Interwest Timber Ltd FSP Back Ground Document

Transcription

1 Interwest Timber Ltd FSP Back Ground Document Response to the District Manager s Expectations Letter First Nations Interwest has built a strong relationship with First Nations communities and tribal associations with traditional territory within the Lillooet TSA. Interwest has a community agreement with Sekw el was, Xwisten, Tit qet, Lil wat, and N Quatqua. Interwest has a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Nlaka pamux Nation Tribal Council (NNTC) and the two groups are currently working on a comprehensive Forestry Agreement. Interwest has fully engaged in Landscape Unit Planning (LUP) process with the Lillooet Tribal Council (LTC) and the Joint Decision Making Process with the NNTC. All affected First Nations were afforded a chance to review and make comment on the FSP and corresponding background document. Initial input was sought in September, 2017 and a final draft was provided on December 20, The final date for comments was set for February 28, 2018 and it was extended to March 31, 2018 upon request by First Nations. Meetings were held with Lil wat, Sekw el was (Splitrock Environmental), Tit qet, Lil wat, N Quatqua and NNTC. Written comments were received and discussed with Tit qet; the input was considered and incorporated into the FSP where appropriate. NNTC MOU was created on April 13, 2017 and signed on May 8, 2017, covering a process for developing and reviewing all plans and carrying out activities that were mutually beneficial in all respects. MOU to be extended until a Forestry Agreement is developed - October 6, The draft FSP was provided to NNTC for review and comment, Interwest would be available anytime to meet November 10, Interwest was informed by NNTC that all Licencees FSPs would be reviewed and discussed relative to the collaborative decision making process directly with MFLNROAD staff. Interwest was requested to wait for feedback until the discussions were complete. As per the expectations outlined in the letter Nlaka pamux Nation Tribal Council Political Accord, Engagement and Forest Stewardship Plans, dated April 16, 2018 Interwest has thoroughly engaged NNTC as described above and developed a good working relationship. Public Review and Comment Interwest advertised the FSP in the Bridge River/Lillooet News and attended an open house in Lillooet on June 15, The comments received are as follows: Visuals and Rec trail buffers are the most important management considerations for us, received from the Naturalists Society, Gun Lake Rate Payers and Tyaughton Lake Community Association. Requested the approved FSP to put on their website, received from the Bridge River Valley Community Association. July 19, 2018 Page 1 of 7

2 Defaults and Exemptions FPPR Section 12 (7) will be used where an exemption is required. Best Practices Interwest has sought information from specialists, including First Nations individuals, communities, groups and organizations, to improve the standards of the FSP. A number of the Results and Strategies have been addressed in this regard, including: Old Growth Management Area Order Wildlife Riparian Management Stand Level Biodiversity Cultural Heritage Resources Community Watersheds Scenic Areas Invasive Plants Natural Range Barriers Stocking Standards Climate Change The stocking standards will incorporate flexibility so that they can work cohesively with operational strategies to respond to climate change predictive modelling. An emphasis will be placed on landscape level planning with regard to water body management and site specific soil moisture retention. Interwest has always been committed to mixed species planting and that will be maximized while using the benefits of the Standards for Seed Use as outlined by the Chief Forester. Roads and Access Management Interwest works with all other Licencees in the TSA to create the best access plans for all areas of development. Interwest always minimizes the total amount of road and avoids creating loop road scenarios. Soil disturbance levels are managed through prescriptive measure that Interwest has control over. The No Net Gain principle promoted by the LTC member communities and SGS is followed by Interwest and planning occurs for each development area through the LUP process. Water Sustainability Act Interwest is focussed on all water courses and bodies in each development area with specific management strategies agreed to at the LUP sessions. Interwest has been proactive in ensuring that a fall away/yard away strategy is employed ensuring adequate shading is left. A hydrological assessment is completed in each community watershed and is considered in others that require a higher level of evaluation and corresponding attention. July 19, 2018 Page 2 of 7

3 Forest Health Interwest applies specific forest health strategies and targets areas that are identified by the forest health specialists as having been adversely affected. Interwest tracks the patterns of infestations and applies techniques to trap and rid areas of the greatest amount of pests possible. Timely response is a key component and a priority is placed on sanitizing these areas while adhering to the LUP process. Stumping and planting resistance species is considered on applicable sites where root rot is identified and treatable. Fuel Management and Fire Management Stocking Standards Interwest employs management strategies to reduce the level of woody debris, especially in accumulations, while balancing the need for block level coarse woody debris and small mammal habitat. Woody debris piles are burnt on an annual basis or preferably set up for the communities to utilize in the form of firewood. Interwest has had discussions with the local communities about working together to address adjacent interface areas. Invasive Plants (Species) Interwest has worked closely with LRISS to refine our FSP with specific input and wording that is supported by the LTC and SGS. Natural Range Barriers Key information has been reviewed and considered for input into the FSP. Interwest received input from the Spray Creek Ranch that requested earlier notification and discussion on specific developments that affect them. Interwest is committed to this approach and it will be applied to all interested range Licencees. Additional feedback from the Spray Creek Ranch was received and will be considered as well. Species at Risk Interwest has followed best management practices as indicated by specialists and experts including SGS, particularly involving Grizzly Bears and Spotted Owls. Specific information regarding ungulates is applied when it is available from the District and/or First Nations groups. Interwest has worked with SGS to supplement the lack of credible information with regard to mule deer winter range affected by wildfire. Dry Belt Fir Ecosystem The dry belt fir ecosystems are presumably at a significant risk due to climate change and wildfire which is an issue relative to key mule deer winter range polygons. Interwest will incorporate alternative silviculture systems, silviculture treatments and conduct appropriate assessments to maximize the long term health of these ecosystems. July 19, 2018 Page 3 of 7

4 Watershed Management Interwest considers water quality and quantity critical and will create buffers where applicable and maintain the high standard of practice already being practiced. Watershed assessments will be conducted in designated community watershed and considered in more sensitive watersheds without designation. Stocking Standards Interwest has incorporated the wildfire management stocking standards; they will be applicable to areas with wildfire objectives and wildland urban interface. The stocking standards are flexible in conjunction with operational adaptation considering climate change. A stocking standard has been included to enhance Grizzly Bear forage areas in critical areas as identified by the Province and SGS. Stand and Landscape level Biodiversity Interwest is committed to the direction and objectives set out in section 64 and 65 of the FPPR. Collaborative Planning and Cumulative Effects Interwest works closely with other Licencees to engage the public regarding the FSP through the participation in an Open House and various meetings with First Nations groups. The Lillooet TSA is devoid of designated chart areas except for BCTS. Interwest involves other Licencees, including woodlot operators, when areas are developed adjacent to one another. The impacts of other resource users are also considered when assessing cumulative impacts. Interwest has engaged with IPP operators to share resources such as roads and provide input to lessen the disturbance and related footprint. Results of Natural Resource Monitoring Interwest will monitor the results of Multiple Resource Value Assessments. The FREP evaluations and corresponding FREP notices provide valuable on-going information to guide and adjust best management practices. The participation of local First Nations helps to provide local knowledge while building an understanding of operational strategies and management on their part. Integrated Silviculture Strategy Interwest will participate in the ISS development and will be considering any information that comes out of it. Forest Practices Board Audit and Recommendations As per the FPB audit information the Interwest FSP results, strategies and measures are measurable and verifiable. July 19, 2018 Page 4 of 7

5 Support Information to the Results or Strategies Old Growth Management Areas (OGMAs) The original Lillooet TSA OGMA identification was done through a mapping exercise without the benefit of ground truthing. As Interwest develops an area, a critical review is carried out to assess whether a replacement is necessary. OGMAs will be reviewed with the First Nations communities at the Landscape Unit Planning (LUP) sessions to ensure the strategy fits the First Nations input and overall strategies. If a replacement is deemed viable Interwest will ensure that an area of equal or greater value in terms of elevation, age class, species and density will be used. OGMAs are tracked by the MFLNRO, Cascades District and Interwest supplies OGMA replacement information on an annual basis. Interwest will provide the St at imc and Nlaka pamux communities the same information Wildlife Interwest will seek First Nations communities traditional knowledge to supplement and enhance scientific studies and assessments. The combined knowledge base will be applied to management strategies developed between Interwest and the St at imc or Nlaka pamux communities General Riparian Management Site specific riparian management strategies for all streams will be discussed by Interwest and the affected St at imc or Nlaka pamux communities during the LUP process conducted for all development areas. Riparian assessments will be conducted by Interwest and St at imc or Nlaka pamux members. Riparian management strategies will be implemented by Interwest and St at imc or Nlaka pamux members. 7 metre No Machine Zones will be established on all S6 streams. This is an increase from the previous 5m No Machine Zone. This distance was determined in discussions with the LTC and it is the maximum feasible operational distance. All factors were considered when determining the reserve area and amount of retention for each stream classification below. This includes input from First Nations, Specialists, MFLNRORD staff, Climate Change literature, FREP literature, Small Streams Workshop and Interwest s extensive knowledge gained through operational trials and experience. A careful review of the objectives was contemplated and the result is objectives that balance retention and harvest opportunities (FPPR Part 2, Division 1, Section 8 - The objective set by government for water, fish, wildlife and biodiversity within riparian areas is, without unduly reducing the supply of timber from British Columbia's forests, to conserve, at the landscape level, the water quality, fish habitat, wildlife habitat and biodiversity associated with those riparian areas). Interwest is guided by the principle of treating each stream on an individual basis while being mindful of the overall effect. July 19, 2018 Page 5 of 7

6 Retention on all S4 streams will be established on a stream by stream basis after an extensive field review. A 10m reserve zone has been added on all S4 streams. Retention on all S5 streams will be established on a stream by stream basis after an extensive field review. A 10m reserve zone has been added on all S5 streams. Retention on S6 streams (>1.5m) will be established on a stream by stream basis after an extensive field review. Retention on S6 streams (<1.5m) will be limited to immature stems, deciduous stems and shrubs in general. Wildlife trees and WTPs may occupy the riparian management area Wildlife and Biodiversity Landscape Level The goal is to mimic the historic natural disturbance types that are affected by forest health (mainly beetle infestations) and fire. Stand regenerating events are replaced by harvesting but they are generally smaller in size and scale due to the general cutblock size limitation Scenic Areas With Established Visual Quality Objectives Interwest is committed to do a Visual Impact Assessment as per the established standards using the established VQOs. Forest Health and Visual Rehabilitation may cause the assessment to require flexibility in the form of scale. In that case an exemption through a section 12(7) approval will be required. 6.6 Recreation Sites and Trails Non-registered trails, including ones that will be applied for, will be discussed with St a timc and local area interest groups. Management strategies will be developed and reviewed by the interested parties. For trails with an overlapping interest, St at imc management will be the overriding strategy. 6.7 Cultural Heritage Resources St at imc or Nlaka pamux will conduct a Heritage Field Reconnaissance for each Cutting Permit development area. Interwest and St at imc or Nlaka pamux will agree on an Archaeologist if an Archaeological Impact Assessment (AIA) is required. St at imc or Nlaka pamux will participate in the AIA with the selected Archaeologist All Archaeological and cultural features will be managed as per the management strategies agreed to by Interwest and St at imc or Nlaka pamux communities. All features will be marked by St at imc or Nlaka pamux. July 19, 2018 Page 6 of 7

7 6.8.2 Invasive Plant Species First Nations communities and LRISS will be informed through the LUP process as to the location, type and extent of the invasive species to best coordinate a strategy to deal with the issue as a group. 7 Stocking Standards Adjustments have been made to account for berry production in known Grizzly bear areas, information is provided and discussed with St at imc. Climate change relative to adjustments in Biogeoclimatic Zones will focus on the dry belt Douglas-fir ecosystem. Other changes will be implemented as information becomes available. July 19, 2018 Page 7 of 7