Coast Region Implementation Team

CRIT is a team of forest resource practitioners working together within the Ministry of Forest and Range's (MFR) Coast Forest Region to achieve industry and government goals and objectives under the Forest and Range Practices Act (FRPA). The goal of CRIT is to resolve issues promptly and communicate solutions to practitioners and promote and support a spirit of cooperation, trust and innovation among forest practitioners. The CRIT works closely with the various District Implementation Teams (DIT) within the Coast Forest region and the Provincial FRPA Implementation Team (PFIT) to ensure implementation issues are resolved at the appropriate level.

From it’s inception in 2003, the CRIT team has been responsible for the development of its own terms of reference with subsequent endorsement by MFR and the Coast Forest Products Association (CFPA) senior management sponsors.  In 2007, the terms of reference was updated to include budget direction and strategic priorities for the year.  For questions or comments regarding these publications, please contact the CRIT secretary.

The team includes representatives from the Ministry of Forests and Range, the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands Integrated Land Management Bureau, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, BC Timber Sales, the Coast Forest Products Association (CFPA) and non-CFPA members.  Alternate representatives are also identified for the team.  There are four MFR district members representing eight different districts (each member representing two districts).  The team is co-chaired by one MFR member and one CFPA member.  Each member is responsible for communicating FRPA implementation issues and solutions between CRIT and the constituents they represent.  FRPA implementation issues should be forwarded to the most appropriate representative or can be forwarded to the CRIT secretary for consideration.

Each of the three levels of FRPA Implementation Teams (PFIT, CRIT and DIT) provides forest professionals with a forum to identify and resolve FRPA planning and practices implementation issues.  The PFIT has developed a FRPA Issues Management Process, to help staff understand how implementation issues can be addressed, and a Policy Initiation Form to help document information necessary to address the issue. Forest planners and practitioners are encouraged to utilize this process and forward completed initiation forms to the appropriate implementation team representative. For questions or comments regarding how to initiate a policy initiation form, please contact the CRIT secretary.

What's New

1. New GAR Administration Messaging

During the November 22, 2007 Coast FRPA Implementation (CRIT) meeting, there was discussion around the issue of Government Actions Regulation (GAR) administrative communications. Based on this discussion, CRIT has developed administration communication recommendations to GAR authorities for the Ministry of Forests and Range, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Agriculture and Lands and Ministry of Tourism, Sport and the Arts within the Coast Forest Region.

2. Post FSP Approval Communications Messaging

At the November 22, 2007 Coast Region FRPA Implementation Team (CRIT) meeting, the topic of post Forest Stewardship Plan (FSP) approval communications was discussed. CRIT acknowledges the importance of maintaining effective and efficient communications with our neighbours and interested parties beyond the FSP approval process. CRIT has endorsed a FSP Communications Message and covering e-mail intended to provide general advice and recommendations on how licensees and government agency staff can manage communications with interested parties during the implementation of a FSP.

3. Membership Changes

After providing strong leadership in helping to shape the CRIT into an effective forum for professionals to deal with forest management planning and practice issues, Doug Meske has stepped down as the CFPA representative CRIT co-chair. During his time as CRIT co-chair, Doug brought a valued sense of practical solutions to the table when dealing with forest management issues.

Staring January 1, 2008 Joe LeBlanc of International Forest Products Ltd became the CFPA representative CRIT co-chair. Joe has been a member of CRIT since it's inception in 2003 and has been effective as a member of the Silviculture Working Group.

The CRIT would like to welcome Cindy Fife of Western Forest Products Inc. as its newest CFPA representative.

For detailed membership contact information, follow the membership link.

 Feedback & Contact Information  

Chuck Rowan, CRIT Secretary
Telephone: (250) 751-7096
Email:chuck.rowan@gov.bc.ca