Whiskey Jack Forest. Independent Forest Audit April 1, 2004 to March 31, Management Unit Action Plan Status Report

Transcription

1 Whiskey Jack Forest Independent Forest Audit April 1, 2004 to March 31, 2009 Management Unit Action Plan Status Report

2

3 Independent Forest Audit Action Plan Status Report Whiskey Jack Forest Independent Forest Audit Introduction: The Independent Forest Audit (IFA) of the Whiskey Jack Forest was conducted by KBM Forestry Consultants Inc. for the period April 1, 2004 to March 31, The Action Plan was approved June 7, 2011 and the Final Status Report is due June 6, R# Audit Recommendation Action Required and Progress to Date 1 MNR Kenora District and MNR Red Lake District must ensure that the LCC Terms of Reference for the Kenora and Red Lake LCCs meet the content requirements of the FMPM regarding a protocol for the functioning of multiple LCCs. 1. Review FMPM requirements with LCCs. 2. Work with the Red Lake and Kenora LCCs to develop a protocol for the roles and responsibilities and include the protocol in the LCC TOR. 3. Work with planning team and Red Lake and Kenora LCCs to outline in the FMP TOR how they will participate in the Desired Forest & Benefits process and meeting. 1. Not Completed A review of the FMPM requirements with the LCC has not occurred. 2. Not Completed A protocol has not been developed for the roles and responsibilities of the LCCs. 3. Completed Both the Kenora and Red Lake LCCs participated in the DF&B process and meetings. 1. Complete a review of the FMPM requirements with the LCC by September Responsibility MNR Kenora District Planner. Method of Tracking Progress: LCC meeting minutes. 2. Edit the LCC Terms of Reference to include a protocol for the functioning of multiple LCCs by September Responsibility MNR Kenora District Planner. Method of Tracking Progress: LCC meeting minutes, updated Terms of Reference. 2 The Forest Manager must ensure that available survey information (regeneration surveys, Free-to-Grow, silviculture effectiveness monitoring, etc.) is used in the development of the silviculture program in the next FMP. 1. All available survey information will be compiled for use in the development of the Whiskey Jack Forest FMP. 2. The available survey information will be analyzed and the analysis results will be used in the development of post renewal succession rules for use in SFMM modeling for the Whiskey Jack Forest FMP. 3. The available survey information will be used to assist in the development of regeneration standards for the Whiskey Jack Forest FMP (FMP-4 Silvicultural Ground Rules). 1. Completed - Silviculture Effectiveness Monitoring (SEM) surveys from the MNR and Free-to- Grow (FTG) and other regeneration surveys that were collected from industry were compiled into a 3

4 3 The Forest Manager must ensure that: 1) the Silviculture Ground Rules, silviculture exceptions, planned renewal program and actual silvicultural intentions of the next forest management plan support the long term management direction and related silvicultural strategies, 2) the connection between strategic and operational silviculture is clearly discussed in the text of the next plan, and 3) the operational renewal program data base during the spring of This database was then made available for the development of the Whiskey Jack Forest FMP (see actions 2 and 3). 2. Completed - The survey data was formatted and analyzed by Kenora District staff in the spring of The analysis showed that there was a significant difference between the projected development and the actual development both in development rate and forest unit. This information was used to develop the silviculture options for each forest units silviculture intensity. These options have strong links to the development of yield curves and succession rules. These new renewal successions would be consistent with current operations, inventory background and SEM information. 3. Ongoing - The survey information was used to develop more stringent regeneration standards in the Silviculture Ground Rules (SGRs) that were produced for the Whiskey Jack 2012 LTMD in January % stocking in the FMP vs 40% stocking in the FMP. These regeneration standards addressed the timing of assessment, targets and acceptable crop species, minimum crop tree heights, species composition, stocking and survey methodology. Using the survey information and the Caribou Conservation Plan (CCP), acceptable stocking percentages and densities (trees/ha) were included in SGRs to improve site occupancy and to provide for future forest conditions as modeled. Refer to future tracking below for FMP approval and Contingency Plan. 3. SGRs in approved FMP, approval forecasted for December Responsibility MNR Kenora District Area Forester. The Whiskey Jack Forest CP applied the SGRs from the LTMD, approved September 21, When developing the renewal program for the FMP the planning team shall ensure that the planned silviculture activity supports the silviculture strategy in the LTMD. This will be done by using past renewal survey information when developing modeling inputs for post renewal succession, developing regeneration standards and treatment packages for the Silvicultural Ground Rules. 2. The text of the FMP will clearly describe the silviculture intentions for the forest. The text will also contain documentation on the use of post-harvest silvicultural prescriptions and the implementation of site appropriate treatments. Table FMP-17 Planned Renewal and Tending Operations will be consistent with the LTMD and related silvicultural strategies. 3. When implementing the FMP the MNR Kenora District will ensure operations proposed in the AWSs align with FMP-17 to ensure the strategic renewal program that was modeled in the Whiskey Jack Forest FMP is followed. This will include post-harvest 4

5 aligns with the planned renewal program and supports the long term management direction. silvicultural prescriptions consistent with FMP-17 and the strategic renewal program and review of the annual reports for treatments applied. 1. Ongoing Refer to recommendation #2 above regarding using survey information. The Whiskey Jack FMP was delayed following the approval of the LTMD. Due to this delay the Section 4 of the FMP has yet to be developed and as such the remainder of this action has yet to be completed. The 2012 LTMD was utilized to prepare the Contingency Plan and the Silviculture Ground Rules have been applied in the Contingency Plan. 2. Ongoing Section 4 of the FMP is currently being developed and as such this action has yet to be completed. For each forest unit, the most common silvicultural treatment package in Table FMP-4 is considered to be the package of treatments most likely to be used that will reflect the silviculture strategy for each forest unit. Since the surrender of the SFL and the approval of the Whiskey Jack Forest CP in 2012 the silviculture conducted on the Whiskey Jack Forest has been in keeping with the modeled silviculture strategy, contained in the Whiskey Jack Forest Preliminary Endorsed Long Term Management Direction, to the extent reasonably possible. 3. Partially Completed Through the implementation of the Contingency Plan the Strategic Direction for the FMP has been implemented. As noted in action 2 of this recommendation the FMP is not yet approved. The post-harvest silvicultural prescriptions have been initiated and will be finalized once the Supplementary Aerial Photos are received (July 2013). The review of the Annual Report will not be concluded until November 15, 2013 when the Annual Report is submitted. 5 The Forest Manager must ensure that, if required, the Natural Benchmark (or equivalent) developed for the next FMP better reflects actual conditions and that, if required, targets/desired levels (or equivalent) for appropriate FMP that completely addresses action 1 of this recommendation is forecast to be approved in December Responsibility MNR Kenora District Area Forester. 2. Action 2 to be completed when text Section 4 of the FMP is done, approval forecast for December Responsibility MNR Kenora District Area Forester. 3. Action 3 to continue to be implemented following approval of the FMP as noted in action 1 above. Implementation progress will be tracked by annual review of operational silvicultural program, AWSs, silvicultural effectiveness monitoring and annual reports. Responsibility MNR Kenora District Area Forester. 1. The Simulated Range of Natural Variation (SRNV) from the Ontario Landscape Tool (OLT) will be utilized for the estimated natural condition of the forest to ensure it better reflects actual conditions. 2. The FMP objectives for forest texture and patch will be produced using outputs from the Ontario Landscape Tool (OLT). 5

6 objectives in the next FMP include consideration for the Natural Benchmark trend line. 1. Ongoing The SRNV from OLT was utilized to determine the natural forest condition for use in the draft FMP. The SRNV was found to be a better representation of the natural forest condition 2. Ongoing The objectives for forest texture and patch developed for the draft FMP used the outputs from the OLT. 6 7 The Forest Manager must ensure that moose shelter patches are retained as specified in the FMP. The Forest Manager must ensure that operators refine their work methods on fine textured soils to avoid operating during wet or non-frozen periods FMP is forecast to be approved in December Responsibility MNR Kenora District Area Forester FMP is forecast to be approved in December Responsibility MNR Kenora District Area Forester. 1. The Forest Manager will ensure that the planned shelter patches are appropriately placed on the operational maps in the AWS. 2. Training and Pre-harvest meetings with the harvest contractor will review the prescriptions for the harvest area and any moose shelter patches. 3. Moose shelter patch retention or harvest will be noted in the final compliance report for a harvest area. 1. Completed - Moose shelter patches were identified on operational maps for the Whiskey Jack Forest Contingency Plan and the subsequent AWSs. The Whiskey Jack Forest Contingency Plan did not identify any moose shelter patches as it was produced following The Forest Management Guide for Conserving Biodiversity at the Stand and Site Scales 2010 (Stand and Site Guide). 2. Completed - All harvest blocks have a pre-harvest meeting with the licencee prior to commencing operations. In these meetings the details of each block have been discussed and all residual requirements have been identified. The pre-harvest checklist is kept at the MNR office with the block file. Moose shelter patches have been reviewed and found to be intact. 3. Completed - FOIP reports for completed blocks have reported on the retention or harvest of shelter patches when they are encountered in the harvest block. 1. During the term of the Contingency Plan pre-harvest meetings with harvest contractors will discuss the soil types in the harvest area and how to implement the Standards and Guidelines, as well as Best Management Practices for site disturbance (rutting and compaction) from the Forest Management Guide for Conserving Biodiversity at the Stand and Site Scales (Stand and Site Guide). 2. Section Conditions on Regular Operations of the Whiskey Jack Forest FMP will 6

7 8 9 The Forest Manager must ensure that the inventory is reviewed and verified for accuracy with respect to Free to Grow records updated during the audit term. The Forest Manager must ensure that site preparation results in the production of planting spots of the include the Standards and Guidelines and Best Management Practices for site disturbance (rutting and compaction) from the Forest Management Guide for Conserving Biodiversity at the Stand and Site Scales (Stand and Site Guide) 3. Training and Pre-harvest meetings with the harvest contractor will review the soil textures for the harvest area. 1. Completed - All harvest blocks have had a pre-harvest meeting with the licencee prior to commencing operations. In these meetings the details of each block are discussed and work on fine textured soils and shallow soils is discussed. In the current Whiskey Jack Forest Contingency Plan there have been no operational issues as a result of fine textured soils. The preharvest checklist is kept at the MNR office with the block file. 2. Partially Completed - The approved Whiskey Jack Forest Contingency Plan includes Section Conditions on Regular Operations (CROs) based on the Stand and Site Guide. This section of the text describes how rutting and compaction is to be minimized and/or prevented. This section of text also explains how rutting will be measured if an infraction occurs. This section of text has also been included in the draft Whiskey Jack FMP, which is scheduled for implementation in April Completed All harvest blocks have a pre-harvest meeting with the licencee prior to commencing operations. In these meetings the details of each block were discussed, including sensitive soils (shallow and fine texture). The pre-harvest checklist is kept at the MNR office with the block file. 2. The Whiskey Jack FMP includes text regarding rutting and compaction in the CRO section Approval by December Responsibility MNR Kenora District Area Forester. 1. The Forest Manager will undertake a 10% review of the data collected by the Free to Grow program and compare it to the 2012 planning inventory. If discrepancies are found a more comprehensive review will be conducted and corrections will occur prior to the Long Term Management Direction endorsement for the Whiskey Jack Forest FMP. 1. Completed The Kenora District Planning Analyst undertook a 10% review of the FTG data prior to the approval of the base model inventory for the Whiskey Jack Forest FMP. The review showed that the FTG data that had been collected had been correctly included in the inventory. 1. Post harvest inspections will be conducted to ensure proper selection of Forest Operation Prescriptions (FOP) and application of site preparation. The post harvest inspections will include 7

8 10 quality and quantity appropriate to meet plan objectives. The Forest Manager must ensure that planting of red and white pine occurs on appropriate sites. information on the type of site preparation required, the spacing, the method, the intensity, etc. 2. Site preparation contracts will include specific spacing and intensity requirements to ensure that work done will meet the FMP objectives. 3. Inspections of the site preparation will occur throughout the contract to ensure quality control. 4. The compliance report for the completion of the site preparation program will comment on the overall quality of the work done. 1. Completed In 2010, 2011, and 2012 the Kenora District staff have been conducting post harvest site inspections in order to develop comprehensive silviculture prescriptions for harvest areas. Each post harvest inspection determines if an area will be planted, seeded or left for natural regeneration. Once this is determined a decision is made on site preparation requirements for planted areas and scarification requirements for seeded areas. 2. Completed - Site preparation contracts implemented in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 have contained the requirements for the following: spacing of furrows, depth of furrows and mineral soil exposure. These key requirements are required in order to ensure that the work done will meet the FMP objectives. 3. Completed - Site preparation in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 was sufficiently supervised by area technicians from Kenora District. The supervision included multiple site visits each week that the program was operating, as well as the establishment of quality plots to ensure that the desired result is being achieved. The plot data is kept on file at the Kenora District office. 4. Completed - The final FOIP compliance report for the 2010, 2011 and 2012 site preparation programs have detailed the overall assessment of quality. 1. Post harvest site inspections will be conducted to accurately identify where the planting of red pine, white pine and white spruce would be appropriate. 2. Ensure planting stock orders include a sufficient amount of red pine, white pine and white spruce to plant the areas identified through post harvest site inspections. 1. Completed - Post harvest surveys have been conducted by Kenora District in 2010, 2011, and 2012, to date and they identify the most appropriate planting stock and densities for each site - See table under Action 2 below. Suitable sites for red pine and white spruce were identified for the 2011, but a suitable site for white pine was not identified through the post harvest surveys. The 2011 post harvest inspections identified suitable area for white spruce, but no area for white or red pine. The lack of suitable ground to plant these species may be related to the decreased harvest levels that the Whiskey Jack is currently experiencing. 2. Completed - All planting stock orders for the Whiskey Jack Forest include a sufficient species mix to address the areas identified in action 1 above. Refer to the table below for orders compared to actual planting. 8

9 11 12 MNR Kenora District must ensure that all blocks harvested during the audit term are reviewed for slash management and, where established regeneration will not be affected a) slash be piled and burned or otherwise removed to allow regeneration of productive land, or b) if natural regeneration of these areas is not expected, then treat the area to ensure regeneration. MNR Kenora District must ensure that: a) a review is conducted of all areas Planting Year Planting Stock Order Actual Planting ,000 Pj 20,500 Sb ,000 Pj 250,000 Sb 50,000 Sw 202,400 Pj 271,000 Sb 50,000 Sw ,000 Sw 150,000 Sb 100,000 Pj ,000 Pj 325,000 Sb 60,000 Pr 103,000 Sw 160,000 Sb 100,000 Pj 78,600 Pj 325,000 Sb 6,000 Pr In addition when there was available surplus planting stock available Kenora District has purchased it to further complete backlog renewal. 1. All accessible blocks with slash that had not been piled were piled in 2010 for a 2011 slash pile burn program. 2. All areas piled and burned will be assessed to determine the appropriate type of follow-up treatment during the spring after burning. Any areas not expected to regenerate naturally will be identified as part of the planting or seeding programs. 1. Completed A total of $109,000 was spent piling slash in backlog areas that were accessible. These piles were burnt during the 2011 slash pile burn program. 2. Partially Completed After the piles had been burned, each pile was marked with a GPS waypoint. While the crew was marking each burned slash pile they also took measurements to determine the average number of plantable spots in each pile. 2. The slash piles are scheduled to be planted during the 2013 tree plant. Approximately 25,000 trees are expected to be planted in these piles. Responsibility MNR Kenora District Integrated Resource Management Specialist. Method of Tracking Progress Forest Operations Prescriptions, AWS, silviculture effectiveness monitoring program. 1. The MNR Kenora District through the Silviculture Effectiveness Monitoring program has started a review of all areas planted and seeded during the audit term. This assessment will 9

10 planted and seeded during the audit term and that fill planting or reseeding occurs as necessary to support the achievement of FMP objectives, b) a review of all sites harvested during the audit term that are forecast to become conifer-leading forest units is conducted, and that tending occurs where necessary so that plan objectives can be met. identify a) the presence of large gaps that require retreatment and b) the presence of competition suppressing the conifer-leading forest units. This recommendation is very significant and will require an incredible amount of resources to complete. The MNR Kenora District will seek additional funding through the NW Region to assist in the completion of this recommendation. Currently the MNR Kenora District is focusing on renewing the areas harvested since the surrender of the Whiskey Jack Forest, and as time and as funding permits will begin to address this recommendation 2. The MNR Kenora District will target areas requiring in-fill planting as a part of future silviculture programs. These areas will be prioritized based on harvest year, site characteristics, proximity to current program and funding availability. These areas will be included in the AWS and reported on in the AR. 3. The MNR Kenora District will identify areas requiring tending that are forecast to be conifer leading areas. These areas will be prioritized based on harvest year, site characteristics, proximity to current program and funding availability. These areas will be included in the AWS and reported on in the AR. Note: Chemical tending is a very controversial topic in the Kenora District and as such alternative methods to aerial herbicide application, such as air blast, ground spray, basal bark, etc., will be investigated. 1. Ongoing As of April 24, 2012, the Kenora District has flown all of the area that was regenerated in the FMP. This includes areas that were seeded, planted and left for natural regeneration. All of the area was tagged as either not requiring retreatment or has been tagged for further follow-up (3,450 ha). The majority of the area (2,900 ha) that required further follow-up was ground surveyed in the spring/summer of 2012 to determine if additional treatments were required to ensure that the area is successfully regenerated (e.g. retreatment, competition suppressing conifer leading forest units). To-date only one area has been identified for retreatment and three for tending. 2. Ongoing One area has been identified for retreatment to-date. This area was planted with black spruce, but due to heavy grass and shrub competition most of the spruce was overtopped and eventually choked out. The block was walked extensively and broken out into areas that required retreatment and areas that were renewing acceptably. The areas that were targeted for retreatment were site prepared using winter blading during the winter of This totaled approximately 60 hectares that requires planting. With regard to blocks harvested prior to that received no silvicultural treatment, the final areas were included in the 2012 Whiskey Jack tree plant. 3. Ongoing The Kenora District has identified three areas that require cleaning to-date. 1. Finish the ground survey of the remaining 500 ha of area that requires further follow-up in the spring/summer of 2013 to determine if additional treatments are required to ensure that the area is 10

11 13 The Forest Manager must ensure that seed collection and storage meet the needs of the renewal program. successfully regenerated (e.g. retreatment, infill planting, competition suppressing conifer leading forest units). Responsibility MNR Kenora District, Integrated Resource Management Specialist. Method of Tracking Progress: silviculture effectiveness monitoring program. 2. Plant the 60 hectares requiring retreatment with approximately 110,000 black spruce during the 2013 tree plant. Identify the final areas requiring retreatments from ground surveys during the spring of Any areas requiring retreatment will be prioritized as per action required. Responsibility MNR Kenora District, Integrated Resource Management Specialist. Method of Tracking Progress: Annual Reports. 3. Tender out as a package the three areas that require cleaning during The focus will be to promote employment in the local First Nation communities, but other companies will be included in the tender process. Continue identification of areas requiring tending or cleaning as per action 3 above. Responsibility MNR Kenora District, Integrated Resource Management Specialist. Method of Tracking Progress: Annual Reports. 1. A review of the current seed requirements will be conducted. 2. A review of current seed stock levels will be conducted. 3. A seed collection program will be developed and implemented based upon the current and future requirements. 4. Monitor seed stores to ensure an appropriate supply for future programs. 1. Completed Following the 2009 IFA seed requirements for the 2010 tree plant and seeding program was conducted. This review has continued to occur every year and is done by the Area Forester and the Integrated Resource Management Specialist. 2. Completed A review of the seed stock levels was conducted following the 2009 IFA and the levels show that there is sufficient seed for both black and white spruce requirements as well as jack pine well into the future. Red pine seed stocks are relatively low and a collection program was completed as noted under action 3 below. 3. Completed Every year the current and future seed requirements are examined and seed collection targets any stock shortfalls. In 2012 a small red pine cone collection program was undertaken and yielded approximately 50,000 seeds. Although this is not a large amount of seed it will fulfill the requirements on the forest for between 5 to 10 years. 4. Completed A review of seed stock levels occurs every year and is compared to current harvest levels and tree plant and seeding program requirements. The seed stocks will support the required regeneration levels on the Whiskey Jack for the next 5 years. Prior to 2017 seed collection programs will be conducted for both red pine and jack pine. Current seed stock levels are as follows: 11

12 Species Total Number of Viable Seed Black Spruce 106,867,313 White Spruce 61,967,215 Jack Pine 39,142,507 Red Pine 101, MNR Kenora District must review the Forest Renewal Trust Fund rates particularly for spruce/pine/fir and assign rates appropriate for meeting plan objectives. The Forest Manager must develop a road rehabilitation strategy for the next FMP to ensure that unwarranted roads are rehabilitated and returned to the productive forest landbase. 1. An annual review of the renewal rates will be conducted to ensure that the levels are appropriate to meet the silvicultural objectives in the current FMP. The renewal rates were reviewed and adjusted in order to better reflect plan objectives for April 1, 2009 (outside of the audit period). This review has occurred annually and will continue in the future. 1. Completed A thorough review of the Forest Renewal Trust Fund rates was conducted by Kenora District in the spring of 2009, 2010, 2011, and The current rates, expected costs of renewal treatments and the volume of fibre that is anticipated to be harvested were evaluated during the FRTF renewal rate reviews. Since 2009 the FRTF rates have been raised to $5.50 SPF ( , ) and $5.75 SPF ( , & ). It is felt that these rates reflect the cost of adequately renewing a conifer forest and are in keeping with the silviculture required to meet the FMP objectives. 1. All new and existing roads will be reviewed during preparation of the FMP with respect to requirements to access harvest areas. Road density objective targets will be established in the FMP and road use management strategies will ensure that roads not required for forest management activities are rehabilitated and returned to the productive landbase. 2. Pre-harvest meetings with the harvest contractor will review the block and the approximate location of roads and landings. 1. Ongoing During the production of the draft FMP an objective (objective 8) was developed that states a clear road density objective for the caribou zone and the non-caribou zones on the Whiskey Jack Forest. The road use management strategies developed for the FMP document roads that are no longer needed for forest management activities and how these roads will be returned to the productive landbase. 2. Completed Pre-harvest meetings have been occurring on all blocks harvested on the Whiskey Jack Forest. During these meetings specifics regarding road placement and longevity are discussed with the licencee. Landings for chipper pads have been a focus of the pre-harvest meetings and where possible are located on unproductive sites. 12

13 16 17 The Forest Manager must develop a monitoring program to ensure that all water crossings installed during the winter are inspected immediately following the first spring thaw after their installation, and incorporate the monitoring strategy into the FMP. The Forest Manager must ensure that the interests of public safety are paramount for establishing pit rehabilitation requirements for all pits at all times. 1. The Whiskey Jack FMP that includes objective 8 regarding road densities. Approval by December Responsibility MNR Kenora District Area Forester. 1. The Forest Manager will create a monitoring program to track water crossings installations. 2. The Forest Manager will review crossings that were previously installed during the winter months and determine if mitigation work is required. 3. These water crossings will be monitored to determine if additional mitigative work is required. 1. Partially Completed All water crossings installed since the 2009 IFA have been temporary installations. A detailed process on how temporary winter crossings are to be installed and removed is included in the Water Crossing Tool Kit, which is an appendix in each years Annual Work Schedule. Winter water crossings have also been identified as a focus of the District Compliance program. 2. Completed Through the routine monitoring of roads and water crossings all permanent water crossings that were installed during winter months are being monitored. If the winter installed crossings, or any others, showed signs of erosion or other issues the appropriate mitigative measures are taken. All winter water crossings have been tagged with a March 31 removal date and have been required to be removed on or prior to that date, unless otherwise agreed to by the MNR. Following the removal date, all winter water crossings have been inspected. Any mitigation work, as necessary, will be identified by the District Compliance Inspector and directed to the licencee for completion by a specific date. 3. Completed The process that has been undertaken by the District Compliance Inspector has been to work with the licencee until all of the work required at a site is completed. Once mitigation work has been completed and inspected follow-up visits occur later in the summer when detailed silviculture prescriptions are being prepared. 1. In the event that permanent water crossing installations are contemplated during the winter, a winter water crossing monitoring program will be initiated and implemented. Responsibility MNR Kenora District Area Forester. 1. An amendment to the Whiskey Jack Forest Contingency Plan was approved and included the updated operational standards that apply to the extraction of aggregate resources for forestry aggregate pits. 2. The Forest Manager will monitor aggregate pits for compliance with the Forest Industry Operating Standards and /or the Aggregates Act and for any public safety issues. 13

14 18 19 MNR Kenora District must ensure that a review of the original field data of the barren and scattered survey occurs and that the inventory is appropriately updated with this information. The Forest Manager must ensure that: a) all information in the Annual Report is confirmed for accuracy prior 3. The updated operational standards for aggregate pits will be included in the Whiskey Jack Forest FMP. 1. Completed The updated operational standards for forestry aggregate pits were included in the Major amendment to the Whiskey Jack Forest Contingency Plan (amendment #03). 2. Completed The Forest Manager has monitored forestry aggregate pits through FOIP inspections for all forest industry sites and Compliance Assessment Reports for Category 9 pits. 3. Partially Completed The current operational standards for aggregate pits have been included in the CRLAPs (Conditions on Roads, Landings and Aggregate Pits) in the Whiskey Jack Forest Contingency Plan. 3. Inclusion of the operational standards for aggregate pits in the Whiskey Jack Forest FMP that is scheduled for approval by December Responsibility MNR Kenora District Area Forester. 1. MNR Kenora District will review 10% of the field data from the barren and scattered survey and ensure it has been incorporated into the 2012 planning inventory. 2. A new Forest Resources Inventory (FRI) for the Whiskey Jack Forest is scheduled to be completed by 2014 and this inventory will have stands appropriately identified as forested, barren and scattered, etc. This inventory will be used in the development of the 2022 Whiskey Jack Forest FMP 1. Completed The Kenora District Planning Analyst undertook a 10% review of the field data of the barren and scattered data prior to the approval of the base model inventory for the Whiskey Jack Forest FMP. The review showed that the barren and scattered data that had been collected had been correctly included in the inventory. 2. Not Completed The completion date for the new FRI has been changed to The stated action will occur with the new FRI expected to be received in Responsibility MNR Kenora District Area Forester. 1. The annual report will be submitted in accordance with the FMPM and the Forest Information Manual by November 15 th of each year. 14

15 20 to finalization, b) future Annual Reports contain all required discussions including progress towards achievement of plan objectives, potential implications of operations on future operations and effectiveness of road use management strategies. MNR Kenora District must ensure that the Year 10 AR is revised to include the following: a) analysis/discussion of changes that may affect future levels, effectiveness and expenditures of renewal and tending operations, b) analysis/discussion of effectiveness of silvicultural treatment packages that are exceptions to the forest management guides, c) review/discussion of needed modifications or refinements to modeling assumptions, d) a summary of progress on implementation of the IFA Action Plan, e) an update of the inventory and running of SFMM at plan end (2009) to determine objective achievement, f) an update of the FMP social and economic description, and g) based on the determination of sustainability and the social and economic review, develop recommendations for the next FMP. 2. The MNR staff will review the annual report to ensure the report is complete and all required information is appropriately included. The MNR District Manager will provide the results of this review to the Plan Author. The Plan Author will address the comments and provide the MNR District Manager with documentation on how the comments have been addressed. 1. Completed The , and Annual Reports were received from the service provider and MNR Kenora District verified that the information was accurate prior to submitting the reports through the FI Portal. 2. Completed The Annual Reports have been checked to ensure that they contain the required discussion components. Any comments were provided back to the Plan Author and appropriately incorporated into the AR. 1. The Forest Manager will revise the AR to include the deficient information as identified in Recommendation #20 of the IFA report. This will then be submitted to the MNR Kenora District for review. 2. The MNR Kenora District and MNR Northwest Region will review the Annual Report to ensure deficiencies identified in the IFA are addressed. 3. Following the MNR review the District Manager will provide the results to the plan author. 4. The plan author will address the comments and provide documentation to the District Manager on how the comments have been addressed. If necessary a revised AR will be submitted 60 days from the receipt of the MNR comments. 1. Not Completed The Annual Report has not been revised. 2. Not Completed The MNR has not reviewed the revised Annual Report as the report has not yet been revised. 3. Not Completed Copy of review results has not been completed as the Annual Report has not been revised for review. 4. Not Completed as the Annual Report has not yet been revised for review. 1, 2, 3, 4. The stated actions will be completed by the MNR Kenora District Area Forester. The revised Annual Report is expected by July 31, 2013 and all actions will be completed by September 30, Responsibility MNR Kenora District Area Forester. 15

16 21 The MNR Kenora District Manager and the Forest Manager must ensure that the audit action plan and status report comply with all IFAPP submission requirements. 1. The Kenora District MNR will complete the required action plan in accordance with all IFAPP requirements and will contact the regional representative for assistance as required. Once the draft action plan is completed it will be submitted to the regional and corporate contacts for review and then the action plan will be finalized. The action plan will then be signed and submitted to the MNR Regional Director for signature. 2. The Kenora District MNR will complete the required status report in accordance with all IFAPP requirements and will contact the regional representative for assistance as required. Once the draft status report is completed it will be submitted to the regional and corporate contacts for review and then the status report will be finalized. The status report will then be signed and submitted to the MNR Regional Director for signature. 1. Partially Completed The action plan was due for submission by August 15, A preliminary version of the action plan was submitted by MNR Kenora District to the NWR on August 4, Following review and a conference call with the NWR and Forests Branch the action plan was resubmitted and reviewed in December The action plan was finalized by April 2011 and the action plan was submitted to the MNR Regional Director by the MNR Kenora District Manager on April 20, Completed The Interim Status Report was due for submission by June 6, The status report was completed and reviewed by the MNR NWR contact prior to submission by the MNR District Manager. The status report was submitted to the MNR Regional Director by the MNR Kenora District Manager on June 6, This final Status Report is due for submission by June 6, The status report was completed and reviewed by the MNR NWR contact prior to submission by the MNR District Manager. The status report was submitted to the MNR Regional Director by the MNR Kenora District Manager on the date indicated on the signature page of this status report. 16