History of Community Forests

The foundation for the community forest agreement program was developed by the Ministry of Forests and stakeholders interested in creating opportunities for greater participation by communities and First Nations in the management of local forests. This resulted in the decision to create a community forest “pilot” program to test the viability of community-based Crown tenures in B.C.

In July 1998, amendments to the Forest Act came into force creating this new form of tenure.

In September 1998, the Ministry of Forests issued a Request for Proposals, inviting communities throughout the province to apply for a 5-year “pilot” community forest agreement. Twenty-seven community-driven proposals were received.

Of the 27 proposals, seven communities were offered community forest pilot agreements: Burns Lake Community Forest Ltd., Harrop-Procter Watershed Protection Society Corp., Bamfield Huu-ay-aht Community Forest Society, North Island Woodlot Association, Islands Community Stability Initiative, District of Fort St. James and Esketemc First Nation.
(Note: There are other community forests in B.C., held by private companies or through other forms of tenure, and are not part of the pilot program.)

In October 2000, three additional community forest pilot agreements were offered: Likely Community Forest Corp., Village of McBride and Nuxalk First Nation.

On Dec. 4, 2000, the Community Forest Agreement Regulation of the Forest Practices Code was made effective, setting out forest practices specific to community forest agreements.

The Forest and Range Practices Act (FRPA) was introduced in November 2002. The Act introduced a “results-based” framework for planning and managing forestry activities.

Community forest pilot agreement-holders with forest development plans approved under the Forest Practices Code were advised they could continue to operate under existing plans until the plans expired. Thereafter, forest plans would be developed under the Forest and Range Practices Act and regulations.

In March 2003, the Minister of Forests introduced the Forestry Revitalization Plan. A key component of the plan is timber reallocation – the takeback of 20 per cent of long-term replaceable logging rights held by major licensees. Under the plan, government committed to diversify the forest economy and expand opportunities for uses such as community forests and woodlots.

In July 2004, government deposited the community tenures regulation under the Forest Act, which allows the Minister of Forests to directly invite a community to apply for a probationary community forest agreement, without competition. The regulation also allows for the conversion of other tenures, such as tree farm licences or forest licences, to probationary community forest agreements.

Government announced that as of Sept. 17, new community forest pilot agreements would no longer be issued. Instead, “probationary” agreements, carrying a five-year initial term, would allow both communities and the ministry an assessment period. If successful, the agreement-holder could be offered a long-term community forest agreement, which carries a 25-99 year term and is replaceable every 10 years. (Existing “pilot” agreements can also be rolled over into long-term agreements, if successful.)

From August to December 2004, government provided new or expanded community forest opportunities for 16 communities across the province:

The Ministry of Forests provides new community forest opportunities through the Forestry Revitalization Plan and timber reallocation.