Terminal Forest Products Ltd.: Mapping Applications for Inte- Grated Resource Management Planning

Terminal Forest Products Ltd.: Mapping Applications for Inte- grated Resource Management Planning Abstract amalgamation of digital resource information and mapping, a comprehensive re- Integrated Resource Management Planning source values database is created to assist (IRMP) is an operationally based planning resource managers and stakeholders, that tool that allows the forest manager to direct allows for sustainable management of the development within a planning area. An planning area. further projects of this na- operational plan will normally “nest” ture. within a higher level strategic plan. The planning area is generally a watershed or a landscape unit, but can also be an opera- Background tional area usually ranging between 10,000 Terminal Forest Products has been granted and 100,000 hectares. An IRMP amalga- logging rights to a large area (approxi- mates all known resource values and in- mately 15,000 hectares) of the Sunshine ventory information within a planning unit. Coast peninsula ranging from Sechelt to Aerial photos and maps are used to identify Egmont. To manage their operations eco- critical resource values and topographic nomically and on a sustainable basis, Ter- constraints for road and bridge locations in minal uses a sophisticated process of long the planning unit. Once the road infra- and short range planning. Digital resource structure has been designed, a preliminary information is analyzed to develop future harvest plan can be developed for the entire harvest plans that includes timing of the planning area over time. This process re- harvest and the type of logging methods to views the entire area, not just available tim- be used, while minimizing environmental ber for harvest. Critical to the process is the impacts. inclusion of knowledgeable field staff that has a working sense of the area and on the ground expertise. Harvest sequence, timing of operations and design pattern is based on available operational and inventory timber information. Following design, detailed field reconnais- sance is completed for the area, ground verifying critical control points and operational constraints. Once the main road systems and harvest patterns are determined, other resource values are over-laid to de- termine potential conflicts. Where resource conflicts exist, a detailed strategy is developed. When all known resource information has been collected, in- terpreted and strategies developed, the final Figure 1. Map illustrating area of Terminal’s plan can be created. In addition to the logging rights on the Sunshine Coast Peninsula 65 Planning Sustainable Communities Objectives sustainability and minimize the likelihood of environmental risks and hazards (e.g. To achieve sustainable and integrated forest road failures). Loggers and field staff are management through economically viable trained in standard operating procedures forestry practices. that help to recognize and prevent potential environmental problems thus avoiding en- Process, Partners, Costs vironmental impacts. Detailed operational maps (1:5,000) and aerial photographs pro- Terminal participates as a supportive part- vide vital information necessary to com- ner in numerous projects. For example, it plete planning and assist in the identifica- has made financial contributions to the Sen- tion of potential risk or hazard areas. Every sitive Ecosystems Inventory on the Sun- logger is required to carry a copy of the shine Coast and a Marbled Murrelet Re- map and understand critical issues involved search Project currently being conducted by when working on the block. Simon Fraser University. Terminal endeav- ours to be a good corporate citizen through Strategic plans are developed to ensure its practices and participation in many proj- sustainability and that other resource values ects and stakeholder groups, including the are adequately protected for a planning sharing of resource information. unit. This type of planning utilizes 1:5,000 and 1:20,000 TRIM base maps and inventory Accessing and utilizing enhanced technolo- information including the forest cover, vis- gies like GIS has required the commitment ual quality objectives, recreation sites, ter- of financial resources by the company. rain and wildlife. However, this is considered an investment in the continued economic viability of the Utilizing base TRIM map information each company as well as being indicative of a polygon has a site index that is analyzed strong continued commitment to environ- and drives all cut levels. Digital inventory mentally sensitive and sustainable forest information is constantly being revised and management practices. updated as new information becomes available and is added to the database. Ana- Actions lyzing the various layers of information permits sustainable development in an area To achieve sustainable forestry manage- that takes into consideration numerous ment practices and environmental stan- factors including protection of fisheries ri- dards, Terminal has become third party parian zones, ecologically sensitive sites, certified under both the International Stan- old growth and other sensitive habitat site dards Organization (ISO) 14001 Environ- preservation. mental Management System and the American Forest and Paper Association’s Terminal has recently upgraded their map- (AF&PA) Sustainable Forest Initiative ping capabilities and have recently pro- (SFISM) Standard. Terminal adheres to tough duced a new series of 1:5,000 scale maps standards of practice that often exceed those using the latest information and technology. established by law and are routinely sub- This has provided much greater detail than jected to internal and external auditing. To was previously provided by any other maintain certification, Terminal has devel- source. The increased level of detail and oped environmental programs and stan- accuracy in the mapping allows for better dard operating practices to ensure 66 Case Study: Terminal Forest Products Ltd. forward planning and decision making provides the opportunity to plan with a prior to any harvesting taking place. “big picture” and long range future in mind. As well, any polygon area can be Results analyzed in minute detail to ensure that the best possible decisions are being made and Utilizing GIS has allowed Terminal to stra- implemented. tegically plan and commit to environmentally sustainable forestry practices while Recommendations for the Com- still remaining economically viable. munity Mapping Network Through this planning process, Terminal has established good relations and commu- As per the challenges identified, an overall nication with all levels of government and “champion” for community mapping various groups and organizations. Re- would be ideal in terms of helping to stan- cently, delegations from the United King- dardize the work and ensure that the conti- dom, Russia and Germany have visited for- nuity and efficiencies are in place particu- estry sites to view the exemplary forest larly at a point in time where human and practices that Terminal engages in. financial resources are in scarce supply. Enhanced communication strategies be- Challenges tween the various user groups would help ensure economies of scale and avoid unnec- Creating a collaborative approach that sees essary duplication of projects, fieldwork, all stakeholders working together, sharing etc. information with a common goal. Stan- dardization of collection methods, reliabil- Next Steps ity and validity remain challenges for all user groups whether they represent indus- Terminal is committed to an ongoing proc- try, government or community groups. ess of enhancing forest management practices and being an open and contributing Project Outcomes partner to projects of this nature. Using GIS technology has provided Termi- Project Contacts nal with greater decision making tools that allow the company to make good “eco- Mr. Dave Marquis, R.P.F. nomical” business decisions. This same Terminal Forest Products Ltd. technology has enabled the company to en- Phone: 604-740-0603 or 604 717-1263 gage in better forestry practices that are E-mail: [email protected] sustainable and environmentally sensitive. A detailed map of the whole region with several layers of detailed information 67 Sunshine Coast Regional District: Sunshine Coast Habitat Atlas Abstract The Habitat Atlas will contain forty differ- ent layers or categories of information. The Sunshine Coast Habitat Atlas is a Geo- Currently, thirty-six layers of information graphic Information Systems (GIS) database have been collected and processed. Four containing an inventory and mapping of layers are still being processed while two natural areas and fish habitat for the SCRD; remain unavailable. A complete listing and from Langdale to Egmont and north past status of these layers can be found at the top of Jervis Inlet. The Habitat Atlas http://www.user.dccnet.com/ctrent/. All will provide comprehensive information of these layers are stored at the SCRD office that can be used by planners, developers, in Sechelt and will be made available as an government agencies, non-government or- Internet mapping website. Seven of these ganisations, First Nations, local businesses layers will be included in the published and individual property owners. The in- Habitat Atlas mapbook. Each page of the formation will assist these groups in making mapbook will contain a map illustrating informed land use planning and steward- features that include streams, roads, trails, ship decisions that

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