Sustainable Forest Management Plan

Transcription

Sustainable Forest Management Plan 2016
Tolko Industries Ltd, High Level Lumber Division
La Crete Sawmills Ltd, La Crete, Alberta
Defined Forest Area:
FMA 0200040
CTQF010001 (within FMA0900044)
CTQP100001 (within FMA0900045)
CTQF1400007
Four (4) Private Land Parcels
October 14, 2016
Tolko Industries Ltd and La Crete Sawmills Ltd are continually exploring ways to improve our
environmental performance and welcomes input from members of the public.
If you would like to provide comments on this SFM Plan or its implementation,
Please feel free to contact:
Tim Gauthier, RPF
Woodlands Manager Forestry
CSA/SFM Coordinator
Tolko Industries Ltd.
High Level Lumber Division
11401 92nd Street
High Level, AB
T0H 1Z0
Phone: (780) 926 8900 (office)
(780) 926-4919 (fax)
Email:
Website:
Prepared By:
Hilary Wait, RPF
Forestry Superintendent
[email protected]
www.highlevelwoodlands.com
Tolko Industries Ltd, HLLD & La Crete Sawmills Ltd
CAN/CSA Z809-08, Sustainable Forest Management Plan
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION.............................................................................................................. 2
1.0
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
1.6
1.7
2.0
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
2.6
2.7
2.8
THE DEFINED FOREST AREA ................................................................................. 3
GEOGRAPHICAL BOUNDARIES............................................................................................3
LANDSCAPE DESCRIPTION ................................................................................................4
NATURAL AREAS WITHIN AND ADJACENT TO THE DFA ............................................................6
LANDBASE SUMMARY ......................................................................................................7
COMMUNITY PROFILE .....................................................................................................8
RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES.........................................................................................8
SHARED RESPONSIBILITIES ..............................................................................................9
THE CSA SFM PLANNING PROCESS ....................................................................11
THE ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM ..................................................................... 11
CSA SFM STANDARD AND THE SFM PROCESS .................................................................... 12
PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT PROCESS ...................................................................................... 14
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SFM PLAN ................................................................................ 15
MONITORING AND REPORTING ........................................................................................ 16
COMMUNICATION ........................................................................................................ 16
CORRECTIVE ACTION.................................................................................................... 17
MANAGEMENT REVIEW.................................................................................................. 17
3.0
VALUES AND OBJECTIVES ..................................................................................18
4.0
INDICATORS AND TARGETS ...............................................................................22
REFERENCES .................................................................................................................55
GLOSSARY OF TERMS ...................................................................................................56
APPENDIX A: SUMMARY OF INDICATORS ..................................................................62
APPENDIX B: LINKAGE – SFM INDICATORS AND PROVINCIAL PLANNING
REQUIREMENTS ...........................................................................................................65
Page 1
INTRODUCTION
In May 2003, Tolko Industries Ltd. (High Level Lumber Division-HLLD) developed and implemented a
Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) Plan as part of certifying its forest management practices under
the CAN/CSA Z809-02 Sustainable Forest Management standard of the Canadian Standards Association
(CSA).
This document is an update of that CSA SFM Plan to meet the requirements in the newest (2008) revision
of the CSA standard, CAN/CSA Z809-08. In addition the forest management practices of La Crete Sawmills
Ltd (LCSM), who is a joint partner with HLLD on FMA 0200040, will be following this SFM Plan. (Where
appropriate in this plan, Tolko and LCSM will be referred to as “the companies”.) The companies have a
business agreement between them whereby all forest management services, except LCSM harvest
operations, are managed by Tolko including Environment Management System and Sustainable Forest
Management programs.
The certification of good forest management practices is a concept that emerged in the late 1980’s
following environmental movements around the world to promote sustainable forest management (SFM).
There are three forest certification programs used in Canada. The companies have chosen to follow the
program developed by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA).
The CSA standard for sustainable forest management (CAN/CSA-Z809) was published in 1996 and revised
in 2002, 2008, and reaffirmed in 2013. A Technical Committee developed and maintains the standard in
an inclusive, consensus-based process. Interests represented on the Committee are balanced, and
include timber producers, other forest users, scientists, academics, environmental groups, consumers,
unions, and Aboriginal people and government regulators.
The CSA SFM standard follows the Canadian Council of Forest Minister’s framework for sustainable forest
management, which in turn, is based on international agreement on the many environmental, economic
and social factors that need to be taken into account when forests are harvested. It also incorporates the
concepts of continual improvement and adaptive management. These concepts are reflected in the
Companies Environmental Policy’s 1 and Detailed Forest Management Plan (DFMP), and they align with
the companies’ commitment to balance all aspects of sustainable forest management.
This SFM Plan for the Defined Forest Area (DFA) identified by the companies is required under the CSA
standard. It outlines values, objectives, indicators, and targets of forest management identified through
the public involvement process, and how the status of the indicators and targets will be reported on. This
SFM Plan, in conjunction with the Detailed Forest Management Plan (DFMP) 2, will assist in guiding the
future management of the DFA.
1
To view the Environmental Policy for Tolko Industries Ltd. (High Level Lumber Division) and La Crete Sawmills Ltd, please visit
www.highlevelwoodlands.com
2 DFMP applies to FMA0200040 that is within the Defined Forest Area.
Page 2
1.0
THE DEFINED FOREST AREA
1.1
Geographical Boundaries
The Defined Forest Area (DFA) to which this Plan applies is the yellow area shown in Figure 1. It
encompasses a gross area of approximately 3.5 million hectares and includes:
- The Forest Management Agreement (FMA) area (FMA0200040) managed by Tolko Industries Ltd.
High Level Lumber Division (HLLD), Norbord and La Crete Sawmills Ltd,
- Operations under quota CTQF010001 within Forest Management Unit (FMU) P21 (FMA0900044,
Daishowa-Marubeni International Ltd),
- Operations under quota CTQP100001 within Forest Management Unit (FMU) P19 (FMA0900045,
Daishowa-Marubeni International Ltd),
- Operations under quota CTQF140007 within Forest Management Unit (FMU) F14 (Government of
Alberta)
- Four parcels of land purchased by Tolko Industries Ltd. in 2000 and 2002.
Figure 1. The Defined Forest Area (DFA)
Page 3
The DFA area is bounded:
- To the west, by the British Columbia-Alberta border.
- To the north, by the Northwest Territories-Alberta border and the southern boundaries of Forest
Management Units F10 and F20.
- To the east, by Forest Management Unit F23, currently under tenure by the Little Red River Cree
Nation / Askee Development Corporation, and
- To the south, by Forest Management Units P8, P20, F11, FO1, P5 and S15.
1.2 Landscape Description
The DFA falls predominately within the Boreal Forest Natural Region (See Figure 2.) 3. With the exception
of the Peace River Lowlands Sub-Region, all the Sub-Regions within the Boreal Forest Region are included
within the DFA. These are the Boreal Subarctic, Central Mixedwood, Dry Mixedwood, Lower Boreal
Highlands, Northern Mixedwood (formerly called "Wetland Mixedwood"), and Upper Boreal Highlands
Sub-Regions.
The vegetation of the Central and Dry Mixedwood sub-regions is quite similar with many community
types in common. However they differ in the proportion of various vegetation types and other landscape
features. Aspen, white spruce, and sometimes balsam fir in areas not frequently exposed to fire are the
characteristic forest species occurring in both pure and mixed stands. Both balsam poplar and paper birch
may occur in these forests as well.
The vegetation of the Boreal Highlands (Upper and Lower) Sub-Regions is similar to that of the Central
Mixedwood Sub-Region where mixedwood forests of aspen and white spruce are characteristic. However
with the somewhat moister conditions, greater amounts of balsam poplar and white spruce are expected.
Black spruce may also occur more frequently on upland sites and coniferous forests occupy a larger
proportion of the landscape. Dry, sandy upland sites are typically occupied by jack pine.
Black spruce stands are the dominant forest type in the Sub-Arctic Sub-Region, although lodgepole pine,
jack pine, white spruce, and aspen occur on well-drained sites. The majority of this sub-region is
dominated by poorly drained black spruce bogs where permafrost is found within 50 cm of the soil
surface.
The Northern Mixedwood Sub-Region appears quite similar to that of the Central Mixedwood Sub-Region,
although little is known about these areas. Generally, the landscape here contains a greater proportion of
wetlands (both peatlands and willow-sedge complexes on mineral soil) and more upland black spruce
forest than the Central Mixedwood Sub-Region. This perhaps reflects the cooler climate and higher
moisture. Black spruce, tamarack, and mature white spruce-balsam poplar forests, similar to those along
the Lower Peace Rivers, occur on fluvial terraces along the lower Hay River.
3 The Natural Sub-Region information presented was taken from the "2005 Natural Regions and Sub-Regions of Alberta" (Updated
June 10, 2005)
Page 4
Figure 2. Natural Sub-Regions within the Defined Forest area (DFA).
Page 5
1.3
Natural Areas Within and Adjacent to the DFA
Hay-Zama Lakes Wildland Park
The Hay-Zama Wildland Park is included within the F14 FMU. The park encompasses 48,600 hectares and
contains a series of eutrophic lakes, floodplains, and river deltas. It has been identified as a RAMSAR site
(a wetland of international importance) because of its importance for migrating waterfowl.
Caribou Mountains Wildland Park
The Caribou Mountains Wildland Park encompasses 6,385 km2 along the northeastern boundary of the
DFA and is included in the F10 FMU.
Much of this area captures the core of the Caribou Mountain ecosystem so that many of the ecological
features such as wetlands, peat bogs, and permafrost areas, and the species that require them, will be
sustained over time.
Watt Mountain Natural Area
The Watt Mountain Natural Area (WMNA) is a 953 ha Natural Area located approximately 30 kilometers
northwest of the community of High Level. The area was identified as a potential natural area in 1983. In
1989 the Alberta Forest Service identified the site as a “Natural Area” and placed a Protective Notation
(PNT) on it to ensure no industrial development in the future. (Source: Watt Mountain Natural Area:
Proposal, unpublished).
The WMNA has high recreational and ecological value. It contains a distinctive ecosystem with rare
species assemblages for the region. The area is also known to have Mountain Ash, a rare tree species in
the area.
Ponton River Natural Area
The Ponton River Natural Area is 1,569.74 ha in size and is located east of the community of High Level.
This Natural Area encompasses the Ponton River corridor, supports several fish species and provides
excellent wildlife habitat. It is also rich in fossils and is frequented by outdoor recreational groups for
hunting, fishing, canoeing, and hiking.
Caribou River Natural Area
The Caribou River Natural Area is 687.97 ha in size and is also located east of the community of High
Level.
Similar to the Ponton Natural Area, it supports several fish species and provides excellent wildlife habitat
that includes a migration corridor between the Peace River and Caribou Mountains. The area also
provides a diversity of community types, including remnant grassland of Peace River Parkland, a rare
feature for the region. Outdoor recreational groups also use the area frequently for hunting, fishing,
canoeing, and hiking.
Hot Pot
The Hot Pot site is a unique 65 ha site located approximately 80 km north of High Level.
A burning flame located within the site is believed to be methane or “swamp gas” potentially caused by
rotting subterranean organic matter. It burns continuously throughout the year.
Page 6
Burning Sulfur
The Burning Sulfur site is approximately 130 ha in size and is located along the northern bank of the
Muddy River valley in the southeastern portion of the DFA. The site is primarily non-vegetated and
includes several sulfur seeps which burn continuously through the seasons.
Other Sites of Ecological Significance
There are other areas of ecological significance in the region, in addition to the Natural Areas located
within or adjacent to the boundaries of the DFA. These include Harper Creek, Child Lake Meadows, Boyer
Natural Area, and Wood Buffalo National Park.
1.4
Landbase Summary
In the Alberta Forest Management Planning Standard (2006) when defining a landbase there is a
requirement to distinguish between contributing and non-contributing landbase, “The net landbase (also
referred to as active or contributing) is the landbase available for timber harvest and comprises the net
productive coniferous and net productive deciduous land bases. The remaining lands are those that are
not part of the net productive coniferous or deciduous land bases (passive or non-contributing)”.
Features that are to be identified as non-contributing are areas such as, non-forested land, existing parks,
wilderness areas, conservation areas and other protected areas, Crown land committed to other land uses
and under other dispositions, inoperable areas due to slope and elevation constraints, riparian features
and associated buffers, and subjective deletions considered by the forest company. The net landbase
determines the location where forest harvest activities could occur and the annual allowable cuts. Table
1 shows an example of a landbase summary for the FMA 0200040 portion of the DFA. The summaries for
FMU’s P19 and P21 were completed by DMI and are included in their most recent DFMP, and the
summary for F14 is not available as that is the responsibility of Alberta.
Table 1. Landbase Summary of FMA 0200040 within the Defined Forest Area (DFA)
Landbase Category
Gross Area
♦ Water
♦ Landuse Dispositions (DRS, PNT, ISP, REC, Natural Area
Watercourse Buffers
♦ Trumpeter Swan Buffers (200 m)
♦ Lake Buffers (100 m)
♦ River Buffers (60 m)
♦ Stream Buffers (30 m)
Non-Forested
♦ Anthropogenic
♦ Natural
Non-merchantable
♦ TPR = “U”
♦ Black Spruce with TPR = “F”
♦ Larch Leading
♦ Black Spruce Leading with ≥20% Larch in Overstorey
Potentially Productive
♦ Non-Salvageable Burns
♦ Post-1990 pre-fire cutblock
♦ Pre-91 Survey Naturally Non-Forested
♦ No AVI
Net Productive Area
FMA 0200040 Area (ha)
3,561,606
43,665
10,474
1,442
35,743
18,662
65,792
27,854
632,802
649,550
153,819
36,670
22,445
26,582
640
205
2,574
1,832,686
Page 7
1.5
Community Profile
The DFA lies within or adjacent to the Municipal District of Mackenzie and includes the communities of
Rainbow Lake, High Level, Zama City, Rocky Lane, Fort Vermilion, and La Crete.
There are also a number of First Nation communities within and adjacent to the DFA. The North Peace
Tribal Council (NPTC) includes the Dene Tha First Nation (Meander River, Assumption, and Bushe River),
Little Red River Cree Nation (John D’Or Prairie, Fox Lake, and Garden River), Beaver First Nation (Boyer
River and Child Lake), Tall Cree First Nation (North/South Tall Cree), and the Lubicon Lake First Nation.
The companies also consult with the Peerless Trout First Nation. All of the aforementioned Nations are
included in the Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta, and the DFA is fully within the Treat 8 boundaries as
signed between signatory Nations and the Government of Canada in 1899.
“The elements of Treaty 8 included provisions to maintain livelihood for the native populations in this
840,000 square kilometres (84,000,000 ha) region, such as entitlements to land, ongoing financial
support, annual shipments of hunting supplies, and hunting rights on ceded lands, unless those ceded
lands were used for forestry, mining, settlement or other purposes” (Wikipedia, Treaty 8).
The Paddle Prairie Métis Settlement also lies adjacent to the DFA.
1.6
Rights and Responsibilities
Tenure Holders
The Forest Management Agreement (FMA) gives the companies the right to establish, grow, harvest, and
remove all coniferous timber on a perpetual sustained yield basis (Sec. 7(1)(a)(i), FMA0200040). The
Alberta Government must approve all forest management plans and activities. Timber quotas (CTQ), like
what Tolko holds in FMU’s F14, P21 and P19, are a renewable forest tenure that last for 20 years and
allows the holder an AAC from a specific area.
The FMA document (Sec. 7(1)(a)(i) identifies the allocation to Tolko shall be 87% of the coniferous timber
volume and the allocation to La Crete Sawmills shall be 13% of the coniferous timber volume.
In the FMA document the Minister of Forestry and Agriculture reserves all land rights and requires that
the company integrate and coordinate the management of the FMA area with other licensees and
permittees operating in the area (Sec. 13(2), FMA0200040).
There are four additional volume-based Deciduous Timber Allocation (DTA) holders within the Tolko,
Norboard and LCSM FMA portion of the DFA. They are:
-
Mustus Energy (DTAF260001, 118,288 m3/year), (DTAF260002, 118,288m3/year)
Netaskinan Development Corporation Ltd (DTAF260004, 50,000m3/yr), (DTAF260003, 30,000m3/yr)
N’Deh Limited Partnership (DTAF250001, 2,230m3/yr)
Daishowa-Marubeni International Ltd (DTAF260006, 179,839m3/yr)
These DTA holders are not required to comply with applicable EMS or CSA requirements that the
companies have in place.
Industrial Users
Although the companies have the right to establish, grow, harvest, and remove coniferous timber (Sec.
7(1)(a)(i), FMA0200040), the province of Alberta may withdraw land(s) from the Forest Management Area
portion of the DFA for a variety of purposes as outlined in Sec. 6(1) of the FMA agreement.
Page 8
A significant amount of land is withdrawn annually for commercial and industrial purposes, most notably,
the oil and gas sector. The oil and gas industry has been very active on the FMA portion of the DFA for at
least a decade. Traditionally, activity has been focused near the towns of Rainbow Lake and Zama City.
However, an increasing amount of concentrated activity has been occurring in the northern portion of the
FMA area, mainly in the Steen River area and stretching north to Indian Cabins.
Minimal oil and gas activity has taken place around the communities of Fort Vermilion and La Crete in the
eastern sections of the DFA.
Trappers
Trapping continues to be a source of revenue for many Albertans. There are approximately 164
Registered Fur Management Areas (RFMA’s) that lie within or overlap portions of the DFA.
A RFMA is a parcel of public land allocated to a Registered Fur Management License holder by the Alberta
Government.
Domestic Grazing Licenses
Similar to the Province of Alberta’s right to withdrawal land(s) from the FMA portion of the DFA for
commercial and/or industrial purposes, Section 8 (1)(d) of FMA0200040 indicates that the crown has the
right to authorize domestic grazing and allocate grazing licenses on or adjacent to the FMA area.
Within the FMA portion of the DFA, there is only a single grazing licensee located east of the community
of High Level.
1.7
Shared Responsibilities
Tolko Woodlands Staff
Tolko is responsible for the companies’ forest management planning within the DFA. This includes:
On the FMA:
o Conducting all planning and silvicultural operations in accordance with applicable laws and
regulations, business agreements, the approved Preferred Forest Management Strategy
(PFMS) outlined in the Detailed Forest Management Plan (DFMP).
o Developing and implementing an approved General Development Plan (GDP), Annual
Operating Plan(s) (AOP), and individual Forest Harvest Plans. These plans outline wood
supply forecasts, harvest locations, access development, and specific strategies to address
fish, wildlife, watershed, and forest health concerns.
On the quotas:
o Developing and implementing an approved General Development Plan (GDP), Annual
Operating Plan(s) (AOP), and individual Forest Harvest Plans. These plans outline wood
supply forecasts, harvest locations, access development, and specific strategies to address
fish, wildlife, watershed, and forest health concerns.
Across the DFA:
o Following the strategies and targets included in this SFM Plan.
o Developing and implementing monitoring programs and reporting progress towards
achieving sustainability for the DFA. Monitoring programs and reports are developed
according to Alberta Government requirements and any additional operational procedures
required in the Environmental Management System (EMS) and/or Sustainable Forest
Management (SFM) initiatives.
Tolko is responsible for all phases of its own harvesting operations that includes, and is not limited to,
roads, felling, skidding, processing, load & haul, any reclamation activities and pile burning.
Page 9
La Crete Sawmills Woodlands Staff
La Crete Sawmills Woodlands Staff responsibility on the DFA is to manage its own harvesting operations
that includes, and is not limited to, roads, felling, skidding, delimbing/processing, load & haul, any
reclamation activities, and pile burning.
The responsibilities of LCSM staff may only be expanded through an amendment to the Tenure
Management Services Agreement.
Company Contractors
The companies’ contractors and suppliers whose work may create a significant environmental impact
must be aware and understand the requirements of the EMS that apply to their activities. This includes
operational controls, applicable laws and regulations, Alberta Government approval conditions, Standard
Operating Procedures (SOP’s), and other requirements as outlined in the contract(s).
Contractors must also comply with any additional condition(s) or requirements outlined in this SFM Plan.
Tenure Holders and Embedded Operators
Each of the other tenure holders and embedded operators identified above in Section 1.6 under “Tenure
Holders” must:
Conduct their operations on the DFA in a manner that is consistent with all applicable laws and
regulations and the conditions outlined in their respective DTA’s.
Comply with the objectives and strategies in the Detailed Forest Management Plan (DFMP)
The Alberta Government
Although monitoring and reporting of the activities and the performance of the embedded operators is
the responsibility of the Alberta Government, most of the performance indicators and targets reported on
by the companies in the DFMP Stewardship Report will include the activities of the other operators. The
annual SFM Performance Report will only be focused on the activities of Tolko Industries Ltd and La Crete
Sawmills Ltd.
Government of Alberta - Minister of Forestry and Agriculture
The role of the Alberta Government in the DFA is that which is referenced within the FMA 0200040
document, the quota certificates, Acts & Regulations, Policies, Guidelines and Standards applicable to the
DFA. In particular in the FMA 0200040 document, Section 8(1), the Minister of Forestry and Agriculture
recognizes “…the Companies use of the forest management area for establishing, growing, harvesting and
removing timber is to be the primary use thereof and that it is to be protected therein in keeping with the
principles of sustainable forest management” (secondary uses are recreation, geophysical exploration,
enhancing forest resources, trapping and grazing).
Representatives from Alberta Government also participate in the public involvement process as suggested
by the CSA SFM standard, as outlined in the Public Advisory Group (PAG) Terms of Reference (ToR)
document (See Appendix A). Alberta Government representatives attend PAG meetings as guests, and
contribute pertinent information such as legal requirements and SFM related topics.
High Level Forests Public Advisory Group (PAG)
The High Level Forests Public Advisory Group (PAG), formed as part of the companies Public Involvement
Plan, is open to all members of the public including Aboriginal people. The companies recognize the
Aboriginal and treaty rights of local First Nations, and these rights will not be prejudiced by taking part in
the company’s public involvement program or being involved in the Public Advisory Group. The
responsibility of the PAG is stated within the goals, as outlined in the group’s Terms of Reference (see
Appendix A) are:
Page 10
1.
2.
To obtain constructive community input, advice and recommendations to ensure all local interests
are effectively involved in forest management planning;
To work with the Companies to develop and maintain a CSA SFM Plan in accordance with CSA
guidelines, as follows:
Identify and select values, objectives, indicators and targets, based on SFM elements and any
other issues of relevance to the Defined Forest Area (DFA). These must be consistent with
relevant government legislation, regulations, and policies;
Develop one or more possible strategies;
Assess and select one or more strategies;
Review the SFM plan;
Design monitoring programs, evaluate results, and recommend improvements; and
Discuss and resolve any issues relevant to SFM in the DFA.
2.0
THE CSA SFM PLANNING PROCESS
2.1
The Environmental Management System
Tolko maintains 4 an ISO14001:2004 conformant Environmental Management System (EMS) to improve
environmental performance on the DFA. The system for continual improvement of environmental
performance involves following a continuum of establishing a policy, planning, implementation and
operation, checking, taking corrective action, and holding management reviews.
Following the implementation of the company’s Environmental Policy through a variety of planning
processes, Tolko identified and prioritized the environmental aspects of its activities, then established
objectives and targets to address them. Programs and operational controls were subsequently developed
to meet those objectives and targets, consistent with the Environmental Policy, Forest Management
Principles on the DFA, and legal obligations.
The EMS Manual provides direction on the overall functioning of the EMS and outlines specific processes
and procedures for education and training, internal and external communication and reporting, document
control, and emergency preparedness and response. It also identifies the need for an EMS Champion who
is responsible for managing and administering the EMS in accordance with the ISO14001:2004 standard.
Other roles and responsibilities are also outlined in the EMS Manual and other related documents. In
addition to specific roles for the implementation and operation of the EMS, all employees, contractors,
and suppliers must be aware of:
-
The importance of conforming to the Environmental Policy and the requirements of the EMS,
Significant environmental aspects and impacts associated with their work activities and the
environmental benefits of improved performance,
Roles and responsibilities in conforming with the Environmental Policy with the EMS procedures and,
The potential consequences of departing from EMS procedures.
Checking and Corrective Action is also a significant component of the EMS process. Through monitoring
Tolko evaluates the effectiveness of operational controls and identifies potential improvements to the
EMS. Formal and informal audits are used to assess compliance with the EMS criteria and legal
obligations.
4
Tolko Industries Ltd. (High Level Lumber Division) implemented its Environmental Management System (EMS) on
January 1 2003. LCSM utilizes the EMS Tolko has in place.
Page 11
The Management Review is a general review of the EMS, other pertinent forestry commitments, and
progress against established targets (goals). It is used to identify any changes needed to ensure continual
improvement and enhanced environmental performance.
2.2
CSA SFM Standard and the SFM Process
The CSA Z809-08 Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) standard sets the level of performance to be met
using a prescribed management system that conforms to the ISO 14001 Environmental Management
Standard. The Environmental Management System discussed above is therefore an essential part of
meeting the CSA SFM requirements.
Other system requirements of the CSA SFM standard have been met by identifying the Defined Forest
Area (DFA), the rights and shared responsibilities associated with its management, supporting a public
participation process, and developing this Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) Plan.
Similar to the coordination of Environmental Management System (EMS) activities, the companies have
identified an SFM Coordinator to implement the Public Involvement Plan, develop the SFM Plan, and
manage, implement, and report on the status of the SFM requirements.
Sustainable Forest Management Criteria and Elements
The CSA SFM standard ensures that the six Criteria for Sustainable Forest Management identified by the
Canadian Council of Forest Ministers (CCFM) are addressed. Since these Criteria represent very broad
aspects of SFM, each one is further broken down into Elements. The Criteria and their associated
Elements are:
Criterion 1 - Biological Diversity
Element 1.1 Ecosystem Diversity
Element 1.2 Species Diversity
Element 1.3 Genetic Diversity
Element 1.4 Protected Areas and Sites of Special Biological and Cultural Significance
Criterion 2 - Forest Ecosystem Condition and Productivity
Element 2.1 Forest Ecosystem Resilience
Element 2.2 Forest Ecosystem Productivity
Criterion 3 - Soil and Water
Element 3.1 Soil Quality and Quantity
Element 3.2 Water Quality and Quantity
Criterion 4 - Role in Global Ecological Cycles
Element 4.1 Carbon Uptake and Storage
Element 4.2 Forest Land Conversion
Criterion 5 – Economic and Social Benefits
Element 5.1 Timber and Non-Timber Benefits
Element 5.2 Communities and Sustainability
Criterion 6 - Society’s Responsibility
Element 6.1 Aboriginal and Treaty Rights
Element 6.2 Respect for Aboriginal Forest Values, Knowledge, and Uses
Page 12
Element 6.3 Forest Community Well-being and Resilience
Element 6.4 Fair and Effective Decision-making
Element 6.5 Information for Decision-making
Core (mandatory) and locally identified Indicators are then established under each Element, and Targets
(local-level performance requirements) set for each Indicator. This is done with the involvement of the
public, through the companies’ Public Involvement Process.
Links to Other Planning Processes
Provincial Forest Management Planning
The forest management planning process mandated by the Province of Alberta for forest tenure holders is
based on the requirements of the 2002 version of the CSA Z809 SFM standard, and therefore aligned with
the Canadian Council of Forest Ministers (CCFM) Criteria and Indicators for sustainable forest
management. The key documents resulting from the provincial planning process are landscape level
Detailed Forest Management Plans (DFMPs) and Operational Plans (General Development Plans, Forest
Harvest Plans, and Annual Operating Plans). This SFM Plan complies with all provincial and federal
legislation, and partially as a result of the shared alignment with the CCFM criteria and indicators, is
consistent with the objectives and strategies outlined in the Detailed Forest Management Plans for
FMA0200040, and FMA0900044 & FMA0900045 (DMI). The timber supply analysis for FMU F14 is
managed by Alberta, operational plans are completed by quota holders, and the Upper Hay Regional
Operating Ground Rules are used.
The table shown in Appendix D shows the linkage between the CSA SFM Indicators and regulatory
obligations under the DFMP, Operational Plans, Silviculture Plans, Caribou Protection & Ungulate Winter
Range Plan, Operational Controls, and the Operating Ground Rules (Upper Hay Region, and FMA
Operating Ground Rules – DMI).
Public Involvement
During the development of the 2003 Detailed Forest Management Plan (DFMP) for FMA0200040, a
comprehensive Public Involvement Plan (PIP) was developed and implemented. The companies maintain
that public involvement process today for both the provincial forest management processes and the CSA
SFM Plan process. The Values, Indicators, Objectives and Targets in this SFM Plan were developed with
public input.
The Companies’ Corporate Direction and Commitments
The CSA Criteria and Elements also align well with the companies’ philosophy of developing resource
management plans that are ecologically suitable, economically feasible, and socially acceptable. The
fundamental system elements in the CSA SFM standard also fit with the companies’ ISO 14001 certified
Environmental Management System and commitment to adaptive management and continual
improvement.
CSA-SFM Performance Requirements
DFA-specific Values, Objectives, Indicators and Targets (VOITs) for each CSA Element in this SFM Plan have
been identified using the public involvement process. These terms are defined in the CSA SFM standard
as follows:
Value:
Objective:
Indicator:
a DFA characteristic, component, or quality considered by an interested party to be
important in relation to a CSA SFM element or other locally identified element.
a broad statement describing a desired future state or condition of a value.
a variable that measures or describes the state or condition of a value.
Page 13
Target:
a specific statement describing a desired future state or condition of an indicator. Note:
Targets should be clearly defined, time-limited and quantified, if possible.
The standard prescribes a set of “core” Indicators, and other local Indicators were identified through
public input.
Targets for each indicator have been established and where applicable, acceptable variances have been
applied. The acceptable variance was set taking into account regulations, agreements, commitments
made in the DFMP, and status of the implementation of the indicator. Forecasts predicting the results
under each indicator and target were also made.
2.3
Public Involvement Process
The companies provide a variety of public involvement initiatives to meet the needs of those individuals
interested in participating in the process of developing the CSA SFM plan.
Invitation to Participate
Following a period of inactivity in meetings of the public involvement process the companies sent a letter
to 21 stakeholders on November 29, 2010 inviting them to be involved in the Public Advisory Process.
In March of 2012, 51 letters were sent out inviting a broad range of industrial and non-industrial
stakeholders and Aboriginal groups to participate in revising this SFM Plan and the Public Advisory Group.
The letters explained the CSA certification process and to the need to identify local-level Values,
Objectives, Indicators, and Targets for the future management of the DFA. Stakeholders were asked to
indicate if a) choose to participate, b) choose not to participate, or c) would like to participate but
currently unable to, then return the letter. Stakeholders were advised that if a response was not received
then it is assumed the stakeholder chooses not to participate. Some responses were received including
the Little Red River Cree Nation indicating an interest to participate in the PAG process.
Public Advisory Group Meetings
The High Level Public Advisory Group (PAG) originally established for the development of the 2003 CSA
SFM Plan, also played a key role in the development of this SFM Plan by:
Covering all of the mandatory discussion items. The discussion within the PAG started with reviewing
all of the items covered during meetings from 2003 to April 2012 to determine if mandatory items
were already discussed in some manner. A table has been prepared noting the date that topics were
discussed (as documented in meeting minutes), and any outcome affecting the DFMP or SFMP.
Discussing and ratifying changes to the local-level forest Values, Objectives, Indicators, and Targets as
a result of transitioning to the newest, 2008 version of the CSA SFM standard.
Updating the Terms of Reference for the group. (See Appendix A)
The PAG Terms of Reference aligns with the public advisory requirements in Clause 5 of the CSA SFM
standard. It contains components that the group has confirmed are of interest and has agreed to. These
components are:
-
Goals;
Operating guidelines (including authority for decisions);
Timelines;
Roles, responsibilities, and obligations of participants and their organizations (including the
participation of experts, other interests, and government);
Page 14
-
Resolving items of discussion;
Consensus building process (decision making methods);
Conflict of interest;
Information and communication (internal and external);
Resources;
Mechanisms to adjust the process as needed; and
Measuring participants’ satisfaction with the process.
When there are issues or concerns brought forward by PAG members that cannot be resolved without
conflicting with the goals, objectives and strategies outlined in the DFMP, those issues are recorded for
consideration during the development of the next DFMP.
Open Houses
An Open House was held in High Level September 17, 2012. Advertisements for the Open Houses were
posted in the Echo and Pioneer (local papers) on September 5th and 12th.
The purpose of the Open House was to get feedback on the proposed Indicators and Targets under each
Criterion in this SFM Plan, and to provide the public with information related to CSA certification. People
who attended could provide their contact information as well as indicate their desired level of
participation in the process.
The companies also had an information booth and display at the Get to Know You Night in La Crete on
September 14 and at the Community Night in Rainbow Lake on September 26. Again, both of these
events allowed the companies to showcase proposed Indicators and Targets under each Criterion in the
SFM Plan. These events were well attended and the companies’ booth was busy with interest.
Additional Consultations with Aboriginal Communities
Local Aboriginal communities that could potentially be affected by CSA SFM Plan were invited to
participate in the PAG, and the opportunity for community meetings was also available on request. As a
follow up to an expressed interest from the Beaver First Nation, a meeting was held with Randy Hellwig
(Consultation Manager) on September 18th to discuss Indicators and Targets related to Criterion 5 and 6
on Aboriginal interests, communities and sustainability. All other Aboriginal nations were invited to
participate in the process by way of the letters to stakeholders in March 2012. As a follow-up to all
Nations, the revised SFM Plan and Public Involvement Plan will be sent to them.
Internal Communications
The companies’ Woodlands and Administration staff were also given the opportunity to provide input into
the SFM Plan and the identification of local-level Values, Objectives, Indicators, and Targets.
External Communications
Tolko has established a website (www.highlevelwoodlands.com) dedicated to transparency and
information distribution. Upcoming events, meeting agendas and minutes, forest management plans, and
the companies’ CSA SFM Plan and annual progress reports are posted on the site. Input about any aspect
of the SFM Plan and planning process is encouraged. Contact information for the CSA Coordinator is
available on the website and on the inside cover of this document.
2.4
Implementation of the SFM Plan
All staff and contractors are made aware of the SFM requirements and how those requirements will be
implemented on the DFA. This includes being aware of the processes, procedures, and operational
Page 15
controls outlined in the EMS followed by the companies, the SFM Policy, the requirements and benefits of
SFM, and individual roles and responsibilities in achieving SFM for the DFA.
Training requirements are identified to ensure staff and contractors have the necessary skills to achieve
SFM.
2.5
Monitoring and Reporting
Consistent with Tolko’s ISO14001 compliant Environmental Management System (EMS), the Companies
will monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the SFM requirements against targets and give all staff and
contractors an opportunity to provide input into their review.
Specific monitoring and reporting mechanisms are identified for each indicator in this SFM Plan and will
include one or more of the following:
Annual SFM Performance Report
An SFM Performance Report on the status of the Indicators, and Targets in this SFM Plan will be written
annually. This report will be reviewed with the PAG and made available to the public on the website
www.highlevelwoodlands.com .
DFMP Stewardship Report
A Stewardship Report on implementing the DFMP for the FMA portion of the DFA will also be written
every five years, as outlined in the Alberta Forest Management Planning Standard (2006) document. This
report will account for all activities carried out under the DFMP and report on the goals, objectives,
strategies, and targets outlined in it.
To date there has not been a DFMP Stewardship Report. Following the curtailment of Footner Forest
Products Ltd (now Norbord) in 2008, Alberta Government agreed to suspend requirement of a
Stewardship Report until such time as Ainsworth was operating.
Audits
During planning, harvesting, and/or silvicultural operations, the companies complete regular audits on
operational controls, processes, procedures, and practices consistent with the companies’ ISO14001:2004
compliant Environmental Management System (EMS).
The EMS also outlines procedures for internal audits which are to be completed annually to ensure that
operational planning and practices conform to the SFM requirements outlined in the CSA Z809-08
certification standard. The results of these internal audits will be made available to the companies’
management and reviewed according to procedures outlined in the EMS.
Independent third-party audits on the companies’ performance against the CSA SFM requirements are
also carried out in order to become certified as meeting the CSA SFM standard. These certification and
surveillance audits are carried out by qualified and accredited certifiers. A detailed internal report and
public summary are provided. Tolko received certification to the CSA Z809:02 standards in November
2004.
2.6
Communication
Internal Communication
All Tolko Woodlands staff has access to Corporate and/or Divisional Policies and Procedures through the
Company’s Intranet, Environmental Management System (EMS), and through the EMS Training Website &
Portal (www.highlevelems.com ). This includes access to the Environmental Policy, Forest Management
Page 16
Principles, and other policies, procedures, and emergency response plans. La Crete Sawmills employees
have access to Tolko’s EMS and the training website.
Minutes from staff meetings and meetings with stakeholders and Aboriginals are available in the
communication module of the EMS, and more recent communications are on the companies Consultation
Tracker.
External Communication
The Environmental Policy and Forest Management Principles are available publicly at various locations
(www.tolko.com , www.highlevelwoodlands.com , & www.highlevelems.com). The distribution of other
information pertinent to the EMS is outlined in a specific policy. The SFM Plan, annual SFM Performance
Reports, and audit summaries are also publicly available on the www.highlevelwoodlands.com website.
All communications with external parties are documented through the Communications Module in the
Company’s EMS, and more recent communications are on the companies Consultation Tracker. People
directly related to the subject are notified following its documentation in the system. The EMS also
includes a CSA-SFM Module which outlines the various public involvement initiatives and the input
provided into the development of forest management planning and/or operations.
2.7
Corrective Action
The companies have developed EMS procedures for identifying potential improvements to the system
and responding to non-conformances to the SFM performance measures.
If non-conformances are identified during the monitoring and evaluation of the SFM indicators and
targets, or if improvements to processes, procedures, or policies are identified by staff, contractors, or
suppliers, corrective action plan(s) (CAP’s) may be developed. These CAP’s will be developed by the
appropriate staff member and communicated to all staff, contractors or suppliers according to the
procedures outlined in the Companies’ EMS.
2.8
Management Review
An annual Management Review is part of the continual improvement loop in the EMS to ensure that
progress towards achieving sustainable forest management (SFM) on the DFA continues. This review
includes progress against SFM requirements and achieving the Targets that have been established. It also
is used to identify potential changes to the SFM Plan in light of regulatory changes, research, knowledge,
changing circumstances, changing public values, or the CSA-Z809 standard itself.
Page 17
3.0
Values and Objectives
This section summarizes the Values and Objectives for each of the CSA defined Elements, as established in
conjunction with the PAG. The core and locally-developed Indicators that have been developed to meet
these Values and Objectives are also shown here, then described in detail in the next section.
Criterion 1: Biological Diversity
Conserve biological diversity by maintaining integrity, function, and diversity of living organisms and the complexes of
which they are part.
Element
Description of Local
Description of
Indicators
Values
Objectives
1.1: Ecosystem Diversity Healthy, functioning
Incorporate natural
1.1.1 Ecosystem Area
Conserve ecosystem diversity at
ecosystems that
processes into stand
1.1.2 Forest Type
the stand and landscape levels by
support natural
and landscape
1.1.3 Forest Age
maintaining the variety of
processes.
management of the
1.1.4 Within-stand Structural
communities and ecosystems that
DFA.
Retention
naturally occur in the DFA.
3.1.2 Downed Woody Debris
Element 1.2: Species Diversity
Wildlife habitat and
Manage the DFA to
1.2.1 Habitat Protection
Diversity - By ensuring that
species diversity.
maintain wildlife
1.2.2 Available Habitat
habitats for the native species
habitat and native
1.2.3 Regeneration of Native
found in the DFA are maintained
species diversity.
Species
through time, including habitats
for known occurrences of species
at risk.
Retention
Element 1.3: Genetic Diversity Genetic diversity of
Maintain genetic
1.3.1 Orchard Stock (Local
Conserve genetic diversity by
native tree species
diversity by ensuring
Indicator)
maintaining the variation of genes
that cutblocks are
1.3.2 Seed Supplies & Seed Zones
within species and ensuring that
reforested with
(Local Indicator)
reforestation programs are free of
genetically diverse
genetically modified organisms
native seedlings.
1.1.2 Forest Type
1.1.3 Forest Age (Seral Stage)
1.2.3 Regeneration of Native
Species
Element 1.4: Protected Areas and
Areas of special
Ensure that
1.4.1 Proportion of identified sites
Sites of Special Biological and
biological and cultural
identified areas of
with implemented management
Cultural Significance - Respect
significance.
biological and
strategies (FMA or Site Level)
protected areas identified through
cultural significance
1.4.2 Protection of Sacred &
government processes. Co-operate
(including unique
Cultural Sites
in broader landscape management
features) are
related to protected areas and
protected.
sites of special biological and
cultural significance.
Identify sites of special geological,
biological, or cultural significance
within the DFA, and implement
management strategies
appropriate to their long-term
maintenance
Page 18
Criterion 2: Forest Ecosystem Condition and Productivity
Conserve forest ecosystem condition and productivity by maintaining the health, vitality, and rates of biological production.
Element
Values
Description of Objectives
Indicators
Element 2.1: Forest
Ecosystem Resilience Conserve ecosystem
resilience by maintaining
both ecosystem processes
and ecosystem conditions.
Element 2.2: Forest
Ecosystem Productivity Conserve forest ecosystem
productivity and productive
capacity by maintaining
ecosystem conditions that
are capable of supporting
naturally occurring species.
Reforest promptly and use
tree species ecologically
suited to the site.
Resilient forest
ecosystems
Contribute to resilient
ecosystems through forest
management practices such as
successfully reforesting areas
and minimizing losses due to
natural disturbances.
Maintain or increase forest
ecosystem productivity.
2.1.1 Reforestation Success
The productivity of forest
ecosystems
4.1.2 Volume from
Budworm Areas
(Local Indicator)
2.2.1 Additions/Deletions
2.2.2 Sustainable Harvest
4.1.2 Volume from
Budworm Areas
Criterion 3: Soil and Water
Conserve soil and water resources by maintaining their quantity and quality in forest ecosystems.
Element
Values
Indicators
Element 3.1: Soil Quality
and Quantity - Conserve
soil resources by
maintaining soil quality and
quantity.
Soil quality and quantity
Maintain soil productivity by
minimizing the effects of forest
operations on soils.
3.1.1 Soil Disturbance
3.1.3 Soil Productivity (Local
Indicator)
Element 3.2: Water
Quality and Quantity Conserve water resources
by maintaining water
quality and quantity.
Water quality and
quantity.
Maintain water quality and
quantity by minimizing the
effects of forest operations.
Retention
3.2.1 Watershed-Stand
Disturbance
3.2.2 Riparian Areas (Local
Indicator)
3.2.3 Watercourse Crossings
(Local Indicator)
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Criterion 4: Role in Global Ecological Cycles
Maintain forest conditions and management activities that contribute to the health of global ecological cycles.
Element
Values
Indicators
Element 4.1: Carbon Uptake and
Storage - Maintain the processes
that take carbon from the
atmosphere and store it in forest
ecosystems
Uptake and storage of
carbon in forest
ecosystems.
Maintain or increase the
natural processes that use and
store carbon in forest
ecosystems.
4.1.1 Net Carbon Uptake
4.1.2 Volume from Budworm
Areas (Local Indicator)
Element 4.2: Forest Land
Conversion - Protect forestlands
from deforestation or conversion
to non-forests, where ecologically
appropriate.
Amount of forested
land on the DFA.
Minimal loss of forested land
within the DFA during forest
operations.
Retention
3.1.1 Soil Disturbance
3.1.3 Soil Productivity
Criterion 5: Economic and Social Benefits
Sustain flows of forest benefits for current and future generations by providing multiple goods and services.
Element
Values
Indicators
Element 5.1: Timber and NonTimber Benefits - Manage the
forest sustainably to produce an
acceptable and feasible mix of both
timber and non-timber benefits.
Evaluate timber and non-timber
forest products and forest-based
services.
Element 5.2 Communities and
Sustainability - Contribute to the
sustainability of communities by
providing diverse opportunities to
derive benefits from forests and by
supporting local community
economies.
A continuous supply
of timber and nontimber benefits from
the forest.
Sustainably manage the forest
to yield a log profile that meets
the mills current and future
needs, while allowing the forest
to support or increase nontimber related uses and
benefits.
5.1.1 Benefits-Timber and
Non-timber
Sustainable forest
communities
Support local businesses and
communities, that depend on
forest management activity
within the DFA, through
initiatives that contribute to
the area’s economy.
5.2.1 Initiatives-Community
5.2.2 Training and Skills
5.2.3 Direct-Indirect
Employment
5.2.4 Aboriginal -Forest
Economy
1.1.3 Forest Age
2.2.2 Sustainable Harvest
Page 20
Criterion 6: Society’s Responsibility
Society’s responsibility for sustainable forest management requires that fair, equitable, and effective forest management
decisions are made.
Element
Description of Local Values
Indicators
6.1: Aboriginal and Treaty Rights
- Recognize and respect
Aboriginal title and rights and
treaty rights. Understand and
comply with current legal
requirements related to
Aboriginal title and rights and
treaty rights.
6.2: Respect for Aboriginal
Forest Values, Knowledge, and
Uses - Respect traditional
Aboriginal forest values,
knowledge and uses as identified
through the Aboriginal input
process
Aboriginal title and rights,
and treaty rights
Recognition of Aboriginal
title and rights and treaty
rights as related to forest
management.
6.1.1 Rights and Title
6.1.2 Plan Acceptance
6.1.3
Management/Protection
of Areas Where Cultural
Practices/Activities Occur
Respect for Aboriginal
values, knowledge, and
uses.
6.2.1 Aboriginal
Knowledge
6.3: Forest Community WellBeing and Resilience - Encourage,
co-operate with, or help to
provide opportunities for
economic diversity within the
community.
6.4: Fair and Effective DecisionMaking - Demonstrate that the
SFM public participation process
is designed and functioning to the
satisfaction of the participants
and that there is general public
awareness of the process and its
progress.
Element 6.5: Information for
Decision-Making - Provide
relevant information and
educational opportunities to
interested parties to support
their involvement in the public
participation process, and
increase knowledge of ecosystem
processes and human
interactions with forest
ecosystems.
Resilient, healthy forest
communities.
Aboriginal values,
knowledge and uses on
the DFA, as identified by
local Nations during
consultations, will be
documented and
considered within forest
management plans.
The companies are
supportive of efforts to
diversity local economies.
Worker and public safety
are priorities.
An effective public
involvement process is in
place that fosters forestry
awareness, encourages
the public to comment on
forestry plans, and
considers those
comments.
Provide educational
opportunities on forestry,
and ensure participants in
the public involvement
process have access to
relevant information.
6.4.1 Satisfaction-Public
Process
6.4.2 Capacity
Development, Meaningful
Involvement
6.4.3 Capacity
Development, Meaningful
Involvement - Aboriginal
6.5.1 Educational
Outreach (# people
reached)
6.5.2 Available
Information
Fair and effective decisionmaking.
Information for DecisionMaking
6.3.1 Cooperation with
Others
6.3.2 Safety
6.3.3 Safety Improvement
Page 21
4.0
Indicators and Targets
This section outlines the Indicators that measure or describe the Values listed in the previous section, and
the desired Targets for those indicators.
There are 35 core Indicators that have been prescribed in the CSA standard, and an additional 6 locallydeveloped Indicators.
Many of the previous (2003) SFM Plan Indicators were the same or similar to the core Indicators
prescribed in the newest (2008) version of the CSA standard. In many cases they have been refined or
modified and are included again in this new SFM Plan, with the revised wording and numbering. (See
Appendix A for summary of the current and previous Indicators)
Indicator 1.1.1
Ecosystem area by type
Element(s)
Target
Basis of Target
Acceptable Variance
1.1 Ecosystem Diversity
Maintain ecosystems to the Natural Sub-region level.
Ecological Areas within the DFA area, that consists of the Natural Sub-region level.
100% compliance. (No change in area by Natural Sub-region due to the companies
forest management activities).
Ecosystem conservation represents a coarse-filter approach to biodiversity
conservation. It assumes that by maintaining the structure and diversity of
ecosystems, the habitat needs of various species will be provided. For many species, if
the habitat is suitable, populations will be maintained.
Strategy(s)
Description
Means of Achieving
Objective & Target
Ecosite Classification systems are available for the DFA area and can be used at the
Sub-Region level to guide broad management strategies and decisions (e.g. seed
movement zones, harvest patch sizes, awareness of rare or uncommon ecosystems
that may need special attention, etc).
Track changes in the area of each Natural Sub-region that occurs within the DFA, as
mapped by the province, at each 10-year revision of the DFMP. The Natural Subregions are Central Mixedwood, Dry Mixedwood, Northern Mixedwood, Sub-Arctic,
Boreal Highlands Upper, and Boreal Highlands Lower.
Use knowledge of Natural Sub-regions, and any changes in them, to guide forest
management strategies and enable better forest management.
Forecast
Monitoring &
Measurement
Reporting
Current Status of Indicator
Analyze the cause of any changes in Natural Sub-region area, in conjunction with
government, other experts and the public (PAG).
The area in Natural Sub-regions will not change as a result of the companies’ forest
management activities. The greatest risk to changes in area is climate change.
Natural Sub-regions, and changes in their extent, will be used to guide forest
management strategies (e.g. assisted migration of tree species to adapt to climate
change).
The current area of each Natural Sub-region, as mapped and periodically updated by
the Province of Alberta, will be checked during the preparation of each DFMP.
Report every 10 years in conjunction with development of the DFMP.
This is a new core indicator for CSA Z809-08 that is linked to information used in the
DFMP. Baseline information from the 2012 DFMP, on the area in each Natural Subregion within the DFA, is reported in the annual SFMP Performance Report. The
updated DFMP was submitted in January 2016, re-analysis of the information will be
conducted after approval of the document and will be reported in the annual SFMP
performance report.
Page 22
Indicator 1.1.2
Forest area by type
Element(s)
1.3 Genetic Diversity
Maintain the proportion of forest area by the strata types used in Reforestation
Standard of Alberta (RSA) 5, in harvested sites across the DFA.
The Reforestation Standard of Alberta provides a science-based, quantitative link
between managed stand yields (assumed in the DFMP) and reforestation standards.
Timber disposition holders are required to reforest harvested areas to maintain the
balance between area of the following forest types (FMA specific yield class strata):
Deciduous
Hardwood/Pine
Hardwood/Spruce
White Spruce / Hardwood
Pine / Hardwood
Black Spruce / Hardwood
White Spruce
Pine
Black Spruce
Douglas Fir (not required in the Upper Hay District)
Acceptable variance is stated in the Reforestation Standards of Alberta Manual.
Forest area by type is a refinement of the previous indicator – ecosystem area. Tree
species composition, stand age, and stand structure are important variables that
affect the biological diversity of a forest ecosystem - providing structure and habitat
for other organisms. Ensuring a diversity of tree species is maintained improves
ecosystem resilience and productivity and positively influences forest health and
genetic diversity.
Target
Basis of Target
Acceptable Variance
Strategy(s)
Description
Means of Achieving
Objective & Target
Forecast
Monitoring &
Measurement
Reporting
This Indicator addresses the biological diversity of forest ecosystems through the
diversity and abundance of naturally occurring forests on the landscape.
Balance the forest area regenerated on the DFA across the applicable forest types
(strata), through reforestation activities. The companies will balance the strata across
the DFA within their operations.
A naturally occurring balance of forest types is maintained across the DFA in
reforested areas. (Barring regeneration standards changing to incorporate strategies
such as assisted species migration, for adapting to climate change).
Establishment and performance surveys will be carried out annually, as outlined in the
Reforestation Standard of Alberta.
Performance against this Indicator will be monitored annually by using the companies’
silviculture records, and reported on every 5 years.
This is a refinement of previous Indicator #2 (Cover Types, implemented in 2001)
under which balancing by C, CD, D, DC strata was achieved within established
tolerance levels.
Baseline information on the proportion of the net landbase by strata will be provided
in the annual SFMP Performance Report.
Reforestation Standards of Alberta. May 2016. Accessed at http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca (Search for “Reforestation
Standard of Alberta”.
5
Page 23
Indicator 1.1.3
Forest area by seral stage (age class)
Element(s)
5.1 Timber and Non-Timber Benefits
Emulate the natural range of seral stages in the FMA portion of the DFA.
Tolko completed the Natural Range of Variability FRIAA supported project in March
2007, led by Dr. Dave Andison.
Stay within the range of natural variability
Maintaining forest area by age class is part of a coarse-filter approach to conserving
ecosystem diversity at the landscape level, by maintaining the variety of communities
and ecosystems that naturally occur in the DFA. It is assumed that by maintaining the
structure and diversity of ecosystems, the habitat needs of various species will be
provided.
Target
Basis of Target
Acceptable Variance
Strategy(s)
Description
To accomplish, a chosen method is to measure the forest area by a seral stage
classification that takes into account the time since stand-replacing disturbance as
well as evolving forest structural development. A simple classification might include
the following five seral stages: regenerating, young, immature, mature, and old. Older
age classes are often the most difficult to manage, primarily because they require
much time to develop. However, they are often host to unique communities that
would not otherwise be present across the forest landscape.
Understanding the age class distribution of the entire forest also helps understand
wood supply flows, and when “fall-downs” or surges in the available wood supply may
occur that could affect the companies’ mill operations.
Means of Achieving
Objective & Target
The objective of moving towards the natural range of seral stage variability will
replace the “green up” targets that were used previously.
A future Preferred Forest Management Strategy (PFMS) that over time moves seral
stages across the FMA portion of the DFA towards the range of natural variability.
Monitoring &
Measurement
The only portion of the DFA this can be applied to is the FMA. (The targeted range of
seral stages in F14, P19, and P21 are established under a different DFMP)
Natural disturbances (such as Spruce Budworm and fire) will affect the ability to
achieve this target.
The age class distribution for the most recently completed Net land base in the FMA
will be used as the baseline.
Reporting
Every 5 years that baseline information will be compared with the current age class
distribution to assess if seral stages are moving towards targets.
Baseline information will be provided in the revision to the DFMP.
Forecast
Performance against the target will be updated every 5 years in the DFMP
Stewardship Report, and reported annually in the SFMP Performance Report.
This is a refinement of previous Indicator #4 (Age Class Distribution, implemented in
the 2003/04 season), which focused only on older age classes.
Page 24
Indicator 1.1.4
Degree of within-stand structural retention
Element(s)
1.2 Species Diversity
3.1 Soil Quality and Quantity
4.1 Net Carbon Uptake
Amount of vertical and horizontal diversity retained in cutblocks:
A minimum of 1% of the standing merchantable coniferous and deciduous
volume will be retained during harvest operations
A minimum of 5% of harvested area will be retained as residual material or
lesser vegetation
Retention Levels determined through a DFMP process.
1% volume target for both conifer and deciduous will be met when averaged over the
DFA (no acceptable variance).
5% area target can vary by 20% in a year (ie. -1%), but must meet the target over 5
years.
Maintaining various types, amounts, and distribution of residual structure is important
in maintaining ecosystem function and biological diversity at the stand and landscape
level. Vertical and horizontal structure retained in cutblocks provides habitat for a
diverse range of forest species.
Target
Basis of Target
Acceptable Variance
Strategy(s)
Description
Means of Achieving
Objective & Target
During harvest, single trees and clumps of live trees will be left to emulate the patches
that occur naturally after a large natural disturbance (e.g. fire). Snags that are found
in mature and older seral stands provide important habitat for cavity-nesting birds and
mammals. Most cavity nesters require mature trees with some decay.
In addition to merchantable retention, the companies will retain other residual
material during operations. Residual material, which can include lesser vegetation
associated with lower-order streams, standing dead, broken or decaying trees, trees
identified as having dens or nests, or other unique flora and/or terrain features, will
average 5% of the area harvested and be distributed evenly within harvest areas
where it exists. Viable understory will also be retained where it exists on the
landscape through a number of protection strategies.
Stand-level retention strategies will be determined prior to the commencement of
harvest operations through structure retention plans. Specific retention strategies will
be discussed with the operator(s) during Tailgate (or pre-work) Meetings.
Forecast
Monitoring &
Measurement
Reporting
In measuring structure retention, the companies will use cost-effective and practical
assessment strategies to quantify and evaluate merchantable volume retention.
Through adaptive management, retention strategies will be continually evaluated and
incorporated into successive forest management plans.
Retention targets, averaged over the DFA, will be met.
There will be variance at the cutblock and compartment level(s).
Performance against the targets for this indicator will be evaluated after 5 years, at
the end of each cut-control period.
In the interim, in order to align the amount of volume being retained with the amount
of volume being harvested, the % retention will be checked and reported once
cutblock updates are complete. (Note: the companies are exploring opportunities to
align cutblock updates with program of capturing high resolution 4-band imagery
every 3 years for the DFA, therefore reporting of actual retention levels could be once
every 3 to 5 years. Initial 4 band imagery photos were captured in 2012.)
Performance against the targets will be updated every 5 years in the DFMP
Stewardship Report, and when information is available it will be reported in the SFMP
Performance Report.
Page 25
This is the same as previous Indicator #6 (Vertical and Horizontal Retention,
implemented in the 2003-04 harvest season). It has been monitored and reported on
since 2005, against similar targets, in the previous DFMP and SFMP.
The vertical retention target (which was 1% merchantable) was met over the 5 timber
years 2006-2007 to 2010-2011. The horizontal retention target (of 5% of lesser
vegetation) was not met for that period, largely due to the way it was being
measured.
Indicator 1.2.1
Degree of habitat protection for selected focal species, including species at risk
Element(s)
Target
100% compliance with Alberta Government approved operational plans in critical
wildlife zones
Forest Management Principles, Environmental Policy, and FMA Vision and Mission
No variance is acceptable unless approved by Alberta Government.
While ecosystem conservation is the coarse-filter approach to biodiversity
management, species diversity is the fine-filter approach. For most species, forest
managers can manipulate habitats only, not species populations. To account for the
degree of habitat protection for selected focal species, including species at risk, this
indicator looks at short-term habitat needs, particularly for critical and core habitats,
and existing protection plans for selected focal species.
Basis of Target
Acceptable Variance
Strategy(s)
Description
Within the DFA, there are identified wildlife zones including Caribou Management
Areas (CMA’s), Ungulate Winter Ranges, as well as areas of specific interest to a
variety of species (e.g. Trumpeter Swan Lakes).
Means of Achieving
Objective & Target
Operational planning will consider Species at Risk. During the development of
operational plans within the DFA, the companies considers the needs of wildlife when
planning harvest design, access development, maintenance, and abandonment, as
well as timing of operations.
The companies will work with Alberta Government in the development and
implementation of operational plans that address the specific needs of identified
special species within wildlife zones.
All strategies implemented into operational planning to address the specific needs of
wildlife species will be consistent with the Upper Hay Regional Operating Ground Rule
(UHROGR) requirements for operating within those zones. Annual updates of
applicable data layers will be required prior to Forest Harvest Plan & Annual Operating
Plan development.
Forecast
Monitoring &
Measurement
Reporting
Through Tailgate (or pre-work) Meetings, the companies’ staff will ensure that all
contractors are aware of the modified operational strategies associated with
operating within those zones. Species at Risk training is required of all persons
working on the DFA and is offered on the EMS Training website.
Caribou Management Areas and/or Ungulate Winter Range(s) occur across the DFA.
Operational plans will consider the needs of wildlife in these zones.
The companies will monitor compliance with applicable Forest Harvest Plan and the
conditions set out in the annual Caribou Protection & Ungulate Winter Range Plan.
Additional monitoring will be completed through periodic Alberta Government
compliance audits and/or inspections.
Activities within wildlife zones will be summarized annually in the Annual Performance
Report.
This Indicator encompasses the previous Indicator #8 (Wildlife Zones), implemented
for the 2003-04 harvest season under the previous DFMP.
Page 26
Indicator 1.2.2
Element(s)
Target
Basis of Target
Acceptable Variance
Strategy(s)
Description
Means of Achieving
Objective & Target
Forecast
Monitoring &
Measurement
Reporting
Degree of suitable habitat in the long term for selected focal species, including
species at risk
Adherence to the Spatial Harvest Sequence in the DFMP for the FMA portion of the
DFA. (Through which the strategies for maintaining suitable habitat in the DFMP are
carried out).
Spatial Harvest Sequence in DFMP.
Annual Spatial Harvest Sequence Variance Report.
+/- 20% of the area harvested adheres to the Spatial Harvest Sequence.
The Spatial Harvest Sequence is used to outline the distribution and arrangement of
stands to be harvested under the DFMP, to optimally address the maintenance of
suitable habitat for species of special concern.
The companies will follow the Spatial Harvest Sequence outlined in the DFMP.
This will operationalize the DFMP strategies for maintaining suitable habitat for six
selected focal species:
American marten (Martes americana),
Moose (Alces alces),
Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus),
Wood Bison (Bison bison), and
Woodland Caribou (Rangerifer tarandus).
These focal species were selected based on provincial status, association with specific
stands and/or conditions, and social importance.
Habitat for selected focal species will be maintained.
Compliance with the Spatial Harvest Sequence will be monitored and reported on in
the Annual Spatial Harvest Sequence Variance Report. (plan vs actual).
Compliance with the Spatial Harvest Sequence will be reported on in the DFMP
Stewardship Report at the end of the 5-year cut control period. It will also be
reported on annually in the SFMP Performance Report.
This Indicator is linked to a strategy in the DFMP for maintaining habitat for selected
species of concern. It is a refinement of the previous Indicators #1 (Adherence to the
Spatial Harvest Sequence), and #5, Parts 1 & 2 (Habitat Availability) which were
implemented in 2003 under the previous DFMP.
Note that from 2008 until 2014 the companies were permitted to deviate from the
Spatial Harvest Sequence where required in order to harvest while operations were
curtailed at Footner Forest Products (now Norbord), and deviated past the allowed
variance of 20%.
Indicator 1.2.3
Proportion of regeneration comprised of native species
Element(s)
100% compliance with Alberta Government guidelines that ensure appropriate species
are reforested and strata balanced on harvested areas.
Reforestation Standards of Alberta as updated periodically, which specifies acceptable
tree species
To account for concerns that forests be regenerated primarily with native tree species,
managers should address and monitor the proportion of regeneration comprised of
native species.
Target
Basis of Target
Acceptable Variance
Strategy(s)
Description
The Reforestation Standards of Alberta describe the standards to be achieved at
establishment and performance survey age. Performance standards are described in
terms of species, species balance and several other characteristics.
Page 27
Means of Achieving
Objective & Target
Forecast
Monitoring &
Measurement
Reporting
The companies must declare each opening to a regenerated stratum. There are 9
regenerated strata (“Base 10” Strata) for tree species composition classes in the DFA
(Hw, HwPl, HwSx, SwHw, PlHw, SbHw, Sw, Pl, Sb). Strata balancing rules ensure the
appropriate strata distributions (by area), as defined in the DFMP.
Native tree species will be maintained in harvested areas.
The success of reforestation targets will be measured by establishment and
performance surveys. These surveys will measure cutblock regeneration as compared
to the pre-harvest declaration.
The companies will report on reforestation and survey activities that have occurred
annually.
This is a new core indicator for CSA Z809-08. Baseline information will be reported in
the first applicable annual SFMP Performance Report
Indicator 1.3.1
The area (ha) planted with seedlings from orchard stock (Local Indicator)
Element(s)
Target
<25% of area harvested in the DFA will be planted with seedlings from orchard seed,
and be in accordance with Alberta Government guidelines (for effective population
size, by target strata, over a rotation etc.)
<25% is a voluntary, conservative target set by the companies in response to concerns
about maintaining genetic diversity. It is estimated that <1% of seedlings planted
currently are from orchard stock.
Basis of Target
The current Alberta Government guidelines for material from a controlled parentage
program containing locally adapted material are found in:
Alberta Forest Genetic Resource Management and Conservation Standards May 2009.
Acceptable Variance
Strategy(s)
Description
Means of Achieving
Objective & Target
Forecast
Monitoring &
Measurement
For orchard seed they are 25-50% of a target stratum over a rotation, depending on
the effective population size.
Acceptable variance is +5%, as long as Alberta Government guidelines are still met
Tolko Industries Ltd is currently a partner with Manning Diversified Forest Products in
a Tree-Improvement Program (Forest Genetics Association of Alberta). This tree
improvement program uses Stream 1 material that was collected from Breeding
Regions overlapping the DFA. Tolko has a small percentage stake in this project to
allow planting of the produced Stream 2 material. Considering that Tolko implements
the reforestation programs and seed supplies for both companies, LCSM by
association is part of this project.
The indicator and target were established to meet or be more conservative than
Alberta Government’s Alberta Forest Genetic Resource Management and Conservation
Standards, May 2009. This manual contains standards to safeguard genetic diversity
during the reforestation of harvested areas on public forest lands in Alberta, and was
developed through extensive consultation with geneticists and other scientific and
management professionals.
Seed from seed orchards is being incorporated into the companies’ reforestation
program, within Alberta Government guidelines, as appropriate for the benefit to be
gained through uplift in the AAC.
The implementation of a Tree Improvement Program for the DFA will be in compliance
with Alberta Government guidelines.
The cost / benefit model of tree improvement programs in Alberta are under
evaluation by government and industry to determine the way forward. Area planted
with seedlings from orchard stock will increase from the current level of <1% if more
AAC uplift is allowed through managed stand yield curves.
Annually report the proportion of seedlings planted from orchard stock, versus wild
seed from seed zones.
Page 28
Reporting
Any enhanced forest management activities undertaken are reported in the 5-year
DFMP Stewardship Report.
The proportion of orchard seed planted will also be reported annually in the SFM Plan
Performance Report.
This Indicator encompasses the previous Indicator #9 (Orchard Seed)
No seedlings from orchard seed have been planted to date on the FMA. Tolko
currently has 768 grams of Sw seed and 302 grams of Pl seed in storage from the
previously mentioned tree improvement program (as of end of 2011).
Indicator 1.3.2
Element(s)
Target
Basis of Target
Acceptable Variance
Strategy(s)
Description
Regeneration is consistent with provincial regulations and standards for seed supplies
and seed zones. (Local Indicator)
100% compliance with Alberta Government standards for seed zones and seed
supplies.
Alberta Forest Genetic Resource Management and Conservation Standards, May 2009.
Locally adapted seed will be best suited to the areas being reforested.
Seed Zones: Stream 1 collection programs (ie., wild seed) will be planned to maintain
seed supplies.
Seed Supplies: A minimum of one registered Stream 1 lot for each species, in each seed
zone where artificial regeneration is planned using seedlings, will be maintained.
Means of Achieving
Objective & Target
Forecast
Monitoring &
Measurement
Reporting
This indicator was established in accordance with the Alberta Government standards in
the manual listed above. The manual contains standards to safeguard adaptability and
genetic diversity during the reforestation of harvested areas. The standards are focused
on activities of tree seed and vegetative material collection, registration, processing
and reforestation of tree seedlings and vegetative material on public lands in Alberta. It
provides a detailed description of the individual seed zones and outlines the rules and
limits for deployment of seed.
The companies will ensure annual compliance with Alberta Government guidelines.
Seed collection strategies will parallel the companies’ planned reforestation program(s)
to ensure that genetic diversity is maintained across the DFA.
Adaptability and genetic diversity of reforested areas will be maintained.
Silviculture Planner online application provided by The Silvacom Group will be used to
monitor all reforestation activities.
Any non-conformances with Alberta Government requirements, and rationale, will be
tracked and reported. This will include information on any notices received from the
Alberta government that seed supplies are low, and/or state what seed collection
programs were completed in reporting period to maintain seed supplies.
This indicator will be reported in the annual SFM Plan Performance Report.
This is a new core Indicator for CSA Z809-08 that encompasses the previous Indicator
#10 (Seed Deployment).
Tolko – High Level Lumber Division has been diligent in maintaining seed supplies
within the DFA. As of July 15, 2012 Tolko has approximately 2,724 kg’s of seed across
all seed zones and species stored at Alberta’s seed storage facility at Smoky Lake.
Page 29
Indicator 1.4.1
Element(s)
Target
Basis of Target
Acceptable Variance
Strategy(s)
Description
Proportion of identified sites with implemented management strategies (FMA or
Site Level)
1.4 Protected Areas and Sites of Special Biological and Cultural Significance
Management strategies are being implemented for 100% of identified special sites.
- Sites of special biological and cultural significance identified through public
consultation or government processes
- Forest Harvest Plans which identify management strategies for the identified
special sites.
No acceptable variance
The location of most sites of unique biological significance within the DFA is generally
discovered during the planning process (rather than the development of a landscape
level inventory). Using adaptive management strategies during the planning process
allows the companies to alter plans to incorporate unique discoveries, rare habitats,
and biological features.
At the strategic planning level, identified sites can be (1) considered a subjective
deletion from the contributing land base therefore removed from future harvest
scheduling, or (2) continue as part of the contributing land base however no harvest
scheduling occurs.
Means of Achieving
Objective & Target
Forecast
Monitoring &
Measurement
Reporting
At the operational planning level, identified areas of biological significance will be
shown in the harvest plan for the area, and where applicable, alternative harvesting
and/or silvicultural strategies will be outlined in the Forest Harvest Plan and
implemented during operations.
The companies involve the public in identifying sites that have special biological or
cultural significance within the DFA, through the Public Involvement Plan (PIP). These
sites include plants and ecological communities, wildlife areas, grave sites, spiritual
areas etc. That information, as well as information previously published or identified
in other inventory programs, is tracked in the Silvacom online system and applicable
GIS layers are updated before Forest Harvest Plans are developed.
During the development of Forest Harvest Plans, forest planners identify proposed
cutblocks and/or access routes that may have to be modified to incorporate potential
areas of special significance.
Special sites will be protected
The information available on special sites will grow over time.
Track compliance with Annual Operating Plans (AOP’s) and Forest Harvest Plans that
identify:
- Protection mechanisms for areas of biological or cultural significance. (previous
Indicator #11)
- Operational strategies to mitigate impacts to the Watt Mountain Natural Area.
(previous Indicator #12)
- no scheduled harvesting on the Peace River Islands or in the Ponton River Corridor
(previous Indicators #3 and #26)
The proportion of operations with management strategies for identified special sites
that have been implemented will be reported in the annual SFM Plan Performance
Report.
This is a new core indicator for CSA Z809-08. It incorporates previous Indicators #3
(Areas of Ecological Significance), #11 (Areas of Biological Significance), #12 (Watt
Mountain Natural Area), and #26 (Area Removed to Incorporate Aesthetics), which
were implemented for the 2003-04 harvest season.
The Peace River Islands and Ponton River Corridor are considered sites of significance
on the DFA for ecological and aesthetics reasons. These areas are part of the
contributing land base however no harvest is scheduled.
Page 30
Indicator 1.4.2
Protection of identified sacred and culturally important sites.
Element(s)
Target
Basis of Target
1.4 Protected Areas and Sites of Special Biological and Cultural Significance
100% Compliance with the Historical Resources Act.
Identified sacred and culturally important sites.
Alberta Historical Resources Act
This indicator has been established to ensure that areas sacred and cultural / historical
significance (such as grave sites and spiritual areas) are protected during harvesting
and silvicultural operations.
Acceptable Variance
Strategy(s)
Description
During the development of Annual Operating Plans on the FMA, potential locations of
sacred, heritage or cultural sites are predicted based on topographical features,
watercourses, existing access and cover-types, using a heritage predictability model.
Where proposed developments occur in areas of high probability for traditional use a
ground assessment is conducted by a professional archaeologist to look for indicators
of prior use. The assessment is conducted prior to plan approvals and operations
occurring.
Means of Achieving
Objective & Target
Forecast
Monitoring &
Measurement
Reporting
The companies also involve First Nations and the public in identifying the location of
sites that have special significance within the DFA as part of the Public Involvement
Plan. Identified and potential heritage sites are then incorporated into operational
plan development to ensure their protection.
Information on special sites obtained through the Public Involvement Plan, the
heritage predictability model, publications and other inventory programs is tracked in
the Silvacom online system and applicable GIS layers are updated before operational
plans are developed.
During the development of operational plans, forest planners identify proposed
harvesting and silvicultural operations and/or access routes that may impact such
sites, and modify plans to ensure their protection.
Sacred and culturally important sites will be protected.
The information available on such sites will grow over time.
Permit applications and reports, and records of compliance with results of Historical
Resource Overviews, are submitted to the Ministry of Alberta Culture and Community
Spirit (ACCS). This evidence shows compliance with the Historical Resources Act.
A summary of the Historical Resources Overview carried out each year on proposed
developments, and any resulting changes to operations, will be provided in the annual
SFM Plan Performance Report.
This is a new core indicator for CSA Z809-08. It incorporates previous Indicator #25
(Heritage Assessment Act).
The incorporation of the heritage predictability model into operational plan
development began before the 2002-03 harvest season.
Annually a Historical Resources Overview (HRO) is conducted on all developments
(blocks and access roads) associated with the companies’ harvest plans for the
upcoming harvest season. Based on this overview a limited number of on-the-ground
pre-impact assessments are conducted by arch resource specialists and
recommendations are made regarding planned operations or required changes (if any)
to avoid or protect sites.
Page 31
Indicator 2.1.1
Reforestation success
Element(s)
2.1 Forest Ecosystem Resilience
2.2 Forest Ecosystem Productivity
4.1 Carbon Uptake and Storage
100% of harvested openings will meet the applicable regeneration standards.
Reforestation Standards of Alberta, 2016.
Ensuring that ecologically appropriate, diverse tree species are maintained conserves
forest ecosystem productivity and capacity, and positively influences forest health.
Prompt reforestation ensures that the productive capacity of forest land base to grow
trees is maintained.
Target
Basis of Target
Acceptable Variance
Strategy(s)
Description
A forest management strategy aimed at maintaining or increasing forest carbon stocks,
while producing a sustained yield of timber, fibre or energy from the forest, and can
help mitigate climate change. 6 Prompt and effective renewal (regeneration) helps
ensure forests maintain or increase the levels of carbon they store.
Means of Achieving
Objective & Target
Forecast
Monitoring &
Measurement
The Reforestation Standard of Alberta describes the procedures for developing mean
annual increment standards, making declarations, subdividing cutblocks into more than
one opening, strata balancing, and conducting and reporting on Establishment and
Performance surveys.
Silviculture planning and activities will be consistent with the Reforestation Standards
of Alberta. This includes planting species that are ecologically suited to the site, and
carrying out activities within two years after harvest.
The companies will be aggressive in salvaging and reforesting as much of the productive
Landbase following natural disturbance on the DFA as possible (fire, insects,
blowdown), taking into account the quality and quantity of the fibre.
Reforestation will be successful. The productive capacity of the forest will be
maintained.
The companies will measure success through Establishment and Performance surveys
that assess harvest area regeneration, including stocking and growth. These surveys
measure cutblock regeneration compared to the regeneration standard of the preharvest declaration identified in the Annual Operating Plan.
The total naturally disturbed area yielding salvageable volume, and the area salvaged
and reforested on the DFA will also be monitored.
Any areas that do not achieve the Establishment standards by the end of the
Establishment survey timing window (e.g. 4-8 years after skid clearance for conifer)
must be retreated the following year.
Reporting
Results of the Performance survey are accepted as is, whether targets have been met
or not. In the Reforestation Standards of Alberta there are no pass or fails at
Performance, and the results for the blocks are records (strata and MAI achieved).
Administratively, the results of these Performance surveys are required to be assessed
every 5 years to determine if there needs to be an upward or downward adjustment to
the AAC based on performance.
Reports summarizing the planned reforestation activities (Annual Reforestation
Program), and the previous year’s actual reforestation program, are submitted annually
to government. The proportion of naturally disturbed areas yielding salvageable
volume that were salvaged and reforested on the DFA is also reported annually.
6 Can Canada’s Forests Contribute to a Climate Change Mitigation Strategy? Presentation by Dr. Werner
Kurz. Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service. May 1 2008.
Page 32
Establishment & Performance survey results are submitted annually to the Alberta
Regeneration Information System (ARIS) for each regenerating block that was surveyed.
The status of this indicator will be summarized in the annual SFM Plan Performance
Report.
(Reforestation Following Natural Disturbance), #21 (Reforestation Activities), and #22
(Satisfactorily Restocked Areas).
A total of 7296.63 ha of landbase (1860.25 ha productive, 25.49%) has burned on the
DFA since the implementation of previous Indicator #14 on May 1, 2003, with no
salvageable area identified.
The companies have completed reforestation activities it is responsible for within two
years of the harvest date. (Previous Indicator #21).
Since 2006 the companies operating on the DFA have declared 2.4% of NSR to the end
of the 2010 survey season, which is below the target maximum of 5% for previous
Indicator #22.
Indicator 2.2.1
Additions and deletions to the forest area (by cause)
Element(s)
4.2 Forest Land Conversion
Soil disturbance of ≤ 5% of a harvest area, includes bared landing areas, temporary
roads, displaced soils or ruts.
Ground rules.
Variance allowed at the cutblock level, however across the entire DFA there is no
variance allowed.
Notwithstanding the special circumstances in which forests might not be naturally
occurring ecosystems it is good for the global carbon cycle to have land in forest cover
across its natural range. Forests can be turned into other types of ecosystems through a
variety of activities, including those that relate directly to SFM (e.g., building roads and
landings) and those outside the influence of forest managers (e.g., urban and industrial
developments, utility corridors). Forest managers should reduce, as much as possible,
the amount of area they convert to non-forest ecosystems and should discourage
unwarranted forest land conversions that are beyond their control.
Target
Basis of Target
Acceptable Variance
Strategy(s)
Description
Means of Achieving
Objective & Target
Forecast
Monitoring &
Measurement
This indicator is used to track permanent additions and deletions to the Landbase.
Most roads created by the companies are ice roads. These temporary roads must be ≤
5 % of the Landbase. They are removed after use by doing minor restoration and
planting over them.
The companies will minimize loss of landbase within its sphere of influence, through:
careful planning to minimize the amount of permanent roads,
using existing linear developments (e.g. seismic lines) wherever possible
This will include integrating operations between forest companies and encouraging the
integration of other industrial users within the boundaries of the DFA.
Productive forest soils with minimal losses due to forest development.
The area in permanent roads and landings, as identified in operational plans, over gross
block area (ha) for cutblocks harvested during the reporting year will be measured
annually.
Page 33
The companies will actively reforest in-block seismic lines that are considered by
Alberta as non-forested. Once these seismic lines are planted within a cutblock they
are then considered as part of the regenerating cutblock and contribute towards
offsetting permanent access disturbances. (Note: forested polygons that are bisected
with seismic lines have an area reduction factor applied, and once the polygon is cut
the reduction factor is removed.)
Reporting
On the FMA portion of the DFA, withdrawals from the Landbase as a result of other
land use activities will be assessed during the development of the Detailed Forest
Management Plan’s Net Land Base document that is updated once every 10 years. In
the interim, the companies will receive annual updates to various land use layers (e.g.
AltaLis, etc.) so that Operational Plans reflect current land use activities.
New permanent access development and deviations from this target will be tracked
annually and submitted as part of the 5-year DFMP Stewardship Plan.
The status of this indicator will also be summarized in the Annual Performance Report.
This is a new core indicator for CSA Z809-08. It incorporates previous Indicator #23
(Decrease in Non-forested Area)
Under previous Indicator #23, no wellsites were planted in 2010.
The companies do reforest seismic lines that occur within harvest blocks. Seismic lines
are considered non-forested. For the years 2005 to 2010 the % of the planting program
dedicated to reforesting seismic lines was 2.16%.
Indicator 2.2.2
Proportion of the calculated long-term sustainable harvest that is actually harvested
Element(s)
2.2: Forest Ecosystem Productivity
Harvest the approved AAC over the 5-Year cut control period across the DFA.
Approved harvest levels established in the DFMP on the FMA portion of the DFA.
Approved quota harvest levels on FMU’s P21, P19 and F14 as approved through other
processes.
The acceptable variance is +/- 10% annually of the approved allowable annual cut
volume unless over-cut is the result of salvage (e.g.wildfires). No variance allowed
over a quadrant unless salvage volume is involved. (see Forecast for what occurs if
there is a variance at the end of quadrant)
Sustainability involves limiting actual timber harvest to levels within the long-term
capability of the forest to grow wood. It also involves harvesting the full AAC
available, to provide economic benefits to local communities.
Target
Basis of Target
Acceptable Variance
Strategy(s)
Description
A Timber Supply Analysis (TSA) for the FMA portion of the DFA is completed during
the development of a DFMP, and both the long-term sustainable harvest level (over a
200 year planning horizon) and Annual Allowable Cuts (AACs) calculated.
The harvests level of the quota harvests in FMU F21 and P19 are determined through
the DFMP process by Daishowa-Marubeni International Ltd on their FMA. The quota
harvest level for FMU F14 is determined by Alberta as this FMU is government
controlled.
Annual harvest levels vary within the long-term levels set for a variety of reasons.
These include:
- the age (merchantability) of the forest,
- salvaging harvests as a result of insect infestations (Spruce Budworm in particular);
- attempting to accelerate changes in forest composition toward more natural
states; and
- Correcting undesirable age-class imbalances such as an over-abundance of
declining stands caused by the suppression of natural disturbances.
Page 34
Means of Achieving
Objective & Target
Forecast
Approved Annual Operating Plans for annual and 5-year harvest levels that are aligned
with those established in strategic plans.
The companies will harvest the approved quadrant harvest levels across the DFA.
In the event of an under production of periodic allowable cut during a quadrant, there
is opportunity for application to Alberta to have the under produced volume carried
over to the next quadrant.
Monitoring &
Measurement
Reporting
In the event of over cutting of the periodic allowable cut during a quadrant, Alberta
can reduce the volume allowed to be harvested in the subsequent quadrant by an
amount equal to the entire over cut volume. Exceptions are when the over cut results
from the salvage of dead, damaged, diseased, decadent or fire killed timber.
The volume actually harvested (m3) will be monitored annually and summarized
according to 5-year cut control periods (Quadrants).
The proportion of allowable harvest actually harvested, by quadrant production, will
be summarized annually in the 5-year DFMP Stewardship Report.
The status of this indicator will also be summarized in the Annual Performance Report.
This is a refinement of previous Indicator #24 (AAC Harvested During 5-Year Cut
Control Period).
Periodic cut control volume (m3), FMA0200040
Quadrant Timber Years: 2013-2017
Quadrant Target: Tolko 6 307 500 m3, LCSM 942 500 m3
Periodic cut control volume (m3), CTQP210005
Quadrant Target: Tolko 315 191 m3, LCSM 47 094 m3
Periodic cut control volume (m3), CTQP190003
Quadrant Timber Years: 2014 -2018
Quadrant Target: 516 675 m3
Periodic cut control volume (m3), CTQF140007
Quadrant Target: 132,615 m3
With the end of the quadrant cut an audit of the production will be conducted by the
Alberta Government and approval of carry forward (if any) will be approved.
The Timber Supply Analysis to be done in the 2016 revision of the DFMP on
FMA0200040 will provide updated long-term and AAC harvest levels.
Indicator 3.1.1
Level of soil disturbance
Element(s)
<5% disturbance within cutblocks created by temporary roads, rutting, bared landing
areas and displaced soil, across all operations over a 5-year period (unless prior
approval is received from Alberta to exceed this level).
Operating Ground Rules
No acceptable variance, when measured across the DFA
Soil is the foundation of forest ecosystems and the main source of nutrients for all
plant species. Most of the fine roots of trees, which are responsible for nutrient
uptake, exist in the top 20 cm of the soil (i.e., in the topsoil). It is therefore vital to
keep soil in place and to disturb it as little as possible.
Target
Basis of Target
Acceptable Variance
Strategy(s)
Description
Page 35
Soil disturbance can have positive (mineral soil exposure for seed germination) or
negative (soil compaction) impacts. Managing the detrimental soil disturbance levels
will help to retain the productive capacity of ecosystems
Means of Achieving
Objective & Target
Maintaining soil quality and quantity involves implementing management strategies to
minimize and mitigate soil disturbance.
Strategies to maintain soil productivity include reducing the area in temporary and
permanent roads and landings, reclaiming temporary roads and landings (when
required by Operating Group Rules), avoiding compacting and rutting the soil with
machinery, using existing lineal developments, operating mainly in the winter on
frozen soils, leaving coarse woody debris to form new soil, and avoiding accidental
fires. This indicator focuses in specifically on the level of soil disturbance.
Through operational planning prior to harvest, road design will incorporate the Soil
Conservation Guidelines prepared by the Alberta Government and Alberta Forest
Products Association to ensure that soil degradation from the construction on in-block
roads is minimized.
Forecast
Monitoring &
Measurement
Reporting
Further, the companies will assess the potential of rutting prior to the commencement
of harvest and/or silvicultural operations and conduct operations according to the Soil
Conservation Guidelines. The likelihood of rutting during operations is lessened, since
the companies primarily operate during frozen ground conditions. If rutting occurs
during operations, the companies will modify operations and/or scheduling to ensure
that other occurrences are minimized in the future.
Soil productivity is maintained
Successful implementation of this target will be assessed across the DFA (soil
disturbance may exceed the target threshold at the cutblock level).
Performance will be monitored annually (Timber Year) by reporting across the DFA the
total planned soil disturbance area, total planned harvest area, and the resulting % of
planned disturbance. Monitoring to confirm the actual percentage will occur through
cutblock update analyses and included as part of the 5-year DFMP Stewardship
Report.
The level of soil disturbance will be reported in the annual SFMP Performance Report
and summarized in the 5-year Stewardship Report.
(Road Disturbance) and #16 (Rutting Disturbance), which were implemented for the
2003-04 harvest season.
Indicator 3.1.2
Level of downed woody debris
Element(s)
Evidence that coarse woody debris (CWD) is retained within harvested areas across
the landscape while managing CWD according to Operating Ground Rules.
CWD is retained in cutblocks following harvesting operations
Recognition by the companies and Alberta Government that debris piles provide
wildlife habitat and spatial diversity within harvested areas.
Fibre utilization requirements
Fire Prevention requirements in Operating Ground Rules
Habitat objective
No acceptable variance. Debris accumulations must meet Operating Ground Rules
and Forest and Prairie Protection Act.
Target
Basis of Target
Acceptable Variance
Page 36
Strategy(s)
Description
No variance to the accepted Harvesting Systems (e.g. Whole tree harvesting or fibre
harvesting are not accepted systems)
Dead wood is an important component of a healthy forest ecosystem. While live trees
can be blown down and die, often trees die standing. These standing dead trees, or
snags, serve as important habitats for a wide range of decomposing organisms, as well
as cavity-nesting species such as woodpeckers. Coarse woody debris includes both
downed woody debris and standing trees that have been left to allow the woody
debris to decompose, resulting in organic matter that eventually becomes part of the
soil. Downed woody debris can be managed by leaving both dead and live trees, as
well as downed logs, whenever timber harvests are taken.
Coarse woody debris in the form of debris piles will provide habitat structure. Fibre
utilization, fire prevention and habitat requirements will be balanced to achieve the
objective.
Debris or slash accumulation resulting from timber harvest operations must, as a
priority, be redistributed or disposed of to minimize the risk of wildfire ignition and
spread. However, it is recognized that some retention of debris is valuable from an
ecological perspective, and that a reasonable amount of debris retention shall occur to
emulate natural forest floor accumulations. Ecological benefits include microtine
habitat, furbearer habitat (when piled), and soil nutrient inputs. When debris is
maintained, it must be in such a distribution and amount to: 1) minimize wildfire risk
as a priority, 2) minimize the amount of productive landbase loss by limiting lost area
available for deciduous species suckering, or tree planting, and 3) provide ecological
benefit (coarse filter vs. fine filter).
The retention of coarse woody debris (CWD) will be measured as debris piles retained
on site following harvesting operations, primarily for wildlife purposes.
Vertical and horizontal stand structure will also be retained in harvested blocks (See
Indicator 1.1.4: Degree of within-stand structural retention).
Conifer operations on the DFA are 1 of 3 harvesting systems:
•
Cut-to-length (CTL): Felled by feller buncher, skidded to roadside and then
processed into lengths before loading on trucks. Debris disposal piles are made
at roadside and accumulations occur within the block that range in size from a
turned over stump to the Maximum debris accumulation size (see below).
•
Full-tree (FT): Felled by feller buncher, skidded to roadside and loaded on truck
prior to being limbed. Limbing and processing occurs at a satellite storage yard,
however most limbs are removed during felling and skidding due to the cold
temperatures, with the debris remaining in the harvested area. There are no
debris disposal piles created at roadside. Accumulations occur within the block
that range in size from a turned over stump to the Maximum debris accumulation
size (see below).
•
Tree-length (TL, least used harvesting system): Felled by feller buncher, skidded
to roadside, limbed and topped by stroke delimber, and then loaded onto trucks.
Debris disposal piles are made at roadside and accumulations occur within the
block that range in size from a turned over stump to the Maximum debris
accumulation size (see below).
In all three harvesting systems the focus of extraction is a merchantable log and not
the full extraction of all debris. Dead snags (felled for safety reasons), aspen that is
not utilized, limbs, damaged tops, etc., can be found throughout all harvesting
operations and these contribute to soil accumulation & retention, habitat, nurse logs,
and protection for seedlings. The level of downed debris is higher following
harvesting using the above harvesting systems.
Page 37
Means of Achieving
Objective & Target
Forecast
Monitoring &
Measurement
Reporting
Conifer harvesting systems on the DFA will be either CTL, FT or TL to maintain a level
of downed woody debris in harvested blocks.
Soil productivity is maintained, and wildlife habitat provided.
The number of blocks by each harvesting system will be monitored annually.
Any Environmental Incident Reports & Penalties associated with inadequate debris
disposal will be tracked in Tolko’s Environmental Management System.
Maximum size of debris accumulations within a harvest area is:
a) height of piles must not exceed 2 m;
b) base diameter of piles must be no greater than 3 m;
c) distance between piles must be no less than 25 m;
d) distance from block edge must be no less than 25 m.
The number of blocks by each harvesting system will be reported annually.
Any Environmental Incident Reports & Penalties associated with inadequate debris
disposal will be reported from Tolko’s Environmental Management System.
This is a refinement of previous Indicator #7 (Coarse Woody Debris), which was
implemented during the 2003-04 harvest season and that focused on tracking debris
piles retained.
Indicator 3.1.3
Changes in soil productively (Local Indicator)
Element(s)
Timber productivity in managed stands is equal to or greater than unmanaged stands.
Research
Growth & Yield information
Forest Management Principles and FMA Vision and Mission
No variance is acceptable.
Established and new research is leading to a better understanding of the effect of
harvest and silviculture operations on soil productivity.
Target
Basis of Target
Acceptable Variance
Strategy(s)
Description
The effect of forest operations on soil productivity can also be assessed by comparing
growth rates of managed stands and natural stands.
Means of Achieving
Objective & Target
Forecast
Monitoring &
Measurement
Reporting
The information from both sources can be used to validate the wood supply
assumptions made in the DFMP.
The companies will participate in, support, or monitor research initiatives to evaluate
the effect of harvest operations on soil productivity.
Existing Growth and Yield information collected through Temporary Sample Plots
(TSP’s) will be built on through the establishment of additional TSP’s and Permanent
Sample Plots (PSP’s), when there is an active Growth and Yield program in place.
The best available information on timber productivity in managed stands will inform
the Timber Supply Analyses (TSA’s) and Detailed Forest Management Plans for the
FMA portion of the DFA.
Research information on the timber productivity in natural stands vs. managed stands
will be monitored.
The Growth and Yield program is currently on hold.
The companies will report on research initiatives relating to soil and timber
productivity in in both the annual SFMP Performance Report and 5-year DFMP
Stewardship Report.
Page 38
This is a local indicator, previously numbered as Indicator #17 (Soil Productivity) and
implemented in 2004.
Reporting for this indicator was originally intended to be tied to an on-going Growth
and Yield program which Tolko and Footner Forest Products (now Norbord) were
conducting. Activity in the Growth and Yield program stopped when Footner Forest
Products shut down in January 2008. Reporting will now be focused on research
initiatives relating to soil and timber productivity.
The following initiatives occurred during 2010–2011:
- Continued support of the Forest Genetics Association of Alberta (FGAA) through
FRIAA contributions, which enables research into genetic gains through tree
improvement.
- Support for the Mixedwood Management Association (MWMA) that supports
research into mixedwood management, through FRIAA contributions. MWMA
received approval from FRIAA in 2009 to develop the Alberta Forest Growth
Organization as a source of growth and yield information for forest companies and
to assist with carbon exchange involving the Oil & Gas sector. Events occurred as
per the FRIAA approval associated with this project.
- FRIAA project “Advancing Non-Fibre Value Forecasting Through an Application of
Forest Growth Models”, was approved August 2008. The purpose of the project is
to link habitat available over the life span of a forested stand for chosen wildlife
species, with Alberta forest growth models that predict growth of regenerating
stands following harvest.
Indicator 3.2.1
Element(s)
Target
Basis of Target
Acceptable Variance
Strategy(s)
Description
Means of Achieving
Objective & Target
Forecast
Monitoring &
Measurement
Proportion of watershed or water management area with recent stand-replacing
disturbance
3.2 Water Quality and Quantity
Adherence to Spatial Harvest Sequence
PFMS and Spatial Harvest Sequence in revision of DFMP
Watershed layers in the GIS.
Records of harvesting and natural disturbance
≤ 20% of the area harvested.
Water quality and quantity can be affected by stand-replacing disturbances that are
both human and natural-caused. The effects due to disturbances are normally highest
in the initial post-disturbance years and diminish over time as the forest regenerates.
The critical threshold at which the disturbance begins to affect water values varies
according to a number of factors, including topography, soil properties, vegetation
types, and climate. The Equivalent Clearcut Area (ECA) describes a second-growth
block in terms of its hydrological equivalent as a clearcut.
During the development of the DFMP a watershed analysis was used to determine the
potential effects of harvest and silvicultural operations on watersheds within the DFA.
The harvest sequence identified in the PFMS ensures that peak flow thresholds are
not exceeded due to management actions.
Follow the PFMS and Spatial Harvest Sequence in the 2012 revision of DFMP, which
outline harvesting activities scheduled to minimize impacts to watersheds in the DFA.
Harvesting activities will be conducted to minimize impacts to watersheds in the FMA
area.
The basis to monitor progress towards the target is the Spatial Harvest Sequence
Variance Report. Variance of >20% from the approved SHS proves the indicator is not
being followed.
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Reporting
Performance against this indicator will be summarized in the 5-year SFMP Stewardship
Report.
This is a refinement of previous Indicators #18 (Adherence to the PFMS) and #1
(Spatial Harvest Sequence).
In 2008 Tolko was given permission to operate outside the harvest sequence where
required, in order to harvest in the absence of Footner Forest Products (now Norbord)
operations. In the 2010/2011 season the companies deviated past the allowed
variance for the previous target, of being up to 20% outside of adherence to the PFMS
for water yields.
Indicator 3.2.2
Satisfactory management of riparian areas (Local Indicator)
Element(s)
Target
100% Compliance with approved riparian management as outlined in an approved
Annual Operating Plan (AOP)
Follow riparian management strategies as approved within Annual Operating Plan(s).
Basis of Target
Acceptable Variance
Strategy(s)
Description
Means of Achieving
Objective & Target
Forecast
Monitoring &
Measurement
Reporting
•
The companies use Operational Controls
•
Clear instructions to contractors working adjacent to riparian areas
•
Contractors are provided spatial information for the approved harvest plan
There will be no significant impact on water quality resulting from the companies’
forest management activities.
The location of watercourses and their associated Watercourse Protection Areas will
be outlined in Annual Operating Plans (AOPs).
Compliance with the approved Watercourse Protection Areas will be monitored
through contract administration and Tolko’s Environmental Management System
(EMS).
Any compliance reports from Alberta Government related to riparian management
will be reported annually. As-builts, completed once every 3 years, will be used to
report where actual protection was different than planned.
This indicator was previously Indicator #19 (Forest Cover in Riparian Buffer Zones),
which was implemented for the 2003-04 harvest season.
Indicator 3.2.3
Satisfactory installation & removal of watercourse crossings (Local Indicator)
Element(s)
Target
100% of the companies’ watercourse crossings meet the installation and removal
standards that protect water.
Operational Ground Rules
FMA Operating Ground Rules (DMI, PRPD) for P21 and P19
The Water Act and Regulations, including the Code of Practice for Watercourse
Crossings that applies to placing, constructing, installing, maintaining, replacing
or removing a watercourse crossing.
EMS controls
< 5%
Conduct all road, harvest and silviculture activities in a way that maintains the
integrity of riparian areas.
Basis of Target
Acceptable Variance
Strategy(s)
Description
Page 40
Means of Achieving
Objective & Target
Forecast
Monitoring &
Measurement
Reporting
The standards that are followed include: 1) mapping and providing other information
about watercourse crossings, 2) planning that minimizes the number of watercourse
crossings, 3) avoiding operations within prescribed distances, and 4) installation,
removal and reclamation procedures.
A Creek Crossing Tracker (online application) is used to track installation and removal
of watercourse crossings. Performance against watercourse crossing requirements is
tracked in annual processes of internal and external audits, government inspections
and incident reports.
Water quality, fish passage, bank stability and aquatic fauna habitat are not
compromised during watercourse crossing construction, maintenance and
reclamation.
Note: A high majority of watercourses that are crossed during the companies’
operations are non-fish bearing, have prevalent beaver activity, flow gradually within
and out of muskeg areas, have low to no flow at times of the year, and can be
completely frozen during winter operations.
Record and report the number of non-compliances with law or approval conditions
that occur.
Compliance with watercourse crossing standards will be reported annually in the
SFMP Performance Report.
This indicator was previously Indicator #20 (Installation and Removal of Watercourse
Crossings), implemented for the 2003-04 harvest season.
The previous target focused on any reclamation required following watercourse
crossing removal.
Indicator 4.1.1
Net carbon uptake / balance
Element(s)
Target
Basis of Target
Conduct activities that are known to offset impacts to carbon stocks.
Strategies that help ensure forests maintain or increase the levels of carbon they
store.
No acceptable variance.
Forest carbon has recently become a key SFM value, especially in light of Canada’s
international commitment to lower its net carbon outputs to the atmosphere. A
forest management strategy aimed at maintaining or increasing forest carbon stocks,
while producing a sustained yield of timber, fibre or energy from the forest, can help
mitigate climate change. 7
Acceptable Variance
Strategy(s)
Description
Strategies that help ensure forests maintain or increase the levels of carbon they store
are:
Prompt and effective renewal (regeneration)
Maintain ecosystem condition & productivity
Minimize soil disturbance
Protecting forest lands from deforestation or conversion to non-forests, where
ecologically appropriate.
Tolko High Level is also a partner in the Alberta Forest Growth Organization (AFGO).
The AFGO is engaging industry, government and academia, and all of Alberta’s
resource-based industries (forestry, energy, mining, agriculture, power and water) to:
Identify high priority growth and yield needs and opportunities
Can Canada’s Forests Contribute to a Climate Change Mitigation Strategy? Presentation by Dr. Werner
Kurz. Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service. May 1 2008.
7
Page 41
-
Work towards co-ordination of existing and newly initiated growth and yield
research
Secure funding for relevant existing and identified new research
Create partnerships between sector groups, especially around the creation and
trading of carbon
The AFGO was created after a successful application by a number of partners to the
Forest Resource Improvement Association of Alberta (FRIAA). It will raise the profile of
forest growth and yield, and its link to carbon, as well as secure long term funding,
create partnerships outside the forest industry, and ensure the efficiency and
applicability of growth and yield research. Through this group, and in the face of
climate change and carbon emission regulations, all of Alberta’s resource-based
industries will begin to rely on the estimation of forest growth and yield to
demonstrate sustainability, and to derive/trade carbon credits.
Means of Achieving
Objective & Target
Forecast
Monitoring &
Measurement
Reporting
Indicator 4.1.2
Element(s)
Target
Basis of Target
Acceptable Variance
Strategy(s)
Description
Means of Achieving
Objective & Target
During the development of a full Detailed Forest Management Plan for FMA0200040,
the companies will consider the application of using the existing CFS-CBM-3 model
developed by the Canadian Forest Service to run concurrently with timber supply
scenarios on the FMA portion of the DFA. The output of the model runs combined
with Preferred Forest Management Strategy information will allow carbon pools to be
influenced by forest management decisions.
Carbon budget modeling on Tolko’s quotas in Forest Management Units P21, P19 and
F14 will be investigated in cooperation with Daishowa-Marubeni International, who
manages the strategic level planning in P21 and P19, and with Alberta Environment
and Sustainable Resource Development who manages F14.
Implement strategies for keeping forest lands vigorously growing trees and
maintaining carbon stocks, and participate in forest growth and yield research with
other resource industries through the Alberta Forest Growth Organization (AFGO)
Forest management will continue to focus on maintaining or increasing forest carbon
stocks, and this will be better integrated with other resource-based industries in the
DFA.
Compile information on the results of strategies that maintain or increase forest
carbon stocks, and the AFGO partnership.
Report in the annual SFMP Performance Report
This is a new core indicator for CSA Z809-08.
Annual harvest (m3) from areas identified as being infested by spruce budworm or
other insects or disease (Local Indicator)
2.1 Forest Ecosystem Resilience
Annual harvest plans consider Spruce Budworm (SBW) infestations and related risk to
wood supply.
Forest Management Principles and FMA Vision and Mission
Forest Stewardship
Spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana) is a significant forest health issue within
the DFA.
Plan and adapt activities to minimize fibre loss to insects and disease on the DFA.
The Spatial Harvest Sequence within the DFMP may consider historical SBW
infestations, and annual Alberta Government aerial surveys have identified areas of
Spruce Budworm infestation which guide where the companies harvest on an annual
basis.
Page 42
Forecast
Monitoring &
Measurement
Reporting
Harvest sequence will be driven by efforts to control SBW and other insects, and to
salvage insect killed wood along with fire salvage.
The companies will track the harvest plans that are driven by efforts to minimize the
impacts of insects, disease & fire on the DFA.
Annually the companies will report if plans were adjusted for SBW infestations and
what Operating Areas were targeted for harvest.
The 5-year DFMP Stewardship Report will provide a summary of how SBW infestations
have varied over the previous 5 years (using Alberta Government annual surveys) and
how the companies adjusted operations accordingly.
This indicator was previously Indicator #13 (Harvest of Areas Infested by Spruce
Budworm or Other Insects or Diseases), implemented May 1, 2003.
The companies have adhered to the harvest sequence where possible to specifically
target compartments of high-risk and those areas that have shown increased damage
as a result of the SBW infestation. The companies have also adjusted annual plans to
harvest additional SBW impacted areas and limit loss of fiber, and look for
opportunities harvest fire salvaged timber, when available.
Total volume harvested from SBW historical areas in 2010/2011 harvest season was
3.59%. Since 2003/2004, 32.08% of the coniferous harvest has come from historical
budworm areas.
Indicator 5.1.1
Element(s)
Target
Basis of Target
Acceptable Variance
Strategy(s)
Description
Means of Achieving
Objective & Target
Quantity and quality of timber and non-timber benefits, products, and services
produced in the DFA.
Timber Benefits: Harvest the companies’ annual cut allocation in order to harvest the
Quadrant volume consistent with the Cut Control Regulation, Policy, DFMP, Forest
Management Agreement and Quota Certificate. Integrate operations with the needs of
other timber users.
Non-timber Benefits:
100% of plans consider the needs of other stakeholder, and the strategies to integrate
the companies’ operations with other users are implemented.
Mill production requirements
Cut control
Public Involvement Plan
Forests represent not only a return on investment for the forest industry, but also a
source of income and non-financial benefits for DFA-related workers, contractors, and
others; stability and opportunities for communities; and revenue for local, provincial,
and federal governments. Both timber and non-timber benefits are addressed through
the public participation process and the implementation of SFM.
Stakeholders are notified of the companies’ plans and provided an opportunity for
comment and sharing of ideas or concerns related to the proposed operations. The
companies will make a reasonable effort to incorporate the needs of non-industrial
stakeholders to mitigate impacts to areas of historical, recreational, unique ecological,
aesthetic, or other land uses of significance.
Timber Benefits: The companies will endeavor to harvest the annual cut allocation each
year, and incorporate the needs of other timber users into all forestry plans.
Non-timber Benefits: The companies will incorporate the needs of other stakeholders
(non-timber values focused) into forestry plans through the implementation of the
Public Involvement Plan (PIP)
Page 43
Forecast
Monitoring &
Measurement
Reporting
The companies will work with stakeholders in progressing towards sustainable forest
management in the DFA.
Timber Benefits: Measure the percent of volume harvested by the companies
compared to the allocated harvest level, and the numbers of ways operations are
integrated with those of other timber users.
Non-timber Benefits: Measure conformance with strategies for non-timber benefits
identified in plans. Those strategies are designed to mitigate impacts to areas of
historical, recreational, unique ecological, aesthetic, or other land uses of significance,
and may include:
- Business arrangements and wood supply agreements with other tenure holders and
processing facilities.
- Notifying trappers of the development of a plan, and holding a face-to-face meeting
before harvesting starts
- Accommodating requests to maintain trapper’s trails
- Getting consent to use or cross other dispositions
- Contacting Watt Mountain Wanderers Society (snowmobile club) about any planned
operations in the Watt Mountain area.
- Developing FMPs and operational plans in conjunction with PAG
- Holding public Open House to communicate about the General Development Plan in
May of each year
- Holding meetings with interested First Nations
- Protecting / managing cultural and heritage resources
- Investing and volunteering in the community
- Making donations
- Attending tradeshows and science fairs
Performance against this indicator will be reported annually in the SFMP Performance
Report.
(Stakeholder Input - Non timber Values) and #31 Part A (Forest Management Plans That
Incorporate the Needs of Other Stakeholders)
Generally stakeholders are notified of company plans and provided an opportunity for
input. Communication records are housed in the communication tracker.
Indicator 5.2.1
Level of investment in initiatives that contribute to community stability
Element(s)
Targets
5.2 Communities and Sustainability
Local opportunities: Local businesses were provided an opportunity to submit a bid on
>80% of the contracts administered by the companies on the DFA.
Basis of Target
Acceptable Variance
Strategy(s)
Description
Means of Achieving
Objective & Target
Forecast
Locally-based business and wood supply agreements: Adhere to existing contractual
obligations and agreements and seek additional strategies to maximize benefits to
other timber operators.
Contracts, Business Agreements, Wood Supply Agreements
As large employers in the area, the companies contribute significantly to the economy,
employment, and business opportunities of the region. Positive business relationships
with local and Aboriginal businesses, and cooperation with other tenure holders and
processing facilities operating within and adjacent to the DFA, contribute to the
success of Tolko and LCSM, those businesses, and the communities they are part of.
Adhere to agreements, employ locally, meet contractual agreements, and seek
additional strategies to maximize benefits for the companies and other timber
operators.
The companies will continue to contribute to community stability through existing and
additional agreements and partnerships
Page 44
Monitoring &
Measurement
Reporting
Activities tracked and reported on may include:
- Percentage of dollars spent locally on forest related activities, in proportion to total
woodlands expenditures.
- The % of contracts where local businesses were given an opportunity to provide a
bid,
- The number of Business and Wood Supply Agreements with local tenure holders
and processing facilities. (New agreements or contracts achieved during the
reporting period will be identified as such).
- Opportunities for the companies to expand operations in the area.
Performance against this indicator will be reported annually in the SFMP Performance
Report.
(Business and Employment Opportunities Awarded Locally) and #29 (Business and
Wood Supply Agreements with Local Tenure Holders and Wood-Processing Facilities)
Tolko Industries Ltd had business arrangements (log supply) with La Crete Sawmills
Ltd. and Crestview Sawmills. There was limited opportunity in NW Alberta for
expanding wood supply agreements due to curtailments in the forest industry.
Indicator 5.2.2
Level of investment in training and skills development
Element(s)
Target
100% of the companies’ Woodlands employees and contractors will have training as
outlined in the Environmental Management System. Suppliers are to have EMS
orientation training.
Environmental Management System, Training Matrix
Online EMS training site, www.highlevelems.com
No variance is acceptable. All training is to be 100% complete based on tasks being
conducted. (some time allowance is acceptable for new employees who need to
schedule formal training with third parties)
Sustainable forest management provides training and awareness opportunities for
company employees and contractors, as part of continually improving practices. The
investment in training and skill development pays dividends through a safer and more
environmentally conscious work environment.
Incidents are reviewed by management, and used to identify areas of improvement for
which new safety and environmental goals are set. A training plan for employees,
contractors, and suppliers is then developed, implemented and tracked.
Some examples of what this training could include are:
incident investigation and root cause analysis
identifying rare species,
training for each logging phase,
the companies’ Environmental Policy’s and Forest Management Principles
All staff and contractor employees will be trained.
EMS module training is tracked on www.highlevelems.com for all employees (the
companies and contractors). Contractors keep records for all training taken by their
employees. All other company staff training records are stored on the company EMS
site, http://ems.tolko.com. Management reviews of safety and EMS programs are
carried out to ensure training activities have been implemented as planned.
Report annually in the SFMP Performance Report on:
- percent of employees, contractors and suppliers that have received the required
training, and
- any employment (student, internship) or sponsorship opportunities provided to
those interested in forestry careers.
the first applicable annual SFMP Performance Report.
Basis of Target
Acceptable Variance
Strategy(s)
Description
Means of Achieving
Objective & Target
Forecast
Monitoring &
Measurement
Reporting
Page 45
Indicator 5.2.3
Level of direct and indirect employment
Element(s)
Target
Basis of Target
Relatively stable employment rates over time
Annual harvest levels
Mill production and targets
+/- 20%
This indicator tracks local trends in employment levels that can be attributed to the
companies’ operations in the DFA.
Acceptable Variance
Strategy(s)
Description
There is a direct relationship between direct and indirect employment, and annual
harvest levels. Direct forest sector and non-forest sector employment levels are
predicted using the most recent provincial level multipliers available, as derived from
Statistics Canada.
Means of Achieving
Objective & Target
Forecast
Monitoring &
Measurement
Reporting
In 2006 data acquired from NRCan (canadaforests.nrcan.gc.ca) the multiplier is
approximately 4 direct and indirect jobs per 1,000 m3 of harvest. (Note: The correct
multiplier to use is still being confirmed).
Adhering to harvesting the allowable annual cut (which can vary from year to year)
provides employment in the surrounding communities. The direct and indirect
employment numbers are proportioned based on the companies’ influence in the
Defined Forest Area.
Employment levels will vary with harvest levels, but remain relatively stable as the
companies’ targets a steady wood supply to its mills.
Level of direct and indirect employment is calculated each year by multiplying the
actual harvest by the appropriate employment multiplier, and 5-year averages
determined.
Report 5 year average in annual SFMP Performance Report.
Indicator 5.2.4
Level of Aboriginal participation in the forest economy
Element(s)
Target
Basis of Target
Maintain and/or increase the number of working relationships with Aboriginals.
Aboriginal contractors and workers in the workforce
Statistics on Aboriginal contracts, wood supply agreements, workforce
employment, and opportunities available.
None.
This indicator looks specifically at Aboriginal participation in the forest economy, and
the companies’ efforts to maintain or build further Aboriginal involvement.
The companies’ will work with willing Aboriginal businesses and communities to
develop opportunities that are economically beneficial and satisfactory to all parties.
Aboriginal employment in the contractor and staff workforce will be encouraged where
economic opportunities exist, and communities will be kept informed about business
and employment opportunities.
Mutually beneficial economic relationships with local Aboriginal people will continue to
build.
Compile data annually on the proportion of the economic value of Aboriginal contracts,
wood supply agreements, workforce employment (contractor and staff), and economic
opportunities made available.
Report these statistics annually, and track trends over time, in the SFMP Performance
Report.
Acceptable Variance
Strategy(s)
Description
Means of Achieving
Objective & Target
Forecast
Monitoring &
Measurement
Reporting
Page 46
Indicator 6.1.1
Evidence of a good understanding of Aboriginal rights and title
Element(s)
Target
Basis of Target
6.1 Aboriginal and Treaty Rights
100% of Woodlands employees who communicate with Aboriginals receive training.
The companies Staff Training matrix and records
Update and direction from government contact
No variance acceptable for either target.
The companies will follow Aboriginal Policy and Forest Management Principles when
working with and communicating with Aboriginal Peoples.
Include training for employees on Aboriginal rights and titles in the Training Matrix
and hold the training.
The current legal requirements related to Aboriginal title and rights, and treaty rights,
will be understood.
Training on Aboriginal rights and title will be part of employee training plans and
tracked.
Acceptable Variance
Strategy(s)
Description
Means of Achieving
Objective & Target
Forecast
Monitoring &
Measurement
Reporting
Report the proportion of employees who have received training according the
schedule outlined in the training matrix, in the annual SFMP Performance Report.
This is a new core indicator for CSA Z809-08.
The Government of Alberta has published policies and guidelines for both First Nation
and Metis Communities for Land and Natural Resource Management, which outlines
the Government and Industry Roles and Responsibilities during consultation on
forestry plans.
The Government of Alberta’s Policy on Consultation with First Nations on Land and
Natural Resource Management (2013) and associated Guidelines (2014)
The Government of Alberta’s Policy on Consultation with Metis Settlements on Land
and Natural Resource Management (2015) with associated Guidelines (2016).
Indicator 6.1.2
Element(s)
Target
Basis of Target
Acceptable Variance
Strategy(s)
Description
Means of Achieving
Objective & Target
Forecast
Monitoring &
Measurement
Evidence of best efforts to obtain acceptance of management plans based on
Aboriginal communities having a clear understanding of the plans.
The companies will follow the Government of Alberta’s Guidelines on Consultation with
First Nations on Land and Natural Resource Management (2014) during consultations
with First Nations on the DFA.
- Public Involvement Plan (PIP), including a strategy specific to the Aboriginal
community.
- Information on planned operations and Aboriginal communities.
- Alberta’s First Nations Consultation Guidelines on Land Management and Resource
Development.
No variance is acceptable
Government of Alberta’s Guidelines on Consultation with First Nations on Land and
Natural Resource Management (2014)
The companies will implement a Public Involvement Plan (PIP), including a strategy
which is specific to the Aboriginal community.
- All communities affiliated with the North Peace Tribal Council and Paddle Prairie
Métis Settlement (PPMS) will be encouraged to participate in the High Level Forest
Public Advisory Group (HLFPAG) to discuss the companies’ proposed forestry
projects.
- Those communities will be contacted about the DFMP and SFMP development, and
affected communities will be contacted about annual operations.
Open, respectful communication of forestry plans with Aboriginal people.
Records of all contacts and communications (meetings, one-on-one discussions etc) will
be kept (within the Consultation Tracker), compared to a list of communities identified,
and the results summarized.
Page 47
Reporting
Reported on annually in SFMP Performance Report.
(Aboriginal Consultation) implemented in 2003, and #31 part 2 (Public Comments –
Company Response).
The Government of Alberta has recently published policies and guidelines for both First
Nation and Metis Communities for Land and Natural Resource Management, which
outlines the Governments and Industry Roles and Responsibilities. These documents
replace the previous Version titled Alberta’s First Nations Consultation Guidelines on
Land Management and Resource Development (2007).
and Natural Resource Management (2015) with associated Guidelines (2016)
Indicator 6.1.3
Element(s)
Target
Basis of Target
Acceptable Variance
Strategy(s)
Description
Means of Achieving
Objective & Target
Forecast
Monitoring &
Measurement
Reporting
Level of management and/or protection of areas where culturally important practices
and activities (hunting, fishing, gathering) occur
100% Compliance with plan commitments to manage and/or protect areas where
known culturally important practices and activities occur as outlined in an approved
Annual Operating Plan (AOP).
Plan commitments/strategies
Conformance, as documented in Annual Performance Reports
Historical Resources Overview and Pre-Impact Assessments
Identified areas of culturally important practices and activities will be managed and/or
protected in compliance with the Historical Resources Act and in consideration of
comments received during the SFMP and DFMP development processes, through the
Public Involvement Plan, communication with Bands etc.
During plan development seek input into the identification and management and/or
protection of areas where culturally important practices and activities occur.
Incorporate management/protection strategies into plans, and implement the plans.
Record identified areas for incorporation into future planning as well, while recognizing
the potential sensitivity of the information.
All plan commitments are met related to managing and/or protecting areas where
known culturally important practices and activities occur.
Compare planned strategies for the management and/or protection of identified areas
to what was actually done.
Report conformance to plan commitments annually in the SFMP Performance Report.
This is a new core indicator for CSA Z809-08. It incorporates previous Indicator #25 Part
2 (Historical Resources Act - regarding respect for Aboriginal traditional values).
the Governments and Industry Roles and Responsibilities.
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Indicator 6.2.1
Element(s)
Target
Basis of Target
Acceptable Variance
Strategy(s)
Description
Means of Achieving
Objective & Target
Forecast
Monitoring &
Measurement
Reporting
Evidence of understanding and use of Aboriginal knowledge through the engagement
of willing Aboriginal communities, using a process that identifies and manages
culturally important resources and values
6.2 Respect for Aboriginal Forest Values, Knowledge and Uses
100% of affected Aboriginal communities will be contacted for the purpose of
Woodlands staff gaining an understanding and use of Aboriginal knowledge related to
the companies’ forestry plans.
Public Involvement Plan (PIP), including strategies specific to the Aboriginal
community
Plan commitments/strategies, and conformance to them, as documented in
Annual Performance Reports
Also see Indicators 6.1.2 and 6.1.3
The companies’ follow Aboriginal Policy.
Willing Aboriginal communities that may be affected by operations are consulted with
during the development of forest management plans, encouraged to share their forest
knowledge and identify important cultural resources. That knowledge is incorporated
into forestry plans.
Aboriginal knowledge of forests, including of culturally important resources and values,
is incorporated into the management of forest lands.
Track forest management plans and activities that specifically incorporate Aboriginal
knowledge. This includes areas where culturally important practices and activities
occur, as reported under Indicator 6.1.3, as well as any modification of forest
management practices based on aboriginal knowledge.
Report on the inclusion of Aboriginal knowledge annually in the SFMP Performance
Report.
This is a new core indicator for CSA Z809-08. It is a refinement of previous Indicator
#25 Part 2 (Historical Resources Act - regarding respect for Aboriginal traditional values)
and previous Indicator #30 (Aboriginal Consultation), implemented in 2003.
Indicator 6.3.1
Element(s)
Target
Basis of Target
Acceptable Variance
Strategy(s)
Description
Evidence that the organization has cooperated with other forest-dependent
businesses, forest users and the local community to strengthen and diversify the local
economy.
6.3 Forest Community Well-being and Resilience
The companies will explore positive local economic opportunities.
Business and Wood Supply Agreements with Local Tenure Holders and WoodProcessing Facilities
Philanthropic activities
No variance.
The companies are major employers within the DFA and they understand there is a
responsibility to support the local economy. The companies will be supportive of
efforts to diversify the economies within the communities of the DFA. By respecting
current business arrangements, legal framework and tenure agreements, the
companies will be supportive of the establishment and success of other enterprises.
Page 49
Means of Achieving
Objective & Target
Forecast
Monitoring &
Measurement
Reporting
Items the companies may implement:
Support development that enriches the communities and improves the services for
its employees,
Develop mutually beneficial business arrangements, including wood supply
agreements, with other businesses.
Create business arrangements to improve financial performance of the both
operations.
Consider opportunities to cooperate with other forest dependent businesses and
forest users during annual forest planning and during operations.
During annual forest plan development and at Open Houses, consider input from
other forest-dependent businesses and users that may be affected by the
companies’ plans (trappers, recreational groups, etc.) in advance of forest
operations. Coordinate the timing of activities and modify plans and activities, as
appropriate to accommodate multiple uses.
Support the local community through mutually beneficial philanthropic activities
(such as making in-kind or monetary donations, volunteering, participating in
science fairs, etc.)
Continued support for local communities, and mutually agreeable forestry plans.
Track business arrangements, communications, and philanthropic activities annually.
This information is found within contracts, communication details on corporate EMS
site, and through the accounting department.
Cooperative activities reported on, several of which are also reported under other
Indicators, could include:
- Business related
Initiatives and partnerships with local businesses
Business arrangements and wood supply agreements with other tenure
holders and processing facilities.
- Trappers
Notifying trappers of the development of a plan, and holding a face-to-face
meeting before harvesting starts
Accommodating requests to maintain trapper’s trails
- Oil and Gas
Getting consent to use or cross other dispositions
- General Public
Number of blocks or planned activities changed as a result of discussions (e.g.
visually sensitive areas etc.)
Reviewing FMPs and operational plans in with HLFPAG
Holding public Open House to communicate about the General Development
Plan is usually held in May of each year
- In Communities
Investing and volunteering in the community
Making donations
Attending tradeshows and science fairs
- Recreation
Contacting Watt Mountain Wanderers Society (snowmobile club) about any
planned operations in the Watt Mountain area.
- First Nations
Holding meetings with interested First Nations
Protecting / managing cultural and heritage resources
Report on annually in SFMP Performance Report.
(Business and Wood Supply Agreements with Local Tenure Holders and WoodProcessing Facilities) and #31 Part A (Forest Management Plans That Incorporate the
Needs of Other Stakeholders)
-
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Indicator 6.3.2
Element(s)
Target
Basis of Target
Acceptable Variance
Strategy(s)
Description
Means of Achieving
Objective & Target
Forecast
Monitoring &
Measurement
Reporting
Indicator 6.3.3
Element(s)
Target
Basis of Target
Acceptable Variance
Strategy(s)
Description
Means of Achieving
Objective & Target
Forecast
Monitoring &
Measurement
Reporting
Evidence of cooperation with DFA-related workers and their unions to improve and
enhance safety standards, procedures, and outcomes in all DFA-related workplaces
and affected communities.
The companies and contractors will achieve a Certificate of Recognition for their safety
programs.
Certificate of Recognition for Safety Programs
Partners for Injury Reduction (PIR) program
Follow the companies’ safety policy
The companies’ will achieve their own separate Certificate of Recognition for Safety
Programs, under the Partners for Injury Reduction (PIR) program that is a partnership of
Alberta’s Ministry of Employment and Immigration.
Contractors are required to have their own health and safety program, and are
required to participate in the Partners for Injury Prevention program as well. The
companies do not manage safety programs of its contractors.
Continued, strong focus on safety for employees, contractors, and the public.
External audits are done on the companies’ separate health and safety program.
Annual reporting will consist of the status of the companies’ COR, plus report on the
status of CORs for contractors that worked for the companies during the reporting
period.
Evidence that a worker safety program has been implemented, and periodically
reviewed, and improved.
100% of contractors working in the DFA have a Health and Safety program that has
current Certificate of Recognition through the Partnerships in Injury Reduction
program.
Contractor Health and Safety programs
Alberta Employment and Immigration incentive programs.
Follow the companies’ safety program.
Work on the DFA is done under contracts that require each Contractor to have a worker
safety program be in place. Prior to a contract being issued the companies will ensure
the Contractor has a current Certificate of Recognition in Partnerships in Injury
Reduction.
Increasing safety focus and performance in the contractor workforce.
The companies’ are responsible for ensuring a current Certificate of Recognition is on
file prior to all contracts being signed.
Annual reporting in the SFMP Performance Report.
Page 51
Indicator 6.4.1
Level of participant satisfaction with the public participation process
Element(s)
Target
6.4 Fair and Effective Decision-Making
80% of responses to a satisfaction survey for participants are “3” or better. (on scale of
1-5)
Basis of Target
Acceptable Variance
Strategy(s)
Description
Means of Achieving
Objective & Target
Forecast
Monitoring &
Measurement
Reporting
Indicator 6.4.2
Element(s)
Target
Basis of Target
Acceptable Variance
Strategy(s)
Description
Means of Achieving
Objective & Target
Satisfaction survey
Public Involvement Plan, including Public Advisory Group
The ability of people to share information, discuss and solve problems,
and set and meet objectives is key to achieving and maintaining meaningful
participation. Many types of initiatives (e.g., two-way information exchanges,
educational opportunities) can be used to help promote meaningful participation.
A mechanism such as a survey may be used to determine participant satisfaction with
the public participation process, particularly when participants understand that
consensus-based decision-making is used to incorporate all interests.
Provide a public participation survey to all active Advisory Group members and
interested public (including Aboriginal people) who have shown notable interest in the
companies’ SFM practices during the year.
Active, engaged local public
Survey responses will be coded as:
1 (poor)
2
3 (satisfactory)
4
5 (well done)
Complete the survey annually at the end of the reporting period (eg., May).
Summarize the results in the annual SFMP Performance Report.
Evidence of efforts to promote capacity development and meaningful participation in
general
Track the number of educational initiatives that contribute to informed public
participation in the development of forestry plans.
Use the baseline information gathered to develop a more specific target for 2015, such
as the number of events.
DFMP, GDP, and CSA SFM Plan development processes
None
This indicator measures the number of educational initiatives where information about
sustainable forest management is exchanged to facilitate meaningful public
participation in forest management decisions.
Educational initiatives may include (but are not limited to) trade fairs, open houses,
support for the Northern Lights Forest Education Society, making reports and plans
available on a website, and a Public Advisory Group (PAG). At PAG meetings more indepth information and expertise is provided by company foresters, government
representatives, and experts brought in to address specific topics.
All comments from First Nations, stakeholders and public are responded to. This
provides another two-way exchange of information and opportunity for explanations.
Page 52
Forecast
Monitoring &
Measurement
Reporting
Indicator 6.4.3
Element(s)
Target
Basis of Target
Acceptable Variance
Strategy(s)
Description
Means of Achieving
Objective & Target
Interested and engaged members of the public understand forestry and the related
issues, and provide meaningful input into the development of the companies’ plans and
projects.
Track all educational initiatives participated in throughout the reporting year.
Report on efforts the number of educational initiatives held in annually (timber year) in
the SFMP Performance Report.
Evidence of efforts to promote capacity development and meaningful participation of
Aboriginal communities
Track the number of educational initiatives that contribute to informed participation by
Aboriginal communities in the development of forestry plans
None
This indicator measures the number of educational initiatives where information about
sustainable forest management is exchanged to facilitate meaningful Aboriginal
participation in forest management decisions.
A variety of methods will be used to disseminate information to Aboriginal
communities, depending on what is most effective for a particular group.
These initiatives provide opportunities for the Aboriginal community to better
understand the basic requirements of the forest industry, and in turn help Tolko
become better educated about regional Aboriginal issues and special interests –
specifically, an understanding of traditional territories, cultural and spiritual values.
Forecast
Monitoring &
Measurement
Reporting
All comments from First Nations, stakeholders and public are responded to. This
provides another two-way exchange of information and opportunity for explanations.
Surrounding Aboriginal communities understand forestry and the related issues, and
provide meaningful input into the development of the companies’ plans and projects.
Track all educational initiatives participated in throughout the reporting year. Identify
those done specifically for Aboriginal people.
Report on efforts to promote capacity development and meaningful participation in the
annual SFMP Performance Report.
New core indicator for CSA Z809-08.
Indicator 6.5.1
Number of people reached through educational outreach
Element(s)
Target
6.5 Information for Decision-Making
Maintain or increase the number of people contacted through educational outreach
Basis of Target
-
Page 53
Consultation Tracker
-10%
This indicator measures the number of people being reached with relevant information
about forestry operations and sustainable forest management, to facilitate involvement
from local residents and Aboriginal communities in forest management planning. This
information can then be used over time to evaluate the effectiveness of various
activities and improve the companies’ outreach program
Count, or provide a reasonable estimate of the number of people attending the
educational initiatives being tracked under Indicators 6.4.2 and 6.4.3.
-
Acceptable Variance
Strategy(s)
Description
Means of Achieving
Objective & Target
Forecast
Monitoring &
Measurement
Reporting
Use that information to evaluate the effectiveness of various initiatives over time, and
improve the companies’ outreach program.
An effective public outreach program
Record the number of people contacted through outreach initiatives for a reporting
year, in the Consultation Tracker that all HLLD staff have access to.
Report the number of people reached annually, by initiative, in the SFMP Performance
Report
This is a new core indicator for CSA Z809-08. It is a refinement of previous Indicator #32
(Number of Forestry Awareness Events) which was implemented in the 2010/2011
timber year, and measured events, rather than the number of people reached.
Indicator 6.5.2
Availability of summary information on issues of concern to the public
Element(s)
Target
Basis of Target
6.5 Information for Decision-Making
Relevant information on forestry issues of concern is readily available to the public
Website at www.highlevelwoodlands.com
News (clipping service)
PAG meetings
None
Relevant information on issues of concern will be readily shared with the PAG,
Aboriginal communities, and the general public. This will contribute to better
understanding and exchanges of opinions that contribute to balanced, mutually
acceptable plans and decisions.
Key reports and documents, including minutes from PAG meetings and links to
information on other relevant websites, will be available to anyone with internet access
at www.highlevelwoodlands.com
Acceptable Variance
Strategy(s)
Description
Means of Achieving
Objective & Target
Forecast
Monitoring &
Measurement
Reporting
At PAG meetings more in-depth information and expertise will be provided by company
foresters, government representatives, and experts brought in to address specific
topics.
Current information on the companies’ sustainable forest management program is
available.
Report on all initiatives throughout a year (timber year), in the Consultation Tracker
that all HLLD staff have access to.
Report annually in the SFMP Performance Report
This is a new core indicator for CSA Z809-08. It is a refinement of previous Indicator #31
Part 4 (Access to Relevant Information, Including the CSA Standard), implemented
during the 2003-04 harvest season.
The companies’ public website at www.highlevelwoodlands.com was maintained. This
site is used to post information such as operations, plans, public involvement activities,
and Public Advisory Group meeting notes.
Page 54
References
Z809-08 Sustainable Forest Management: Requirements and Guidance. 2008. Canadian
Standards Association.
Alberta Forest Management Planning Standard, Version 4.1. 2006 Alberta Environment and
Sustainable Resource Development. Edmonton.
Alberta Forest Management Planning Standard, Annex 1, Timber Supply Analysis and Growth and
Yield. 2006. Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development. Edmonton.
Alberta’s First Nations Consultation Guidelines on Land Management and Resource Development,
2007. Edmonton
The Government of Alberta’s Policy on Consultation with First Nations on Land and Natural
Resource Management. 2013. Edmonton
The Government of Alberta’s Guidelines on Consultation with First Nations on Land and Natural
The Government of Alberta’s Policy on Consultation with Metis Settlements on Land and Natural
The Government of Alberta’s Guidelines on Consultation with Metis Settlements on Land and
Natural Resource Management. 2016. Edmonton
Macyk, T., and Richens, T. 2002. Carbon Sequestration – Reforestation and Soil Stability. Alberta
Research Council.
Watt Mountain Natural Area: Proposal. 1991. Alberta Lands & Forest Division. Unpublished.
Page 55
Glossary of Terms
Aboriginal – “Aboriginal“ in the context of this plan includes all Indian, Inuit, and Métis peoples of Canada
(Constitution Act, 1982, Subsection 35(2)).
Adaptive Management – a learning approach to management that recognizes substantial uncertainties in
managing forests and incorporates into decisions experience gained from the results of previous actions.
Alberta Vegetation Inventory (AVI) – a system for describing the quantity and quality of vegetation
present. It involves the stratification and mapping of the vegetation to create digital data according to the
AVI Standards Manual and associated volume tables.
Annual Allowable Cut (AAC) – The volume of wood which may be harvested, under management, on an
annual basis.
Annual Operating Plans (AOP) – A plan prepared and submitted by the forest operator each year, which
provides the authorization to harvest as required by the Timber Management Regulations.
Annual Performance Report - An annual performance report is used to record results from the previous
year, in addition to tracking cumulative performance. These reports are to be reviewed within the Public
Involvement Plan to ensure public accountability in forest management.
Auditor – a person qualified to undertake audits. Note: For SFM registration audits, auditors are qualified
according to the requirements set out in Can-P-148 and CAN-P-1518.
Biodiversity (biological diversity) – “the variability among living organisms from all sources, including
inter alia, terrestrial, marine, and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they
are part; this includes diversity within species between species and of ecosystems”
(Environment Canada, Canadian Strategy).
Certificate of Registration (registration certificate) – the official document issues by a registrar to an
organization upon successful completion of the registration process, including the registration audit.
Certificate/Registration – the result of a successful registration audit to this Standard, whereby the
registrar issues a certificate of registration and adds the organization’s registration to a publicly available
list maintained by the registrar.
Certifier (Registrar) – an independent third party that is accredited by the Standards Council of Canada as
being competent to register organizations with respect to nationally and internationally recognized
standards.
Compliance – the conduct or results of activities in accordance with legal requirements.
Compartment – The Forest Management Agreement (FMA) area of the DFA is divided into 12 Operating
Areas for administrative purposes. These Operating areas are divided further into a number of
Compartments, which are used in the development of Annual Operating Plans. These compartments, like
most of the Operating Areas, are divided by natural or anthropogenic boundaries including watercourses,
highways, and/or pipelines.
Component – an individual section of the SFM system, e.g., policy, planning, implementation and
operation, checking and corrective action, or management review.
Page 56
Conformance – meeting non-legal requirements such as policies, work instructions, or standards
(including this Standard).
Continual Improvement – the ongoing process of enhancing SFM performance, resulting from experience
and the incorporation of new knowledge in line with the organization’s SFM policy and from the
application of the SFM requirements.
Contractor Orientation Record (COR) – The COR is a record of what is completed as required in the
Companies’ EMS and indicates the following:
-
-
that the contractor(s) have been made aware of the Companies EMS and the related operational
controls that apply to their work;
that the Contractor is made aware and understands the expectations of the Companies with respect
to their responsibility to follow the Company procedures and will ensure that their employees’ also
have training in the awareness of the Companies’ EMS and EMS procedures and understands the
main commitments in the respective environmental policy;
ensures that their suppliers understand & conform to the EMS and any other certification
commitments.
understands and agrees to conform to these requirements (the COR is completed as part of online
EMS training on www.highlevelems.com and once the module and test is completed the COR is
considered to be agreed to and accepted by the contractor)
Corrective Action – action to eliminate the cause of a detected nonconformity or other undesirable
situation Note: There can be more than on cause for a non-conformance. Corrective action is taken to
prevent recurrence, whereas preventive action is taken to prevent occurrence.
Covertype(s) – The stratification or grouping of areas into the categories of C (predominantly coniferous),
CD (predominantly coniferous mixedwood), DC (predominantly deciduous mixedwood), and D
(predominantly deciduous). Predominance is based on crown closure as per the overstory inventory label
(Phase 3 inventory) or on an evaluation of all overstory labels (AVI inventory).
CSA Z764-96 – The CSA Z764-96 document was prepared by the CSA Technical Planning Committee on
Public Involvement. It is only a Guide and is meant to help project proponents work out the opportunities
and implications of getting the public involved in project decisions and design a process tailor-made for
their situation.
Cut-Control Period – A five-year harvest period also known as a quadrant.
Deciduous Timber Allocation (DTA) – Deciduous quota allocation defined on an area or volume basis for
up to a 20-Year term under the Forests Act (1).
Defined Forest Area (DFA) – a specified area of forest, including land and water (regardless of ownership
or tenure) to which the requirements of this Standard apply. The DFA may or may not consist of one or
more contiguous blocks or parcels.
Detailed Forest Management Plan (DFMP) - A long-term plan used to outline higher-level management
objectives, sustainability and timber production assumptions for a Forest Management Agreement (FMA).
DFA-Related Worker – any individual employed by the organization to work for wages or a salary who
does not have a significant or substantial share of the ownership in the employer’s organization and does
not function as a manager of the organization.
Page 57
Ecosystem – a dynamic complex of plants, animals, and micro-organisms and their non-living
environment, interacting as a functioning unit.
Note: “The term ‘ecosystem’ can describe small-scale units, such as a drop of water as well as large-scale
units, such as the biosphere” (Environment Canada, Canadian Biodiversity Strategy).
Element – a concept used to define the scope of each CCFM SFM criteria. Each CCFM SFM criterion
contains several elements. The CSA SFM elements were derived from the national-scale elements
developed by the CCFM for more specific local applications. The elements serve to elaborate and specify
the scope of their associated criterion.
Environment – the surroundings in which an organization operates, including air, water, land, natural
resources, flora, fauna, humans and the interrelations of these elements.
Equivalent Clearcut Area (ECA) – The ECA describes the “effective” area that a recovering historic
disturbance currently represents in terms of its ecological effects.
Establishment Survey – an establishment survey is completed 4 to 8 years after harvesting in Conifer,
Mixedwood and Deciduous cutblocks.
Forest Harvest Plan (FHP) - The primary components of a Forest Harvest Plan include a map and report
that clearly illustrates and documents the harvest area boundaries, roads and watercourse crossings
within an individual compartment. Forest Harvest Plans are developed for each compartment scheduled
for harvest.
Fire Control Agreement - The Minister may, with a view to ensuring the prevention and control of forest
and prairie fires, enter into an agreement, known as a fire control agreement,
a. with any person carrying on an industrial or commercial operation over, under, on or adjacent to
public land with respect to that operation;
b. with the Government of Canada with respect to land in or adjacent to Alberta that belongs to that
Government or that is under its administration and control;
c. with the government of any province or territory or;
d. with the council of a municipal district or urban municipality with respect to land within its
boundaries or under its control.
Forest – an ecosystem dominated by trees and other woody vegetation growing more or less closely
together its related flora and fauna, and the values attributed to it.
Forest Management Agreement (FMA) – A contract between the province of Alberta and the FMA holder
whereby the province provides an area-based Crown timber supply. In return, the FMA holder commits to
the following:
Managing the timber resource on a perpetual sustained yield basis, taking into consideration a broad
range of forest values in determining forest management practices.
Meeting defined economic objectives, including capital investment and job creation, and seeking out
new business opportunities that provide measurable economic benefits for both the province and
FMA holder.
The FMA gives the FMA holder the right to access Crown fibre. In return, the FMA holder commits to
forest management responsibilities, which may change from time to time.
Forest Management Unit (FMU) – An administrative unit of forest land designated by the Minister, as
authorized under Section 14(1) of the Forests Act.
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General Development Plans (GDP) – Five-year plans. They provide a comprehensive description of the
proposed harvest strategy and the associated renewal activities for all areas impacted by the plan.
Grazing License – A Grazing License is a grazing disposition with tenure of 10 years.
Ground Rules/Upper Hay Regional Operating Ground Rules (UHROGR)/FMA Operating Ground Rules
(DMI)– Ground rules provide direction to industry and government for planning, implementing and
monitoring forestry operations on Crown lands in Alberta. They are negotiated indicators of best forestry
practices for a given FMU or FMA. They highlight important management principles, define operating and
planning objectives, and present standards and guidelines for timber harvest, road development,
reclamation, reforestation and integration of timber harvesting with other forest uses. They are
authorized by the Forests Act and The Timber Management Regulation.
Harvest Sequence – The order of harvest operations in time and space.
Indicator – a variable that measures or describes the state or condition of a value.
ISO 14001 – an internationally recognized Environmental Management System standard published in
1996 by the International Organization for Standardization. The ISO 14001 Standard has been approved as
a National Standard of Canada by the Standards Council of Canada.
Local – Local in the context that it is being used in this document includes residents of High Level,
Rainbow Lake, Assumption, Meander River, Zama City, Fort Vermilion, John D’Or Prairie, Fox Lake, La
Crete, North/South Tall Cree, Paddle Prairie, Rocky Lane, and/or residents of MacKenzie County.
Mineral Surface Lease (MSL) - A government surface activity label for an oil and gas wellsite. A wellsite is
usually the portion of the surface of land required for the conduct of drilling or completion operations of a
well during the period next following the initial entry upon the land until the well is abandoned or
completed. Generally square or rectangular in shape. (Saskatchewan Surface Right Acquisition and
Compensation Act, 1968 (Stat. Sask. 1968, c.73)
Natural Range of Variability – The historic range in age class and/or seral stages over time as a result of
natural disturbances.
Objective – a broad statement describing a desired future states or condition of a value.
Older Age Classes – Age classes which are considered >120 years of age.
Operational Controls – Operational controls are developed and implemented to ensure that potential for
significant negative environmental impacts are minimized.
Performance Survey – a performance survey is completed 8 to 14 years after harvesting in C, CD, and DC
cutblocks and 10 to 14 years after harvesting in conditionally stocked D cutblocks.
PPMS – Paddle Prairie Métis Settlement.
Preferred Forest Management Strategy (PFMS) – A set of compatible and integrated resource
management strategies that has been selected to guide plan implementation.
Productive Land – Land primarily intended for growing, or currently supporting, forest. Includes land not
now forested. Forest land capable of producing a merchantable stand within a reasonable length of time.
Page 59
Program – Programs are developed to ensure the Companies meet the objectives and targets as outlined
in the Environmental Management System (EMS).
Protected Area – an area protected by legislation, regulation or land-use policy to control the level of
human occupancy or activities. Note: “Categories or protected areas include protected landscapes,
national parks, multiple use management areas, and nature wildlife reserves" (The State of Canada’s
Forests 2001, 2002).
Public Involvement Plan – as part of the Detailed Forest Management Plan (DFMP), the Companies
developed and implemented a comprehensive Public Involvement Plan (PIP). This PIP consisted of
working groups, open houses, local government meetings, and newsletters. In addition, the Companies
also utilized the local Public Advisory Group as part of the process.
Residual Material – Non-merchantable trees and shrubs (>2m), including understory, standing dead,
broken, or decaying trees, trees identified as having dens or nests, or areas retained due to the presence
of unique flora.
Riparian Zone – Those terrestrial areas where the vegetation complex and microclimate conditions are
products of the combined presence and influence of perennial and/or intermittent water, associated high
water tables, and soils that exhibit some wetness characteristics.
Salvageable – Coniferous area capable of yielding volume of sufficient quality and quantity to produce
dimensional lumber while incorporating geographical location, other industrial operations, as well as
utilization standards as agreed to by Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development.
Stewardship Report – A report that accounts for all activities, undertaken as steward of a given article,
resource, area or process, related to strategies to achieve stated stewardship goals. Measures of
performance are included and linked to plans that express the desired goals.
Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) – management “to maintain and enhance the long-term health of
forest ecosystems, while providing ecological, economic, social and cultural opportunities for the benefit
of present and future generations” (The State of Canada’s Forests 2001/2002).
SFM Performance – the assessable results of SFM as measured by the level of achievement of the targets
set for a DFA.
SFM Policy – a statement by the organization of intentions and principles in relation to SFM, which
provides a framework for objectives, targets, practices and actions.
SFM System – the structure, responsibilities, practices, processes and time frames set by a registrar for
implementing, maintaining, and improving SFM.
Tailgate Checklist – Company staff uses the Tailgate (or pre-work) Checklist to introduce the contractor to
the management objectives for a particular project.
Target – a specific statement describing a desired future state or condition of an indicator. Targets should
be clearly defined, time-limited and quantified.
Tenure – the terms under which a forest manager or owner possesses the rights and assumes the
responsibilities, to use, harvest, or manage one or more forest resources in a specified forest area for a
specified period of time.
Page 60
Note: private ownership of forestland is the strongest form of tenure, as the rights and obligations rest
solely with the forest owner. Forest tenures of public land in Canada fall into two main categories: areabased and volume-based. Area-based tenures not only confer timber-harvest rights out also usually oblige
the tenure holder to assume forest management responsibilities. Volume-based tenures normally give the
holder the right to harvest specific volumes of timber in areas specified by the landowner or manager but
can also oblige holders to assume forest management responsibilities.
Tenure Management Services Agreement – A legal agreement between Tolko Industries Ltd, High Level
Lumber Division and La Crete Sawmills Ltd that defines the business relationship & responsibilities
between the companies on FMA0200040 & CTQF010001 and with respect to any purchase wood.
Value – a DFA characteristic, component, or quality considered by an interested party to be important in
relation to a CSA SFM element or other locally identified element.
Page 61
APPENDIX A: Summary of Indicators
CCFM Criterion
(Z809-08)
CSA SFM Elements
1.1) Ecosystem Diversity - Conserve ecosystem
diversity at the stand and landscape levels by
maintaining the variety of communities and
ecosystems that naturally occur in the DFA.
1.2) Species Diversity - Conserve species diversity by
ensuring that habitats for the native species found in
the DFA are maintained through time, including
habitats for known occurrences of species at risk.
1.) Biological Diversity - Conserve
biological diversity by maintaining
integrity, function, and diversity of
living organisms and the
complexes of which they are part.
1.3) Genetic Diversity - Conserve genetic diversity by
maintaining the variation of genes within species and
ensuring that reforestation programs are free of
genetically modified organisms.
1.4) Protected Areas and Sites of Special Biological
Significance and cultural significance - Respect
protected areas identified through government
processes. Co-operate in broader landscape
management related to protected areas and sites of
special biological and cultural significance. Identify
sites of special geological, biological, or cultural
significance within the DFA and implement
management strategies appropriate to their long-term
maintenance.
2.) Ecosystem Condition and
Productivity - Conserve forest
ecosystem condition and
productivity by maintaining the
health, vitality and rates of
biological production.
2.1) Forest Ecosystem Resilience - Conserve
ecosystem resilience by maintaining both ecosystems
processes and ecosystem conditions.
2.2) Forest Ecosystem Productivity - Conserve forest
ecosystem productivity and productive capacity by
maintaining ecosystem conditions that are capable of
supporting naturally occurring species. Reforest
promptly and use tree species ecologically suited to
the site.
#
1.1.1
1.1.2
1.1.3
1.1.4
1.2.1
1.2.2
Previous (2003)
SFMP Indicator
(Commitment#)
Current (2008) SFMP Indicator
a variable that measures the state or condition of a
DFA-specific value and for which one or more targets
are set
Ecosystem area by type
NEW
2 - Cover Types
Forest area by type or species composition
Forest area by seral stage or age class
Degree of within-stand structural retention
Degree of habitat protection for selected focal species,
including species at risk
Degree of suitable habitat in the long term for selected
focal species, including species at risk
1.2.3
Proportion of regeneration comprised of native species
1.3.1
1.3.2
The area (ha) planted with seedlings from orchard stock
(Local Indicator)
Regeneration consistent with provincial regulations and
standards for seed supplies and seed zones (Local
Indicator)
1.4.1
Proportion of identified sites with implemented
management strategies. (FMA or site Level)
1.4.2
Protection of identified sacred and culturally important
sites. (FMA or Site Level)
2.1.1
Reforestation success.
2.2.1
Additions and deletions to the forest area. (by cause)
2.2.2
Proportion of the calculated long-term sustainable
harvest level that is actually harvested
4 - Age Class Distribution
6 – Vertical & Horizontal Stand Structure
8 – Wildlife Zones
1- Spatial Harvest Sequence
5 – (1 & 2) – Habitat Availability
NEW
9 – Orchard Stock
10 – Compliance with Seed Zones
3 – Areas of Ecological Significance
11- Areas of Biological Significance
12- Watt Mountain Natural Area
26 – Areas Removed to Incorporate Aesthetics
25- Historical Resources Act
14- Salvage from natural disturbance
21- Reforestation Activities
22 - Area identified as being Sufficiently Stocked
23- Decrease in Non-forested Area
24- AAC Harvested During 5-year Cut Control
Period
62
CCFM Criterion
(Z809-08)
CSA SFM Elements
3.1) Soil Quality and Quantity - Conserve soil
resources by maintaining soil quality and quantity.
3.) Soil and Water - Conserve soil
and water resources by
maintaining their quantity and
quality in forest ecosystems.
3.2) Water Quality and Quantity - Conserve water
resources by maintaining water quality and quantity.
#
3.1.1
Level of soil disturbance
3.1.2
3.1.3
Level of downed woody debris
Changes in soil productivity (Local Indicator)
3.2.1
Proportion of watershed or water management areas
with recent stand-replacing disturbance
3.2.2
3.2.3
4.) Role in Global Ecological
Cycles - Maintain forest conditions
and management activities that
contribute to the health of global
ecological cycles.
5.) Economic and Social Benefits Sustain flows of forest benefits for
current and future generations by
providing multiple goods and
services.
4.1) Carbon Uptake and Storage - Maintain the
processes that take carbon from the atmosphere and
store it in forest ecosystems.
4.2) Forest Land Conversion - Protect forestlands
from deforestation or conversion to non-forests,
where ecologically appropriate
5.1) Timber and Non-Timber Benefits - Manage the
forest sustainably to produce an acceptable and
feasible mix of timber and non-timber benefits.
Evaluate timber and non-timber forest products and
forest-based services.
5.2) Communities and Sustainability - Contribute to
the sustainability of communities by providing diverse
opportunities to derive benefits from forests and by
supporting local community economies.
4.1.1
4.1.2
Previous (2003)
SFMP Indicator
(Commitment#)
15- Road Disturbance
16- Rutting Disturbance
7-Coarse Wood Debris
17-Soil Productivity
1 – Spatial Harvest Sequence
18- Water Resources – Adherence to Spatial
Harvest Sequence
19 -Buffer Zone Compliance
Satisfactory management of riparian areas. (Local
Indicator)
Satisfactory installation & removal of watercourse
crossings. (Local Indicator)
Net carbon uptake/balance
Annual harvest (m3) from areas identified as being
infested by spruce budworm or other insects or
disease. (Local Indicator)
2.1.1
2.2.1
Additions and deletions to the forest area
5.1.1
Quantity and quality of timber and non-timber benefits,
products, and services produced in the DFA.
5.2.1
Level of investment in initiatives that contribute to
community sustainability
5.2.2
Level of investment in training and skills development
5.2.3
Level of direct and indirect employment
5.2.4
Level of Aboriginal participation in the forest economy
20- Watercourse Crossings
NEW
13- Volume from Budworm Areas
27- Stakeholder input – non-timber values
31 (1)- Stakeholder input – other timber uses
28- Employment Opportunities
29- Business and Wood Supply Agreements
NEW
NEW
NEW
63
CCFM Criterion
(Z809-08)
CSA SFM Elements
6.1) Aboriginal and Treaty Rights - Recognize and
respect Aboriginal title and rights. Understand and
comply with current legal requirements related to
Aboriginal title and rights, and treaty rights.
6.2) Respect for Aboriginal Forest Values,
Knowledge, and Uses - Respect traditional Aboriginal
forest values, knowledge, and uses identified through
the Aboriginal input process.
#
6.3) Forest Community well-being and resilience Encourage, co-operate with, or help to provide
opportunities for economic diversity within the
community.
Evidence of a good understanding of the nature of
Aboriginal title and rights
6.1.2
Evidence of best efforts to obtain acceptance of
management plans based on Aboriginal communities
having a clear understanding of the plans
6.1.3
Level of management and/or protection of areas where
culturally important practices and activities (hunting,
fishing, gathering) occur.
25(2) – Compliance with Historical Resources Act
6.2.1
Evidence of understanding and use of Aboriginal
knowledge through the engagement of willing
Aboriginal communities, using a process that identified
and manages culturally important resources and values.
25(2) -Compliance with Historical Resources Act
30 -Aboriginal Consultation
Evidence that the organization has co-operated with
other forest dependent businesses, forest users, and
the local community to strengthen and diversify the
local economy
Evidence of co-operation with DFA related workers and
their unions to improve and enhance safety standards,
procedures, and outcomes in all DFA related
workplaces and affected communities.
Evidence that a worker safety programs has been
implemented and is periodically reviewed and
improved.
Level of participant satisfaction with the public
participation process
29- Business and Wood Supply Agreements
31 (1) - Forest Management Plans that Incorporate
the Needs of Other Stakeholders
6.3.2
6.3.3
6.4.1
6.4) Fair and Effective Decision-Making Demonstrate that the SFM public participation
process is designed and functioning to the satisfaction
of the participants, and that there is general public
awareness of the process and its progress.
6.5) Information for Decision-Making - Provide
relevant information and education opportunities to
interested parties to support their involvement in the
public participation process, and increase knowledge
of ecosystem and human interactions with forest
ecosystems.
NEW
6.1.1
6.3.1
6.) Society's Responsibility Society's responsibility for
sustainable forest management
requires that fair, equitable and
effective forest management
decisions are made.
Previous (2003)
SFMP Indicator
(Commitment#)
6.4.2
6.4.3
6.5.1
6.5.2
30- Aboriginal Consultation
31(2) - Public comments – company response
NEW
NEW
NEW
NEW
Evidence of efforts to promote capacity development
and meaningful participation in general.
Evidence of efforts to promote capacity development
and meaningful participation for aboriginal
communities.
Number of people reached through educational
outreach
NEW
32-Number of Forestry Awareness Events
31(4)-Access to Information
Availability of summary information on issues of
concern to the public.
64
APPENDIX B: Linkage – SFM Indicators and Provincial Planning Requirements
PLANNING REQUIREMENTS
SFM INDICATORS
1.1.1
1.1.2
1.1.3
1.1.4
1.2.1
1.2.2
1.2.2
1.2.3
1.3.1
1.3.2
1.4.1
1.4.2
2.1.1
2.2.1
2.2.2
3.1.1
3.1.2
3.1.3
3.2.1
3.2.2
3.2.3
4.1.1
4.1.2
4.2
5.1.1
5.2.1
5.2.2
5.2.3
5.2.4
6.1.1
6.1.2
6.1.3
Ecosystem Area
Forest area by type
Forest area by seral stage
Within-stand structural
retention
Habitat protection
Suitable habitat available
Suitable habitat available
Regeneration of Native
Species
Seedlings from orchard stock
Seed supplies and seed
zones
Special sites – management
strategies
Sacred, culturally important
sites - protection
Forest area – additions,
deletions
Sustainable harvest actually
harvested
Soil disturbance
Coarse woody debris
Changes in Soil Productivity
Watershed – stand replacing
disturbance
Riparian areas management
Watercourse crossings –
installation etc.
Net Carbon Uptake
Harvest from budworm
areas etc. areas
Uses 2.2.1 – Forest area
additions/deletions
Timber and non-timber
benefits
Community stability
Training and skills
Direct & indirect
employment
Aboriginal – forest economy
Aboriginal – rights and title
Aboriginal acceptance of
management plans
Culturally important
activities - management
Detailed
Forest
Mgmt Plan
♦
♦
♦
♦
General
Development
Plan
Forest
Harvest
Plan
Annual
Operating
Plan
Annual
Reforestation
Program
♦
♦
CPA/UWR
Plan
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
Operating
Ground
Rules
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
Operational
Controls
♦
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65
♦
PLANNING REQUIREMENTS
SFM INDICATORS
6.2.1 Aboriginal knowledge of
culturally important
resources
6.3.1 Cooperation – diversified
economy
6.3.2 Safety
6.3.3 Safety improvement
6.4.1 Satisfaction – public process
6.4.2 Capacity Development –
meaningful involvement
6.4.3 Capacity Development –
meaningful involvement,
Aboriginal
6.5.1 Number of people reached –
educational outreach
6.5.2 Availability of summary
information
Detailed
Forest
Mgmt Plan
General
Development
Plan
♦
Forest
Harvest
Plan
Annual
Operating
Plan
Annual
Reforestation
Program
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
CPA/UWR
Plan
Operational
Controls
♦
♦
66
Operating
Ground
Rules

Sustainable Forest Management Plan

Transcription

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