Volume 1 - Resource Management
Chapter 2 - Silviculture Policy
2.20 - Silviculture Operational Plans Administration
Effective Date: 05-Apr-95
Responsible Branch: Forest Practices Branch
Resource Management Volume
Table of Contents | Amendment Log
Scope
This policy covers:
- the administration and the documentation of the approval, implementation, and amendment
of silviculture prescriptions, backlog silviculture prescriptions, stand management
prescriptions, and 5 year silviculture plans
- the administration of exemptions from silviculture operational plans
Purpose
The Ministry will ensure that silviculture prescriptions, stand management
prescriptions, 5 year silviculture plans, and exemptions from prescriptions are
administered consistently within the Ministry's district offices while allowing for the
flexibility required to meet the local needs of Ministry clients and the public.
Definitions
In this policy:
- "Act" means the Forest Practices Code of British
Columbia Act
- "exemption" means an exemption from some or all of the
requirements for silviculture prescriptions and stand management prescriptions under the
Act and the Regulation
- "silviculture operational plan" means a silviculture
prescription, backlog silviculture prescription, stand management prescription, and 5 year
silviculture plan required by the Act
- "person" means a person required to prepare silviculture
operational plans under the Act and the Regulation
- "Opening File" means a file initiated by a district office
when a silviculture operational plan has been prepared or received by the district office
- "Regulation" means the Operational Planning Regulation
Policy
It is Ministry policy that :
Dating
- silviculture operational plans are dated at specific points during their life cycle,
specifically at preparation, submission, approval, and amendment of the documents
Records Management and Corporate Database
- original approved copies of silviculture operational plans, amendments, and exemptions
are stored under safe conditions, such as fireproof cabinets or secure off-site storage
- a copy of all approved silviculture operational plans, amendments, and other
documentation regarding silviculture operational plans are kept on the relevant file (ORCS
file, Tenure File, or Opening File, if one is created)
- the Ministry's corporate database is updated and maintained concurrent with the
silviculture operational plan approval and amendment process
- when the cutting authority has expired, pertinent documents are duplicated and removed
from Timber Harvesting Files and retained on Opening files or Timber Tenure files for Tree
Farm Licences prior to sending files to semi-active storage or for final disposition
Monitoring
- the administration of silviculture operational plans and exemptions, and records
management processes, are monitored to ensure compliance with this policy and Ministry
procedures
Preliminary Review
- District Managers may accept draft 5 year silviculture plans for Ministry comment prior
to the advertising period
Submission
- a review package containing the submitted silviculture operational plans, amendments, or
exemption request, and other supporting documentation, is prepared and maintained for a
formal review
- routing cards are attached to all review packages identifying all Ministry staff who are
required to review the silviculture operational plan or exemption
- all silviculture operational plans, amendments, or exemption submissions from the
licence holders are recorded in a district log for (1) date of receipt and (2) date of
return of the approved or disapproved silviculture operational plan or exemption
- in consultation with licensees, District Managers may designate periods when
silviculture operational plans, amendments, or exemptions will be reviewed by the Ministry
Review
- a formal review of all silviculture operational plans, amendments, or exemptions is
conducted by the Ministry after submission, and the results of the review are documented
- the formal review includes a checklist assessing compliance with scope and content
requirements of the Act, Regulations, and standards, if any
- documentation of the formal review, including the assessment for compliance with scope
and content requirements of the Act and Regulation, is retained on the appropriate file
upon approval of the silviculture operational plan or exemption
Approval
- notification of approval or disapproval of silviculture operational plan amendments or
exemption submissions is provided to the person in writing
- original approved silviculture operational plans, amendments, or exemptions are retained
by the district office and one duplicate copy forwarded to the person with the approval
notification
- original disapproved silviculture operational plans, amendments, or exemptions are
returned to the person and the reason(s) for disapproval documented in the notification. A
copy of the disapproved plan may be kept at the district office.
Silviculture Prescriptions and Logging Plans
- a silviculture prescription is in effect for an area prior to a logging plan being
approved for a Major Licence, Woodlot Licence, or Timber Sale Licence (Major)
- approved silviculture prescriptions are assessed under sections 37 or 38 of the Act for any required
amendments prior to a logging plan being approved
Amendments
- where a person applies for an amendment to an approved silviculture operational plan,
the amendment procedure is administered in accordance with this policy and Ministry
procedures
- where logging plans are amended, the appropriate silviculture operational plans are
reviewed, and amended if required, prior to implementing the revised logging plans
Exemptions from Silviculture Operational Plans
- where the District Manager has exempted a person or the Crown from the requirement for a
silviculture operational plan under sections 22, 30, 31, or 32 of the Act, the justification
for the exemption is administered and documented in accordance with this policy and
Ministry procedures
Responsibilities
Director, Silviculture Practices Branch:
- to participate in audits assessing compliance with this policy
- to develop and maintain silviculture operational plan and exemption administration
checklists
Director, Resource Tenures and Engineering Branch:
- to participate in audits assessing compliance with this policy
Regional Manager:
- to monitor district compliance with this policy
- to provide training to regional and district staff respecting compliance with this
policy
District Manager:
- to adopt appropriate district procedures for compliance with this policy
References
Silviculture Operational Plan Submission and Approval Procedures |
