Public Notification: Bulkley and Nadina Smoke Management Plans Sept. 27, 2017 Old Church, Smithers

Purpose of meeting and the purpose of Smoke Management Plans Purpose of meeting: Provide information to the public and answer questions regarding the 2017 Bulkley and Nadina Smoke Management Plans (SMPs). Purpose of Smoke Management Plans (SMPs): Provide guidance for “burn operators” to manage smoke and abate fire hazards in a timely, efficient and effective manner, as well as minimize the negative impacts of smoke on human health and the environment.

Follow-up from last public meeting A Clean Air Forum was held here on Nov. 21, 2016. Representatives from the Ministry of Environment, representatives from and the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations were present (the names of these ministries have since changed), as well as some industry representatives. Among other things, we heard concerns from the public about the burning of slash piles.

Follow-up from last public meeting (continued - 1) Air quality is impacted by road dust and wood smoke. A quick review of different sources of wood smoke: - residential (wood stoves) - agricultural open burning - forest fires (long-range transport) - industrial - point sources/mill emissions - slash pile burning (large & small operations)

Follow-up from last public meeting (continued - 2) We would like to start the discussion by providing information about how slash pile burning is to be conducted under the SMPs, and to differentiate SMPs from the provincial Open Burning Smoke Control Regulation (OBSCR).

Why is slash pile burning done? - To mitigate wildfire risk, since slash can be a fuel source. Under the Wildfire Act and the Wildfire Regulation, there is a requirement to abate fire hazard, and one of the options is to burn the slash. - To clear out cut blocks to allow for the planting of trees. Why do we have to burn slash in the first place? What about better fibre utilization? That’s coming later in the presentation…

OBSCR vs SMP The Open Burning Smoke Control Regulation (OBSCR) contains many environmental provisions, including: - setbacks - prohibited material - venting requirements - smoke release periods - ability to ban new open burning Smoke Management Plans (SMPs) keep all of the OBSCR criteria and go beyond the OBSCR in the following ways:

OBSCR vs SMP (continued – 1) A SMP contains extra provisions to reduce the spread of smoke into communities and to improve communication with the public and stakeholders. OBSCR SMP Use of Best Management Practices (BMP) No Yes Ignition criteria (timing) Public notification Custom Venting Forecast (CVF) required (“spot” forecast) Venting requirements consistent across landscape (broad landscape forecast) Reporting requirements Different venting requirements are substituted for areas with lower smoke sensitivity.

Custom Venting Forecast (CVF) Venting Index (VI) vs. Custom Venting Forecast (CVF) VI (Environment and Climate Change Canada) CVF (FLNR) Generated by computer with limited intervention a meteorologist Issued the morning of the afternoon before Forecast length two days three days Validity (space) one large area site-specific Accompanied by weather and air quality information Cost free minimum rate or AAC Available year-round only in the fall

SMP Best Management Practices piling seasoning progression of the burn season consultation with other users of the land public notification improvements to the Air Quality Advisory subscription service reporting

SMP – Industry is a partner Many burn operators use SMPs, which signals a commitment to best practices and air quality. (The government does not require industry to use SMPs.) If industry were to walk away from SMPs and use only the OBSCR, overall air quality would be worse.

Fibre utilization Increased fibre utilization of forest resources is a long-standing concern of the general public and leaders of forest-dependent communities. Ministry staff are keenly aware of the new administration’s focus on better fibre utilization.

Fibre utilization (continued – 1) Identifying alternatives to burning is part of a Smoke Management Plan. Best Management Practices (BMP) and the Smoke Management Plan (SMP) state: Alternatives to open burning will be limited to situations where it is practical and economically feasible to do so. The amount of waste left on the landbase after harvesting is closely tied to market conditions and the economics of using that fibre. (For example, a pellet plant in Smithers may serve as a receiver of materials located close to town that would otherwise be burned.)

Fibre utilization (continued - 2) To improve fibre utilization, the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development will continue to implement policy and programs to: - Encourage harvesting of wood damaged by mountain pine beetles (MPB) for as long as possible Improve fibre utilization through the wood bioenergy sector Increase use of residual fibre by pellet plants and the pulp and paper sector Maintain competitive access to key markets Enhance timber supply through silviculture investments

Fibre utilization (continued - 3) The Minister of Environment and Climate Change is the lead ministry for evaluating options to expand the carbon tax to cover slash pile burning. Local measures and options are also being evaluated.

Smoke Management Plans: your input A public review is an important part of the process. Please take a copy of the plan home with you, review it and submit your comments. Digital copies will also be made available through the Airshed Management Society (AMS). Input is now being sought for the 2018 debris burning season, since the 2017 debris burning season has already begun. With input from the public, we would like to develop a longer-term SMP (e.g. five years of operations). Up until now, the SMPs have only been valid for one year. You can email your comments to the general Skeena Stikine Natural Resource District mailbox: Forests.SkeenaStikineDistrictOffice@gov.bc.ca

Questions?