British Columbia’s Mountain Pine Beetle Action Plan 2005–2010

Objective #6

Restore the forest resources in areas affected by the epidemic.

The widespread nature of this epidemic will impact entire forest ecosystems at all levels – local site, landscape and regional. Timber growing, wildlife habitat, soil productivity, water quality and runoff, recreation uses and many other forest uses will be affected by the death of the pine trees. The rate at which trees are being killed by the Mountain Pine Beetle exceeds the normal rate of commercial harvest by as much as 23 times in some areas. Although a significant portion of the dead timber is expected to be salvaged and the areas reforested over the next few years, the total amount that will be recovered is uncertain.

Another challenge in some management units is sustainability of the supply of harvestable timber in the next 30-60 years. Accelerating harvesting now to salvage dead timber will result in a "gap" in the future supply of mature timber. Although this cannot be completely avoided, measures can be taken to reduce the negative impacts.

2005/06 Actions

25. Examine the opportunities and costs, including possible funding sources for silviculture techniques to address mid-term timber supply gap.

Planning is underway to identify feasible options (technical, ecological and economic) to mitigate the downfall in timber supply expected to occur upon completion of salvage operations. These may include fertilization, planting fast-growing species or other silviculture measures. Initial assessments suggest that approximately $800 million to $1 billion will be required to carry out this work. The Province will continue discussions with the federal government for funding necessary activities.

Five-Year Actions:

• Restore forest ecosystem productivity.

Areas that are not reforested as a part of normal post-harvesting activities will be restored to productivity on a priority basis. This may include areas that are not zoned for timber production but important to protection of water resources or wildlife.

• Reforest on a priority basis to return the best sites to timber productivity quickly.

Recognizing impacts of this epidemic on future timber supply, efforts will be made to identify the most productive growing sites and ensure they are restored to fully stocked, free growing timber as quickly as possible. This activity will be planned in conjunction with timber salvage planning. Reforestation will consider methods to prevent future widespread epidemics by managing species, age and other parameters.

• Undertake stand treatments on a priority basis to ensure timber will be available for harvest sooner than originally planned.

The trees that will be harvested between 20 and 50 years from now are already growing, however without intervention they will not be merchantable in time to address the post-salvage timber supply shortage. To bring these trees to a commercially valuable size and quality sooner, brushing, spacing, thinning and fertilizing will be required.

• Improve forest resource inventory information.

Timber, wildlife, water and other inventory information will be updated to reflect changes due to the epidemic and salvage activities in order to assist future planning and timber supply analysis. The inventory will identify areas susceptible to future outbreaks, and establish the basis for on-going monitoring of forest conditions.

• Encourage adaptive management monitoring, research and innovation.

Continue to work with federal, provincial and industry research communities to ensure key knowledge and information gaps are addressed. Priorities will focus on practical solutions to help mitigation and recovery activities.

• Identify the policy issues or constraints to implementation of longer-term objectives and address them.

Forest policy changes may be required to effectively implement stewardship measures and apply silviculture and restoration techniques not anticipated as part of normal operations.

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