Pre June 2001 News Release - For Historical Reference
RESULTS-BASED CODE PROJECTS TO TRIM RED TAPE
VICTORIA –– Four pilot projects proposed by industry to trim red tape and add to the effectiveness of the Forest Practices Code will be open to public comment and review, Forests Minister David Zirnhelt announced today.
"Industry asked for an opportunity to show how a results-based code could work," said Zirnhelt. "We have challenged them to show us. Industry has answered with two pilots in the Cariboo, one in the Okanagan and one in the North. We're also working with other tenure holders interested in exploring innovative approaches that encourage use of botanical forest products, tourism development and community empowerment.
"Collectively we have agreed that we will not implement any cost reductions at the expense of our responsibility for forest and environmental stewardship."
Government introduced legislation to allow the result-based pilot projects in June 1999, in response to a commitment made at the Cariboo economic summit a month earlier. The project proponents will now have to prepare a detailed plan and subject that plan to public review and comment. Public comment is necessary before each pilot project is reviewed and approved by Cabinet.
The first four pilots include proposals from woodlot operators and major licensees in the Cariboo forest region and major licensees operating in the Fort St. John and Okanagan timber supply areas. At least four more projects in other areas of the province are expected later this year.
Canadian Forest Products is leading a pilot project with Slocan Forest Products Ltd. and Louisiana-Pacific Canada Ltd. in the Fort St. John Timber Supply Area. The 1.5 million hectares has a combined coniferous and deciduous annual harvest of 620,000 cubic metres. The Ministry of forests small business forest enterprise program is also a partner.
Riverside Forest Products Ltd. has a pilot project on 149,000 hectares of Tree Farm License 49 in the Okanagan timber supply area.
The Cariboo Lumber Manufacturers Association is co-ordinating a pilot project that involves seven area lumber producers: Ainsworth Lumber, Weldwood Canada, West Fraser, Slocan Forest Products, Tolko Industries, Riverside Forest Products Ltd. and Lignum Ltd.
The Cariboo Woodlot Association intends to tailor provisions of the Forest Practices Code that were drafted for large-volume forest tenures to the needs of smaller and site-specific woodlots. A half-dozen woodlots in the Quesnel, Williams Lake, Horsefly and 100 Mile House districts of the Cariboo forest region will serve as sites for the project.
Brian McNaughton, co-ordinator for the woodlot project, said the pilots will develop effective management systems that will treat the woodlots as a neighbourhood resource.
"We're not suggesting for a minute that code standards don't apply, but we think we can deliver the same objectives in a better way and be more responsive to First Nations and environmental groups," he said. "We can strip out the permits and licences required by the Forest Practices Code and focus on management issues like timber harvesting and the preservation of wildlife habitat, water and visual quality."
The proponents are preparing detailed proposals for review by senior government officials. The pilots will be available for review by stakeholders, the public and First Nations and then go to cabinet for a decision.
The Forest Practices Code has been widely praised by foresters around the world. In an effort to improve the code, government is exploring ways of meeting environmental standards more effectively. The Forest Practices Code last year generated 45,000 inspections.
"The rate of compliance was over 97 per cent, and we can trumpet those results to the world," Zirnhelt said.
Information on the pilots is available to the public on the ministry's Web site. The projects will be limited to 10 per cent of the allowable annual cut in each region, meet or better code standards and continue to be subject to the authority of the Forest Practices Board.
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Backgrounder:
Experimenting with ways to reduce regulatory burden
Results-based pilot projects will seek efficiencies for industry and government, provide for public participation and maintain high standards in the Forest Practices Code.
Enabling legislation introduced in June 1999 requires pilots provide “at least the equivalent protection for forest resources and resource features” as the code. Projects must be consistent with the code's sustainable-use goals through a balance of many forest values and the economic, social and cultural needs of all peoples and communities. The ministry will continue to consult with First Nations and ensure the legal obligation to prevent unjustifiable infringement of aboriginal rights and title is met.
The legislation provides for the appointment of a local advisory committee that will report to the minister on public acceptability of a proposed pilot. There will be opportunities for public comment, and proponents must submit those comments and their replies to government.
Annual reports are required and will be made available to the public on the ministry's Web site (www.for.gov.bc.ca). Results will be assessed every year. Proposed changes will be introduced once new management techniques are tested and meet legal requirements.
Projects will test forest management techniques on a variety of tenure sizes and in a number of areas around the province. A harvest limit has been set at 10 per cent of all allowable cuts (or animal unit months in a range pilot).
The Cariboo Lumber Manufacturers Association is co-ordinating a pilot proposal that involves seven area lumber producers. Gord Rattray, general manager of the association, said the seven are piloting a streamlined system that aims to reduce the number of approvals required during the planning process and places greater reliance on companies in delivering the code.
Riverside Forest Products Ltd. has a pilot project on 149,000 hectares of Tree Farm License 49 on the west shore of Okanagan Lake. John Marritt, Riverside's vice-president of woodlands, said the company plans to work through a local advisory panel that includes foresters, ecologists, hydrologists, local government and First Nations representatives, ranchers and environmentalists.
"We've spent a lot of time talking about new ways to implement a result-based code; now it's time to see what works in the field," Marritt said. "We're looking forward to field-tested results that will improve efficiencies but sustain or enhance environmental values."
Canadian Forest Products is leading a pilot with Slocan Forest Products and Louisiana-Pacific Canada on 1.5 million hectares in Fort St. John timber supply area. The ministry's small business forest enterprise program is a partner. Canfor spokesperson Jim Stephenson said instead of four forest development plans that require review and approval, they propose one five-year plan. Code inspections would be replaced with reviews to meet certification targets dictated by the Canadian Standards Association and Forest Stewardship Council.
"Many of B.C.'s review and approval processes are redundant where licensees have implemented voluntary management systems to meet established registration standards," Stephenson said. "We hope to foster a change in culture from the current proscriptive atmosphere to one that encourages innovation."
The Cariboo Woodlot Association intends to tailor provisions of the Forest Practices Code that were drafted for large-volume forest tenures to the needs of smaller and site-specific woodlots. A half-dozen woodlots in the Cariboo forest region will be selected as sites for the project.
For more information on the Ministry of Forests, visit our Web site at: [http://www.for.gov.bc.ca]on the Internet.
Reference # 2000:010 *
Released on Feb 14, 2000 *
Region Province Wide *
Category General
Contact
Paul Lackhoff
Communications
(250) 387-4592
Guenter Stahl
Project Manager, Results-Based Code Pilots
(250) 877-9159
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