Forest Practices Code Transition Planning Ian Miller Legislation and Policy Forester, MOF

Planning Overview Changes to:  Forest Development Plans  Ian Miller  Site Plans & Silviculture  John McClarnon  Roads  Ron Davis  Tenure Administration  Charlie Western Planning Overview

Planning Changes Summary Key Changes reviewed today: Strategic Plans:  MSRM will establish objectives for:  Resource Management Zones;  Landscape Units; and  Sensitive Areas  Operational plans must be consistent with objectives for forest and range resources Planning Overview

Planning Changes Summary Key Changes reviewed today: Forest Development Plans:  Extension of all FPD’s to April 2005  Small changes to FDP content requirements  FDP content may include Applicable Performance Standards  Minor amendments do not require approval Planning Overview

Planning Changes Summary Key Changes reviewed today: Silviculture Prescriptions:  New Silviculture Prescriptions no longer required  Most existing Silviculture Prescriptions will continue  Minor amendments to existing Silviculture Prescriptions do not require approval Planning Overview

Planning Changes Summary Key Changes reviewed today: Site Plans:  Replace Silviculture Prescriptions  Do not require approval  Must be consistent with the FDP & meet the regulations’ requirements  Show Standards Units & APS  Plan holder required to conform with default standards specified in regulations, or alternative standards approved by DM Planning Overview

Planning Changes Summary Key Changes reviewed today: Other changes in planning:  Obligations associated with Backlog Reforestation & SMP’s discontinued  Treatment of these areas through FIA funding  Environmental protection provisions continue through FIA contractual provisions  Term of RUP extended to April 2005  Removal of joint approvals Planning Overview

FDP Changes Term  Existing FDP’s terms extended to allow them to remain in effect until April 1, 2005  DM’s prohibited from providing any extensions to FDP’s beyond April 1, 2005 Forest Development Plans

What is the Intent of Specifying the Term?  Provide certainty for FDP holders through the transition period to the results-based regime  Provide for an easy transition to the development of new Forest Stewardship Plans (FSP) Forest Development Plans

FDP Content Changes Changes related to content requirements of FDP’s:  not necessary for the map to show the exact size, shape and location of cutblocks  approximate size, shape, and location must be shown Forest Development Plans

FDP Content Changes - Continued  Forest resources requiring “measures to protect” statements are specified:  FDP must include measures to protect those forest resources prescribed in regulation  prescribed forest resources are those that are in the areas under the FDP and may be adversely impacted by the proposed activity, as identified by the DM Forest Development Plans

Requirement Changes FDP Content for Roads  Road-related FDP content is reduced  3 categories of road de-activation requirement are removed; FDP includes one category  FDP content showing road maintenance is simplified  Culvert and bridge replacement no longer shown on FDP; new construction remains  Road categories (FS Road, Road Permit) no longer required to be shown Forest Development Plans

Requirement Changes FDP Content  FDP can also contain “Applicable Performance Standards”  Major amendments to FDP  Allows for DM approval of alternative standards proposed by licensee for:  stocking,  limits on permanent access,  soil disturbance,  wildlife tree retention Forest Development Plans

What is the Intent of FDP Content Changes? 4 Key Reasons:  Provide clarity of expectations for licensees with respect to protection of forest resources  Eliminate content that does not add value  Reduce time consuming amendment applications for the licensee to generate & gov to review  Make FDP’s more consistent with Forest Stewardship Plans to be introduced by the Forest and Range Practices Act in April 2003 Forest Development Plans

FDP Changes Approvals  FDP approved in same manner as before  Notice, review & comment provisions - same as before  DM may reduce review period from 60 days if shorter period would be adequate  DM may attach mandatory conditions to a FDP or an amendment when approved  Conditions are intended to facilitate plan approval prior to conditions being met Forest Development Plans

FDP Changes Amendments  Minor amendments can be made to an FDP and not submitted for approval  DM may request a copy of amendments at any time  Copy of amendment must be submitted automatically where it is required for reporting  DM can take action where minor amendments are wrongly made Forest Development Plans

Operational Plan Changes Minor Amendments  Examples of what can be amended in Operational Plans without requiring approval:  Deletion of blocks or portions  Additions of up to 1 ha, if not in sensitive ecosystems  Change in the timing of harvest, if not critical to non-timber resources  Small changes in road location Operational Plans

What is the Intent of the Amendment Changes?  Provides some reduction in administration for plan holders desiring to make minor amendments  Eliminates need for non-approved minor amendments to be submitted to MOF  Supports professional independence  Allows government to retain control of critical standards approved in current operational plans Operational Plans

End of Planning and FDP Presentation Forest Development Plans With Ian Miller