Regular Council Meeting 2:30 PM, October 28, 2020
AGENDA Regular Council Meeting 2:30 PM, October 28, 2020
Council Chambers 446 Main Street, Sicamous, BC
We respectfully acknowledge that the land on which we gather is the unceded traditional territory of the Secwepemc First Nation.
Item Description
Page
1. Call to Order
2. In-Camera (a) Move In-Camera
Recommendation: THAT Council exercises its authority to move In-Camera pursuant to Section 90(1)(e), (f), (j), (k) and (i) of the Community Charter.
Public portion begins at 6:00 p.m.
3. Introduction of Late Items (a) Christmas Season (Councillor Anderson)
Recommendation: THAT the item `Christmas Season` be added as a late item; AND THAT the agenda be reordered accordingly.
4. Approval of Agenda (a) Approval of Agenda
Recommendation: THAT the Regular Council Meeting Agenda for October 28, 2020 be approved as circulated.
5. Adoption of Minutes 4 - 9 (a) Adoption of Minutes
Recommendation: THAT the Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting held on October 14, 2020 be adopted. Regular Council Meeting - 14 Oct 2020 - Minutes
6. Public and Statutory Hearings (a) Nil.
7. Public Consultation (a) Nil.
8. Delegations
Page 1 of 56 October 28, 2020 Regular Council Meeting
(a) Nil.
9. Bylaws 10 - 11 (a) Council Procedure Bylaw 989, 2020 - Third Reading
Recommendation: THAT Council Procedure Bylaw No. 989, 2020 be read a Third time as presented this 28th day of October, 2020. Staff Report - Council Procedure Bylaw 989, 2020 - Third Reading
10. Unfinished Business (a) Nil.
11. Reports of Committees and COTW (a) Nil.
12. New Business 12 - 13 (a) Community Economic Recovery Infrastructure Program
Recommendation: THAT Staff be authorized to apply to the Community Economic Recovery Infrastructure Program, Community Economic Resilience Stream in the amount of $447,000 for improvements to Beach Park; AND THAT the District of Sicamous contribute $230,000 towards the total project cost of $677,000
Staff Report - Community Economic Recovery Infrastructure Program
14 - 15 (b) Sicamous Day Care Centre
Recommendation: THAT Staff be directed to negotiate a lease agreement with the Eagle Valley Community Support Society for the use of the facility at 502 Cedar Street for the provision of childcare services in Sicamous commencing January 1st, 2021 and with an annual lease fee of $1.00. Staff Report - Sicamous Day Care Centre
16 - 23 (c) Bylaw Enforcement Policy A-3
Recommendation: THAT Bylaw Enforcement Policy A-3 adopted on May 9, 2018 be rescinded and replaced with Bylaw Enforcement Policy A-3 presented this 28th day of October, 2020. Staff Report - Bylaw Enforcement Policy A-3 19 Oct 2020 - Pdf
(d) Christmas Season (Councillor Anderson) (Late Item)
13. Correspondence 24 - 55 (a) BC Community Forest Association - Community Forest Indicators 2020
For Information. CI_BCCFA-Indicators-2020
56 (b) Sicamous Eagles - Eagles Nest
For Information.
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CI_Sicamous Eagles_Eagles Nest
14. Resolutions (a) Finance Committee
Recommendation: THAT Council establish a Select Finance Committee for the purpose of 2021 budget deliberations with all Council members appointed to the Select Committee and Councillor ______as Chair;
AND THAT the Select Finance Committee meet at 9:00 a.m. on November 25, December 2 and 9, 2020 in Council Chambers.
15. Councillors Reports
16. Mayor’s Report
17. Question Period
18. Adjournment (a) Adjourn
Recommendation: THAT the Regular Council Meeting for October 28, 2020 be adjourned at ____ pm.
Page 3 of 56 MINUTES Regular Council Meeting 4:00 PM, October 14, 2020
Council Chambers 446 Main Street, Sicamous, BC
Council Present: Mayor Terry Rysz Councillor Ryan Airey Councillor Colleen Anderson Councillor Gord Bushell Councillor Bob Evans Councillor Malcolm Makayev Councillor Jeff Mallmes
Council Absent: Nil.
Staff Present: Evan Parliament, Town Manager Kelly Bennett, Chief Financial Officer Jennifer Bruns, Corporate Officer Joe McCulloch, Operations Manager Eddy Davis, Development Services Manager Shawna Koll, Human Resources Administrator & Accountant Brett Ogino, Fire Chief
Gallery: 4 people
1. Call to Order
(a) The meeting was called to order at 3:50 p.m.
2. In-Camera
(a) Move In-Camera
Resolution # 20-252 THAT Council exercise its authority and move In-Camera pursuant to Section 90(1)(c), (e) (f) and (k) of the Community Charter. Carried
3. Introduction of Late Items
(a) Nil.
Councillor Bushell and Councillor Mallmes departed the meeting at 5:45 p.m.
October 14, 2020 Regular Council Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 56
4. Approval of Agenda
(a) Approval of Agenda
Resolution # 20-260 THAT the Regular Council Meeting Agenda for October 14, 2020 be approved as circulated. Carried
5. Adoption of Minutes
(a) Adoption of Minutes - September 9, 2020
Resolution # 20-261 THAT the Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting held on September 9, 2020 be adopted. Carried
(b) Adoption of Minutes - September 23, 2020
Resolution # 20-262 THAT the Minutes of the Special Council Meeting held on September 23, 2020 be adopted. Carried
(c) Adoption of Minutes - September 30, 2020
Resolution # 20-263 THAT the Minutes of the Special Council Meeting held on September 30, 2020 be adopted. Carried
6. Public and Statutory Hearings
(a) Nil.
7. Public Consultation
(a) Nil.
8. Delegations
(a) Nil.
October 14, 2020 Regular Council Meeting Minutes Page 5 of 56
9. Bylaws
(a) Official Community Plan Amending Bylaw No. 987, 2020
Resolution # 20-264 THAT Official Community Plan Amending Bylaw No. 987, 2020 be read a Third time as presented this 14th date of October, 2020. Carried
(b) Zoning Amending Bylaw No. 988, 2020
Resolution # 20-265 THAT Zoning Amending Bylaw No. 988, 2020 be read a Third time as presented this 14th date of October, 2020. Carried
The Development Services Manager departed the meeting at 6:10 p.m.
(c) Council Procedure Bylaw No. 989, 2020
Resolution # 20-266 THAT Council Procedure Bylaw No. 989, 2020 be read a First and Second time with the following amendment: • replacing Section 6 of Schedule B with "Regular Meetings will begin at 3:00 p.m.". Carried 10. Unfinished Business
(a) Nil.
11. Reports of Committees and COTW
(a) Nil.
12. New Business
(a) COVID-19 Safety Policy No. A-31
Resolution # 20-267 THAT Council adopt the COVID-19 Safety Policy No. A-31 as presented this 14th day of October, 2020. Carried
October 14, 2020 Regular Council Meeting Minutes Page 6 of 56
(b) Rodent and Pest Control
Resolution # 20-268 THAT Staff be directed to research and prepare a bylaw for Council consideration to regulate the use of pesticides on private property; AND THAT Staff be directed to increase the level of enforcement from complaint-based to a selective level of enforcement of the Unsightly Premises Bylaw No. 257, 1997, as amended, for the purpose of mitigating pest and rodent infestation. Carried
(c) 2021 Community Resiliency Investment Program Application
Resolution # 20-269 THAT Council authorize Staff to apply to the 2021 Community Resiliency Investment (CRI) Program in the amount of $150,000 for the purpose of wildfire risk reduction activities. Carried
(d) Mara Point Park (Councillor Makayev)
Resolution # 20-270 THAT Staff be directed to engage with the Provincial Government to request upgrading to Mara Point Park to allow for overnight camping. Carried
13. Correspondence
(a) Correspondence for Action - Canoe Forest Products Draft Management Plan #10 for Tree Farm Licence (TFL) 33
Resolution # 20-271 THAT the District respond to the request for comment from Canoe Forest Products Ltd. with concerns regarding the Draft Management Plan for Tree Farm License 33 Carried
(b) Correspondence for Action - Municipal Proclamation Request - Waste Reduction Week 2020
Resolution # 20-272 THAT the week of October 19-25, 2020 be declared as Waste Reduction Week in Sicamous; AND THAT the proclamation be promoted on the District's website, social media and readerboard. Carried
October 14, 2020 Regular Council Meeting Minutes Page 7 of 56
(c) Correspondence for Information
The Chair provided an opportunity to Council for comment on any of the Correspondence for Information. There was a query regarding the proposed Multi- Sports Complex design and the Operations Manager confirmed that all renderings of the proposed complex were conceptual for the purposes of the grant application with a final design being completed upon a funding award.
14. Resolutions
(a) Hockey Academy Lease - Sicamous Eagles Junior B Hockey Club
Resolution # 20-273 THAT the Mayor and Corporate Officer be authorized to enter into a formal lease agreement with the Sicamous Eagles Junior B Hockey Club for use of the Hockey Academy located at 1121 Eagle Pass Way on a month-to-month basis commencing November 1, 2020 in exchange for a monthly rent of $6,700. Carried
(b) Bylaw Enforcement Officer
Resolution # 20-274 THAT John Moore be appointed as the interim Bylaw Enforcement Officer for the District of Sicamous. Carried 15. Councillors Reports
(a) Councillor Anderson stated that it had been a busy month with several meetings, including the meetings with Ministers and Ministerial Staff at the virtual Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) Annual Convention. She advised that the meetings were generally positive and extended praise to Councillor Bushell and Councillor Makayev for leading the conversations at those meetings. Councillor Anderson also stated that she, along with Councillor Makayev, attended as a delegation at the Rail Trail Governance Advisory Committee meeting held on October 9, 2020 regarding ongoing concerns.
Councillor Aireys extended his appreciation for the thorough reports on the agenda. He also advised that he had taken part in the community clean-up event and Fungi Festival organized by the Sicamous Communities in Bloom chapter.
Councillor Evans reiterated that September had been a busy month for Council with several meetings and events held, including his role in supporting the All-Candidates Forum held for the upcoming Provincial election. He expressed his enthusiasm for the new Daycare facility that was in the final stages of completion. Councillor Evans also advised that communications with the schools indicated that students were adapting to the COVID-19 safety protocols.
Councillor Makayev expressed that there were several District initiatives he had been involved with during the month of September including UBCM meetings, the Shuswap Healing Centre project and physician recruitment.
October 14, 2020 Regular Council Meeting Minutes Page 8 of 56
16. Mayor’s Report
(a) Mayor Rysz stated that the UBCM meetings held in September were generally positive and historically have resulted in beneficial outcomes for the District. He further summarized the previous success with securing grant funding for many District initiatives including the Solsqua-Sicamous Bridge project, Shuswap Healing Centre, and Daycare facility. He stated that there are complications associated to the development of the Rail Trail project and that Council would continue to advocate for District of Sicamous residents. Mayor Rysz ended his report by welcoming the new Development Services team: Eddy Davis, Development Services Manager, and Steffi Sunny, Planning Assistant, with a Planner starting in November.
17. Question Period
(a) Nil.
18. Adjournment
(a) Adjourn
Resolution # 20-275 THAT the Regular Council Meeting for October 14, 2020 be adjourned at 7:19 p.m. Carried
Corporate Officer
Chair
October 14, 2020 Regular Council Meeting Minutes Page 9 of 56
COUNCIL MEETING
DISTRICT OF SICAMOUS
Action Report
REPORT DATE: October 20, 2020 TO: Mayor and Council FROM: Jennifer Bruns, Corporate Officer SUBJECT: Council Procedure Bylaw No. 989, 2020 – Third Reading FILE NO:
RECOMMENDATION:
THAT Council Procedure Bylaw No. 989, 2020 be read a Third time as presented this 28th day of October, 2020.
PURPOSE: Staff are presenting for Council consideration a Council Procedure Bylaw for Third reading. The proposed bylaw reflects a revised Order of Proceedings for Council meetings and other housekeeping items to facilitate efficient and effective Council meetings.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION: At the September 30, 2020 Special Meeting of Council, Staff presented recommendations for the Council Procedure Bylaw that would likely result in greater efficiency and effectiveness of Council meetings. In addition to housekeeping items, the following summarizes the changes:
In-Camera The revised bylaw includes a start time of 3:00 p.m. to call the meeting to order, approve the agenda and previous minutes and move In-Camera to consider and discuss items that tend to be more sensitive in nature. The public portion of the meeting will be set for 5:00 p.m.
Committee of the Whole The Committee of the Whole (COW) will be imbedded in Regular Meetings to consider items that require additional discussion. While in a COW, recommendations can be made and one resolution can be carried to rise and report and approve all the recommendations from the COW. This will eliminate the need to add on items to other agendas.
The COW would continue to include an opportunity for Council to provide verbal reports on activities and provide updates on Strategic Priorities and their Portfolios. This would also be an opportunity for Council to ask other Councillors any questions on the Strategic Priorities.
Notices of Motion A flexible Notice of Motion provision will allow a Council Member to either submit an item to the Corporate Officer prior to the agenda deadline or, if past the agenda deadline, introduce the item at a meeting. The item can be introduced by the Councillor, recorded in the minutes and included on the next agenda. This would provide Staff the opportunity to research any financial, legal or operational requirements for Council's consideration at the next meeting.
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If urgent, and with consent of 2/3 of the Members present, Council may consider and vote on the item at that meeting, similar to the addition of a late item. By allowing both the item to be introduced and Council as a whole the opportunity to decide if they would be ready to vote on the matter that day, Staff believe this would facilitate both transparency and improved efficiency for Council's decision making. Items from Staff would be presented under the separate heading “Staff Reports” on the agenda.
Housekeeping Items Housekeeping items include formatting, provisions to require two months passage before a delegation may speak to Council on the same matter, and language regarding Committees and ex-officio members.
A visual of how the items from the October 14th COW and Regular Meeting would have been organized using the proposed Order of Proceedings is attached to this report.
LEGAL IMPLICATIONS:
A Council Procedure Bylaw is a legislative requirement for District Council with various aspects that the bylaw must address. As per section 124 of the Community Charter, notice will be provided to the public prior to Council’s consideration to adopt the revised Council Procedure Bylaw.
OPTIONS:
THAT Council Procedure Bylaw No. 989, 2020 be read a Third time as presented this 28th day of October, 2020.
THAT First and Second Reading of Council Procedure Bylaw No. 989, 2020 be rescinded; AND THAT Staff discontinue preparing a revised Council Procedure Bylaw.
Respectfully submitted,
Jennifer Bruns Corporate Officer
Approved By: Status: Evan Parliament, Town Manager None
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COUNCIL MEETING
DISTRICT OF SICAMOUS
Action Report
REPORT DATE: October 20, 2020 TO: Mayor and Council FROM: Joe McCulloch, Operations Manager SUBJECT: Community Economic Recovery Infrastructure Program FILE NO:
RECOMMENDATION:
THAT Staff be authorized to apply to the Community Economic Recovery Infrastructure Program, Community Economic Resilience Stream in the amount of $447,000 for replacement and upgrades to the beach park washroom; AND THAT the District of Sicamous contribute $230,000 towards the project.
PURPOSE:
Staff have become aware of a grant funding stream that would suit the replacement and upgrades to the Beach Park washrooms and allow for additional improvements, such as ancillary outdoor improvements and a small concession stand. The intake of the Community Economic Recovery Infrastructure Program (CERIP) is currently open until October 29th, 2020.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION:
One of the capital projects for 2020 was improvements to the Beach Park that included a component to replace the existing public washroom. The project is considered shovel-ready with preliminary design and archaeological works completed.
The original project was budgeted for $375,000 in 2020; however, with funding through the Community Economic Recovery Infrastructure Program (CERIP), additional improvements can be accommodated. The District would apply for $447,000 and be required to contribute $230,000, significantly less than the original project budget. Announcement for funding award is expected in early 2021 and should the District not be successful, the District could proceed with the original scope of the project.
The revised project scope includes an outdoor seating area and pergola, landscaping, irrigation, a widened hard surface pathway to the washroom and improvements to the existing playground. As it relates to CERIP, the beach park improvements will increase accessibility and inter-connectivity for public and improve human safety by enhancing outdoor space. The project will create numerous jobs across multiple trades and professions. Further, the upgrades planned support community resilience by enhancing an existing resident and visitor destination, helping to ensure Sicamous remains a sought-after destination, promoting community growth and tourism.
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Respectfully submitted,
Joe McCulloch Operations Manager
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COUNCIL MEETING
DISTRICT OF SICAMOUS
Action Report
REPORT DATE: October 21, 2020 TO: Mayor and Council FROM: Jamie Sherlock Recreation& Events Manager SUBJECT: Sicamous Day Care Centre FILE NO: 8100
RECOMMENDATION:
THAT Staff be directed to negotiate a lease agreement with the Eagle Valley Community Support Society for the use of the facility at 502 Cedar Street for the provision of childcare services in Sicamous commencing January 1st, 2021 and with an annual lease fee of $1.00.
PURPOSE:
Staff are recommending that Council enter into a lease agreement with the Eagle Valley Community Support Society for use of the day care facility located at 502 Cedar Street.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION:
At the August 26, 2020 Committee of the Whole meeting, Staff presented Council with an update of the status of the Sicamous Day Care Centre.
• Grant Application was submitted November of 2019 to the UBCM Community Child Care Space Creation Program; • Grant was awarded in February of 2020 in the amount of $848,000; • Purchase of 502 Cedar Street was completed in March of 2020; • Tender for renovations went out in March with a contract awarded in April, 2020 to Bayview Homes; • Day Care Plan and Renovations started in May of 2020; • Day Care experts were brought in for final layout design of centre in June of 2020; • Request of Quotation was put out to the public in July of 2020 - no responses; and • Request for EOI was put out to the public in August of 2020 - 1 submission
The one submission received was a joint Expression of Interest from the Sicamous Pre-School Society and the Eagle Valley Community Support Society to operate the Sicamous Day Care. Since the submission, the following has occurred:
• Staff met with both societies to discuss their roles in the centre; • A consultant was hired to work with both parties to form a business plan and define roles; • Installation of a playground on site; • A viewing was hosted of the centre with local families and potential staff for the centre; • Council and Senior Staff toured the facility;
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• Received notification that the Sicamous Pre-School has removed themselves from the EO; however, they will still have an active role the Day Care in other capacities; and • Renovations expected to be completed by the end of October 2020
After reviewing the business plan provided by our consultant; staff would like to recommend that Council enter into a lease agreement with the Eagle Valley Community Support Society for use of the day care facility located at 502 Cedar Street commencing January 1, 2021.
Respectfully submitted,
Jamie Sherlock Recreation & Events Manager
Approved By: Status: Evan Parliament, Town Manager None
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COUNCIL MEETING
DISTRICT OF SICAMOUS
Action Report
REPORT DATE: October 19, 2020 TO: Mayor and Council FROM: Jennifer Bruns, Corporate Officer SUBJECT: Bylaw Enforcement Policy A-3 FILE NO:
RECOMMENDATION:
THAT Bylaw Enforcement Policy A-3 adopted on May 9, 2018 be rescinded and replaced with Bylaw Enforcement Policy A-3 presented this 28th day of October, 2020.
PURPOSE:
Staff are presenting for Council's consideration a revised Bylaw Enforcement Policy that would authorize the Bylaw Enforcement Officer to enforce some of the District's bylaws without first receiving a complaint from the public. The drafted policy includes an increased level of enforcement for the following bylaws (as amended or replaced from time to time):
• Unsightly Premises Bylaw No. 257 • Traffic Regulation Bylaw No. 778 • Dog Control Bylaw No. 228 • Wharf Regulation Bylaw No. 935 • Business Licensing and Regulations Bylaw No. 830 • Sign Bylaw No. 814 • Building Regulations Bylaw No. 800
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION:
At the July 8, 2020 Committee of the Whole, Staff were directed to prepare amendments to the existing Bylaw Enforcement Policy A-3 to reflect a service level of selective bylaw enforcement. A selective level of enforcement would allow for proactive enforcement on priority issues as directed by Council. This level would still include certain bylaw infractions that would be enforced on a complaint-basis only. Proactive enforcement would seek to ensure enforcement matters continue to be procedurally fair with bylaw infractions being pursued equally in the community.
The District will continue to promote an enforcement philosophy that seeks voluntary compliance. The District will endeavor to achieve this through education, information, and non-penalty enforcement that includes providing a reasonable time frame to comply. However, the District's Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw No. 77, 1992 as amended, includes provisions for enforcement through the use of Municipal Ticket Informations ("MTI"s) or Offence Act Summons ("long form tickets") for enforcement matters that cannot be resolved through discussion.
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At the October 14, 2020 Committee of the Whole, there was general discussion regarding ticketing compared to providing warnings for parking violations. Staff have prepared the revised Bylaw Enforcement Policy to include language that directs the Bylaw Enforcement Officer to issue Municipal Tickets for all reported and observed traffic violations. If Council desires a more lenient approach to parking, section 4 could be revised to strike out the words "except in the case of traffic violations of which" and all subsections of section 4. The Traffic Regulation Bylaw would still be included as one of the District's bylaws to be proactively enforced at the discretion of the Bylaw Enforcement Officer.
OPTIONS:
THAT Bylaw Enforcement Policy A-3 adopted on May 9, 2018 be rescinded and replaced with Bylaw Enforcement Policy A-3 presented this 28th day of October, 2020.
THAT Bylaw Enforcement Policy A-3 adopted on May 9, 2018 be rescinded and replaced with Bylaw Enforcement Policy A-3 presented this 28th day of October, 2020 with the following amendment: • Strike out the words: “except in the case of traffic violations of which: (1) the Bylaw Enforcement Officer will issue Municipal Tickets for all reported and observed traffic violations; (2) the Bylaw Enforcement Officer will tow and impound any vehicle which, at the Bylaw Enforcement Officer’s discretion, may cause a Health and/or Safety risk or may cause further violations; and (3) the Bylaw Enforcement Officer will tow and impound any vehicle which has been ticketed and the violation remains unresolved after 24 hours.”
Respectfully submitted,
Jennifer Bruns Corporate Officer
Approved By: Status: Evan Parliament, Town Manager None
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Page 23 of 56 COMMUNITY FOREST INDICATORS 2020 MEASURING THE BENEFITS OF COMMUNITY FORESTRY OCTOBER 2020
Page 24 of 56 WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK everyone who devoted time and effort to respond to the Community Forest Indicators Survey. This project would not be possible without the participation of our members. Thank you also to the British Columbia Community Forest Association Board of Directors for guidance and support.
This report is based on the last fiscal year for our members, primarily 2018-2019, however we compiled the survey results and wrote this report during the spring and summer months of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Throughout the pandemic, community forests have shown remarkable resilience. There have been numerous logistical challenges and an increased administrative burden to ensure the safety of their crews and communities. Markets slowed down for many and plans had to change. Yet, with their long term, area-based tenures and a pledge to their communities to manage local forests for the benefit of the community, they have kept their crews going, refocused harvesting plans to activities like wildfire mitigation projects, and carried on with educational tours, community networking and outreach. They are demonstrating resiliency and flexibility and community forests are once again proving their ability to innovate to meet current and future challenges.
Our members shared more stories through the survey than can fit in this report. We will keep telling them throughout the year. Follow us on social media to learn more about their accomplishments — the links are below.
— Jennifer Gunter, BCCFA Executive Director and Susan Mulkey, BCCFA Manager of Communication & Extension
@BC_CFA @bccommunityforests @bc_cfa
COMMUNITY FOREST INDICATORS 2020 MEASURING THE BENEFITS OF COMMUNITY FORESTRY
October 2020
Cover photo, Creston Valley Community Forest, by Trevor Marzke Graphic design by Nadene Rehnby, Hands on Publications
British Columbia Community Forest Association Mailing address: 130 Government Street Victoria, BC, Canada V8V 2K7 e: [email protected] / t: 250.384.4110 bccfa.ca
Page 25 of 56 Contents
PHOTO: WETZIN’KWA COMMUNITY FOREST
COMMUNITY INDICATORS FORESTS IN BC / 4 1 Number of Jobs...... 12 2 Total Economic Activity...... 14 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY / 6 Community Contributions...... 15 Economic Benefits / 7 3 Social Benefits / 7 4 Funds Leveraged...... 16 Cultural Benefits / 7 5 Cut Control...... 17 Environmental Benefits / 7 6 Distribution of Log Sales...... 18 7 Investments in Intensive Silviculture...... 19 THE CONTEXT / 8 8 Economic Diversification...... 20 9 Community Accountability...... 21 10 Public Engagement...... 22 11 Investments in Community Education...... 23 12 Investments in Recreation...... 24 13 Proactive Management of Wildfire Hazard...... 25 14 Forest Worker Safety...... 26 15 First Nations Involvement...... 27 16 Management of Sensitive Areas...... 28 17 Investments in Forest Stewardship...... 29 18 Compliance with Environmental Standards...... 30
Page 26 of 56 COMMUNITY FORESTS IN BC = Contributed to the Community Forest Indicators 2020 report
100 Mile Community Forest Creston Valley Community Forest Alberni Valley Community Forest Dungate Community Forest Babine Lake Community Forest Dunster Community Forest Bamfield-Huu-ay-aht Community Forest Eniyud Community Forest Barkley Community Forest Esk’etemc Community Forest Bella Coola Resource Society Fort St. James Community Forest Burns Lake Community Forest Fraser Lake Community Forest Cascade Lower Canyon Community Forest Harrop-Procter Community Forest Cheakamus Community Forest Huu-ay-aht First Nation Forestry Cherryville Community Forest Kaslo and District Community Forest Cheslatta Carrier Nation Khowutzun Community Forest Chinook Commmunity Forest Klahoose Forestry Limited Partnership Clinton & District Community Forest Likely-Xats’ull Community Forest Cortes Forestry General Partnership Little Prairie Community Forest
Chetwynd
Tumbler Ridge Download a map Terrace in high resolution detailing CFA Prince George locations at bccfa.ca
Quesnel
Williams Lake Bella Coola
Revelstoke
Enderby Armstrong Vernon Merritt Kimberley Kelowna Fernie Cranbrook Courtenay Penticton Castlegar
4 Lower Mainland Community Forest Indicators 2020 4 Port Alberni Page 27 of 56 Duncan Logan Lake Community Forest Tano T’enneh
Lower North Thompson Community Forest Terrace Community Forest Lower Similkameen Community Forest Tla’amin Timber Products McBride Community Forest Tumbler Ridge Community Forest McLeod Lake-Mackenzie Community Forest Valemont Community Forest Monashee Community Forest Nakusp & Area Community Forest Vanderhoof Communty Forest North Island Community Forest Vermillion Forks Community Forest
Northern Rockies Community Forest Wells Gray Community Forest
Nupqu Development Corporation Wells-Barkerville Community Forest Nuxalk Foresty Limited Partnership West Boundary Community Forest Powell River Community Forest Westbank First Nation Community Forest Qala:yit Forestry Limited Partnership Wetzin’kwa Community Forest Slocan Integral Forestry Cooperative Sunshine Coast Community Forest Williams Lake Community Forest Tanizul Timber Ltd. Xaxli’p Community Forest
PROFILE: Leveraging Funds, Investment and Community Awareness and the Lower North Thompson Community Forest
“Through our Firewood Business Development Project, the Lower North Thompson Community Forest was able to leverage $32,023 in cash and in-kind contributions to receive a $100,000 grant from the BC Rural Dividend Fund. The objective of this project was to expand upon our current milling operation based in Barriere by developing a small firewood processing facility to utilize waste material from our mill as well as low value logs that would otherwise have been wasted and burned PHOTO: LNTCF in slash-piles. The project saw the purchase of a firewood “I think selling firewood has raised our profile processor, construction of a shelter, and created one permanent and general awareness of our organization more full-time position. Response to the project has been strong with than anything we’ve done previously. The sheer $69,000 in revenue through local sales during our first winter volume of people we talk to through firewood of operation. We continue to expand and develop this aspect sales is much larger than any community meeting of our business as a means of job creation, community service, or event we’ve held or attended. It’s an additional and economic diversification for our organization.” community role we’ve taken on that brings awareness of our organization and the benefits we — Mike Francis, General Manager, provide, which in turn helps build social licence.” Lower North Thompson Community Forest — Mike Francis
BC Community Forest Association 5 Page 28 of 56 Executive Summary
IN BRITISH COLUMBIA, COMMUNITY FORESTS ities were feeling the impacts of the mill curtailments offer local communities, both Indigenous and non-In- and closures across BC. As land managers and log sell- digenous, the opportunity to manage local forests in ers, fluctuating log markets directly affect management ways that work for their communities — generating decisions and the financial health of the organization. economic, social, cultural and environmental benefits However, the strong foundations of the long-term for the people that live there and for the province as tenure are helping community forests manage the a whole. Operating on public forest land, community changes over time. As independent log sellers, com- forest tenures are an innovation. From local job creation munity forests have flexibility and can respond to local to forest education, from wildfire management to and regional market demand. The ability to provide a enhancing recreation, from ecosystem secure source of fibre to manufacturers restoration to contributions to local and value-added businesses can lever- service organizations — community age new opportunities and expand forest organizations demonstrate how existing ones. Moreover, community solutions can be found when local forests are thinking long-term and people make local decisions about planning for the ecological resiliency local forests. of their area-based tenures.
This report shares the results of the BC Community forestry is a strategy to Community Forest Association’s sixth promote ecosystem resilience and Community Forest Indicators Survey community economic development. and provides a glimpse into the depth Communities need both to move and breadth of the benefits of commun- forward. ity forestry. Eighteen indicators provide WEST BOUNDARY COMMUNITY FOREST WILDFIRE MITIGATION PUBLIC MEETING The most dramatic change in this year’s tangible, quantitative information survey results is the increase in spending on wildfire risk on the economic, social, cultural and environmental reduction — both through a community forest’s own benefits that community forests generate. Thirty-two investment, and investment from outside sources. The community forests participated in the 2019/2020 BCCFA would like to acknowledge the Forest Enhance- survey, providing data from their last reporting year, ment Society of BC (FESBC) for support to community specific to their operations. This sample represents 73 forests to reduce forest fuels and the risk of wildfire and percent of the operating community forests in the BC to move uneconomic wood to the appropriate facility Community Forest Association. Most are small rural to reduce the need to burn slash piles. These types communities, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, with an of projects are costly, time consuming, and extract average population of 3,965. In fact most respondents marginal timber, but the benefits to the community represent communities of under 3,000 people. are immeasurable, making them more resilient to Even before the economic impacts of the COVID-19 wildfire and contributing to BC’s efforts to reduce pandemic were being realized1, these small commun- carbon emissions. With the provincial government’s
1 Note: The data in this year’s report was collected prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
6 Community Forest Indicators 2020 Page 29 of 56 Total harvest in the reporting year: 1,026,811 m 3 Average: 32,088 m3
new Community Resilience Initiative — Crown Land the reporting year. To date, the reporting community Wildfire Risk Reduction program, we look forward to a forests have collectively treated 12,857 ha and invested successful collaboration to ensure community forests over $6.1 million for wildfire mitigation. They have man- can continue this important work. aged an additional $14.2 million from outside sources.
Economic Benefits Cultural Benefits
This year’s results show that community forests are Nearly half of the operating community forests in BC creating 85% more jobs/ m3 than the industry average are held by First Nations or are partnerships between in their forestry, logging and support services. They Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. In operate in sensitive areas and are meeting their cut addition to community forests where First Nations control while reliably supplying logs to both major are owners or partners, many community forest processing facilities and small manufacturers. They organizations include First Nations representation on generated $1.84 million in economic activity, on their boards. In many cases, First Nations are engaged average, and contributed an average of $558,309 cash in cooperative planning, share profits, have MOUs and and in-kind to local projects. employment contracts, and work with community forest organizations in capacity building activities like Social Benefits training and education.
Community forests are primarily located in the land Environmental Benefits surrounding communities where there are many overlapping values, known as the wildland urban A community with a long-term, area-based tenure is interface, or WUI. Increasingly, British Columbians motivated to manage for ecosystem resilience and understand the urgent need to manage these areas to to invest for the future. Communities that manage adapt to climate change and mitigate the risk of cat- community forests are directly affected by their forest astrophic wildfire. The survey results demonstrate that management decisions. For this reason, Community many community forests are leaders in the proactive Forest holders are considering a range of objectives management of wildfire hazard. Eighty-one percent of including enhanced forest stewardship and the con- survey respondents have collaborated with their local servation of ecologically and culturally significant areas government on wildfire planning and preparedness. and values. This year’s survey respondents collectively invested $2.2 million in enhanced forest stewardship, Evidence of the urgency of the problem and of the above and beyond legal requirements. This is up from leadership role that community forest organizations $1.9 million the year before. are playing, this year’s results show a tripling of the community forests’ own investments from a total of Background information on the Community Forest $794,987 last year to $2,682,196 this year. On average, Indicators survey questions and methodology as well community forests treated 96 hectares and spent as an electronic copy of this report can be found at: $127,724 of their own funds to reduce wildfire risk in bccfa.ca/category/indicators/.
BC Community Forest Association 7 Page 30 of 56 The Context
THE COMMUNITY FOREST AGREEMENT (community forest) is an area-based licence that provides the exclusive right to harvest timber within the community forest area, and the right to manage botanical forest products. Licences are long-term, 25 years, replaceable every 10. Since the development of the community forest tenure in 1998, BC has issued 58 community forests with another five formally in the application process. These licences are held by a variety of community-based legal entities, including Limited Partnerships, Societies, Co-Ops, Indigenous and local governments. Collectively, over 100 Indigenous and rural communities are involved in community forestry in BC. Half of the operating community forests are held by First Nations or a partnership between an Indigenous and non-Indigenous community.
The community forest tenure was developed to give local communities the opportunity to manage local forests for the benefit of those communities, in a manner consistent with locally defined objectives and values.
The community forest tenure is unique in the province for several reasons:
1. The ownership of the tenure is exclusively local, and the organization that holds the licence must represent the local Class of 2019 Master of Sustainable Forest Management at community. Profits do not leave UBC on a field tour to Harrop-Procter Community Forest. the community to benefit distant PHOTO: SUSAN MULKEY shareholders.
2. There is a comprehensive application process that includes the requirement to demonstrate local community engagement and support.
3. The Licence Document and Management Plan must: • Contain the broad social, economic and resource management goals proposed for the community forest; • Identify the linkage between the community forest goals and the provincial Community Forest Program goals (below); and • Include a plan for annual reporting out to the community.
8 Community Forest Indicators 2020 Page 31 of 56 Community forests reflect the ecological and cultural diversity of BC. They exist in many types of forests and terrain. They range in size from 361 to 160,000 hectares, with a current annual harvest from 860 m3 to 225,000,m3.
Population of Reporting Communities The Provincial Government’s Goals for the Community Forest Program further set the tenure apart. The Goals are to: What is the population directly served by your community forest? 1. Provide long-term opportunities for achieving a range of community objectives, values and priorities.
2. Diversify the use of and benefits derived from the community forest agreement area. 1,001 to 3,000 3. Provide social and economic benefits to British Columbia. 41% 4. Undertake community forestry consistent with sound
principles of environmental stewardship that reflect a broad 1,000 and under 6,001 and up spectrum of values. 31% 13% 5. Promote community involvement and participation. 3,001 to 6,000 6. Promote communication and strengthen relationships 16% between aboriginal and non-aboriginal communities and persons. Minimum population: 220 7. Foster innovation. Maximum population: 25,000 8. Advocate forest worker safety. Average population: 3,965 Community forests in BC reflect the ecological and cultural diversity of BC. They exist in many types of forests and terrain. They range in size from 361 to 160,000 hectares, with a current annual harvest from 860 m3 to 225,000,m3. ABBREVIATIONS USED IN THIS REPORT
Community forests work under the same rules as the rest of the forest AAC = Allowable Annual Cut industry in BC. They are governed by the Forest Act and the Forest and CF = Community forest* Range Practices Act, and all other applicable statutes and regulations. CFA = Community forest agreement They pay stumpage (fees paid for harvesting timber from Crown land in Ha = Hectares BC) based on a tabular rate system that recognizes the Community Forest Program goals and the unique conditions under which they operate. PY = Person Year of Employment. One PY, considered 1 full time job = 1,750 hours. “Eliminating slash pile burning is a low hanging fruit as far as 3 carbon emissions go. You’re avoiding emitting the carbon on M = cubic metres of wood day one — it has a benefit right away. Using carbon dollars to *Note: BCCFA often uses the term fund fuel treatment, which has a carbon benefit, is a win-win.” “community forest” to refer to the organization that holds a — Erik Leslie, Manager at the Harrop-Procter Community Forest community forest agreement.
BC Community Forest Association 9 Page 32 of 56 Featured Community Forests
A FEW STORIES HAVE BEEN SELECTED from the dozens and dozens received through the survey to highlight the capacity of community forests to contribute to solutions to meet current and future challenges. As BC turns its attention to policy reform and transition planning that supports resilient forestry communities, that reconfigures relationships with Indigenous communities, and takes on the challenges of climate change and the risk of wildfire, community forests are an immediate and accessible tool to employ.
Social Licence and Wetzin’Kwa We know that every community forest works very hard Community Forest to share and communicate with the people who are interested in the values the community forest contains. “The challenges of operating a successful community We believe that doing what you say and saying what forest tenure are vast. The work of acquiring and main- you do is an excellent way to build relationships that taining social licence is complicated. Wetzin’Kwa works lead to social licence to operate. We also know that what very hard to ensure there is an open and transparent we did yesterday may not be good enough tomorrow process when it comes to future harvesting plans, we and we attempt to adapt as values on the land base coordinate with multiple stakeholders around manage- change. We recognize that we cannot expect every ment strategies specific to known landscape values. We neighbour or interested stakeholder to endorse our report on accomplishments and failures and above all activities. We consider all of the input we receive in an else we talk to people. We are not unique in this regard. effort to find a balance that fits as best as possible into societal expectations. All the while striving to ensure WETZIN'KWA FAST FACTS ...Did you know? operations remain profitable so that funds are available Wetzin'kwa Community Forest Corporation 3 is Wetzin'kwa's Annual 2007 was granted a Community Forest Agreement 30,304m Allowable Cut (AAC) to the community at large for use as they see fit.”
The tenure is jointly held by: Wetzin`kwa has planted over Town of Smithers The community million trees — Jay Baker, Manager Wetzin’Kwa Community Forest Village of Telkwa forest license is 2.7
Office of the (this is the shape of the community The Community Grant Program Wet'suwet'en 32,987 forest boundary) has funded dozens of projects hectares since 2009, investing nearly Wetzin'kwa is in area Burns Lake Community Forest Ltd (BLCF) overseen by a board $1,800,000 of seven directors into community initiatives in the area with representatives from the Town of Smithers, Village of Telkwa, Office of the Wet'suwet'en, and four members representing the community at large. The Bulkley Commercial The Burns Lake Community Forest (BLCF) Ltd. was the Protection of In the Wet'suwet'en language, Valley tree species cultural heritage the word Wetzin'kwa means Nordic Centre found in the community very first to be selected for the Community Forest Pilot sites and values flowing blue green forest include: The community sits within the community forest tenure is on or clear waters forest tenure area Program in 1998. In 2004, they became the first to be Wet'suwet'en traditional territory. and refers to the a portion of logging profits Wetzin'kwa strives to protect Morice River within the 200-metre-wide cultural heritage sites and values trail management area are awarded a long-term community forest agreement. and to maintain a good working and the shared with the Bulkley relationship with the Wet'suwet'en Bulkley River Valley Cross-Country Ski Club. The Village of Burns Lake is the sole shareholder. The Recreation is plentiful: Local jobs: Lodgepole Subalpine pine fir Wet’suwet’en First Nation, Office of the Wet’suwet’en Skiing Wetzin'kwa Picnic areas Hiking works with Campgrounds local outdoor Over Biking Birdwatching 90% and the Ts’il Kaz Koh First Nation (Burns Lake Band) all organizations of Wetzin'kwa logs are Fishing to maintain Snowshoeing access and to saw logs which are Boating improve Sightseeing processed into lumber at have a seat on the board and directly receive a portion Hunting recreation Snowmobiling mills in Smithers. of the annual profit. Three more board members from The Wetzin'kwa Community Hybrid Western Camp for free! Where does Forest Corporation is celebrating spruce hemlock years in 2019! the community-at-large are appointed by the Village of Two designated Wetzin'kwa 12 BC Recreation Sites lumber go? offer free camping within the is shipped Burns Lake. Burns Lake became the second community community forest. These are: 30% to China 55% is used Twin Falls and is shipped 8% domestically forest to become certified by the Forest Stewardship is shipped Dennis Lake to the USA 7% to Japan
Council (FSC). They are audited annually by the FSC SOURCE: WETZIN’KWA COMMUNITY FOREST 10 Community Forest Indicators 20202019 Page 33 of 56 First Nation Capacity Building: “As part of our Boer Mountain Project hazard abatement we recognized a need for a small chipper. BLCF covered the upfront cost of the chipper and offered a contract for works associated with the use of the chipper to a local First Nation company. Through this contract the First Nation company was able to fully pay off the chipper and now has increased local capacity to carry out fuel mitigation and brushing throughout the year.” — Frank Varga, Burns Lake Community Forest
and demonstrates that we are getting away from all blocks being clear cuts, and that we are into a different management style — single tree selection.” — Frank Varga, Manager, Burns Lake Community Forest
Enhanced Forest Stewardship at Nakusp and Area Community Forest (NACFOR)
“In 2018, with support from the Interior Working Group
PHOTO: BURNS LAKE COMMUNITY FOREST of forest licencees, NACFOR developed a strategy to manage for migratory birds on the community international standards which ensure that the wood forest. This non-legal guidance document provides a harvested is responsibly managed, socially beneficial, framework for management practices and procedures environmentally conscious, and economically viable. to protect bird species. The beneficial management practices apply to primary forest management and Harvesting Techniques & Innovation are implemented at all stages of operations, during planning, harvesting, and silviculture activities. In 2020, “The BLCF purchased a Ponsse Simulator, a video-based NACFOR will be testing a new survey method in active harvester and forwarder computer that helps machine blocks to record bird song and identify breeding species operators learn the process of equipment operations during the nesting period.” in a classroom type setting. This simulator is specific to single tree selection system whereby each tree is individually harvested, processed, and forwarded. The simulator controls are specific to Ponsse’s equipment, however, the principles of how harvesters and for- warders work are fairly universal, making the simulator applicable to other types of machinery.
In a European natural resource program, such simulators are part of the curriculum in training and development of future forest professionals. Locally we have two companies that are committed to supporting this training process, and we are currently working with local post-secondary institutions to incorporate the simulator into a training and development initiative.
The Ponsse allows our operation to deploy partial harvest techniques to better manage for multiple The Southern Five: The five community forests in the south east meet regularly to talk about their shared values in our area-based tenure. It really helps fulfill challenges, successes, and innovations. our commitment to the community for innovation PHOTO: FRANCES SWAN
BC Community Forest Association 11 Page 34 of 56 Indicator 1 Number of Jobs
LOCAL JOBS IN RURAL COMMUNITIES are one of the primary benefits of community forests. This indicator measures the total direct employment and contract labour generated by community forests. By determining the number of person years of employment per 1,000 m3 of timber harvested we can see the value, in terms of jobs, of the harvest volume allocated to community forests. Person year is a commonly used metric, but since not all jobs associated with community forest operations are full-time, respondents also reported the total number of workers that derived all or part of their income from the community forest.
Number of Person Year (PY)a based on reported harvest of 1,026,811 m3
Trail building, Forestry, logging Employment firefighting, Millingc All activitiesd and supportb research etc.
Person years /1,000 m3 0.45 0.01 0.47 0.93
Average person years 14.38 0.35 14.83 29.65 per community forest
Total person years 463.23 11.26 481.29 955.78
Notes: Analysis completed by Peak Solutions Consulting Inc. a In accordance with BC Stats, one Person Year (PY) is 1,750 hours. This replaces Full Time Equivalent (FTE) of 1,820 hours used in previous BCCFA reports. b Includes forest management, logging, hauling, road building, silviculture (planting, spacing pruning etc.), administration and accounting. c Milling employment is based on jobs with one job representing one person year in this report. According to Statistics Canada the average number of hours worked in 2018 for wood product manufacturing (BS321) workers in BC was 1,894 hours. d Sum of Person Years for forestry, logging, support services, trail building etc., and milling.
BUILDING CAPACITY At West Boundary Community Forest, “We hire Osoyoos Indian Band members to help layout blocks and learn about the development side of forestry. Band members work in our road building program, logging, and brush pile burning. This allows the First Nations to be involved in many stages in forestry, building capacity.” — Dan Macmaster, Manager PHOTO: DAN MACMASTER
12 Community Forest Indicators 2020 Page 35 of 56 Number of people who derived all or part of their income from the community forests: Total: 2,080 Average: 65
Community forests created 0.45 full time local jobs/1,000 m3 in forestry, logging, and OF NOTE: 55,902 m3 support services. This is approximately 85% more than the industry average.1 When was sold to value employment in trail building, firefighting, and scientific study are included, the coefficient added manufacturers, goes up to 0.46 jobs/1,000 cubic metres. pole, veneer, plywood, & OSB facilities. Collectively, the mix of wood volume going to these mills in 2019 created a wood processing employment coefficient of 0.884. This means that the relatively small volume sold by community forests to those processing facilities resulted in 49.40 person years of wood processing employment. While impressive, this is a decline in volume from 80,729 m3 and the 76.03 full-time jobs created by these processing categories in last year’s survey from the volume of PHOTO: CREDIT FRANCES SWAN, MANAGEMENT TEAM NAKUSP AND AREA COMMUNITY FOREST wood received from 1 Leng, Jiali, FLNRORD, personal communication July 8, 2020; FLNRORD. 2020. BC Major Primary community forests. Timber Processing BC 2018, https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/farming-natural-resources-and- industry/forestry/fibre-mills/2018_mill_list_report_final.pdf; Natural Resources Canada. 2019. Secondary manufacturing of solid wood products in British Columbia, https://cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/ authors/read/15709
BC Community Forest Association 13 Page 36 of 56 Indicator 2 Total Economic Activity
The total annual COMMUNITY FORESTS ARE community economic development enterprises that cost of sales and help to build a rural community’s self-reliance and resilience. The total annual cost of sales and expenditures is an indicator of the total economic activity generated by the expenditures is an community forests in the reporting year. indicator of the total economic activity Value of sales generated by the Average $2,437,731 community forests in the reporting year. Minimum $0
Maximum $9,935,000
Value of expenditures
Average $1,844,572
Minimum $308
Maximum $7,200,000
This economic activity was generated by an average harvest of only 32,088 m3. Considering the average population of these communities is 3,965, community forests PHOTO: HUGH FLINTON, FOREST can be game changers for rural communities. MANAGER, WILLIAMS LAKE COMMUNITY FOREST
SPECIALTY LOG SORTS
“The Williams Lake Community Forest (WLCF) is an equal partnership between the Williams Lake Indian Band and the City of Williams Lake. During our logging operations, the community forest logging contractors do specialty log sorts in order to supply log home builders, timber framers, and small sawmills with log profiles that meet their specifications. Over the last three years WLCF has provided over 80 truckloads of log supplies to these local value-added companies.”
14 Community Forest Indicators 2020 Page 37 of 56 Indicator 3 Community Contributions
PROFITS FROM COMMUNITY FORESTS accrue directly to Indigenous and rural Average cash and communities. The result is that many community forest organizations can make cash and in-kind contributions: in-kind contributions including dividends, grants, infrastructure improvements, special projects. In many cases, these payments serve social, cultural and environmental objectives, $558,309 in addition to economic ones.
Total cash contributed to the community Sample contributions:
Total $17,183,947 · Eniyud Community Forest: $500 provided to each Average $536,998 partner for their Christmas food hamper programs.
In the reporting year, 84% of respondents made cash contributions in their communities. · Nakusp and Area On average, they contributed $536,998 with an additional $21,311 in in-kind contributions. Community Forest: The total in-kind contribution of the respondents was nearly $700,000. Donations were approved for 21 projects, helping to fund a wide variety of projects in the Nakusp SUPPORTING COMMUNITY INITIATIVES and Arrow Lakes area.
“Burns Lake Community Forest (BLCF) contributes to local not-for-profit volun- · Harrop-Procter teer organizations that make our community a better place to live. The BLCF gener- Community Co-operative: In-kind contributions ously supports community initiatives and has contributed more than $2.5 million include setting aside since its inception in 2000, plus in-kind support to more than 90 organizations firewood for public use, and projects within the community. Our in-kind contribution this year was pri- work on recreation trails marily to support and snow plowing. capacity building and training for · Little Prairie Community Forest (LPCF): Provided First Nation com- dividends to each of the munity contract- 3 Partners: The District of ors and wildfire Chetwynd, the Saulteau hazard abatement First Nations and West activities.” — Frank Moberly First Nations. Varga, Manager The LPCF also sponsored PHOTO: BURNS LAKE COMMUNITY FOREST cultural events for the two First Nations partners and provided sponsorship for the Chetwynd Chainsaw Carving Championship.
BC Community Forest Association 15 Page 38 of 56 Indicator 4 Funds Leveraged
Total $ raised for THE PROFITS GENERATED, and contributions made by community forests are often used as seed money to grow larger projects and create even more local benefits. This indi- projects from cator shows how CF funds are used to leverage additional funds for community priorities. outside sources: $3,320,497 Community forests can use their profits to attract even greater benefits to their com- an average of munities. Fifty-seven percent of respondents said they leveraged the community forest’s funds to bring in additional dollars. The total of $3.3 million is down from $5.3 million $276,708 for those reported last year, but higher than the $2.7 leveraged the year before that. that leveraged For example:
• The McLeod Lake Mackenzie Community Forest approved $84,355 in project funding in 2019. Project proponents leveraged this investment through project partnerships totalling $198,497. In 2019, this outside funding supported the purchase of a ski trail groomer, Tse’Khene Cultural Gatherings, and the implementation of forestry field trip modules for a school ecology program.
The local mountain bike trails group secured At Creston Community Forest, “After an upfront investment by the community funding by matching forest in wildfire mitigation, we received a grant for $667,000 from the Forest dollars from the Wells Enhancement Society. With matching funds from the community forest, we received $22,500 from Columbia Basin Trust for trail building. We also received Gray Community Forest. $5,280 from the Government of Canada for the Summer Student Grant to PHOTO: LAURA STANTON IN THE WETZIN’KWA COMMUNITY FOREST subsidize the wages of our summer student.” — Daniel Gratton, Manager PHOTO: TREVOR MARZKE
16 Community Forest Indicators 2020 Page 39 of 56 Indicator 5 Cut Control
COMMUNITY FORESTS PLAY an active role in the forest sector through timber harvesting. This indicator measures their success at meeting cut control requirements, 75% of community keeping the supply of logs flowing into the market. forests reported being
Seventy-five per cent of community forests reported being on track to meet their cut on track to meet their control, up from 72 per cent the year before. cut control; up from 72% the year before. This means that the majority are successfully harvesting the volume of timber allocated, and they are contributing logs to the market. Some of the main challenges faced by those that are not on track are the impacts of wildfire, poor markets, and that the AAC is not achievable in the tenure area. “Operating in a Community Watershed and a Special Management Zone under the Vancouver Island Land Use Plan has more required net downs than calculated by the province in determining our AAC.” — Chris Law, Manager, Alberni Valley Community Forest Corporation
“2019 was Year 1 of the current cut control period. We had just come off an uplift cut control period for beetle issues. We continue to work on beetle impacted stands and may need another uplift in this cut control period.” — Dan Boulianne, General Manager, McLeod Lake Mackenzie Community Forest
PHOTO: SUSAN MULKEY
BC Community Forest Association 17 Page 40 of 56 Indicator 6 Distribution of Log Sales
Of the community forests COMMUNITY FORESTS SUPPLY LOGS on the open market and strive to support the that participated in the full spectrum of milling and manufacturing facilities. 2018/2019 survey: Distribution of log sales 58% have markets for Sales to very large mills > 850,000 m3/year 30.8% waste and residue, 3 3 up from 48% last year Sales to large mills 295,000 m – 850,000 m /year 35.6% Sales to medium mills 95,000 m3 – 295,000 m3/year 6.6% 39% are actively Sales to small mills < 95,000 m3/year 3.5% seeking markets for waste and residue, down Sales to mill owned by the community forest 0.3% from 58% last year Sales to value-added mills 0.2% Sales to pole, veneer, plywood & OSB 4.0% Sales to facilities that use low quality fibre (chip, pellet, pulp & paper) 8.8% Sales to shake and shingle mills 0.4% Sales to firewood 0.4% Logs exported 0.8% Broker 8.6%
Where markets are diverse, community forests are able to sell to numerous buyers. The CLINTON COMMUNITY FOREST PARTNERS TO SALVAGE BURNT average number of bidders invited was 4.7, and on average, community forests sold TIMBER FROM THE 2017 logs to 3.6 different buyers. These figures vary greatly around the province, with two ELEPHANT HILL WILDFIRE: respondents selling to 10 different buyers in the reporting year. The CCF has been participating in a pulpwood grinding program of their salvaged timber, supported Wetzin’Kwa Community Forest Corporation “takes pride in working with by the Forest Enhancement our community partners to develop better utilization of the timber resource Society BC in partnership with Ledcor. With the shutdown of the while reducing the annual debris burning required for fire hazard abatement. Norbord OSB facility in 100 Mile WCFC delivered loads of firewood to the community of Witset First Nation House where the pulpwood used (formerly known as Moricetown). Additional volume of non-sawlog material to go, the CCF and local woodlots was also delivered to Seaton Forest Products are glad to have access to the for further processing. Finally, tops and logs program. The economics are with severe defects were made available break even at best, but still it is the best option to move the fibre for delivery to the Village of Telkwa for their forward. Ledcor has also ground/ bio heating system and to Pinnacle Pellet in chipped the logging debris piles Smithers. All of this volume would have been in the CCF’s last two cutting burnt during our fall fuel hazard abatement permits.” — Steve Law, Manager efforts in the past.” — Jay Baker, Manager CLINTON LOG YARD, PHOTO: SUSAN MULKEY WETZIN’KWA COMMUNITY FOREST BOARD. PHOTO: JAY BAKER
18 Community Forest Indicators 2020 Page 41 of 56 Indicator Investments in 7 Intensive Silviculture
COMMUNITY FORESTS have strong incentives to investment in the future productivity Respondents that of the forest because they are long-term, area-based tenures held by local communities. made investments in
By measuring the investments in intensive silviculture that are above and beyond legal re- incremental silviculture: quirements, we see the efforts being made to increase the growing capacity in a community 44%, compared 56% forest, with the intent of increasing the quality and quantity of timber over time. Activities the year prior. include spacing, brushing, and enhanced genetic stock. Respondents reported the total Total investment: treatment cost, including planning, development, and administration of these projects. $2.8 million, down from CFA investment in intensive silviculture $4 million in last year’s survey, but up from $2 Total $1,086,775 million the year prior. Average of those that invested $83,598 Area treated: 2,353
Value and source of investment in intensive silviculture hectares, averaging 157 hectares per respondent. Forests for Tomorrow, Total: Land Based Investment Program funds: $2,807,125 $333,750 – 12% Community forests are proud Other a sources Forest Enhancement Society of BC to go beyond the minimum requirements to fulfill their including Community a silviculture obligations. FESBC : forests’ funds: $1,386,000 $1,086,775 Examples of investments 49% made in the last fiscal include: 39% · Prompt regeneration with high genetic gain seed lots and tea bag fertilization of all seedlings planted to enhance growth and establishment. · Pruning of deciduous to maintain a healthy, biodiverse stand. · Stumping an area with In 2019, Nakusp and Area Community Forest high incidence of root purchased genetically improved seed for West Boundary Community Forest rot from harvesting. 81% of seedlings sown, planted 61 hectares planted an area that was deemed Not prior to regeneration delay obligation date, Sufficiently Restocked (NSR) many · Pre-commercial thinning. brushed 19 hectares to improve regeneration years ago, with financial assistance · Fir spacing and survival and carried out stump removal to from the Land Based Investment (LBI) rehabilitation treatments manage for Armallaria ostoyae root disease. Forests for Tomorrow program. for low volume and NACFOR PLANTER, PHOTO: FRANCES SWAN WEST BOUNDARY, PHOTO: DAN MACMASTER damaged stands.
BC Community Forest Association 19 Page 42 of 56 Indicator 8 Economic Diversification
AN IMPORTANT PROVINCIAL GOAL for the Community Forest Program is to diversify Total value of the use of and benefits derived from the community forest agreement area. This diversified sales: diversification can include the development of goods, like Non-Timber Forest Products $2,689,434 (NTFPs)2 such as berries or greenery, as well as the development of services. an average of More community forests are using their acquired expertise and equipment to diversify the $448,239 for those revenue stream to the community forest organization and to keep their crews working. that had revenue The Slocan Integral Forestry Cooperative, Esk’etemc First Nation and Westbank First from diversified sales Nation Community Forests are all involved in activities including wildfire risk reduction prescriptions, fuel treatments and monitoring, habitat restoration including prescribed burns, and seed sales. The Lower North Thompson and Harrop-Procter Community For- ests both have small value-added mills. The revenues and jobs associated with these mills broaden the economic impacts of the community forest operations beyond log sales.
PHOTO: LIKELY XAT’SULL COMMUNITY FOREST
2 When it comes to NTFPs, to date community forests are generally not involved in commercial activity, beyond services. Their role is to facilitate access for the community and adapt the timber harvesting approach to protect the non-timber resources. BARRIERE ELEMENTARY TREE PLANT, PHOTO: LOWER NORTH THOMPSON COMMUNITY FOREST
20 Community Forest Indicators 2020 Page 43 of 56 Indicator 9 Community Accountability
THE COMMUNITY FOREST TENURE is unique in BC in its requirements concerning community accountability. This indicator measures whether the community forest reports out annually to its community and describes the methods used to report. 97% of survey respondents report Community forests must develop Management Plans that contain the broad social, annually to the economic and resource management goals proposed for the tenure. Setting them community. apart from other forest tenures, they must hold an annual meeting where they report to residents the community forest’s performance on the commitments made in the Management Plan. They also employ a variety of communication strategies and tools, including field trips, social media, local newspapers, and open houses. With the feedback from this engagement, community forests find ways to be innovative and include Advice from a community multiple values in their decisions. forest manager:
· “Maintain an open-door policy. Listen and try to address concerns.
· Building relationships with First Nations, stakeholders, community organizations, and interested members of the public reduces conflict by improving understanding and recognition of common goals.
· Take on more non- legislated/social roles to help out your community; they appreciate it.”
— Mike Francis, Manager, Lower North Thompson Community Forest
BARRIERE ELEMENTARY TREE PLANT, PHOTO: LOWER NORTH THOMPSON COMMUNITY FOREST
BC Community Forest Association 21 Page 44 of 56 Indicator 10 Public Engagement
THIS INDICATOR MEASURES the efforts of the community forest to engage with the diversity of community members and stakeholder groups. Outreach to the full array of forest users and community organizations leads to an improved awareness of forest management among the public and increases potential to resolve conflicts over timber harvesting in watersheds and other sensitive areas.
Engagement with Community Sectors
Property owners 72%
Trappers 69%
Firewood cutters 66%
Mountain bike groups 59%
GOALS UPDATED Hiking groups 59% IN COMMUNITY 50% VISION SESSION Water users Williams Lake Community Ranchers 44% Forest “hosted a visioning session that included a wide Motorized vehicle recreation groups 44% range of representatives from our community Cross-country ski groups 44% partners and shareholders. Environmental groups 38% This session enabled the Community Forest to update Hunters 38% its goals and described five integrated management Tourism associations 31% pillars that support and guide WLCF operations. Chambers of commerce 28% · Strong positive partnerships Horseback riding groups 28% · Sustainable forest management Miners 16% · Respect of culture and heritage resources At Creston Community Forest, “our goal moving forward is to focus on our three man- · Community engagement and education dates which we refer to as the three ‘ions’. Ion is a Greek word meaning ‘to go’ or ‘move’ · Long term financial which is what we have done rather than remain static. The three mandates have inspired sustainability.” us to engage with the community in a meaningful way helping us to raise our profile. — Hugh Flinton, Manager, WLCF The three mandates of the Creston Community Forest include: forest education, forest recreation, and fuel mitigation.” — Daniel Gratton, Manager, Creston Community Forest
22 Community Forest Indicators 2020 Page 45 of 56 Indicator Investments in 11 Community Education
COMMUNITY FORESTS HELP COMMUNITY MEMBERS increase their understanding of forest ecosystems and forest management. Investments in education and capacity building include school presentations, field trips, public events, as well as training supported by the community forest (such as first aid, faller certification, etc.) by community forest staff, contractors, employees and volunteers.
Investment in education Nakusp and Area Total $206,181 Community Forest (NACFOR) worked with the BC Average $8,591 Wildfire Service to coordinate Total number of hours invested 2,869 hours firefighting and FireSmart activities and demonstrations Average 115 hours at the Nakusp fire base for National Forest Week. Fourteen members of the Valhalla and Community forests are using their creativity to engage youth, seniors and the community Selkirk unit crews organized at large in numerous educational activities. Training young people for work on the tenure fun activities, including a is a major focus for many. Additionally, eleven organizations had programs targeting their presentation of career related local K–12 schools and getting kids out into the forest. information for high school students. Activities included “Reveal the wonders of the forest and you will foster a passion for the outdoors. Getting scavenger hunts for pump school aged children out in the woods to learn about the environment is a priority parts, assembling pumps mandate” of the Creston Community Forest. — Daniel Gratton, Manager, CCF and hoses, obstacle races with firefighting equipment, and charged fire hose relays. Regional District of Central Kootenay Wildfire Mitigation Specialist presented FireSmart information and games and NACFOR provided information on community scale wildfire risk reduction efforts in the Nakusp area. PHOTOS: FRANCES SWAN
CRESTON COMMUNITY FOREST, PHOTO: DANIEL GRATTON
BC Community Forest Association 23 Page 46 of 56 Indicator 12 Investments in Recreation
The reporting COMMUNITY FORESTS make significant investments in building, improving and community forests have maintaining local recreational infrastructure and opportunities. This indicator measures investments in recreation features, on and off the community forest, including trails for collectively developed hiking, biking, skiing, horseback riding, information kiosks, cabins or warming huts, and and maintained a total viewpoints. of 1,026 km of trails in the area around Investment in recreation communities to date. Total $218,587 Average of those that invested $12,144
In addition, respondents managed another $237,000 from outside funding sources.
Number of kilometres of trail Total 120 Average kms of those that built & maintained trails 10
At Creston Community Forest, “recreation is a high priority. In total, we currently manage 31 kilometres of trails within our operating area. Kiosks containing trail information have been constructed by the community forest for some of the trail heads along with picnic tables and fire rings at some of the main viewpoints. In 2019 we matched a $25K grant from the Columbia Basin Trust to develop and build over 14.5 km of hiking trails. The summer of 2020 will see the construction of an additional 6.5 km of mountain bike trails and an additional 5 km of hiking trails all of which will be fully funded by the community forest.” — Daniel Gratton, Manager, CCF
Cheslatta Community Forest maintains heritage trails including trails to the historic village sites on Cheslatta Lake.
CHESLATTA LAKE, PHOTO: SUSAN MULKEY CRESTON COMMUNITY FOREST, PHOTO: DANIEL GRATTON
24 Community Forest Indicators 2020 Page 47 of 56 Indicator Proactive Management 13 of Wildfire Hazard
COMMUNITY FORESTS ARE IN A UNIQUE POSITION to serve as leaders in the coordination and management of the wildland urban interface, or WUI to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire.
Investment to reduce wildfire hazard
Total $2,682,196
Average of those that invested $127,724
Number of hectares treated
Total 1,532 To fund the planning of Average # of ha treated 96 a fuel hazard reduction initiative, Wetzin’kwa As evidence of the urgency of the problem and of the leadership role that community Community Forest utilized forest organizations are playing, this year’s results show a tripling of the community forests’ a Forest Enhancement own investments from $794,987 last year to $2,682,196 this year. Society of BC grant. Potential high-hazard To date, the reporting community forests have collectively treated 12,857 ha and invested areas were identified over $6.1 million for wildfire mitigation. They managed an additional $14.2 million from based on available outside sources. inventory information. Field data collection was Eighty-one percent of respondents collaborated with their local government on wildfire conducted in various planning and preparedness. Funding from external sources, like the Forest Enhancement stand types to allow for Society of BC and the Community Resilience Initiative is crucial given the urgency to reduce an analysis of the level of fire risk to rural communities. Community forests are taking on a leadership role in the fuel loads and subsequent planning and implementation of these activities. recommendations for In May 2018, the BCCFA presented the Government of British Columbia with a proposal potential treatments to to increase the number and size of community forests around Indigenous and rural com- reduce wildfire threat. munities, to enhance their ability to manage for wildfire. The Union of BC Municipalities3 The results of these and the BC Flood and Wildfire Review4 made the same recommendation. assessments were then built into treatment prescriptions that depict 3 Union of BC Municipalities 2018 Resolution B43 https://www.ubcm.ca/assets/ strategies to reduce the Resolutions~and~Policy/Resolutions/2018%20UBCM%20Resolutions%20Book.pdf fuel hazard within the 4 Addressing the New Normal: 21st Century Disaster Management in British Columbia. April 2018. https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/public-safety-and-emergency-services/emergency- community forest. preparedness-response-recovery/embc/bc-flood-and-wildfire-review-addressing-the-new- WETZINKWA, PHOTO: JAY BAKER normal-21st-century-disaster-management-in-bc-web.pdf
BC Community Forest Association 25 Page 48 of 56 Indicator 14 Forest Worker Safety
Information on SURVEY RESPONDENTS reported on whether the community forest holder requires its the number of and employees and/or contractors to be Safe Certified with the BC Forest Safety Council or severity of incidents an equivalent program. Information on the number of and severity of incidents further demonstrates how community forests are meeting safety objectives in their operations. further demonstrates how community Percent requiring Safe Certification forests are meeting safety objectives in Percent yes 78% their operations. Percent no 22%
Number and severity of recordable incidents
Minor 12
Serious (requiring attention) 5
Fatality 0
Total 17
PHOTO: SUSAN MULKEY
HANDFALLER’S KIT, PHOTO: FRANCES SWAN 26 Community Forest Indicators 2020 Page 49 of 56 Indicator 15 First Nations Involvement
NEARLY HALF of the operating community forests in BC are held by First Nations or are partnerships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. The BC Community Forest Association (BCCFA) promotes forest management that respects First Nation rights and cultural values, and fosters understanding and cooperation between rural communities and First Nations. The BCCFA promotes the application of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and its principles in community forest management. This indicator measures the breadth and depth of First Nations’ involvement in community forests. By measuring the types of involvement beyond legal requirements, this indicator serves to demonstrate how community forest organizations are working with the First Nations within whose traditional territory the community forest is located. ENIYUD COMMUNITY FOREST (ECF) COMMUNITY Community forest is MEETING AT TATLA LAKE 7 24% held by a First Nation HALL DURING A POWER
Governance structure is a OUTAGE partnership with local FN 10 34% “The ECF represents many Designated First Nation years of collaborative 15 52% representation on the board efforts between the Alexis Employment contracts Creek Tsi Del Del First 14 48% with First Nations Nation and the Tatla Lake Community. We are striving Cooperative planning 13 45%13 to meet the economic and environmental goals of our Profits shared with local First Nations 13 45% constituents with a land base that is logistically and Memorandum of ecologically challenging. understanding (MoU) 7 24% We feel that the capacity Capacity building such as offered by local control is 2 7%2 training and education worth the effort.” — Mike Tomlinson, General Manager, ECF ECF PHOTO: PETER SHAUGHNESSY
A new pit house is being constructed on Ts’il Kaz Koh (Burns Lake Indian Band) Reserve 19. The project was supported by the Burns Lake Community Forest (BLCF). All of the wood used came from BLCF K1A. PHOTO: SATNAM MANHAS
BC Community Forest Association 27 Page 50 of 56 Indicator Management 16 of Sensitive Areas
Percentage of THE CFA’S UNIQUE model of forest management can give community forest managers total area that is the social licence to operate in highly constrained areas that may not otherwise be sensitive: 46% accessible for timber harvesting due to local opposition. Survey respondents were asked to document the area within their land base that is sensitive.
Sensitive areas are defined as: • Domestic and community watersheds; • Riparian areas; • Visually sensitive areas; • Potentially unstable and unstable terrain; • Areas with archaeological values or cultural heritage; • Identified and critical wildlife habitat; • Fisheries sensitive watersheds; • Recreation trails and sites; and • Areas identified as sensitive by the community.
Forty-six percent of the combined tenure area of survey respondents is deemed sensitive. About one-third indicated at least 75 per cent of their land base is sensitive and six community forests reported that 100 per cent of their land base is sensitive. Four of the reporting community forests have 25 per cent or more of their area set aside in reserves such as Old Growth Management Areas. One as high as 69 per cent. Forty-four per cent of the survey respondents have community watersheds within their boundaries.
At West Boundary Community Forest, we Barkley Community Forest is working on a long-term strategy to address Old have a large amount of Growth Management Areas, Marbled Murrelet habitat and other factors over tenured land in Visual Quality and above Ministry guidelines in the Forest Stewardship Plan. Objectives (VQO) as well as ungulate winter range. These “Many of the sensitive areas within the Logan Lake Community Forest are constraints force us to be located with Old Growth Management Areas (OGMAs). We are concerned that very creative in developing static OGMAs over our tenure area are restrictive to our stewardship over the site plans while following long-term. In some cases, OGMAs are public safety concerns with dead timber the best management adjacent to our community creating a significant wildfire threat. We look practices. — Dan Macmaster, forward to a more robust discussion regarding OGMA allocation in our tenure Manager, WBCF EHOLT PERMIT IN HEAVY VISUAL area and solutions to better serve our community forest and the public. “ AREA, PHOTO: WEST BOUNDARY — Garnet Mireau, Management Team, Logan Lake Community Forest COMMUNITY FOREST
28 Community Forest Indicators 2020 Page 51 of 56 Indicator Investments in 17 Forest Stewardship
HEALTHY FOREST ECOSYSTEMS are the basis of healthy local economies. With this In addition to the $2.2 understanding, community forest organizations are making significant investments in the million of community ecological integrity of the forests they manage. This indicator measures the investments forests’ own investment, community forests are making in enhanced forest stewardship, incremental to legal the reporting community requirements. The activities include the enhanced management of sensitive areas (as forests managed listed in Indicator 16), information gathering and planning, and monitoring and research another $905,000 from which includes inventory and extra surveys that are above and beyond legal requirements. external sources, like the Forest Enhancement Investment in enhanced or modified management Society of BC. for ecological or social reasons Total $2,205,225 Average of those who invested $169,633 At Nakusp and Area Community Forest (NACFOR), “forest Number of hectares treated within and outside the CF boundary stewardship efforts include Total hectares 6,092 significant effort towards Average number of hectares treated 554 managing for Douglas-fir beetle infestations including Partial cutting to address social, ecological and Indigenous values is widely employed an overview flight of the by community forests. It is significantly more expensive than conventional clear cutting. community forest to identify Community forests prioritize these kinds of management decisions and consider them as infestation areas, followed investments in forest stewardship and social licence. by ground recce and salvage layout; installed Douglas Fir Other examples of stewardship activities cited in the survey include: Beetle funnel traps • Grassland restoration; in three locations • Watershed health and planning initiative; to contain spread; ongoing • Implementing best practices and surveys for migratory toad surveys; birds in operating areas; implementing • Wildlife monitoring studies including Western toads best practices and mountain goats; and surveys for • Setting aside areas of old growth for cultural and migratory birds in biodiversity values, including Marbled Murrelet habitat; active operational • Structuring and monitoring of coarse woody debris; areas.” — Frances corridors for small fur bearing animals; Swan, Manager, • Mule deer winter range improvement; and NACFOR BEETLE TRAP, PHOTO: • Purchase of LiDAR inventory data. FRANCES SWAN
BC Community Forest Association 29 Page 52 of 56 Indicator Compliance with 18 Environmental Standards
Compliance THIS INDICATOR SHOWS the number of inspections conducted and the number determinations of determinations issued against the community forest organization/contractors/ issued against the employees that related to the potential for environmental damage. The survey also community forests asked about the results of any applicable Forest Practices Board audits or investigations surveyed: 0 by other provincial or federal agencies.
Number of Compliance & Enforcement inspections conducted & determinations
Total inspections 39
Determinations issued against the CF 0
PHOTO: SUSAN MULKEY At West Boundary Community Forest, “we received funding from BC’s Land Based Investment – Forest for Tomorrow Program for rehabilitation and planting after the Rock Creek fire of 2015 scoured the area. Price Waterhouse Coopers audited our work and we passed the audit with flying colours.” — Dan Macmaster, Manager, WBCF WEST BOUNDARY MINISTRY AUDIT, PHOTO: DAN MCMASTER
30 Community Forest Indicators 2020 Page 53 of 56 TRAIL WORK ABOVE MIDWAY, PHOTO: WEST BOUNDARY COMMUNITY FOREST
Page 54 of 56 SUSAN MULKEY PHOTOS
The BC Community Forest Association is a network of rural community-based organizations engaged in community forest management, and those seeking to establish new community forests. We represent over 90 rural and Indigenous communities across our province. We share a vision of a network of diverse community forest initiatives, where local people practice ecologically responsible forest management in perpetuity, fostering and supporting healthy and vibrant rural communities and economies.
PRINTED ON FSC CERTIFIED Page 55 of 56 PAPER E01
October 19, 2020
District of Sicamous 446 Main Street Sicamous, BC VOE2V0
Att: Mayor Terry Ryzs
Re: "Eagles Nest”
The Sicamous Eagles have landed at the Eagles Nest. On behave of the board ofdirectors, GM, coaches, our team and their parents... thank you to the District of Sicamous for working with our team to salvage our season! The challenge of finding suitable housing for our players is always an issue for small communities like ours, this year was certainly no exception and the impact of COVID-19 just made matters WO F56.
Although this opportunity came about due to the cancellation ofthe highly anticipated Hockey Academy; their disappointment became our salvation. Our team arrived Sunday October 18”‘2020, some with their parents; everyone was impressed with the community spirit, with the building and the quality of workmanship. We were proud share the story with them how this came about and that this was also built by a local company and local crew. There were plenty of pictures being taken and shared with family back at home We know when our board left the team was settling in and making the nest their home. Once again THANKYOU from our entire Eagles Family.
Sheila Devost Sicamous Eagles Board President
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