Forest development plan approval process (OPR s18(s))
At the forest development plan (FDP) stage, the only legislative requirement related to green-up is a mapping requirement. For FDPs submitted for approval the FDP map must show the location of cutblocks that have been harvested but are not yet greened-up and that are adjacent to approved category A cutblocks, or cutblocks proposed to achieve category A status if the proposed FDP is approved. This requirement highlights adjacent cutblocks that will need to be assessed for green-up prior to commencement of harvest. If the proponent is unsure of the green-up status of an adjacent cutblock, it should be indicated as not greened-up on the FDP until an assessment proves otherwise.
Green-up as a practice requirement
Section 9(1) of the Timber Harvesting Practices Regulation places responsibility on the proponent to ensure where applicable, that harvesting does not commence until adjacent previously harvested cutblocks are greened-up. When green-up coincides or follows soon after free growing, additional data collected during the free growing survey may suffice to verify green-up requirements have or will be met.
When several years elapse between free growing and green-up, an assessment will be required prior to commencement of harvest. Reconnaissance assessments will be sufficient where it is obvious that green-up requirements have been met. For situations where it is not obvious that green-up requirements have been met, a more detailed assessment following the survey procedures described in Appendix 1 may be required.
Field notes and or survey cards verifying that green-up requirements have been met should be kept on file.
