1 Landscape Unit Planning Guide Training

2 Agenda for the day 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM - opening remarks - introduction - wildlife tree retention - review principles of OGMA delineation - case studies

3 Purpose of training To learn how to use the LUPG to maximize the benefits to biodiversity within the timber supply impact cap –to understand the technical procedures for delineating OGMAs –to review changes to wildlife tree retention calculations and implementation

4 Who is involved in LU planning? lead the process: government (MOF & MELP) contribute information: agencies, industry, ENGOs, others compile information, delineate OGMAs & prepare draft LU objectives: MELP & MOF district planners review & comment: public, tenure-holders, interest groups, First Nations establish objectives: DM & DEO (the SDMs) implement: licensees, Small Business Program

5 Why are we managing for biodiversity? To maintain the diversity of plants, animals and other living organisms in all their forms and levels of organization Maintain ecosystem integrity and function Essential to achieve sustainability of forest resource - significant conservation provisions in the FPC Signatory to the Biodiversity Convention

6 Key principles of biodiversity conservation Maintain biodiversity at a variety of levels that are linked (prov, regional, landscape, stand) Maintain habitat diversity as a surrogate to maintain biodiversity The more managed forests resemble forests created by natural disturbances the higher the likelihood of maintaining native species and ecological processes

7 Why is old growth retention a priority? Old growth ecosystems are becoming scarcer - thus old growth species and ecosystems are most at risk of loss Old growth is the most difficult seral stage to recreate or manage

8 Why is old growth retention a priority? (practical benefits) Certainty regarding operating areas Improve standing timber inventory through elimination of interim measures once OGMAs in place

9 Why is wildlife tree retention a priority? Retention of stand structure is fundamental to maintaining biodiversity Need to have consistent and appropriate landscape unit objectives to ensure a sound legal basis Landscape objectives for WTR reduce stand level only requirements

10 Principles Governing the Development of LUPG Must be focused on elements that are most at risk Must be operationally feasible Must provide the best biological management within the policy limits set by government

11 Approach to maintaining biodiversity in the LUPG To maintain viable, representative old growth forest ecosystems well distributed across their natural range through old growth objectives To maintain important stand structure through WTR objectives

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13 Planning Framework - HLP portion of a plan HLP is only that portion of a plan that must be implemented through operational plans landscape unit plans lu objectives = higher level plan forest development plan other operational plans consistency requirement LRMP regional plan

14 Higher level plans RMZ objective Landscape Unit objective Sensitive Area objective Recreation Sites & Trails objective

15 Function and context of the LUPG Goal of the LUPG is to deliver maximum biodiversity conservation within the Code framework by: –following Chief Forester direction in accordance with legislation –staying within FPC timber supply impact cap (February 1996) –complying with government policy

16 Function and context of the LUPG (cont’d) LUPG consolidates previous direction and is used along with ch 5 HLP: P&P focusing on two priority biodiversity objectives layout management controls

17 Management controls process controls RLUPS & RLUPS review Completion of LU training prior to legal establishment The requirement to comply with the Guide District, Regional and Headquarters working groups Timber Supply review and associated sensitivity analysis

18 Management controls: priority biodiversity Priority biodiversity elements - Must do Old growth retention (OGMAs) Wildlife tree retention (WTR) (see detail in OG & WT Retention sections) Non priority biodiversity and other forest resources - May do – where RMZ HLP directs or through draft objectives

19 Management controls : Managing Timber Supply Impacts Timber supply impacts capped “Rules” based approach Table checks district use of THLB Decision made: 2 priority biodiversity elements “get” the impact budget Other values/attributes can be accommodated in OGMAs but no additional impact budget unless RMZ HLP

Landscape Unit Planning Timelines March 1999 June/July 1999 September 1999  LUPG released  Data workshops delivered  RLUPS review completed

Landscape Unit Planning Timelines Winter 2000 January 2000 to July 2002  Training delivered to staff  Priority objectives established

22 Successful Implementation Depends On Clear understanding of the LUPG – balancing biological considerations within policy framework Partnership and commitment among government, industry and environmental community Willingness to work within management controls