1. Cranbrook, B.C.Interior Reforestation Co. Ltd. Core Data for the KSDP Data Warehouse: Core Data for the BCTS Warehouse Reg Davis, R.P.F. Interior Reforestation Co. Ltd. Cranbrook, B.C. rdavis@intref.bc.ca Reg Davis, R.P.F. Interior Reforestation Co. Ltd. Cranbrook, B.C. rdavis@intref.bc.ca

2. Cranbrook, B.C.Interior Reforestation Co. Ltd. Or “How I spent my winter constructing an information highway through Middle-Earth.

3. Cranbrook, B.C.Interior Reforestation Co. Ltd. We will touch on... Several definitions of “core data”. The non-map-type information and other tasks. BCTS’ use of the Kootenay Spatial Data Partnership (KSDP) data site, and some suggestions from our (my) view Several definitions of “core data”. The non-map-type information and other tasks. BCTS’ use of the Kootenay Spatial Data Partnership (KSDP) data site, and some suggestions from our (my) view

4. Cranbrook, B.C.Interior Reforestation Co. Ltd. Background Interior Reforestation Co. Ltd is under contract to provide planning support to the Kootenay Business Unit Office of B.C. Timber Sales (BCTS) Support includes: –producing Forest Development Plan (FDP) amendment packages –creating a “data warehouse” for BCTS –preparing for the transition from FDP to FSP (Forest Stewardship Plans) Interior Reforestation Co. Ltd is under contract to provide planning support to the Kootenay Business Unit Office of B.C. Timber Sales (BCTS) Support includes: –producing Forest Development Plan (FDP) amendment packages –creating a “data warehouse” for BCTS –preparing for the transition from FDP to FSP (Forest Stewardship Plans)

5. Cranbrook, B.C.Interior Reforestation Co. Ltd. Definitions of Core Data KSDP: Data that appears as features on the FSP map, as defined in the legislation (?) BCTS: Data that is needed to prepare a Forest Development Plan Amendment (FDPA) or, in the future, a Forest Stewardship Plan (FSP) and successfully obtain the District Manager’s approval. KSDP: Data that appears as features on the FSP map, as defined in the legislation (?) BCTS: Data that is needed to prepare a Forest Development Plan Amendment (FDPA) or, in the future, a Forest Stewardship Plan (FSP) and successfully obtain the District Manager’s approval.

6. Cranbrook, B.C.Interior Reforestation Co. Ltd. A Minimal Definition The “core data” for the KSDP might be interpreted as only those features that appear on the FSP map, such as: –BCTS Timber Sale Licence blocks, –roads under BCTS road permit, –forest development units (FDUs), –ungulate winter range polygons, –community watershed polygons (CWS) and –areas where logging is prohibited by statute - such as some of the Wildlife Habitat Areas (WHA). The “core data” for the KSDP might be interpreted as only those features that appear on the FSP map, such as: –BCTS Timber Sale Licence blocks, –roads under BCTS road permit, –forest development units (FDUs), –ungulate winter range polygons, –community watershed polygons (CWS) and –areas where logging is prohibited by statute - such as some of the Wildlife Habitat Areas (WHA).

7. Cranbrook, B.C.Interior Reforestation Co. Ltd.... A Minimal Definition The “FSP map” might not even include: –other roads - those that would connect the dangling bits of road under BCTS road permit –contours and streams (background, orientation) –private land –operating area boundaries, etc These are not required, but it would be logical to put them on the map as well. The “FSP map” might not even include: –other roads - those that would connect the dangling bits of road under BCTS road permit –contours and streams (background, orientation) –private land –operating area boundaries, etc These are not required, but it would be logical to put them on the map as well.

8. Cranbrook, B.C.Interior Reforestation Co. Ltd. The FDP Map Is Not Going Away –BCTS will use the FSP map and also retain the FDP map as an “operational map”. –They feel that the FDP map is still required to find the wood on the ground. –It is probable that other licensees will follow a similar course. –The new combination of FSP and FDP is more, not less of a mapping workload than the FDP map by itself. –BCTS will use the FSP map and also retain the FDP map as an “operational map”. –They feel that the FDP map is still required to find the wood on the ground. –It is probable that other licensees will follow a similar course. –The new combination of FSP and FDP is more, not less of a mapping workload than the FDP map by itself.

9. Cranbrook, B.C.Interior Reforestation Co. Ltd. Core Data There are different interpretations as to what is required on the FSP map. Views range from “required by law” to “required by common sense”. And the FDP map data will still be required, so The list of “core data” starts to increase, maybe to 12 or so covers. There are different interpretations as to what is required on the FSP map. Views range from “required by law” to “required by common sense”. And the FDP map data will still be required, so The list of “core data” starts to increase, maybe to 12 or so covers.

10. Cranbrook, B.C.Interior Reforestation Co. Ltd. More Core Data An FSP or an FDP Amendment contains: –text (*); –map; –RPF signature –(*) The text is also part of the plan. It includes or references the required assessments and the licensee’s forest management strategies An FSP or an FDP Amendment contains: –text (*); –map; –RPF signature –(*) The text is also part of the plan. It includes or references the required assessments and the licensee’s forest management strategies

11. Cranbrook, B.C.Interior Reforestation Co. Ltd. Four of the Required Assessments –Equivalent clearcut area (ECA), road densities as per the IWAP Guidebook, or as per the “watershed report card” in the KBLUP Implementation Strategy document –Ungulate winter range (UWR) status –Biodiversity seral stage status (mature plus old; old seral, old growth management areas (OGMA), mature management areas (MMA) ) –Patch size status –Equivalent clearcut area (ECA), road densities as per the IWAP Guidebook, or as per the “watershed report card” in the KBLUP Implementation Strategy document –Ungulate winter range (UWR) status –Biodiversity seral stage status (mature plus old; old seral, old growth management areas (OGMA), mature management areas (MMA) ) –Patch size status

12. Cranbrook, B.C.Interior Reforestation Co. Ltd. District Manager Approval The DM approves an FDPA map and text, and the RPF signature ensures that the legal objectives are met. Each FDPA or FSP “package” is typically comprised of four parts: –text, map, and RPF signature (submitted), and –the supporting information that ensures compliance (not submitted) The DM approves an FDPA map and text, and the RPF signature ensures that the legal objectives are met. Each FDPA or FSP “package” is typically comprised of four parts: –text, map, and RPF signature (submitted), and –the supporting information that ensures compliance (not submitted)

13. Cranbrook, B.C.Interior Reforestation Co. Ltd. Expanded List of Covers If one includes the covers that are required to provide the features on the FDP or FSP map, as well as those required to complete the assessments in the supporting information, then the list of “core layers” easily expands to 35 (and counting):

14. Cranbrook, B.C.Interior Reforestation Co. Ltd.... 35+ Covers VRI (or veg, forest cover), TRIM, other licensees’ cut- blocks; other licensees’ roads; DWS, stream classes, stream features, riparian classes (multiple covers), points of diversion for CWS and DWS; watershed sub-basins; H60 elevations; road features (barriers, bridges, etc..); planned or existing road deactivation; old BEC, new BEC, old BEO, new BEO, ownership or land status; operating areas; operability; landscape units; district boundaries; recreation sites; scenic areas, visual quality objectives; terrain stability, OGMAs, MMAs, AOA, AIA, identified wildlife areas, reserves,...

15. Cranbrook, B.C.Interior Reforestation Co. Ltd. Data Partnership Covers There are currently 26 (*) covers for each TSA on the KSDP web site: BEC, CWS, LU, POD, Caribou, DWS, Parks, Connectivity, BEO, BEC-old, Roads, Fire disturbance, Composite FDP, Chart Areas, BEGR units, Identified wildlife, OGMAs, Operability, Ownership, Riparian-lakes, Riparian-wetlands, Scenic areas, Terrain, UWR, VLI-existing, VLI- proposed (*) = some might be considered sub-divisions of a cover There are currently 26 (*) covers for each TSA on the KSDP web site: BEC, CWS, LU, POD, Caribou, DWS, Parks, Connectivity, BEO, BEC-old, Roads, Fire disturbance, Composite FDP, Chart Areas, BEGR units, Identified wildlife, OGMAs, Operability, Ownership, Riparian-lakes, Riparian-wetlands, Scenic areas, Terrain, UWR, VLI-existing, VLI- proposed (*) = some might be considered sub-divisions of a cover

16. Cranbrook, B.C.Interior Reforestation Co. Ltd. So what? So the list of covers that are “core” is longer than those being posted to the KSDP site, and much longer than those required as features on the FSP map (in my opinion.)

17. Cranbrook, B.C.Interior Reforestation Co. Ltd. Experience with the KSDP –Interior is passing data to other contractors on behalf of BCTS. About 3 man-days of effort were expended in the last 2 weeks referring contractors to data web-site(s), finding and retrieving data, posting data, cutting CD’s, etc. –Anything the KSDP can do to help, the better. –26 out of 34+ covers is helpful, more will be appreciated. –Interior is passing data to other contractors on behalf of BCTS. About 3 man-days of effort were expended in the last 2 weeks referring contractors to data web-site(s), finding and retrieving data, posting data, cutting CD’s, etc. –Anything the KSDP can do to help, the better. –26 out of 34+ covers is helpful, more will be appreciated.

18. Cranbrook, B.C.Interior Reforestation Co. Ltd. However.... Downloading some GIS data is only the first step.

19. Cranbrook, B.C.Interior Reforestation Co. Ltd. Pre- and Post-Logging Reports The signing forester wants pre- and post- logging reports to evaluate compliance. –Hence, an automated process is required that will allow changes to be made in one or more covers (usually the block file) which is then inserted into an automated processing stream to generate land-base status reports for a minimum of both pre- and post- logging timeframes. The signing forester wants pre- and post- logging reports to evaluate compliance. –Hence, an automated process is required that will allow changes to be made in one or more covers (usually the block file) which is then inserted into an automated processing stream to generate land-base status reports for a minimum of both pre- and post- logging timeframes.

20. Cranbrook, B.C.Interior Reforestation Co. Ltd. Pre- and Post-Logging Reports So we are developing the automated routines, reports and standardized inputs (layers and logic) This requires much more than just the source covers as the exist on the KSDP web site. So we are developing the automated routines, reports and standardized inputs (layers and logic) This requires much more than just the source covers as the exist on the KSDP web site.

21. Cranbrook, B.C.Interior Reforestation Co. Ltd. Additional Work We also have to: –clean, reformat, and upgrade the covers –update the covers as new information arrives –acquire supporting information & data –define the BCTS business standards and integrate that into the data –A few examples follow. KSDP help with any of this will be welcomed. We also have to: –clean, reformat, and upgrade the covers –update the covers as new information arrives –acquire supporting information & data –define the BCTS business standards and integrate that into the data –A few examples follow. KSDP help with any of this will be welcomed.

22. Cranbrook, B.C.Interior Reforestation Co. Ltd. Clean, Reformat, Upgrade Reformat covers –Standardize the cover names, attributes and attribute values so they work easily in a programming environment. –minimize the data file size, shorten wasted fields space, extract attributes to Look Up Tables (LUT) and add primary and foreign keys –add required attributes, such as over/under 80% slope into the caribou cover Reformat covers –Standardize the cover names, attributes and attribute values so they work easily in a programming environment. –minimize the data file size, shorten wasted fields space, extract attributes to Look Up Tables (LUT) and add primary and foreign keys –add required attributes, such as over/under 80% slope into the caribou cover

23. Cranbrook, B.C.Interior Reforestation Co. Ltd. Clean, Reformat, Upgrade Create new covers –create standard TSA- or LU-sized covers from tiles (of different names, extents, etc.) –Add business area requirements such as multiple status fields to meet the assessment requirements. –Create annotation such as TRIM elevations, UWR management unit labels, etc –Derive snow depth zones for the new ungulate winter range guidelines Create new covers –create standard TSA- or LU-sized covers from tiles (of different names, extents, etc.) –Add business area requirements such as multiple status fields to meet the assessment requirements. –Create annotation such as TRIM elevations, UWR management unit labels, etc –Derive snow depth zones for the new ungulate winter range guidelines

24. Cranbrook, B.C.Interior Reforestation Co. Ltd. Acquire supporting info Acquire all the previously mentioned laws, regulations, higher level plans etc: –Higher Level Plan Order (HLPO) –District Manager Instructions (DMI) –Koot. Boundary Land Use Plan Implementation Strategy (KBLUP IS) –South Rocky Mountains Management Plan (SRMMP) In this case the D.P. web site needs a separate SRMMP column –guidebooks and relevant policy statements,... Acquire all the previously mentioned laws, regulations, higher level plans etc: –Higher Level Plan Order (HLPO) –District Manager Instructions (DMI) –Koot. Boundary Land Use Plan Implementation Strategy (KBLUP IS) –South Rocky Mountains Management Plan (SRMMP) In this case the D.P. web site needs a separate SRMMP column –guidebooks and relevant policy statements,...

25. Cranbrook, B.C.Interior Reforestation Co. Ltd. Acquire supporting info Acquire: –GIS symbol files, meta-data, data dictionaries, guidelines and rule sets Develop programs: –GIS aml’s, overlays, reporting processes Gather permissions, procedures, forms to get access to government data sites Acquire: –GIS symbol files, meta-data, data dictionaries, guidelines and rule sets Develop programs: –GIS aml’s, overlays, reporting processes Gather permissions, procedures, forms to get access to government data sites

26. Cranbrook, B.C.Interior Reforestation Co. Ltd. Acquire supporting info Translate the guidelines –The official guidelines are confusing or open to interpretation. In some cases they simply have mistakes. –Example: New GAR-type UWR in Arrow: Start by gathering any non-published technical documents, e.g. the Fretwell allocation algorithms. Clarify the UWR reference to “vegetated”. This required several weeks of questions and answers, and then documentation of the technical rules for evaluating the guidelines. Translate the guidelines –The official guidelines are confusing or open to interpretation. In some cases they simply have mistakes. –Example: New GAR-type UWR in Arrow: Start by gathering any non-published technical documents, e.g. the Fretwell allocation algorithms. Clarify the UWR reference to “vegetated”. This required several weeks of questions and answers, and then documentation of the technical rules for evaluating the guidelines.

27. Cranbrook, B.C.Interior Reforestation Co. Ltd. Net land-base files –Many planning, and some resource guidelines are assessed against a net land-base file, such as those from TSR. An example is the allocation sequence in the “Fretwell Reports.” –Important forest licensee strategies such as operating area negotiations are primarily based on net-land-base files. –So, net land-base data files and associated documentation are also required. –Many planning, and some resource guidelines are assessed against a net land-base file, such as those from TSR. An example is the allocation sequence in the “Fretwell Reports.” –Important forest licensee strategies such as operating area negotiations are primarily based on net-land-base files. –So, net land-base data files and associated documentation are also required.

28. Cranbrook, B.C.Interior Reforestation Co. Ltd. Net land-base files –Acquiring the TSR-resultant file is all that may be needed. But, important attributes are often lacking. –We want to be able to re-create the data file, if necessary, using fresh data. –But the details of the data processing is not explained in the official reports (TSR Analysis Report, TSA Data Preparation Report.)... –Acquiring the TSR-resultant file is all that may be needed. But, important attributes are often lacking. –We want to be able to re-create the data file, if necessary, using fresh data. –But the details of the data processing is not explained in the official reports (TSR Analysis Report, TSA Data Preparation Report.)...

29. Cranbrook, B.C.Interior Reforestation Co. Ltd. Status as of this point There is a long list of data and information, and then tasks that require completion prior to being able to complete an FDP (or FSP) “package” The package, not just the FDP / FSP map, can then be submitted to the DM for approval. There is a long list of data and information, and then tasks that require completion prior to being able to complete an FDP (or FSP) “package” The package, not just the FDP / FSP map, can then be submitted to the DM for approval.

30. Cranbrook, B.C.Interior Reforestation Co. Ltd. Proof of KSDP Value Interior staff have been downloading covers from the KSDP site, and pointing other contractors to it. This has reduced our workload. Tembec and BCTS are working towards populating the cells in the cover matrix for the East Kootenay area. Interior staff have been downloading covers from the KSDP site, and pointing other contractors to it. This has reduced our workload. Tembec and BCTS are working towards populating the cells in the cover matrix for the East Kootenay area.

31. Cranbrook, B.C.Interior Reforestation Co. Ltd. Points for Discussion –Will someone standardize, clean, upgrade and update the KSDP covers? –Include the background information as well as the covers on the KSDP site? –Post “VRI” and “fc1/FIP” forest cover as well as all the TSR input covers? –Make data available in both Albers and UTM? –Partnership agencies get access to the DP site, not contractors. Is there a better way? –Will someone standardize, clean, upgrade and update the KSDP covers? –Include the background information as well as the covers on the KSDP site? –Post “VRI” and “fc1/FIP” forest cover as well as all the TSR input covers? –Make data available in both Albers and UTM? –Partnership agencies get access to the DP site, not contractors. Is there a better way?

32. Cranbrook, B.C.Interior Reforestation Co. Ltd. The End Of the old. And so begins a new era?

33. Cranbrook, B.C.Interior Reforestation Co. Ltd. By the way.... Who are the orcs? Google says...