Forest Management in BC Craig Sutherland, Assistant Deputy Minister April 2017 Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations

FLNRO Areas of Responsibility Mandate: Economic Prosperity and Environmental Sustainability   Front Counter BC Water stewardship and authorizations Crown Lands Major projects Forests stewardship tenures and authorizations Resource roads and infrastructure Aquaculture Biodiversity and Species at Risk Planning and land use issues

Overview of BC Forests 95% is Crown (public) land managed by the provincial government 95 million ha total area 55 million ha or 60% forested 22 million ha available for harvest ~200,000 ha harvested every year

Strategic Management Land Use Plans: Establish protected areas and conservancies Zone for key values Manage biodiversity Define management regime for resource use Establish legal objectives and designations Engagement with First Nations, Stakeholders and the public

Vancouver Island Land Use Plan (VILUP) VILUP is a strategic level plan that established broad zonation, protected areas etc. Values at the landscape and operational level are being actively managed through: Old Growth Management area planning Management for species at risk (protecting habitat for MAMU, NOGO) First Nations values (cultural issue – example GAR order Thunder Mt) Wildlife management (elk management plan completed in 2015) Visual management etc.

Forest Management in BC Forest and Range Practices Act, a professional reliance framework Government sets objectives, licensees set the path Government has the obligation to consult with First Nations Licensees share information with First Nations and carry out public engagement Government issues licenses and permits to harvest and sets the harvest level

Allowable Annual Cut Determination Chief Forester determines an allowable annual cut at least once every 10 years Must consider: sustainable rate of timber production short- and long-term implications of alternative rates of timber harvesting the economic and social objectives of the government abnormal infestations and major salvage programs First Nations consultation land use plans and public input

Source of Volume Volume in cubic metres Provincial allowable annual cut 67 million m3 Coastal allowable annual cut 21.3 million m3 Coastal Crown land allowable annual cut 16.3 million m3 Coastal Private Management Forest Land annual harvest 5 million m3 (approx)

Legislation FRPA Framework 3 Pillars 2 Supports

FRPA Planning Framework Plan Level Plan/ Permit Requirements Operational Forest Stewardship Plan Woodlot Licence Plan Range Plans Advertised for public review & comment Approved by Government Site Level Site Plan Must be prepared Available to public &/or Government Harvest Authority Cutting Permit Road Permit Required prior to logging or road building

FRPA Values Includes old growth

Old Growth Management – Coast Area 55% of forest lands in Coast are managed by crown for economic, environmental and social benefits 7.1 million ha crown managed forest 3.2 million ha or 45% is old forest (250 years or older) 1.8 million ha or >55% is protected Old Growth Management Tools: Parks and protected areas Old growth biodiversity targets for landscape units Old Growth Management Areas (OGMAs) Land Use Objectives and Ministerial orders Wildlife habitat, ungulate winter ranges other reserves

Old Growth Management – Vancouver Island Vancouver Island is 3.28 million ha of which 2.4 million ha is Crown land 860,000 ha or 46% percent of the forest on Crown land is old growth About 520,000 ha or 62% is estimated to be protected

First Nations Consultation Government has a legal duty to consult commensurate with strength of claim (aboriginal rights and title) Decision makers must consider and, where appropriate, accommodate First Nations interests when making decisions on licences, tenures and administrative decisions, First Nations interests include: Wildlife, fish monumental cedar and culturally modified trees medicinal plants sacred sites timber rights and employment access in traditional territory drinking water traditional use (e.g., trapping)

Formal opportunities for Community engagement Government objectives (e.g. Land use planning) Forest stewardship plan approvals Timber Supply Review & Allowable Annual Cut Authorizations (Permits) Additional: Forest certification Licensee-led outreach and collaboration District-led initiatives Province-led initiatives Issues-based responsiveness Provincial Chief Foresters

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