Pre June 2001 News Release - For Historical Reference
CABINET APPROVES FIRST FOREST PRACTICES CODE PILOT PROJECT
POWELL RIVER – The Forest Practices Code pilot project proposed by Weyerhaeuser’s Stillwater division Forest Practices Code Pilot Project is the first to receive cabinet approval, Forests Minister Gordon Wilson announced today.
“The project is consistent with the Forest Practices Code’s goal of sustainable use through a balance of many forest values and addresses the economic, social and cultural needs of all peoples and communities, including First Nations,” said Wilson.
The Stillwater pilot project regulation authorizes a forest stewardship plan under the Forest Practices Code. One forest stewardship plan replaces four operational plans. The plan’s goals are to encourage early and ongoing public participation in the planning process, focus on higher-level planning, maintain or improve environmental protection, provide flexibility to adapt to market fluctuations, and shift forest management focus from office approvals to field results.
“The Stillwater pilot project includes early and ongoing involvement from government agencies and members of the public,” said Tom Holmes, vice-president of timberlands for Weyerhaeuser’s B.C. coastal group. “By addressing concerns upfront, we will greatly reduce the amount of paperwork submitted for review. This allows us to get our experienced people back in the woods to manage the forest from the ground.”
The draft regulation was reviewed by a community advisory group; the Association of B.C. Professional Foresters; the B.C. Environmental Network; the Sierra Legal Defence Fund; staff from the ministries of Environment, Lands and Parks and Energy and Mines; the Forest Practices Board; and the Sliammon, Sechelt and Klahoose First Nations.
The 14-member community advisory group, a permanent body that provides ongoing support to the pilot project process, endorses the project. The community advisory group reviewed all submissions received during the public review period and will participate in monitoring and evaluating the pilot. The five-year stewardship plan will be audited annually.
“The Forest Practices Code was introduced to ensure a sustainable future for the forest sector and resource-based communities in British Columbia,” said Environment, Lands and Parks Minister Ian Waddell. “With the forest stewardship plan, we will also gain higher levels of environmental protection.”
The forest stewardship plan covers 180,000 hectares on Cutblock 1 on Tree Farm Licence 39 on Weyerhaeuser’s Stillwater woodlands near Powell River. The allowable annual cut is 445,000 cubic metres. Weyerhaeuser is also committed to achieving forest management certification under standards set by the International Organization of Standardization 14001 and the Canadian Standards Association for sustainable forest management.
Information on all the code pilot projects is available on the ministry’s Web site at [http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfp/rbpilot] online.
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BACKGROUNDER
FOREST PRACTICES CODE PILOT PROJECTS
Legislation for pilot projects was introduced in June 1999 and requires pilots to provide “at least the equivalent protection for forest resources and resource features” as the Forest Practices Code. Pilot projects must be consistent with the code’s sustainable-use goals through balancing forest values and the economic, social and cultural needs of British Columbians and their communities. The ministry will continue to meet its legal obligations to consult with First Nations to prevent unjustifiable infringement of aboriginal rights and title.
Public input is required before each pilot project is reviewed and approved by cabinet. Annual reports on the pilots are also required. Pilot projects will test forest management techniques on a variety of tenure types around the province. A harvest limit for pilot projects has been set at 10 per cent of the allowable annual cut by region.
There are seven pilot projects around the province in various stages.
Weyerhaeuser’s Stillwater Division, near Powell River – The pilot project area covers 180,000 hectares and has an allowable annual cut of 445,000 cubic metres. One forest stewardship plan replaces four operational plans. Weyerhaeuser is also pursuing ISO and CSA certification.
Fort St. John – The pilot covers 4.1 million hectares of Crown land in the Fort St. John timber supply area and involves Canfor, Slocan Forest Products, Louisiana-Pacific and the ministry’s small business forest enterprise program. A detailed proposal and draft regulation for a sustainable forest management plan are undergoing public review. The review period ends April 27.
Cariboo Licensees – The pilot involves Ainsworth Lumber, Weldwood Canada, West Fraser, Slocan Forest Products, Tolko Industries, Riverside Forest Products Ltd. and Lignum Ltd. in the Cariboo forest region. The licensees are working on a five-year forest stewardship plan that will meet the targets of the Cariboo Chilcotin land use plan.
Cariboo Woodlot Association – A detailed proposal and regulation have been drafted for a comprehensive woodlot plan that will look at a market pricing system for stumpage as well as area-based cut control. It will be going to public review within the next few months.
Riverside Forest Products of Kelowna – The pilot on 145,000 hectares of Tree Farm Licence 49, on the west side of Okanagan Lake. A five-year total resource management report will field test the flexibility inherent in the Forest Practices Code and different methods of applying the code.
Bulkley – The pilot covers the entire 736,000 hectares of the Bulkley timber supply area and has an allowable annual cut of 895,000 cubic metres. The proponents are West Fraser, Skeena Cellulose Inc., the Moricetown band council and the ministry’s small business forest enterprise program. The proponents plan to streamline administrative requirements and ultimately develop a 20-year plan. A detailed draft proposal and regulation will be ready for public review within the next few months.
Iisaak Forest Resources’ – The pilot in Clayoquot Sound in Tree Farm Licence 57 is looking at replacing the allowable annual cut with an area-based management parameter that is consistent with the Clayoquot Sound Scientific Panel recommendations and basing annual rent on area harvested instead of allowable annual cut.
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Reference # 2001:053 *
Released on Apr 5, 2001 *
Region Province Wide *
Category Forest Practices Code
Contact
Eric Kristianson
Communications Branch
Ministry of Forests
250-387-8467
or
Rick Manwaring
Results-based Code Pilots
Ministry of Forests
250-997-8269
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