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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

9. Legislation
FRPA Framework
3 Pillars
2 Supports

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

11. FRPA Values
Includes old growth

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

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

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

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

16. THANK YOU!