 |
|
This newsletter highlights items of interest
to Managed Forest owners and interested parties for Fall 2017
|
IN THIS ISSUE:
Recent News
Field Notes
Reminder
|
|
As an independent agency established by the Provincial Government, each year the Managed Forest Council must submit an Annual Report to the Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development. Council has now submitted its 2016/17 Annual Report.
The Annual Report summarizes Council's activities for the year, including how well it achieved its objective and performed its duties under the
Private Managed Forest Land Act. The report also includes a summary of statutory reporting requirements including information about the number of managed forests, area in the program, and number of inspections, as well as a summary of managed forest owners' activities for the year.
|
Participation in the Managed Forest Program requires private forest owners to commit to the protection of key public environmental values and to comply with the private managed forest land legislation. Regulation of forest practices is covered primarily by the Private Managed Forest Land Council Regulation (Council Regulation). Adherence to the Council Regulation is monitored by the Managed Forest Council through an inspection program. It is Council's policy to inspect every managed forest at least once every 5 years.
The 2017 Inspection Program included 45 managed forests, from large industrial land to small
family-owned properties. Most owners were found to be diligent about meeting the Council Regulation, however Inspectors noted three potential issues that require further investigation: two related to restocking obligations, and one related to riparian tree retention.
|
Field Notes
Road Maintenance & Deactivation
Managed forest owners are reminded to be diligent around regulatory requirements related to road maintenance & deactivation with respect to protection of water quality and fish habitat. Protection of water quality and fish habitat are two of the forest management objectives identified in the
Private Managed Forest Land Act.
Two of the key elements in the Council Regulation related to road maintenance & deactivation are:
- Road constructed or used for harvesting purposes must be maintained until deactivated
- Maintenance and deactivation practices are required to the extent necessary to avoid causing a material adverse effect on fish habitat or on water diverted by a licensed waterworks intake
For more information including links to the Council Regulation and the Managed Forest Council's Field Practices Guide,
see our 2016 blog post here.
|
Reminder: Reporting of landslides or debris flows
Managed forest owners, or their contractors, employees or agents, are required to notify the Managed Forest Council within 24 hours of becoming aware that a landslide or debris flow has occurred on their land and has deposited debris or sediment into a stream that supports fish or is upstream of a licensed waterworks intake.
|
|
Telephone: 250.386.5737
Online: MFCouncil.ca
|
|
|
|
|
|
