Appendix 9. Terms of reference and membership - Wildlife Habitat Area Technical Committee

Committee members

Project manager - Identified Wildlife Management Strategy, Chair

Endangered species specialist - MELP Wildlife Branch

Endangered species/wildlife biologist - MOF Forest Practices Branch

Forest Practices Code specialist - MELP Habitat Protection

One regional fish and wildlife manager - MELP

One regional staff manager - MOF

One regional wildlife/research ecologist - MOF

Representative from the Timber Supply Branch - MOF

Manager, environment and land use - MEM

Terms of reference

1. Co-ordinate with RESs the development of an optimal distribution of WHAs for species that cross regional boundaries.
2. When requested by the RES, provide comments on proposals within the provincial context.
3. Evaluate proposals and provide technical information to the chief forester and deputy minister, Environment, Lands and Parks or designate. Technical information includes assessments for operational feasibility as well as assessments of risks to the species if a WHA is not approved.
4. Consult with technical experts familiar with the biology of the species to determine the appropriateness of some proposed WHAs.
5. Ensure that any proposed WHAs are within the impact limits (including district threshold) placed on Identified Wildlife. This will be accomplished by working with the Timber Supply Branch who will be tracking impacts provincially and regionally.
6. When planning threshold is reached, provide technical information to the chief forester and deputy minister, Environment, Lands and Parks or designate on how to manage the impacts. When the cumulative impacts of established WHAs approach 1%, provide technical information to the chief forester and deputy minister, or designate, on how to manage the overall impacts.
7. Regularly meet with the chief forester and deputy minister, Environment, Lands and Parks or designate to review proposed WHAs.
8. Provide guidance on effectiveness and compliance monitoring for WHAs.

Chair responsibilities

1. Maintain a database of approved/rejected WHAs.
2. Maintain an impact database.
3. Distribute hardcopy maps of approved WHAs to MOF district and regional staff, MEM regional staff and MELP regional staff on a quarterly basis.
4. Maintain official digital copy of approved WHAs. Respond to public requests for digital copies of approved WHAs.
5. Organize regular review sessions with the chief forester and deputy minister, Environment, Lands and Parks or designate.