Report of an Independent Audit of Forest Management on the Nighthawk Forest for the Period 2003 to 2008
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
Report of an Independent Audit of Forest Management on the Nighthawk Forest for the Period 2003 to 2008 FINAL REPORT December, 2008 © Queen's Printer for Ontario, 2009 1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY A team of five independent auditors carried out an independent audit of forest management on the Nighthawk Forest (NHF) covering the period from April 1, 2003 to March 31, 2008. The NHF has been managed through this period by AbitibiBowater under the auspices of a 20-year forest management plan (commencing April 1, 2003 and set to expire March 21, 2023) with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR). The audit examined the Company’s compliance with the terms and conditions of this agreement and reviewed the OMNR’s performance in meeting its obligations on the NHF. The audit included an extensive review of the plans and records of forest management activities, along with field verification visits to areas where a variety of forest management activities occurred during the audit period. Public input was solicited through a public mailing, newspaper advertising, and mail-in surveys. The NHF was created in 2003 when the former Driftwood Forest, Timmins Forest, and Timmins Management Unit were merged. AbitibiBowater has done a particularly good job of managing this merger. Operational information from three different forests and two different organizations was analyzed and consolidated effectively. This audit report identifies 13 recommendations aimed at improving the management and administration of the NHF. The audit has three recommendations aimed at improving planning functions on the NHF. The terms of reference for the Local Citizens’ Committee need to be updated to meet the requirements of the 2004 Forest Management Planning Manual. Two other recommendations require OMNR to improve performance of their review and approval functions in the planning process. The audit has six recommendations aimed at improving the effectiveness of harvest and silviculture operations. Three of these specifically address technical operations and are viewed by the audit team as the most significant findings. The audit recommends AbitibiBowater and OMNR review the management of water crossings on the NHF. The audit team encountered five water crossings on the forest in need of repair. Each of the crossings in question appeared to have been compromised for a period of time. Some poplar stands on the NHF were depleted by an unusually intense forest tent caterpillar infestation. These stands are not regenerating satisfactorily and the audit has recommended that corrective action be taken. The audit also recommends the Company explore further options for reducing roadside slash in winter harvest areas. These areas are very difficult to access other than at the time of harvest, and winter operations are demanding. The auditors acknowledge response to this recommendation will be challenged by the limited time frame of winter operations and by the cost of improving performance. Other operational recommendations address procedural weaknesses. AbitibiBowater has been asked to improve its performance at matching harvest practices to silvicultural ground rules. They have also been asked to increase the monitoring effort of their aerial tending program to ensure any misapplication is reported more quickly. The auditors also recommended that the Company improve the reporting performance of its tree improvement activities, in order to be compliant with Forest Management Planning Manual requirements. The auditors found that both the Company and OMNR compliance programs were effective. The Company was very efficient in reporting issues of non-compliance. However, timelines for submitting more routine reports that simply confirmed compliance did not meet submission requirements as regularly. AbitibiBowater has conducted an effective survey to assess its forest renewal program. With the exception of the surprising case of the poplar renewal noted above, the silvicultural program was found to be highly effective. Having said that, the process used to report the results of successful free-to-grow surveys was not in full compliance with the requirements of the Forest Management Planning Manual. The audit confirms that this is a well-managed forest. Technical aspects of forest management are completed in a highly satisfactory manner. Communication between the various stakeholders on the forest is very strong and relations are professional, positive, and progressive. AbitibiBowater is satisfactorily meeting all of the terms and conditions of the Sustainable Forest Licence. The OMNR is also meeting its overall responsibilities associated with its role in managing this forest. The audit team confirms that, based on the evidence reviewed, management of the NHF was in compliance with the legislation, policy, and regulations that were in effect during the 2003-2008 audit term. The NHF is being managed sustainably. The audit team has recommended that the term of the Sustainable Forest License be extended for an additional five years. Nighthawk Forest 2008 Independent Forest Audit FINAL REPORT TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 Executive Summary.....................................................................................ii List of Tables............................................................................................................vi List of Figures..........................................................................................................vii 2.0 Introduction................................................................................................. 8 2.1 Audit Process........................................................................................... 9 2.2 Forest Management Context ............................................................. 11 2.2.1 Map of the Management Unit.................................................... 12 2.2.2 Forest Description.......................................................................... 14 2.2.3 Forest Management Issues .......................................................... 15 3.0 Summary of Audit Findings ..................................................................... 16 3.1 Commitment ......................................................................................... 16 3.2 Public Consultation and Aboriginal Involvement............................ 16 3.2.1 Local Citizens’ Committee .......................................................... 16 3.2.2 Forest Management Plan Standard Public Consultation Process 19 3.2.3 Issue Resolution.............................................................................. 19 3.2.4 Individual Environmental Assessments ....................................... 21 3.2.5 Aboriginal Involvement in Forest Management Planning...... 22 3.2.6 Annual Operations Public Inspection and/or Consultation ... 24 3.3 Forest Management Planning............................................................ 24 3.3.1 Plan Author, Planning Team, Chair, and Advisor Activities .... 25 3.3.2 Introduction.................................................................................... 25 3.3.3 Management Unit Direction........................................................ 26 3.3.4 Strategic/Longterm Management Direction............................ 27 3.3.5 Operational Planning/Planning of Proposed Operations....... 29 3.3.6 FMP Submission, OMNR Plan Review, and Approval............... 32 3.3.7 Contingency Plans........................................................................ 32 3.3.8 Forest Management Plan or Contingency Plan Amendments 33 3.3.9 Annual Work Schedules ............................................................... 33 3.4 Plan Assessment and Implementation.............................................. 33 3.4.1 Plan Assessment ............................................................................ 33 3.4.2 Areas of Concern.......................................................................... 35 3.4.3 Harvest ............................................................................................ 37 3.4.4 Renewal.......................................................................................... 41 3.4.5 Tending and Protection ............................................................... 44 3.4.6 Renewal Support........................................................................... 46 3.4.7 Access............................................................................................. 47 3.5 Systems Support .................................................................................... 50 3.5.1 Human Resources ......................................................................... 50 3.5.2 Documentation and Quality Control......................................... 50 3.6 Monitoring.............................................................................................. 51 v December 2008 Nighthawk Forest 2008 Independent Forest Audit FINAL REPORT 3.6.1 District Compliance Planning and Associated Monitoring .... 51 3.6.2 Sustainable Forest License Holder Compliance Planning & Monitoring ..................................................................................................... 54 3.6.3 Silvicultural Standards and Assessment Program ..................... 57 3.6.4 Monitoring Indicators of Forest Sustainability............................ 59 3.6.5 Annual Report................................................................................ 61 3.7 Achievement of Management Objectives and Forest Sustainability