Defined Forest Area Management Final Policy Framework

1
Defined Forest Area ManagementFinal Policy
Framework

• Presented to
• Ministry of Forests RMTs
• January 2003

2
Objectives

• Overview and status update
• Solicit Feedback on Transition and Implementation
  issues

3
Status of DFAM Project

• Policy and Legislation
• Policy in support of legislation is done
• drafting underway (amendments to Forest Act and
  FRPA)
• Supporting policy and regulations under
  development
• regulations will be required to implement

4
Transition

• Proposal
• Introduce DFAM leg in 2003 but dont bring into
  force
• Fund through FIA (available to MOF where no
  licensee uptake)
• Assume 1 year transition, but design for longer
  period
• Assume its a go, but contingent on FIA funding
  and licensee commitment for uptake where MOF
  capacity is deficient

5
Policy Hi-lights

• Basic DFAM unit is TSA
• no provisions in legislation to vary this,
  however will be able to address in regulation if
  problems arise in Kamloops, Williams Lake or
  Prince George
• No governance structure is prescribed with the
  exception of rules around cost sharing
• RFLS and BCTS must collectively pay for and
  perform obligations

6
Hi-lights cont..

• Obligations
• Timber supply analysis (data collection, data
  package, public review, timber supply analysis)
• Chief Forester is SDM
• Requirements established by Chief
• DFAM forest health activities (Forest health
  strategy for TSA, beetle detection, and required
  suppression treatments)
• commercial salvage or harvest not considered DFAM
  obligation
• Minister is SDM but assume delegation to district
  or region

7
Hi-lights cont..

• Other tenures obligated to pay their share of
  costs
• regulation will detail who else pays as well as
  cost sharing formula and mechanism (I.e. may
  include levy approach)
• assume NRFLs, PAs, and possibly Licence to cut
• Costs will be recoverable through stumpage system
  
• Regulation may also specify situations where
  other tenures may elect to take on performance
  obligation
• uncertainty remains so this keeps the door open
  for now

8
Hi-lights cont..

• Failure to comply will result in administrative
  remedies and penalties consistent with FRPA FA
  provisions
• obligation to perform is placed on entire DFAM
  group(rfls, bcts)
• focus is on results of the group
• penalties can be also be applied to individuals
  within the group
• penalties CANNOT be applied to group if BCTS is
  sole reason for failure to perform
• government (I.e. BCTS) is exempt from penalties

9
Hi-lights cont..

• Regulations will spell out details on
  requirements for public review, CE, payment, FH
• Requirements for timber supply analysis rest with
  Chief Forester (not in regulation)

10
Other Outstanding Issues

• Incentives for enhanced DFAM
• part of bigger policy package
• wont be directly linked to DFAM
• Role of First Nations
• Inventory/updates

11
Implementation

• Estimated of TSAs

12
Projected DFAM Obligations

• What level of capacity do districts have to
  manage beetle detection and suppression
  treatments in 2003/04?
• Consider work required in TSA and parks
• consider opportunities to co-ordinate with other
  districts, region, or licensees

13
Implementation

• Specific TSR and forest health requirements being
  refined at TSA level
• Need to gear up now in priority TSAs
• MOF (branch, region, district) will need to work
  with industry to co-ordinate implementation in
  TSAs

14
Industry Perspective

• Alex Ferguson, Slocan
• Industry Chair, Forest Stewardship Working Group,
  DFAM Issues Team

15
Additional Slides

• Put up if needed.

16
Consultations

• Industry process wrapping up
• Report on delivery mechanism released
• Outstanding issues
• enhanced DFAM/incentives
• cost recovery/funding mechanisms
• transition
• ENGO process initiated
• Issues around public involvement and TSR
• No formal FN consultation has occurred
• Public information paper being prepared.

17
No Transition means...

• MoF retains obligation/liability
• Legislation must be brought into force
  immediately
• amendments required to FRPA, FA AND FPC
• approximately 11 regulations required
• cost recover mechanism required
• minimum of 21 TSAs will require some level of
  DFAM activity in 2003/04
• will need to organise themselves asap
• anticipate MOF remedial action will be necessary

18
Benefits of Transition

• Relieves immediate pressure (on MOF and
  Licensees)
• Extra time to draft regulations
• Opportunity to form DFAM collectives
• Time to work out the bugs and learn the ropes
• Additional time to consult with stakeholders
• Avoids stumpage adjustment issues
• May mitigate need for compliance action
• Provides time to figure out enhanced DFAM

19
Defined Forest Area ManagementFinal Policy
Framework

• Presented to
• KamloopsTSA
• Steering Committee
• January 2003