SmartStep Program Participant Fact Sheet

Transcription

1 SmartStep Program Participant Fact Sheet Organization Name and Contact Information Organization Name: Logs & Lumber Limited Contact: Avedis Jeghalian, Managing Director Address: Logs & Lumber Ltd Lake Road, P.O. Box 3344 Kumasi, Ghana Tel: Fax: Website Scope of SmartStep Participation SCOPE OF SMARTSTEP PARTICIPATION Tenure of FM operation: Private concession holder of a total of 8 Forest Management Units (FMUs) with a total area of 50,876 hectares of natural forests located in the Ashanti, Brong Ahafo, Western and Eastern regions of Ghana in the Bekwai, Goaso, Sefwi Wiawso, Juaboso, Akim Oda and Mpraeso, Forest districts. These are private concessions of which 3 Reserves are 40 year Timber Utilisation Contracts (TUCs) while the remaining 5 are 40- year leases currently in the process of being converted to TUCs. FMU Name FMU Location Size (Ha.) Aboniyere Forest Reserve Goaso Forest District 4120 Pra Anum FR Akim Oda Forest District 4841 Nkrabea FR Ashanti Bekwai Forest District Bonsambepo FR Goaso Forest District 5820 Bia North Tributaries FR Juaboso Forest Distrct 5957 Esukawkaw Mpraeso Forest District 6244 Sui River A Wiawso Forest District Sui River B Wiawso Forest District 3421 TOTAL Forest Type Natural Tropical Forest Classification of Land use Area (ha) Production Forest 48,332.2 Natural forest 50,876 Plantation negligible LLL SmartStep Participant Fact Sheet Page 1 of 8

2 Conservation/protected Areas Special Management Areas (Primary Virgin Forest) None Water Not known Degraded/Burnt Forest None Non-Forest areas Negligible Total Area: 50,876 SUMMARY OF SMARTSTEP GAP ANALYSIS AND ACTION PLAN Date of Gap Analysis January Date of SmartStep Enrollment: November 16, 2009 SmartStep Auditing Schedule Annual or as required by the revised LLL Action Plan Major Gaps Identified FMU Action plan timetable FOREST OPERATIONS Gap situation as at Oct 2009 LLL/FC system for controlling illegal logging and other unauthorized activities is not effective. (1.5) LLL s Health and safety program has serious weakness in: o Provision of protective gear to forest workers o Monitoring of safe working environment o Lack of first aid capacity at the operational onsite level (4.2) LLL s Social impact assessments not completed for its concession areas. (4.4) LLL budgets do not include enough detail to demonstrate that FSC-required environmental, social and operational costs are covered. (5.1) Significant level of damage to the forest resource from inadequate road construction and felling techniques. Need for more systematic advance design and layout of roads and other low impact logging practices. (5.3) Existing yield calculation formula is not adequately LLL action plan implementation progress reports indicate improvement and the revised LLL action plan of 25 th September 2009 has action steps to consolidate the gains and improve upon them LLL s since then has provided protective gears to forest workers as well as first aid capacity at the operational onsite level. The revised action plan of 25 th September 2009 by LLL/WWF-GFTN also has action steps to establish mechanism for collection and analyzing safe working environment data for decision making LLL has conducted SIA in some of its TUC areas. LLL s revised action plan of 25 th September has action steps to complete this gap by end of first half of 2010 The revised LLL action plan of 25 th September contains action steps to complete this gap by end of 2009 LLL has conducted RIL training for its forestry staff and implemented GIS to improve upon its logging practices Current yield formula has built-in LLL SmartStep Participant Fact Sheet Page 2 of 8

3 adapted to LLL forest conditions. (5.6) LLL TUC management planning process does not include the legally required environmental impact assessment and documented mitigation at the TUC level. (6.1) LLL forest operations lack written guidance for key management activities that have significant impacts over the forest resource such as road building, tree felling, and use of topographic maps. (6.5) LLL has not developed and implemented procedures for the safe off-site disposal of liquid and solid wastes generated by the forest operation. (6.7) Exotic species present in the forest and used in reforestation present invasive threats. Avoidance of planting with these species and current spread of these species in the forest should be monitored and controlled. (6.9) FC conversion and plantation establishment policies must meet FSC requirements. (6.10) LLL and FC have not developed the legally required forest management planning documents for all concession areas o Strategic forest management plans for the FMUs o TUC Area management plans o TUC operational plans These plans should reflect whether that forest monitoring results have been considered and incorporated and should be accompanied by a publicly available summary. (7.1, 7.4, 8.4) LLL does not have a formal training policy that includes the identification of training needs and a program to implement needed training at the forest operational level. (7.3) Existing system and procedures which monitors forest growth and changes in composition is not effectively implemented (8.1, 8.2) Management planning which includes identification and management of HCV at the forest reserve level has not been completed by FC and LLL. (9.1) optimization factor to restrict average felling density of between 2 to 3 trees per hectare depending on forest conditions TUC management plans have been reviewed to include environmental impact assessment A standard operations manual has been developed for all forest operations and steps to monitor implementation of good harvesting practices Modalities for the disposal of both solid and liquid wastes are captured in LLL s forest operations manual which are been implemented LLL uses only indigenous species for replanting its sidings Management plans for 3 LLL TUC areas are being drafted There is a formal training policy document developed by the personnel department in consultations with resource persons LLL has requested for technical support and collaboration with the Forestry Commission of Ghana revive the measurement of existing and establishment of new Permanent Sample Plots LLL action plan implementation progress reports indicate improvement and the revised LLL action plan of 25 th September 2009 by WWF-GFTN has action plan showing steps to complete the rest LLL SmartStep Participant Fact Sheet Page 3 of 8

4 SmartStep Audit Summary: Audit date: 4-7 January 2006 Audit overview: Logs and Lumber Ltd (LLL), is pursuing FSC certification for its 8 forest concessions of ha which the company manages in Brong Ahafo, Ashanti, Eastern and Eastern Regions of Ghana with processing facilities located in Kumasi. This gap analysis of LLL was carried out by the SmartWood Program of the Rainforest Alliance to identify gaps existing in the company s management of the designated forest concessions in relation to the requirements of the SmartWood program and the FSC certification standards. This gap analysis was carried out using the SmartWood Generic Standards (Aug 2005). SmartWood auditors traveled to the Ashanti, Eastern regions to carry out inspection of the company s defined forestlands, held meetings stakeholders. The team also reviewed various relevant documents and inspected the company s headquarters/main offices and processing facilities in Kumasi and Forestry Commission offices in Kumasi. At the end of the audit, the team prepared separate reports to document its findings of these evaluations to enable the company develop the necessary certification action plan to address these gaps as it plans to meet the FSC requirements. SmartStep Action Plan Implementation: Action Step Agree on draft Forest Stewardship policy with FoE Ghana/WWF-GFTN Prepare joint LLL/WWF GFTN/FOE Ghana press release The LLL forest certification action plan was developed to address gaps identified in the gap analysis conducted by SmartWood in January The action plan was finalized and accepted by the Ghana FTN Producers Group (GPG) in March 2006 and a copy was made available to SmartWood. The LLL action plan identified general gaps and specific process steps. The process target dates established in the plan range from short term (1 st quarter 2006 to medium term 4 th 2006). Implementation of elements/processes included in the LLL action plan began in fact prior to the finalization of the action plan (e.g. Agree draft policy statement with FoE Ghana/WWF-GFTN). Actual implementation of the action plan went at a snail-pace as LLL during this time was looking for a competent certification manager to oversee its certification program. This search went on for almost a year until a certification manager was recruited in Since then, the certification manager has led the implementation of most elements/process targets. The LLL certification manager s tasks include close monitoring and coordination of the many different internal and external initiatives and efforts required to meet LLL s defined action plan steps as well as other quality control program. To date, LLL has submitted progress reports to the GFTN Producers Group Ghana Program on a 6 month basis. Findings Action Step met. The company has a publicly available policy signed by the General Manager titled Logs and Lumber Limited Environmental Policy Action Step met. Press release of the company s Forest Stewarship commitment made in and available at LLL SmartStep Participant Fact Sheet Page 4 of 8

5 Compile and maintain a copy of all relevant legal requirements. Develop a system that ensures tracking of changes in legal requirements Develop an internal audit program to periodically assess and ensure legal compliance for all operations. Engage FC in dialogue to resolve all identified areas of conflict between legal and certification requirements eg setting and control of yield, use of NTFPs and FC s conversion and plantation establishment policies Actively pursue the conversion of existing lease areas to TUCs Strengthen security teams (numbers and logistics) and increase the frequency of patrols in all high risk areas. Establish 24 hour guard posts at critical points of high risk areas such as Akrofuom, Kojo- Nkwanta, Mpraekyire. Engage the services of community groups in the control of unauthorised activities (U.A) in all high risk areas Engage in monthly meetings with DFM to exchange information on unauthorised activities and to coordinate boundary demarcation and patrol activities Establish mechanism for recording and analyzing health and safety issues. Provide protective gear to forest workers and enforce their use Provide a fully equipped First Aid Boxes for use by all field staff Engage the FC (collaborate or enforce) to conduct an independent SIA at the FMU level. LLL maintains an up-to-date copy of relevant legal requirements. The company. LLL has developed a document that ensures that compliance with all operations is met, revised LLL action plan of 25 th September 2009 has action steps to consolidate the gains and improve upon it. An issue that needs to be done by FC Concessions guards have been employed in all reserves as well the engagement of informants from communities.. Action process found not to be feasible and effective. An effective option of seeking community involvement in forest protection has been established using community informants and community education.. LLL s revised action plan of 25 th September,2009 indicated steps to consolidate the gains. Records in LLL s certification office showed meetings with various DFM, while revised action plan of 25 th September,2009 indicated steps to consolidate the gains Gap addressed above Gap addressed above LLL has conducted SIA in some of its TUC areas. LLL s revised action plan of 25 th September has action steps to complete this gap by end of first half of 2010 LLL SmartStep Participant Fact Sheet Page 5 of 8

6 Conduct survey of local communities within and around TUCs to identify and document all existing legal and customary rights, uses of the forest (including all sites of social/cultural importance) and local employment and development needs. Cost all environmental mitigation activities (implementation of RIL, training in identification of RTE species and ecosystems, etc) Cost all social activities associated with forest mgt. (Social obligations, training for forest staff, H&S, etc). RIL training for forest staff at all levels (road planning and construction, skidding, felling, cross-cutting etc) Revise logging operations to comply with RIL requirements Collaborate with FC to develop yield model specific to forest area Collaborate with FC in establishment and mgt. of PSP network relevant in LLL s forest area and revision of management plans based on long term data from PSPs Develop TOR for EIA Contract qualified assessor Conduct EIA and incorporate results into TUC plan. Develop a form that captures environmental data and transfer to stock maps. Identify key forest mgt operations that have negative impacts on environment Write guidelines for such operations Review existing solid and liquid waste collection and disposal practices. Write guidelines and educate staff and community on waste disposal measures. Issue policy avoiding the use of exotic species in forest. LLL s revised action plan showed how this could be extended to the rest of the company s TUC areas Action process met. Revised action plan of 25 th september In progress Action process in progress. LLL s revised action plan of 25 th September 2009 showed action steps to complete the entire process Action plan revised., LLL s revised action plan of 25 th September, 2009 showed steps to consolidate the gains and captured in LLL s guidelines for bush operations manual. LLL LLL SmartStep Participant Fact Sheet Page 6 of 8

7 reserves Manage affected areas (girdling/slashing young exotic species, planting indigenous species, etc) Collaborate with FC to complete outstanding FMU plans. Prepare draft TUC Area plans to meet legal and certification requirements for all lease areas Prepare draft TUC operational plans to meet legal requirements for all coupes to be opened in 2007 Prepare public summary of plans and make available for consultation with local, national and international stakeholders. Prepare job description and skills/experience requirements for all staff positions Conduct training needs assessment for all levels of forest operations including administration of First Aid. Undertake necessary training and maintain training records Isolate and document all mgt. and certification requirement outputs and levels of social and fine-grained environmental impacts set out in TUC area and operational plans Prepare monitoring checklist and indicate how and when monitoring is to be done, how information will be analysed and used (including feedback into mgt. plans) Assign overall coordination of monitoring responsibility to a capable staff and specify periods that appropriate reports are to be sent to mgt. and public summary made available. Implement monitoring activities and maintain records Enhance staff knowledge in attributes that define HCVFs Action step found to be destructive and therefore revised to indicate that planting of exotic species which was not done by LLL will not be repeated. In progress On-going. TUC area plans have been drafted and the revised action plan showed steps to finalize plans In progress See revised action plan Action plan met Action met. See revised action plan See revised action plan Action plan met See current action plan See current action plan LLL SmartStep Participant Fact Sheet Page 7 of 8

8 Carry out HCVF assessment (own staff or contracted). Contract independent expert to review assessment report Develop HCVF management strategy if HCVF exist in TUCs Audit Conclusions: Revised See current action plan The SmartStep gap analysis audit of LLL concluded that the company meets the minimum requirements for participation in the SmartStep program The audit report gave LLL the option to:: 1. Develop a company action plan that outlines specific actions that LLL will undertake to address identified conformance gaps including parties responsible for completing the actions and defined timetables for completion, 2. Submit action plan to SmartWood for review and approval. 3. Formalize a SmartStep participation agreement with Rainforest Alliance which outlines LLL commitments to achieve FSC certification, facilitate SmartStep monitoring audits and adhere to program rules and requirements. A review of LLL s action plan implementation carried out by SmartWood in October 2009 also concluded that the company has shown commitment to pursuing responsible forest management and has made progress in the implementation of its action plan and therefore should proceed to formalize its participation in the SmartStep program Next planned audit: date and focus Company plans to undergo full forest Management assessment in last quarter of 2010 LLL SmartStep Participant Fact Sheet Page 8 of 8