timber supply review activities for the purposes of DFAM, and therefore no other FIA applications for similar purposes will be submitted by eligible tenure holders in the TSA.

Timber Supply Analysis to support DFAM

A DFAM Letter to Licensees sent in April 2003, although somewhat outdated, provides background on the DFAM initiative, and relevant information on FIA funding for Timber Supply Analysis requirements during the transition period. A lead licensee, determined by the DFAM recipients in the TSA, may pursue activities under DFAM. Discussions will take place between the Ministry of Forests and Range and the DFAM licensee group in each of the TSAs identified to confirm expectations and specifications regarding the activities, timing and associated funding available, which ranges up to a maximum of $300,000 depending on the activities undertaken.

As discussed in the Interim Standards for Data Package Preparation and Timber Supply Analysis, the main Ministry of Forests and Range contact will be identified early in the DFAM Timber Supply Review process. In most cases, the contact will be the reviewing timber supply analyst from Forest Analysis Branch or a forest region. All documents and results required under the standards should be sent to the identified Ministry of Forests and Range contact. Additional web posting and public review requirements are discussed in the standards.

Activity Standards

Interim Standards for Data Package Preparation and Timber Supply Analysis (Last Updated: March 2004)
Interim Standards for Public and First Nations Review