Author Archives: hfhc

How timber harvesting areas determined

Paul Schuetz outlines in  How are timber harvesting areas determined the steps BC operations foresters must take before an area is approved to harvest.  Non-foresters are provided with independent and knowledgeable information about forest planning. Paul is VP and General Manager of Forestry Operations at Industrial Forestry Service Ltd.  For the past 27 years Paul has managed large-scale forestry projects for both industry and government clients throughout Western Canada. The article was previously posted in the Truck Logger BC-Winter 2022 edition.

Modernizing BC forest policy

Government’s “Modernization of Forest Policy” initiative has a major deficiency due to the adopted process. There is a lack of clear, high-level statements from Government relative to an infrastructure framework that guides the process.  Incorporating the recommendations presented in Forest renewal vision framework-action plan will go a long way in making a correction to reflect the demands of the 21st Century.

Fort Nelson license transfer

Congratulations to Minister Conroy and others involved in the  transfer of the Canfor Forest License to Peak Fort Nelson Properties Ltd (https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2021FLNRO0070-001629 ). The transfer includes a Peak “objective of each part of the total forest-stand profile will be used for its highest and best use.”  This creates an opportunity to work with the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality and Fort Nelson First Nation to diversify the wood fibre economy contributing to resiliency of the communities. Now we need to create an investment climate that encourages investors to build facilities to utilize the quality wood in the region.

Forest inventory-foundation for community resiliency

The importance of a forest inventory in moving toward community resiliency is discussed in  Forest inventory-foundation for community resiliency It is in the best interests of BC forest dependent communities to insist upon having a robust and detailed forest inventory of Crown land to meet their resiliency needs. If communities are to move toward resiliency, they cannot afford to make decisions based on poor data and information.  

Minister mandate actions vs 21st Century forest vision

A comparison of the  HFHC recommended 21st Century integrated forest sector vision items (https://www.bcforestconversation.com/bc-forest-renewal-vision-framework-update/)  with the forest related mandate items provided to each Minister by the Premier is in Minister mandates vs integrated 21st century forest sector vision.  Although the direction would contribute to the  recommended HFHC vision, they lack details and integration. Government still fails to provide legally binding forest resources management principles and vision for the 21st Century forest.  Also, there is no mention of increasing community knowledge related to forests, forest sector, etc. or re-building the forest resources research capacity.

BC Forest Renewal Vision Framework-Update

BC Government is proposing actions to renew the forest sector.  A BC forest renewal vision framework-Nov update provides a recommended framework for the 21st Century, including recommended actions.  It includes maintaining the positive components of the current forest sector and adding those to reflect the issues and challenges expected in the next Century.