Ecosystem Restoration Program (ERP) Presentation for the Western Silviculture Contractors Association, February 2, 2006

Transcription

1 Ecosystem Restoration Program (ERP) Presentation for the Western Silviculture Contractors Association, February 2, 2006

2 Outline Background Ecological Restoration Strategy Values at Risk Restoration Treatments Ecosystem Restoration Program ERP Delivery Model 2

3 Background Ministry of Environment led the Watershed Restoration Program (WRP) and the Terrestrial Ecosystem Restoration Program (TERP) under Forest Renewal BC Techniques and methods were tested and implemented for in-stream, riparian and terrestrial restoration Objective was to treat the highest priority watersheds at risk from past inappropriate forest practices 3

4 Background Work continues under the Forest Investment Account end 3 rd quarter 2005/06: 43 Aquatic projects = $632K 2 Riparian projects = $187K 3 Terrestrial projects = $60K Total FIA Land Base Investment Account (LBIP) discretionary spending at $21M 4

5 Background Funds also available under Forest for Tomorrow (FFT) Funds also available under Canada-BC Emergency Response funding (MPB funding) 5

6 Ecological Restoration Society for Ecological Restoration Definition with MOE Application to Forest Management Ecological restoration is the process of assisting the recovery of ecosystems (ie, structure, function, resilience) that will restore forest values that have been degraded, damaged, or destroyed owing to catastrophic events, eg, MPB, wildfires (FFT and MPB funding) or past inappropriate forest practices (FIA LBIP). 6

7 Strategy Values will be prioritized in a strategy, with risks and importance identified by stakeholders A framework will identify how to rank watershed units to identify the highest priority ones to treat Being developed by Janet Gagne and Associates, ENAR-ESDE ESDE 7

8 Highest Risk Values Drinking water for human use Fisheries and fish habitat commercial, recreational and First Nation s traditional use Aquatic life and habitat species at risk, diversity, water temperature and quality Water quality and quantity (hydrological functioning) - flow extremes, ranges and timing, temperature 8

9 Highest Risk Values Wildlife and wildlife habitat species at risk, viewing, hunting, diversity of species and habitat, extent of habitat, quality and quantity of habitat and species, habitat health, First Nation s traditional use Recreation opportunities viewing, camping, special features, hunting, fishing Soils and vegetation slope stability, biomass productivity 9

10 Highest Risk Values Timber and non-timber products value, volume, quality and diversity of products Domestic range habitat quality and quantity of food; cover condition and availability; water quality and accessibility Cultural ecological values traditional and communities 10

11 Treatments Many treatments are used as silviculture practices, in rehabilitation of mining areas, etc. Many treatments could also be preventative, ie, prevent the need for restoration later. 11

12 Treatments Prescribed fire restores complex structure, diversity of species, resilience to wildfire and insect/disease, habitat quality and quantity 12

13 Treatments 13

14 Treatments Building habitat structure restores specific habitat, eg, nesting, cover and protection for spawning fish 14

15 Treatments 15

16 Treatments 16

17 Treatments Planting, seeding, invasive species control restores native species and structural diversity, provides habitat, provides slope and stream bank stability 17

18 Treatments 18

19 Treatments Thinning/Juvenile Spacing/Tree Removal restores structural diversity, enhances habitat, speeds up structural development Ditching and providing alternative water courses provides slope stability, improves hydrological functioning Road rehabilitation, out-sloping and cross-ditching reduces overland water flow and sediment delivery into streams, improves hydrological functioning 19

20 Treatments Providing nutrients improves food and food intake, eg, stream fertilization, large woody debris in streams 20

21 Ecosystem Restoration Program MOE is the lead for government, as well as being a specific stakeholder Objective is to restore forest resources and values affected by catastrophic events (FFT, MPB funding) and past harvesting practices (FIA LBIP funding) Target/performance measure for MPB funding is to treat 80 watersheds (~19,000 3 rd order watersheds in BC) in 3 years (2005/06 to 2007/08) 21

22 Ecosystem Restoration Program Targets for Forests for Tomorrow under consideration: Treat riparian areas within treated project fires, ie, in conjunction with reforestation Treat specific areas where treatments can significantly lower the risk of a further catastrophic event, eg, prevent a slope failure owing to denudation from fire Treat specific areas where values are high and treatment will contribute to future non-timber values and timber supply/ availability/ access, eg, recruit an Ungulate Winter Range (UWR) to replace the one degraded by MPB, or to improve an existing UWR 22

23 Ecosystem Restoration Program Funding Ecosystem Restoration Program Forests For Tomorrow Program (areas impacted by catastrophic events) FIA Land Base Investment Program (restoration mostly coastal) Remaining funding is federal MPB 23

24 Ecosystem Restoration Program Funding Source FFT (~$26/yr) LBIP ($25-$50 $50 M/yr) MPB funding ($100 M/3-yr) 3 years of ERP 2005/ $2.4M to MOE &? for recipients Annual ERP Hoping for/year 08/09> $1M?? for MOE & $3-5M?? For recipients $10M $5M?? $7M $25M?? 24

25 ERP Delivery Model Considerations 1) Flexible to cover variety of funding sources 2) Implement with few staff 3) Able to expand and contract with funding amounts 4) Addresses government s New Relationship responsibilities 5) Able to support partnerships and shared funding 6) Operational by April ) Supported by stakeholders, including government 25

26 ERP Delivery Models Desired Elements 1. MOE develops resource objectives, restoration activity standards. 2. MOE leads development of an Ecosystem Restoration Program (ERP) strategy and framework for prioritizing watershed units for restoration treatments. 3. One person is the key contact, all decisions supported by the ERP Strategy and FFT Program Management Plan. 26

27 Delivery Models Common Elements (con t) 4. MOE uses committees and contractors to implement. 5. ERP includes adaptive management, with effectiveness monitoring built in that is consistent with the FFT, Forest and Range Evaluation Program (FREP), and federal government expectations. 6. MOE needs to follow funding rules and report as required by the funding source. 7. Leverage involvement and partnerships with forest licensees and stewardship contractors. 27

28 Delivery Model FIA LBIP and FFT delivered under each specific delivery model MPB funding delivered under a 2-stream 2 model 28

29 Delivery Model MPB Funding ERP Strategy and Framework for Ranking Watershed Units Guiding Council (steering committee) provides direction Input to FFT & eventually LBIP Parks & Protected Areas - MOE Implementation teams (contracted) Contractors Projects to FNs Projects to recipients 29

30 Delivery Model MPB Funding Guiding Council (steering committee) comprised of MOE, MOFR and stakeholders recommend MPB funding envelopes 1) by delivery stream (PPAs & Crown land) 2) geographically 3) by project implementation when possible (FNs and recipients) 30

31 Delivery Model MPB Funding Implementation Teams Contractors & MOE Develop Annual Plans based on allocation Use call for proposals, RFPs,, subcontractors, selected tenders and other means to implement projects Reporting responsibility 31

32 Delivery Model MPB Funding Additional (managed by MOE staff) ITQ for contractors for treatment activities and administration functions, to develop a selected invitation list Strategic plan for overall treatment/program effectiveness monitoring and establishment of trials Contracts for auditing performance of contractors and for overall program 32

33 You can provide input Participate in Challenge Dialogue, go to "MOE Restoration Project" password is "innovate" Participate in the Strategy Workshops: March 1 Williams Lake March 3 Prince George March 6 Kamloops 33

34 Thank you for your interest!