Working Together to Prevent Wildfires in BC

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1 Working Together to Prevent Wildfires in BC

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27 Working Together to Prevent Wildfires in BC

28 Working Together to Prevent Wildfires in BC 2016 UBCM Clinic Session Greg Anderson, Executive Director, FESBC

29 Background - FESBC On Feb 26, 2016 the BC Government announced the formation of the Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC) with initial funding of $85 million. The purposes of the Society as laid out in its Constitution are: To advance environmental and resource stewardship in BC s forests by: i) preventing and mitigating the impact of wildfires ii) improving damaged or low value forests iii) improving habitat for wildlife iv) supporting the use of fiber from damaged and low value forests v) treating forests to improve the management of greenhouse gases To advocate for the environmental and resource stewardship of BC s forests

30 Funding Parameters No hard timelines for spending, but initial funding is projected to be spent over 3 to 5 years. Commencing projects in Fall, Society will pursue other potential funding to expand the program. Now establishing a well governed and efficient organization that can reliably manage funds and deliver programs is critical to build confidence with investors. Society will be subject to an annual financial audit.

31 Why a Society? The Society model meets three objectives: It allows provincial government and other sources of income to invest in an organization dedicated to deliver a multi-year program focused on wildfire risk reduction and forest enhancement; It provides an arm s length platform, allowing more flexibility in operations and alignment with communities and stakeholders; and It creates an opportunity to lever Government s contribution to pursue other funding sources.

32 Board of Directors and Staff Initially, the Society has five Directors: Current staffing: Wayne Clogg Chair Jim Snetsinger Vice-Chair (Governance) Derek Orr Chief, McLeod Lake Indian Band Dave Peterson ADM, Tenures, Competitiveness and Innovation (Finance) Mary Sue Maloughney ADM, Integrated Resource Ops (HR) Greg Anderson, Executive Director Al Neal, (interim) Operations Manager Kathy Dupuis, Office Manager

33 Progress to Date Society established BC Societies Act Incorporation Constitution and bylaws written Governance structure and policies set Banking and finance now in-place Staffing - Executive Director and Office Manager hired and two professional staff positions being filled Opened new office in Kamloops Communications logo, webpage soon Ongoing meetings with many stakeholders and partners to provide updates, answer questions and explore opportunities to collaborate.

34 Getting Started With Projects To Be Clear FESBC is not the land manager. Planning activities and uses on Provincial Crown land is a government responsibility. FESBC s role is project selection and helping to fund delivery. FESBC works closely with Provincial agencies who identify the highest priority areas for treatment based on: wildfire risk, forest rehabilitation/fiber recovery opportunities and habitat restoration needs. Within these areas, the highest priority projects will be those which meet multiple Society objectives. A ramping-up of projects is occurring in 2016 with the number of projects and funding allocations increasing substantially in 2017 as planning and processes come together. On August 19 th, 2016 FESBC accepted its first intake of project proposals. November 4 th deadline for second intake applications for 2017 projects.

35 Wildfire Risk Around Communities 101 Two key factors are contributing to the increasing fire risks. One is the population growth in areas where interface fires occur. The other is the build-up of combustible vegetation, a consequence of years of fire suppression activities. B.C. Auditor General s Report, 2001

36 As example years of change in the Rocky Mountain Trench

37 Leaving many areas near communities with ingrown, highly flammable forests in many parts of BC Further exacerbated by the increasing wildland/urban interface

38 Kelowna 2003 That can result in some forest communities being impacted by an increasing number of catastrophic wildfires

39 Industry is also a partner besides using the fibre, residual can be used for bioenergy In most treated forests around communities - smaller trees are removed, while some of the largest & oldest trees are left

40 Before Fuel management treatment to reduce wildfire risk 3 years after

41 Provincial Strategic Wildfire Threat The opportunities to address wildfire risk, candidate stands in need of rehabilitation and habitat restoration needs in BC far exceed current FESBC capacity.

42 FESBC Funding Consideration for Local Governments FESBC will consider funding projects on Provincial Crown land, but will primarily target areas outside of the immediate wildland/urban interface. Applicants should have a current CWPP in-place (within the last 5 years). Applicants should also be actively seeking UBCM-SWPI funding. To ensure competitiveness and value for money, approved FESBC fuel treatment projects will be asked to use a bid proposal process. FESBC funding cannot fund costs that a proponent is obligated to pay. A plan should be included discussing the recovery and competitive disposal of merchantable fiber (to avoid SLA risk). Projects jointly funded with UBCM-SWPI will be administered by UBCM using the existing UBCM-SWPI agreement conditions and requirements beginning in (Process is still being defined between staff.)

43 Questions?

44 Is your community prepared for wildfire? Participate in this survey on community action in BC

45 In appreciation of today s speakers, UBCM has donated to Silver Threads Service for Seniors. Operating two seniors centres in Greater Victoria, they offer programs and services for seniors to stay active, healthy and connected.

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