WesternWestern

piritVolume 2 Issue 1 Summer 2000 Produced by Western Forest Products Limited S WFP Sponsors More Students to NVIT and Enters into New Co-Sponsorship Scheme months of summer work placement. Courses such as natural resource management, silviculture, technical communications, resource measure- ments and soils and hyrdrology are thus combined with opportunities to directly apply knowledge in the workplace.

The Program is maintaining a 90% retention rate, which Craig Noordmans, Program Coordinator, continued as NVIT, page 3 Western pirit Western ForestS Products Limited

Western Spirit is an official newslet- NVIT First Nations Forest Technology Training Program 1999 students, Merritt, BC ter of Western Forest Products Ltd. photo: Craig Noordmans Content may be reproduced; however, we request that WFP estern Forest Prod- and the Council of Forest Industries and the author be credited. (COFI), who are continuing to work ucts is very pleased to Western Forest Products Limited W announce their sponsor- together to increase forestry knowl- #2300—1111 West Georgia Street ship of three new students edge and expertise among First Vancouver, BC V6E 4M3 to the 10-month Technical Nations communities. The program Tel: (604) 665–6200 Resource education program at the involves BC forest companies and Fax: (604) 665–6268 Nicola Valley Institute of Technology their neighbouring aboriginal commu- Website: www.westernforest.com (NVIT) in Merritt, which will begin in nities jointly sponsoring a First Editor: Dan Jepsen September 2000. Nations student for one year of Editorial Board: Larry Andrews, Bobby Forest Technician training at NVIT. Germyn, Ross Neasloss, George Watts The Forest Technician Training Pro- Six months of classroom training Editorial & Design: Dianna Bodnar Desktop Publishing: CPH Desktop gram began in 1997 as a cooperative is supplemented by a one-on-one effort among the BC Ministry of mentoring system with their spon- Printed on recycled stock. Forests, NVIT, Forest Renewal BC sor company and an additional six Please recycle this product. Building Espranza’s Youth Canoe— the Story in Pictures

Charlie making paddles the “traditional” way Photo: Larry Andrews

Charlie Mickey, carver, surveys the first stage of work. Made from a log from Bligh Island, the finished product is destined to be a youth canoe, for quest rows and other special functions. Photo: Larry Andrews

Canoe under tarp to be steamed wider (expanded 9 inches) Photo: Larry Andrews

Charlie and councillor Tom Smith look at the finished product. Photo: Larry Andrews

2 sponsor a student with another company would alleviate some of the pressure, so they approached Stan Price at Weyerhaeuser to discuss co-sponsoring the Heiltsuk student with WFP. Stan and senior managers within Weyerhaeuser supported the idea of co-sponsorship, so Paul Neuman Jr. will have two company sponsors. Says Jepsen, “We feel that this spirit of cooperation will Youth in full sail up Espranza Inlet Photo: Larry Andrews be positive for Paul, the Heiltsuk, and our two companies. It will also really broaden his work experience options.”

Alan Hanuse from the Oweekeno First Nation was WFP’s 1999 sponsored student, and is entering the second year of the program in September.

He and his fellow first-year students are recovering from their course work and exams. “We had students from as far away as Haida Gwaii/Queen Charlotte Islands. While being away from home proved a challenge for some students, they have all risen to the challenge nicely, and we are Youth crew paddling in Espranza Inlet Photo: Larry Andrews really proud of them,” stated Noordmans. Rhonda Ned, a stu- NVIT, continued from page 1 Kitasoo First Nation (who is cur- dent from the Upper Nicola Band rently the Kitasoo Forestry Coordi- in Merritt, said that the program attributes to the one-on-one rela- nator), Paul Neuman Jr. from the “gave me the opportunity to get tionships provided by sponsoring Heiltsuk First Nation, and Georgina the education and experience to forest companies and districts. Thomas from the Campbell River band. succeed in the career I really want.” “The success of this program is in large part due to the personal Dan Jepsen, WFP’s Manager of This summer term, a mentor from attention that each student re- Aboriginal Affairs, is enthusiastic each sponsoring forest company ceives from their mentor, “ said about the new candidates, “We are is working one-on-one with each Noordmans. “Mentors ensure that really pleased with the excellent student to help them apply the the students fit in the structure of candidates who have applied for knowledge learned in the classroom. the company for a meaningful train- this important career opportunity On-the-job training began in May ing experience.” and wish them every success.” and will run through August 2000.

Each forest company that agrees to Seats in the program are in such On completion of their 12 months of participate initiates the process of high demand that all 20 positions for classroom studies and work experi- recruiting students. After contact- the September 2000 course quickly ence, the students will be awarded a ing the over 30 First Nations Bands filled, and there are 17 companies certificate in forest technology and whose traditional territories they on the waiting list to sponsor First half of the credits required for a operate within, WFP has confirmed 3 Nations students. WFP felt that Forestry Technician diploma. candidates: Ross Neasloss from the exploring the opportunities to co-

3 Planning for your Community Using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) by Louanne Wong, Olympic Resource Management A GIS can also help us find out What can a GIS do? he impending settlement about what the environment may Just as a filing cabinet stores files, of the land question for be like given certain conditions, a GIS stores “layers” of information T many First Nations in an analysis technique known as that can be combined and cross- British Columbia has focused “modeling.” Using these methods, referenced to find answers to the need to organize, control, a GIS can provide the “big picture” “what?”, “where?” and “what if?” and retain information at the to support decision-making for the questions. But unlike a filing cabinet, community level. intelligent use of natural resources the GIS can do thousands of these and to manage the human-made comparisons and cross-references Modern technologies such as Geo- environment. in a minute. graphic Information Systems (GIS) are excellent integrating tools that What does a GIS look like? A GIS can view the world in different can be used to support conservation Most often, a GIS presents informa- time frames: we can look at our of First Nations heritage, manage tion in the form of maps and sym- past, present and future through the community’s resources, and bols. A map is useful to help readers windows which we can define and plan the community’s future. visualize: change. Communities can archive • where things are located their traditions and collective histo- Stephanie Henry of Oweekeno • what kinds of things are ries by adopting and adapting this Nation’s GIS department is one near certain places technology as a tool. A GIS can view of those working to help manage • how these objects can be the landscape over time and simu- her community’s lands. Acting as best reached by means of late outcomes for environmental a liaison between her community, transportation. and land use concerns, reflecting the government, industry, and the specific criteria a community various consultants, Henry is work- The way a GIS presents, displays, develops. By combining information ing towards finding viable solutions and analyzes data is flexible. It can about culture, resources and other best suited to the Oweekeno’s reflect a user’s unique interests and concerns over time, a GIS will help unique needs in forest management. can be adapted to transfer informa- to forecast potential outcomes, Henry is excited about the possibili- tion to readers. support sustainable planning at the ties that GIS brings to her commu- community and management level, nity: “It helps us communicate our and identify potential conflicts. relationship with the land, as well as continued as GIS on page 12 help us plan for our future,” she says.

What is a GIS? A GIS is an information manage- ment system that can collect, store, and retrieve information about the earth based on physical location. It can also assist in analyzing and planning our natural and social environment. Using the GIS as a warehouse of information, relation- ships between objects or events in time can be explored, making sense of the environment that surrounds us. Oweekeno Nation’s Katit IR#1, drawn by E.M. Skinner in 1889–1890 4 Living Heritage—Elder Violet Neasloss,

Master Weaver over again!” She had the opportunity by Dan Jepsen, WFP Manager Aboriginal Affairs and Environment to continue schooling at the Port Alberni residential school, but recalls traditional foods required for sur- it was just too far away from home ’m the proud owner vival in such an isolated community. and it would take her away from her of over 20 hand-made red Life was truly tied to the seasons, home and family for too long. Other I cedar baskets made by one with villagers depending on the land, than those periods, Violet has spent of the last traditional Kitasoo the water and each other. But the her whole life in Klemtu; the longest basket weavers: Violet Neasloss, hard work required to live off the land she was away was one month for an a Kitasoo Elder from eye operation. She started Klemtu, BC. Klemtu is work in the Kitasoo Fish about 125 kilometres due Cannery in 1933 and worked west from Bella Coola, on there until it closed in the the outer coast of BC. On 70s. She also married in my travels as WFP’s 1933, over the years adopt- Manager of Aboriginal ing 4 children. Violet now has Affairs over the past few 14 grandchildren. Her hus- years, I have had the band passed away in 1990. pleasure of many visits with Violet, and of hearing One of the most remarkable her stories about the past. aspects of Violet’s life has been her rich knowledge Violet bubbles with enthu- and expertise in her lan- siasm when she talks of guage and culture. She her lifelong passion of speaks three languages: traditional basket-weav- English, and the Kitasoo ing. She was born in and Heiltsuk dialects. Klemtu in 1914. At the turn There are less than 20 of the century, the village Violet Neasloss with a variety of her handmade baskets people who can speak the had about 150 people; the Kitasoo language any population is now about 500. Violet has been the source of Violet’s best- longer. It appears that it will disap- clearly recalls that when she was a loved memories: “We gathered all the pear over the next few years—truly child, there were no lights or running best food and processed it for the a terrible cultural loss. water, so she and her family washed cold winter months. There was the clothes by hand. Her grandparents herring roe, seaweed, cod and Sadly, it also seems that the tradi- told her of the early Hudson’s Bay salmon seasons—we worked to- tional Kitasoo art of basket-weaving steamships that visited the village gether to gather and prepare the may meet the same fate. Violet and brought in vital supplies from foods. Our people worked together started weaving in 1932, teaching the city. in harmony.” Families often had herself by watching the village elders. specialties; Violet takes great pride Her passion for weaving has stayed Although these early days in Klemtu in her skill at smoking fish. strong for almost 80 years. were very labour-intensive, the com- munity had a strong spirit and School was taught by local white Violet says the prime time for gath- determination to work hard together women, but schoolbooks were only ering the cedar bark is in the spring, to provide the many necessities of provided for the children until grade when the sap is running. She misses life. Violet remembers in vivid detail 6. I asked Violet what they did for collecting the bark herself, but finds the regular “work parties” each books after that, and she said, “You season to gather and process the just used the same books over and continued as Living Heritage, page 13

5 “Tree of Life” Sparks New Vitality to Kwakiutl Community sold in two local craft stores. In the face of such financial success, some by Mike DesRochers, RPF, Assistant Forester, Port McNeill Forest Operation might be tempted to forgo shutting in a wide variety of products, from down for the winter. But Foster and hat started out as a soaps and candles to pharmaceuti- Gloria have their priorities clear, retirement hobby has cals and insecticides. Wbloomed into a vibrant business for Gloria and To produce the cedar oil, Tree of Life Foster Roze. Looking for something staff carefully prune Western Red to keep them busy, they purchased Cedar boughs from living trees along equipment from a failed cedar oil roadsides in 10–20 year-old stands. extraction business. But true to its Trees selected are at least 4m tall, name, their Tree of Life Essential Oil and are pruned so that no more company has flourished far beyond than the lower 1/3 of their live foliage its origins. Within two seasons of is removed. This ensures that the operating, they’ve recovered their branches can be harvested again start-up costs (approximately within four to five years. The boughs $50,000), employed local people, are then delivered via 1-ton stake and diversified from producing high- truck to the manufacturing site, quality cedar oil into products where they are chipped and loaded including cedar mulch, soaps and into a hopper. Because the essential candles. All bough collection and oil oil starts to evaporate as soon as production takes place on Kwakiutl the branches are cut, staff tries to First Nation traditional territory on process them within 24–36 hours. the Fort Rupert Reserve, within WFP’s Steam is forced through the chipped TFL 6 in the Port McNeill area of the boughs, condensed, and collected in Gloria and Foster Roze with “Tree of Life” North Vancouver Island Region. a skimming barrel. The finished pro- (Western Red Cedar) carving on door by David Hunt Photo: Mike DesRochers cess usually yields 150 litres of fluid, One of the most satisfying outcomes from which only a few litres of oil are demonstrated by their philosophy of is how many others Foster and Gloria produced. Used chips find their way combining environmental responsibil- have been able to involve in their to village gardens as bark mulch. ity and cultural values with modern venture. They have employed 10 people business practices: “Tree of Life from the Kwakiutl First Nation over In the 1999 season, Tree of Life Essential Oil is not only about eco- the past two seasons, including produced 6 barrels (1,200 litres) nomic development; it is also about Napoleon Edwards, Wayne using 132 tons of cedar boughs. respect for ourselves and Mother “Chamooga” Cook Jr. (student), In two seasons of operation, they Earth, job creation, pride and humil- Maggie Hunt (student), Abraham have sold 5 barrels of oil to brokers ity, and value-added processing. Sheena, Sidney Sheena, Josh in New York, New Jersey, and Mon- It means sharing, and most impor- Dawson, Donovan Hunt, and Ed treal at prices ranging from $10,000 tantly, it means being environmen- White. They have also created a to $15,000 per barrel. Their website tally responsible. With these values number of indirect jobs for local (www.treeoflife.bc.ca) has even at- in mind, we are taking responsibility craftspeople. tracted interested buyers from to control our destiny in a manner Japan. Sales of spin-off products consistent with the teachings of Essential oils are concentrated include several truckloads of cedar the Ancestors.” aromatic oils found in plant leaves, mulch to the local school board, local flowers, seeds, bark, roots, and the businesses, the Town of Port Hardy, And as Foster says, “This is sup- rinds of some fruits. They are used and private individuals. Candles and posed to be my retirement hobby. as bonding agents and preservatives soaps made from cedar oil are also Besides . . . it’s raining!”

6 Oktwanch Spawning Channel Open After Completion of 4-Year Project

Fisheries biologists from Fisheries The Oktwanch channel will be used blessing ceremony and Oceans Canada and the Nuu- primarily by sockeye, coho and performed last Novem- chah-nulth Tribal Council determined chinook salmon, and may also A ber by cultural leaders that a solution to saving the runs assist cutthroat trout and Dolly from the Mowachaht/ rested in enlarging a small side Varden char. Oktwanch comes from Muchalaht First Nation marked channel to the west of the main river. the Nuu-chah-nulth word Okwasht, the successful completion of a This newly-enlarged channel, con- which means “smoking salmon.” 4-year project to complete a new verted to a groundwater-fed system, spawning channel near Gold River. provides stable spawning and rearing Forest Renewal BC chair Roger Located at the mouth of Oktwanch areas that are protected from the Stanyer points out that since River where it empties into Mucha- changing dynamics of the river. 1994, Forest Renewal has invested laht Lake, this innovative ground- almost $350 million to restore water-fed channel is giving new life to Site work began during the spring watersheds across BC. “Assess- those Muchalaht Lake salmon popu- of 1998, and was completed in ments have been completed in lations that use the Oktwanch River August 1999. In total, 28 people 860 watersheds. Restoration for spawning and rearing habitat. worked on the project, including efforts have been completed in 150 contractors, members of the watersheds, and some restoration “This project will finally allow the Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nation, has been done in 320 watersheds. Muchalaht Lake sockeye, coho, and Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the This significant restoration effort chinook stock to rebuild,” said Bill BC Ministry of Lands, Environment is generating employment in local Dumont, Chief Forester for WFP. and Parks, and WFP staff. communities, supporting water “While the salmon have years of quality, and protecting fish species.” recovery ahead of them, we are The 1.4 km-long spawning channel one very important step closer incorporates the newest fish to returning stable spawning and habitat management techniques rearing habitats to the watershed.” and research and mimics a natural stream by providing calm rearing Then $300,000 spawning channel areas for fry, log and root tangles was a WFP project, supported with where fish can hide from predators, Forest Renewal BC funding, started and graveled areas for spawning. four years ago when the potential Ferns, salmon berry, maple, and alder renewal of the Oktwanch River fish will provide coverage on the banks habitat was first examined. The and assist with restricting access project was initiated by Canfor, to the stream by large animals and then reassigned to WFP. people. A long, raised berm protects the channel from the nearby river. Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Forest Renewal BC had recognized Other fish habitat improvements that the river’s fish habitat would proposed for the Oktwanch River benefit from a restoration project. include gravel bar stabilization, However, further study showed that another spawning channel project due to increased peak flows, reduced on the opposite valley wall, force Totem pole carved from log donated by woody debris, and accelerated pools, and large woody debris cover WFP by Johnathan Henderson and Sean sediment delivery, the river would in the main river. It is expected that Whonnock, the first to be raised in Victoria’s be unable to support large-scale the river’s main fish spawning and Thunderbird Park for over 40 years. salmon spawning for some time. rearing zones will gradually recover. Photo: Heather Brown

7 Kitasoo Government House O by Dan Jepsen, WFP Manager Aboriginal Affairs and Environment

n June 2, 2000, a wonderfully bright and sunny day to match the O spirits of all present, the Kitasoo First Nation hosted a major celebration to mark the historic opening of the new Kitasoo Govern- ment House in Klemtu, BC. Klemtu is the main village for the Kitasoo people, located about 200 kilometers southeast of Prince Rupert.

The old Kitasoo office was located in an old home behind the church in the village, and was too small and confined for the numerous band operations to work effectively and efficiently. Band Manager l to r: Band Administrator Percy Starr, WF Percy Starr and the Kitasoo Councils over the and Area Manager Corby Lamb past few years looked at various options to construct a new office building in the village. However, due to the high cost of new construction and the tight restraints on capital, they deter- Kitasoo Hereditary Chiefs mined that the construction of a new office large enough to fill their needs was going to be virtually impossible. They decided to look at options that would reduce the costs, yet provide the village with a new office building.

As part of their review process, the councils considered the old Kitasoo School. It hadn’t been used for years and was in a state of major disre- pair. Ben Robinson, Kitasoo Councilor, remembers that “when we first looked at the building, it was hard to see the potential. However, after careful review with the community carpenter, we deter- mined that there was potential, the foundation Kitasoo Dummers; Raven Drum left was solid, there was enough inside space with and Black Fish Drum on right only minor construction, and the main structural l to r: Master Carver Rob integrity of the building was sound.” The Kitasoo Kitasoo Hereditary Chie Council decided to contact a number of busi- nesses that the band deals with to explore potential partnerships to undertake the major renovation required. WFP was one of these. “We are pleased that Western Forest Products had the foresight to see the opportunity to play a role in the re-construction of the building,” said Starr.

The new office is over 5,000 square feet, and includes two boardrooms, a reception area, a 2-bedroom self-contained suite, and 6 offices. Kitasoo Dummers warming up

8 Opens to Sun and Celebrations

Thinking of the future, the band made the addi- tional effort to renovate the basement area, which includes an additional 1,000 square feet of finished space. Currently this space is being used for im- portant treaty-mapping functions, and has also been used by the auditors, since it provides an excellent space to spread out the audit materials.

Thanks to Haisla Master Carver Robert Stewart, Kitasoo Government House is as beautiful as it is useful. Stewart carved the two totems that Cutting the handmade cedar bark grace its entrance, which feature the four main ribbon! Vic Woods, WFP Vice President Kitasoo family clans: the Black Fish, Raven, Eagle, FP Vice President Vic Woods, and Kitasoo Elder and Master Weaver and Wolf Clans. Violet Neasloss At the June opening, over 150 community mem- bers came out to enjoy the traditional dancing, which included the Kitasoo welcome song and the dance of the four clans. Vic Woods, WFP’s Vice President, was very honoured to be asked by the Kitasoo Elders to cut the cedar bark opening ribbon along with Kitasoo Elder Violet Neasloss. During the opening speeches, Band Manager Starr reflected on the history that led to the construction of the fine new office. He said, “I wish to acknowledge the efforts here today that were made by our previous Elders and Chiefs who are no longer with us. Hereditary Chief Tommy Brown made major efforts starting 30–40 years ago to establish better relationships with the Kitasoo Youth Dancers outside business world to enable breaking the bond with government. We have a beautiful rela- tionship with WFP—and this relationship has pro- vided the creation of this new office.” Percy went bert Stewart and on to say, “I wish to thank Victor and his staff for f Archie Robinson working with us towards a common future.”

The Kitasoo people presented Woods with a beautiful framed photo of the “stew”, one of the only remaining First Nations longhouses on the coast that still has the roof beams in place. The building is thought to date at least back to the early 1800s. Woods in turn presented Chief Gary Hall with a carved mural by Robert Stewart depicting the four Kitasoo clans.

Opening Dance

9 Partnering with Native Communities an Important Part of WFP’s Mandate by John Copley, adapted from Western Native News Vol 13, No. 2, June 2000 in the need to look at better ways of the communities in which we oint partnerships, of communicating and engaging with operate.” First Nations communities shared ventures and local (Native) communities.” In a who have participated in archeologi- J successful capital invest- recent interview with Western Native cal surveys, silviculture projects, ment strategies have been News, Mr. Jepsen said the quarterly forestry and numerous other ven- making a positive difference for publication was developed as a tures with WFP are too numerous Canada’s leading non-Native busi- “communication medium for First to mention here, but do include the ness fraternities, and for the many Nations communities whose tradi- Quatsino, Ehatteshaht, Haida, Aboriginal communities that have tional territories we operate within.” Heiltsuk, Kitasoo, Kwakiutl, decided to open negotiations and Mowachaht, Oweekeno, Nuxalt, develop sustainable partnerships Building on the experience WFP has Squamish, Campbell River, and with them. gained in working with First Nations Tlatlasikwala Nations. One of the in developing successful joint busi- most successful economic develop- British Columbia-based Western ness ventures, the company is ment, employment and skills-learn- Forest Products Limited (WFP) is currently working with a number of ing ventures has been the WFP and an example of one of the many First Nation community leaders and Heiltsuk First Nation logging crew organizations whose successful the Ministry of Forests on additional that began training back in 1995. partnering in Aboriginal communities forestry-related business develop- “It is truly a success story,” empha- has helped to increase and enhance ment and employment ventures. sized Jepsen. “That crew is produc- economic opportunities, employment “These business development oppor- ing over 30,000 cubic metres of and education. tunities,” explained Jepsen, “include wood per year. At a recent meeting a diverse range of partnership oppor- between the Heiltsuk Forestry In business on the BC coast since tunities such as additional employ- Committee, senior WFP staff and 1858, WFP and its predecessor com- ment in surveying, assessing fish the logging crew, it was decided to panies have evolved from a small habitats, taking wildlife inventories, look for additional opportunities lumber mill, initially located on the road construction and maintenance, to access wood for the crew this year.” mouth of the Shawnigan River, to harvesting, and the full range of become one of the province’s leading silviculture activities.” forest companies. Currently manag- ing more than 850,000 hectares Western Forest Product’s tenures of coastal forest in British Columbia, are within the traditional territories including public and private lands, of over 30 First Nations communi- WFP’s operations are located on ties throughout coastal BC. These Vancouver Island, the central coast areas overlap one another through- and Queen Charlotte Islands, and out the region, but WFP-initiated cover more than 30 traditional programs to involve the Native territories. communities and their citizens have proven to be of benefit to everyone. The company has always had a keen interest and a strong commitment “The company and the communities to working with First Nation’s com- have all benefited from First Nations munities, but, says WFP Aboriginal participation,” assured Jepsen. “We Affairs and Environment Manager believe that meaningful involvement Dan Jepsen, “over the past few years and inclusion of First Nations is Heiltsuk loggers, Yeo Island there’s been a substantial increase integral to the economic stability Photo: Patrick Armstrong

10 Island. The Kitasoo, whose main ISO 14001 Certificates community comprises the village of Klemtu, are currently consulting Awarded—Well Done All! with WFP on current and planned development within their traditional territory. Joint forest resources initiatives and training and employ- ment opportunities are among the topics being discussed. Training and employment initiatives include stream classification, assessment and cleaning, archaeological assessments, technical training in resource management, silviculture, reforestation, harvesting, and road construction.

Another example on the long list of successful WFP/First Nations part- nerships involves the 1600-plus membership of the Heiltsuk Nation of Bella Bella. WFP is working with the Heiltsuk on a number of projects, including one which has already trained more than 20 band members in forest harvesting practices on Yeo Peter Johnson, Lead Auditor of Quality Management Institute, and WFP VP Vic Woods Island. Other WFP/Heiltsuk projects present ISO 14001 certificate to Band Manager Helen Wallace, Quatsino Band include training in road construction, Photo: Sandy Lavigne silviculture, stream classification, and harvesting. Silviculture employ- The combination of a positive work- Folkins said that “the Ehatteshaht ment has been established on both ing relationship and some quick crew worked very hard on this often Campbell and Yeo Islands. Other thinking on the part of WFP forestry physical and challenging job. We initiatives include employment in staff at the Zeballos Forst Opera- expect very positive boosts in the archeological inventory, biodiversity, tions was responsible for the growth of these trees.” and wildlife studies. creation of “a very interesting and successful project with the Numerous other First Nations “It’s an exciting time for WFP and Ehatteshaht Band to plant 25,000 planters have also been working hard the Aboriginal communities we trees and hand-fertilize a 33-hec- with WFP and its contractors during serve,” closed Jepsen. “It is also a tare plantation,” explained Jepsen. this year’s spring planting season. busy time; there are many positive “We heard about an opportunity Crews have planted more than initiatives currently being discussed to purchase fertilizer that had been 350,000 trees. “WFP First Nations and carried out with First Nations salvaged after a truck flipped over. silviculture crews commenced work communities and there is bound A small amount of dirt was mixed in in early February and are currently to be many more on the horizon.” with the fertilizer, making it unsuit- involved in numerous projects able for resale. Operations Forester throughout WFP’s operations,” Doug Folkins recognized an opportu- added Jepsen. ❖ ❖ ❖ nity to enhance growth in a critical area and provide an opportunity for One example of WFP’s newer projects the Ehatteshaht community to gain is the continuing work with the employment in a very unique trial.” Kitasoo Nation near Princess Royal

11 black. Pooley Island also has a white Baring the Facts about mother, with two black bear cubs. BC’s Mysterious Kermodes Until biologists and foresters gain a better understanding of this myste- leading to salmon spawning streams, rious mammal, appropriate conserva- host bear. Mythical and then return every two to three tion measures are largely speculative. spirit. Ursus americanus days to collect hair samples.” The ❖ ❖ ❖ G kermodei. The kermode “hair snares” are lengths of barbed bear is all these things and wire baited with spawned-out salmon GIS, continued from page 4 more. White in colour, similar to or salmon roe. Each clump of bear their counterparts in Arctic regions, hair snagged on a barb is considered Who is using GIS? BC’s kermodes are found on the to be an individual sample. Many First Nations have taken North Coast, concentrated in a few advantage of GIS as a technology areas such as Princess Royal Island With the help of Kitasoo workers, to archive their past and to prepare in the traditional territory of the crews have collected more than for their future. GIS systems today Kitasoo and Hartley Bay Bands. 2,000 hair samples. These are placed are being used to assist in resolving in a paper envelope and given DNA land questions, and to manage a With land and resource planning identification numbers, then sent to Nation’s territory and forested underway in the area, more informa- the UBC Faculty of Forests genetics lands. They provide a way to monitor tion about the mysterious “ghost lab. The DNA analysis then done at information such as resource inven- bear” is crucial to its effective man- the lab could identify factors like the tories and culturally-modified trees agement. A study funded through a interchange between breeding pairs, and also to quantify this data for multi-year agreement between Forest or the frequency of white kermode value, quality, and area. Renewal BC and Western Forest bear births. Products is focusing on determining Historical information can be ar- the exact range of the bear, and “Western Forest Products is support- chived in a GIS, such as the sketch identifying the genetic mechanism ing this project because we make a on page 4 of Oweekeno Nation’s accounting for their distinctive colour. lot of decisions around forest- Katit IR#1 drawn and surveyed planning on the North Coast,” said by E.M. Skinner in 1889–1890 Biologist Helen Davis explains the WFP’s Chief Forester Bill Dumont. process: “Our crews first had to “We have to learn a lot more about Find out more! locate the best sampling areas, the bears’ genetics to ensure our plans GIS is a wonderful educational tool string hair snares across bear trails include the needs of the kermode.” that can be used at primary to advanced levels to learn more about According to Tony Hamilton, research the world around us. There is a biologist with the Ministry of Environ- wealth of information about the ment, Lands and Parks’ wildlife branch software, data, and the technology in Victoria, little is known about the available free on the World Wide Web. genetics of the white coat colour- ations. “While several explanations If you would like to find out more have been put forward, we still lack a about the GIS for your community, definitive understanding of why some contact Louanne Wong, Olympic black bears are white, and why some Resource Management (Tel: 604- areas seem to have a higher frequency 806-3700, Fax: 604-806-3701, of white individuals,” said Hamilton. Email: [email protected]). The Oweekeno Nation GIS depart- At WFP’s Roderick Island operation, ment can be contacted through a black mother was observed in 1998 Stephanie Henry (Tel: 250-949-8625, with three cubs, one white and two Fax: 250-949-7105, Kermode bear Email: [email protected]).

12 The Devil’s Club— Living Heritage, continued from page 5 that with her failing eyesight, it just Strong Medicine isn’t practical to go out into the woods anymore. Friends and family by Kahlee Keane, Save Our Species now collect bark for her. The best comes from young cedar trees with evil’s Club (Oplopanax small diameter and relatively thin horridum) is a plant bark. The traditional Kitasoo gather- Dunique to the west coast of ing method requires that the bark North America, being found in only be removed from one side of the the dense coastal forests from tree, to ensure the tree will not be Northern California to Alaska. Often permanently damaged. If you are reaching ten feet in height, with its skilled in bark collecting, you can oversized leaves gathering the get bark strips of over 30 feet long. dappled sunlight, a mature colony of Devil’s Club is almost tropical in Depending on the size and appearance. The whole plant, includ- design of the basket, “The ing the maple-like leaves, is armed weaving can take best bark with a multitude of large yellow anywhere from one comes from spines. Gracefully swaying in the Due to the anti-viral and anti- to three days. young cedar forest breezes, it is indeed formida- bacterial compounds found in the Violet showed trees with small ble as well as beautiful. bark of its roots and stems, Devil’s me a unique diameter and Club is becoming of interest to relatively basket she made in thin bark” For the past several years, a research European, Asian and North Ameri- the 1940s that she team at the University of British can manufacturers of herbal formu- still uses for clam and Columbia has been analyzing the las. As a result, commercial harvest- seaweed gathering. Al- chemical constituents of the root ers are increasing the pressure on though it was in need of and stem bark of Devil’s Club. They are the plant colonies of the coast; some repair, it was amazing to attempting to determine the source so much so, that it has all but been see a basket almost 60 years of the medicinal qualities associated eradicated in parts of the north- old that was still being used in with its traditional use by native western US. a traditional way. coastal groups. It is evident that the data supports its use as a treat- Nancy Turner, an ethnobotanist Violet’s only disappointment is that ment for various respiratory com- at the University of Victoria, told since young children are not inter- plaints as well as other conditions. me recently, “most people ‘prune’ ested to learn traditional skills like the Devil’s Club branches from the basket weaving, the cultural art is For centuries, northwest coast mother stalk, then leave the plant destined to be lost: “The children native groups have prepared a tea to recover and regenerate for a few of today are too preoccupied with from the root and stem bark to years before harvesting again. This television to take an interest in the treat a variety of lung problems, is done in a lot of traditional medi- traditional ways.” including tuberculosis. The tea cine harvesting.” was also used to treat adult-onset But positive as always, Violet smiles diabetes. Like other members of It is my belief that it is up to those and says, “Life has been very good the ginseng family, the root of people who understand the ways of for me in Klemtu.” As I left her cozy Devil’s Club was made into a tonic the plants to point out these pre- home, I saw her going back to her to increase stamina and to help cautionary measures to commercial kitchen to finish baking bread. strengthen the body after a long harvesters and loggers. In this way, illness. It was also used effectively we will be assured of a sustainable ❖ ❖ ❖ on the skin to treat burns, sores harvest and future medicine from and swollen glands. this sacred traditional plant.

13 Restoring Old Growth Properties along the Keogh by Mike DesRochers, RPF, Assistant Forester, Port McNeill Forest Operation

uring the 1940s and work took place along the Keogh in 50s, commercial logging the vicinity of West 100, on Kwakiutl D practices often included First Nation traditional territory the removal of timber adjacent within WFP’s TFL 6 in the Port McNeill to streams. Portions of the Keogh area of North Vancouver Island. River on North Vancouver Island were treated in this manner when they Treatments performed included large were logged 50 years ago. Many of alder release, conifer release from the riparian areas along the Keogh alder competition, the thinning of are now restocked with relatively dense conifer stands, the immediate dense (3,000–4,000 sph), uniform and gradual introduction of large conifer regen, or have reverted to woody debris into the river system early seral alder-dominated stands. to complement existing instream This project was implemented to structures, and the creation of restore and accelerate old-growth wildlife habitat. Arthur Timothy tree-planting on Roderick Island Photo: Jeff Brown properties along sections of the Keogh River. All riparian silviculture Work crews on this project were made up of people from the Kwakiutl, the Quatsino (J&T Silviculture Ltd.) Kitasoo and the Sechelt (SIBFOR Forestry Inc.) First Nations. These crews Crew Braves performed a wide range of riparian silviculture: alder girdling, conifer the Elements girdling, conifer spacing, tree topping and a variety of habitat “starts” for a Third for bats, birds, small mammals and amphibians. Silviculture

This type of silviculture was a depar- Season ture from normal enhanced forestry by Jeff Brown and Han Van Vugt, in that uniform spacing and densi- WFP contract supervisors ties were abandoned in favour of irregular treatments that would or the third consecu- more resemble old-growth character- tive season, the Kitasoo istics. The crews questioned the F Silviculture Crew from Klemtu treatment techniques, but soon has been busy planting trees at understood the purpose of this WFP’s Roderick Island Operations. “bad” spacing and girdling, and Every spring brings excitement and how these treatments would have anticipation for many in this remote immediate impacts on the riparian community of BC’s coastal north. ecosystem along the Keogh. Silviculture work brings the Kitasoo continued as Restoring, page 16 continued as Kitasoo Crew, page 16

Wally Bernard doing alder girdling in confier release area Photo: Mike DesRochers

14 Sentry Branches out into Silviculture

by Doug Folkins, RPF, Operations growth in order to achieve greenup Forester, Zeballos Forest Operation at an earlier date, and to realize the benefits of increased growth and entry Forestry have site productivity. (The harvest of two been working in the low-elevation conventional blocks are S Zeballos Forest Operation delayed until the treated stand is for over five years, and have three metres high.) a good deal of experience with spacing, pruning, creek cleaning and Altogether, the crew treated about pile burning. In efforts to find sus- 35 hectares. Crew members Lloyd tained employment opportunities, Billy, Marleen Billy, Steve Frenchie, WFP and Sentry are working to find Alfred Frenchie, Jeremy John, and new activities to fill the slow periods Lyle Billy Jr., from the Ehattesaht of the year. Band, finished up in May. As Alfred Frenchie said, “It’s a good job. It One of these is a manual fertiliza- gets a bit boring, but it’s a good job.” tion silviculture project in TFL 19, Added Lloyd Billy, Sentry’s owner, in Ehattesaht Band territory. This “Things are going well. It’s the first project provided Sentry with new time we’ve done fertilization, but the experience and employment while crew is learning quickly.” WFP person- spacing areas are snowed-out. nel other than myself was Dave Friars. Objectives were to enhance crop tree

Second-lift pruning at Port McNeill operation Photo: Jim Johnson Pruning Project at Port McNeill by Amy Beetham, Assistant Forester, WFP Port McNeill Forest Operation

his March in the Port McNeill Forest Operation T of TFL 6, we had J&T Silvi- culture Ltd. complete an 11.1- hectare second-lift pruning project. J&T primarily employs Kwakiutl First Nations band mem- bers from Fort Rupert and Quatsino First Nations band members from Coal Harbour. continued as Pruning, page 16 Marleen Billy, Ehattesaht manual fertilization project Photo: Lloyd Billy

15 Kitasoo Crew, continued from page 14 Restoring, continued from page 14 Pruning, continued from page 15 crew an opportunity to work outside Personnel involved in the project were The Douglas-fir dominated stand the village, get into good physical was originally pruned to 2.0 metres; shape, and accumulate some well- • Kwakiutl First Nation (J&T Silvicul- second-lift pruning took the lift deserved cash. As last year, con- ture): Walter Johnson, Wally height to 5.5 metres. This project tract supervisor Han Van Vugt led Bernard, Keith Hunt, James Nel- was challenging due to areas of the crew: Aubrey Brown, Greg Brown, son, Richard Williams, Mark Hunt steep and brushy ground in the Mitch Duncan, Jack Robinson, • Quatsino First Nation (J&T Silvi- block, but quality was high. Darryl Robinson, Tammy Robinson culture): Mark Wallace and Arthur Timothy. • Sechelt First Nation (SIBOR The project employed a crew of eight Forestry), Steve Macleod, over a three-week period. At start- The crew began each day with Dennis Fenton, Bob Toth up, they were Jonathon Jacobson, a thirty-minute navigation of • WFP: Eric Gagne, Mike DesRochers, David Louis, Jim Johnson, Shaun Finlayson Channel in their boat, Amy Beetham, and Dan Hayward Johnson, Richard Williams, Mark the Sx ay a lakv (Griffin Pass). The (co-op student) Hunt, Keith Hunt and Dale Scow. weather threw many obstacles their • Other: Vince Poulin (Poulin and As FRBC year-end loomed, some way: high winds, high seas, snow, rain Associates), Bart Simmons additional pruners came onto the and hail. Yet together they planted (Quillicum Forestry Services), project, including Wallace Bernard, more than 20 thousand trees, Tim Brown (Frontier Tree Services). Walter Johnson Jr., Leonard Nelson, including Western Red Cedar, Cy- Robert Paul, Glen Robertson, and press, Balsam and Sitka Spruce Mark Wallas. species. In addition, the crew com- pleted minor maintenance to the tree cones covering the Western Letters to the Editor Red Cedar, which protect the seed- lings from deer browsing. Dear Dan, Dear Dan, Thank you for putting me on your After reading the last couple of The Kitasoo crew were scheduled mailing list for Western Spirit. I was issues of the Western Spirit newsletter, very pleased to receive the two extra I wanted to let you know how much I to complete additional planting on issues. I am very impressed to see enjoyed them. The format is great (very Roderick Island with WFP, ensuring that Bill Dumont and Western Forest readable) and I was pleased to see the that future forest growth is main- Products Ltd. have established a good extent of WFP’s involvement with First tained and can be enjoyed by genera- relationship with the First Nations Nations. I knew things were happening, tions yet to come. people, as this paves the way to a but was not aware of the range and healthy future. The decisions we make scope of the projects. today determine the course of our The newsletter is very informative— future. Western Spirit has taken an please add me to your regular mailing important step in the right direction. list. All the best to you and your col- Sincerely, leagues! Mike Leclerc, M.Sc.P., M. Sc. F. Silviculture Forester Dr. Terance Lewis, Ph.D., P.Ag., P.Geo. Western Small Business Forest Enterprise pirit Program (SBFEP) S Ministry of Forests, Western Spirit is a publication produced Queen Charlotte District by Western Forest Products for First Nations Communities, WFP staff, employees and contractors If you have any comments or questions on the information contained Note: The views epxressed in Western in this publication, please contact Dan Jepsen, Manager, Aboriginal Affairs and Spirit are not necessarily the views of Environment, Western Forest Products Limited, 2300 – 1111 West Georgia Street, Western Forest Products Limited, its Vancouver, BC, V6E 4M3, Telephone (604) 665–6274 website staff, employees and contractors. www.westernforest.com e-mail: [email protected]

16 Environment Volume 3 • Issue 2 2000 Decommissioning Kimsquit— The Long and Costly Struggle by Corby Lamb, WFP Area Manager

Logging in the Kimsquit River Watershed first occurred in 1917 when Pacific Mills Limited con- structed a logging trestle and dump for a railway operation. Operations were limited, with the tracks on the east side of Kimsquit River only extending about 2 miles from the river mouth. The main focus of this early logging was to access the valuable Douglas-fir stands in the lower valley.

Environment Western Forest Products Limited

Environment Matters is an official newsletter of Western Forest Products Ltd., published quarterly. Content may be reproduced only with the editor’s permission. Aerial view of Kimsquit Camp prior to demobilization photo: Corby Lamb Western Forest Products In those early days steam was the western terminus of a cross- #2300–1111 West Georgia Street Vancouver, BC V6E 4M3 the main source of power. Wood Canada railway. Once it was obvi- Tel: (604) 665–6200 was used to fire the boilers in the ous the terminus would be else- Fax: (604) 665–6268 locomotives, eliminating the prob- where, operations moved to other Website: www.westernforest.com lem of soil contamination from areas of the central coast. Except Editor: Dan Jepsen fossil fuels. The challenge with for the Nuxalk Reserve on the river, Associate Editor: Dean McGeough steam, however, was the many there was no activity at Kimsquit Editorial Board: Bob Craven, Kerry associated large forest fires until Mayo Lumber returned in the McGourlick, Ken Hallberg, Bernie Clarke Cartoon: Heather Brown caused by sparks from the late 1970s. Editorial & Design: Dianna Bodnar wood-fired boilers. In 1980 Doman Industries Desktop Publishing: CPH Desktop The 1917 operation lasted for assumed control of FL 16845 and

Printed on recycled stock. about 2 years, during the time the constructed a modern 60-crew Please recycle this product. Kimsquit Area was planned to be camp two miles from the beach on continued on page 2 Page 2 • Volume 3, Issue 2 Environment the west side of the river. The AAC was set at 120,000 m3 per year for the following 18 years. And signifi- cantly, Kimsquit was the first opera- tion to be managed under an Integrated Resource Management Plan as a Grizzly Bear Conserva- tion Area. In 1997, the Central Coast land issues were beginning to heat up. Under the laws of the day, no more timber could be harvested in the watershed. When future operating sites started to be constrained by land use issues elsewhere on the Central Coast, every option was examined in the Kimsquit Watershed. Unfortunately, due to the Inte- There are two biocells over 800 metres long running on both sides of the grated Resource Management Kimsquit airstrip photo: Corby Lamb Plan, no more economically-viable how the camp was laid out and to a lab to test for “contaminants “first pass” wood could be found. determine where possible contami- of concern” or COCs. Examples This meant the camp facilities nation had occurred, such as fuel of COCs are benzene, toluene, would have to be removed and transfer areas, the generator room, ethylbenzene and xylenes, all any soil contamination from fuel shops, staging areas, and equip- petroleum contaminants found in staining and so on would have to ment bone yards. Consultants held gasoline, diesel, and furnace oil. be remediated. interviews with long-time manage- Depth of contamination was In the past 10 years, rules ment and contract personnel as noted as well, allowing consultants regarding the treatment of contami- part of this initial review. Crews to estimate the extent of soil (in nated soil have been ratcheted up mapped all oil staining and dug cubic metres) to be treated. considerably. MOELP now requires 30 test holes with an excavator Crews also dug groundwater any contaminated soils to be wherever consultants determined pits to determine whether brought back to their natural there was potential contamination. groundwater had been contami- condition. This can be achieved The test holes dug in Phase I nated over the years. Since no through a number of ways, includ- were located all over the operation: groundwater appeared in any of ing excavation and transportation 20 in the camp/shop area, 7 in the the test pits, fortunately, no wells to a registered paving company tank farm/dryland sort area, and were required. At the tank farm site, and excavation and treatment in 3 on the airstrip where fuel barrels one groundwater monitoring well a “biocell”, which uses micro were stored. was installed. organisms to virtually eat the All test pits had to be sampled oil byproducts. to determine the level of contami- Phase II Once the decision was made nation in parts per million (PPM). Phase II included the review of to pull the camp out, WFP con- This was done in two different ways: all of the test samples and field tacted an environmental consultant • Using a Micro Tip HL 2000 Photo data. The results determined there to conduct a Phase I report: Reid Ionization Detector (PID), each were several contaminated areas Crowther and Partners Ltd. from pit was sniffed for petroleum that would require remediation. The Victoria, BC. contaminants. problem areas included the bone • Samples were taken from each yard, shop area, generator building, Phase I pit and placed in teflon-sealed waste oil storage area, and the Phase I of the project consisted glass jars. These jars were marshalling yard. of a visit to the operation to see placed in coolers and flown to Environment Volume 3, Issue 2 • Page 3

The areas around the camp fuel period in road deactivation, to the nearest scrap yard and 350 tanks and wash rack showed visual the equipment moved to camp miles to the nearest waste facility. evidence of contamination, but had remediation at WFP’s cost. Once the soil remediation to be removed in order to conduct a We found, however, that the camp began, we had to keep digging at proper investigation. job would need substantially more each site until contamination met The Phase II investigation equipment than forecasted. acceptable levels for an industrial provided the required recommen- • How much would the site. dations and action plan we needed program cost? In total 12,000m3 of soil was to review and make applications to In every project it is necessary placed in biocells, constructed MOELP for approval to proceed to have a budget. But the problem along both sides of the airstrip. with the site clean-up. with soil remediation is that until Biocells have an impermeable The cost to WFP for MOELP you know what the extent of the bottom liner to eliminate the possi- to review and approve the report contamination is, it is virtually bility of contaminating another site was $12,500. impossible to estimate the cost. and a waterproof top cover. For The estimates for soil microbes to work properly, they Phase III decommissioning the tank farm must not have too much water, the Once MOELP accepted the alone ranged from $40,000 to temperature must be above 10° C Phase II results and approved $135,000, depending on what and they need nitrogen. Contami- the plan, the actual dirt work the consultant was required to nated soil was placed in the cells in (remediation) could begin. do. Tank farms are very expensive layers with a high-nitrogen fertilizer. Before digging up any contami- to decommission, since all tanks In total, we used 8 tons of fertilizer. nated soil, we conferred with the con- must be emptied, washed out, On completion of the project, we sultants to make several decisions: cut-up and transported for disposal. had constructed biocells covering • How much soil did we expect All liquids accumulated during the the entire length and width of both to remediate? washing must be recovered and sides of the airstrip (40m x 1000m). Once all the test results were sent to a hazardous waste continued as Kimsquit, page 11 in, we expected to treat between disposal facility. 7,000 to 10,000m3 of soil (up to In the case of Kimsquit, every- 625 truckloads). thing had to be barged 250 miles • Where could bio-remediation cells be properly constructed? The Kimsquit Operation had a 1,000-metre airstrip close to camp (100 metres away). To avoid future liability problems, the airstrip was scheduled to be deactivated. We therefore decided that the air strip would be an excellent area close by on which to construct the biocells. • What equipment would we need? To address concerns from MoF and MOELP as well as local First Nations, 43 kilometres of Forest Service Road had to be deacti- vated with MoF funding. Having the deactivation equipment on-site allowed us to use equipment effi- ciently. When there was a slow Visible hydrocarbon stains in marshalling yard photo: Corby Lamb Page 4 • Volume 3, Issue 2 Environment Wildlife Tree or Danger Tree—What To Do? by Dean McGeough, RPF feeding or nesting cavities) and Forestry operations have their plan states to keep these trees become more complex. We see standing, what should workers do? smaller block sizes, reserve areas, First and foremost, ask yourself, single trees or groups left standing, “Is the tree safe to leave standing?” and varying harvest methods. If the tree is defective, a qualified Amidst all these complexities person must assess it, and the tree there remains the golden rule marked if found to be safe. Other- of the woods: safety is first. wise, the tree is dangerous. Recently, a coastal forest com- Review your plans or ask your pany was fined $30,000 for leaving supervisor to clarify the danger tree a wildlife tree within an active procedures. According to Danger forestry operation. The veteran Tree Assessment procedures, Douglas-fir tree was alive with a when you discover a dangerous relatively small dead spike-top and tree, you have only three possible “Widowmaker” danger tree growth burls (possibly blind conks choices of action: site, and the plan requires you to of Fomes pini). Because the com- • Remove the tree. leave the tree standing, assess the pany had failed to properly assess • Remove the dangerous part tree and follow the appropriate the tree for hazards, this defect tree of the tree. safety procedures. was considered, by default, to be • Install a No Work Zone to protect One last word: bear in mind a dangerous tree. Despite its good workers from the danger tree that company planners should intentions to protect a valuable So the next time you discover a work with fallers to assess retention wildlife tree, the company failed to wildlife or culturally significant tree, clumps or falling boundaries— follow current Danger Tree Assess- or a defect tree within your work- safety remains our #1 concern. ment procedures, and Workers’ Compensation Board cited them Hot Name Will Win Cool Cash! under Occupational Health and During the development of the WFP Environment Management Safety Regulation 26.21(1) for System (EMS) over the past two years, we have noted that methods of bypassing a dangerous tree. recording WFP activities and agency directives have varied widely from region to region. During the ISO registration audits, QMI observed this In April 1998, WCB Regulations inconsistency and requested that WFP either clarify the process for replaced the word “snag” with each region in writing or develop a single recording system. The Envi- “dangerous tree.” Workers need to ronment Review Committee recommended and the Senior Management be watchful for both snags and live Team has agreed that a single WFP recording system is the best ap- trees that may have dangerous proach for our company and supports our pursuit of due diligence. defects. Any defective trees (living To that end, we have hired Forsite Consultants to work on combining the best features of the two current recording systems into a single or dead) within or adjacent to a system over the next 3–4 months. The new computerized system will worksite must be assessed by be incorporated in all operations. This system will be used to track all a qualified danger tree assessor. the activities and obligations that occur on blocks, roads and bridges. If the tree is safe, then it must be It will also provide staff with information on the status of permit approv- marked (by paint, flag, shallow als, volumes, and inspection results. blaze, or tag) to communicate to Work has already begun on this project, but the system still needs a name—and we’re willing to pay cold, hard cash for it. One hundred workers that it was assessed and bucks goes to the wordsmith who can come up with a name for the found to be a safe tree. system. The contest is open to all staff and employees of WFP. Send When forestry workers encoun- your suggestion to Heidi Walsh in the Vancouver office, or by email to ter live trees that are planned for [email protected], by August 31, 2000. Remember, the name retention (such as the vet fir tree should reflect that the system will be used to track our forestry activities. noted above), or a tree with signs Members of the Environmental Review Committee will select the win- ning entry in early September. of wildlife use (such as a bear den, Environment Volume 3, Issue 2 • Page 5 Standard Operating Procedures Vital Due Diligence Tools by Paul Cassidy, Blake, Cassels and Graydon

without the benefit of SOPs simply reason, which should be makes you look disorganized, and documented). can lead to trouble should you face enforcement action under the Code. SOPs do two SOPs do two essential things: “ essential things: they reduce the possibility of infrac- they reduce the tions of the Code, and if infractions possibility of occur they can help to demonstrate infractions of the you were duly diligent and the Code, and they incident happened beyond your can help to dem- control. In either case (but espe- onstrate you were cially the first), SOPs can save you duly diligent and a lot of money because they act as the incident hap- a preventative mechanism to avoid pened beyond Contrary to perception, any trouble later. your control. logging job, from road building ” to falling to processing, can be The days of the If possible, it’s a good idea a complex activity. It’s not just a “ ‘oral tradition’ to write your SOPs in simple lan- matter of going into a setting, doing in logging are guage and, where feasible, to keep a job, and then leaving. A lot of long gone. them to one page each. Several thought and planning must go into Carrying on companies even plasticize them any of these tasks, and to minimize logging without (for weather-proofing in field use) the possibility of legal troubles later the benefit of and put them in each operator’s should something go wrong, it is a SOPs simply vehicle. good idea to develop standard makes you look operating procedures (“SOPs”). disorganized, and Paul Cassidy is a lawyer with What are SOPs? They are can lead to trouble Blake, Cassels and Graydon, written versions of the best way should you face who specializes in resource man- to undertake a logging activity, enforcement agement and environmental law. and every company should have action under them or follow ones given to them. the Code. For example, if a culvert or bridge ” Watch for newly- is to be installed in the course of SOPs should be developed road building, an SOP should exist with significant input from the most updated SOPs! that explains to the installer how experienced staff members in your Three years after our first the work is to be done, what to look company, and they should be kept Standard Operating Procedures for when doing the work, and what current as practices change. They in 1997, we have made updates to do if something unexpected is should be given to all operators to all SOPs to better reflect the encountered in the field. with adequate and recurring train- changes in practices, input Logging activities in the past ing to ensure they will be followed received from numerous opera- have been carried out by very (there’s nothing worse than an out- tions, regulation changes, and experienced crews who needed of-date SOP that sits unused in a to replace outdated procedures. no written instructions on how to binder in the office). The appropri- Watch for the newly-updated carry out their tasks. But under the ate SOPs should be reviewed with SOPs. Our grateful thanks to all Forest Practices Code, the days field crews prior to the start of each those who contributed valuable of the “oral tradition” in logging job to ensure they are followed suggestions or assisted by are long gone. Carrying on logging (or departed from only with good reviewing the changes. Page 6 • Volume 3, Issue 2 Environment SOPs and Good Records Worth the Effort The operator agreed that all his employees had either undergone in Zeballos Contravention WFP SOP training or he had re- by Doug Folkins, RPF, Operations Forester, Zeballos Forest Operation viewed the SOPs with each worker. He could offer no further explana- tion. And at this time he reported a separate possible trespass that he had recently discovered in another operating area.

The MoF inspection and investigation On March 17th, Compliance and Enforcement (C&E) officers from Campbell River MoF held a meeting at WFP office with me and the Operations Engineer. We asked if this was an inspection or an investigation. C&E officials replied that they needed more information to determine that, but would treat the procedure as in similar cases MoF C&E Officer Henry Grierson stamping seized blocks where a third party had reported photo: D. Folkins a potential violation. We asked the officials to clearly indicate at what Since 1997 WFP’s Standard ten trees were cut up and the wood point WFP was being investigated. Operating Procedures have been had been flown to the road. Several We reviewed our findings and helping the company, its workers, saplings had also been cut and outlined the provisions within the and its contractors maintain a high damaged. WFP personnel took WFP SOPs and Minor Products level of compliance with forest photos and measured the wood Operating Agreement to establish legislation in all “higher risk” activi- on the road, approximating the WFP diligence. We also stated that ties. SOPs for Minor Forest Prod- volume at 30–35m3. At this point, WFP had recently conducted a ucts are extremely important to WFP personnel seized the wood, second SOP training course (on establish the company’s due dili- then spray-painted “DO NOT February 8, 2000) with all the gence in the event of contraven- REMOVE—WFP” on the ground salvage crews working in the TFL. tions related to cutting outside of in three locations. Recent inspections of shake opera- approved boundaries. This recent As Operations Forester for the tors’ operating areas were found to example of how SOPs and good area, I then contacted Bill Dumont be in compliance. records helped us in handling a (WFP’s Chief Forester) for direc- Inspection at site #1: contravention within the Zeballos tion. Bill recommended that I report The operator explained that two Operation reaffirm their importance. the situation to the MoF as soon inexperienced splitters were work- as possible. I contacted the compli- ing under the direction of a cutter The contraventions ance and enforcement officer for who had packed up and left town On March 15th this year, WFP the Zeballos operation, and set overnight. The operator explained discovered a possible trespass by a date for an on-site inspection. that the cutter had been given a longtime shake operator within The shake operator said that SOP training and was fully aware TFL 19 of the Zeballos Forest the workers in the area felt they of where the boundary was. The Operation. WFP inspection found were not in violation; however, he splitters said that they had ques- an area of cutting outside the admitted that the cutting was tioned the cutter on several occa- obvious timber boundary. Eight to obviously outside the boundary. sions about whether they were Environment Volume 3, Issue 2 • Page 7 inside the line, and that each time the cutter told them that they were. The C&E officers asked the opera- tor and the splitters to meet at the WFP office for one-on-one interviews. C&E officers took photos of each of the cut-up trees and the surrounding standing timber in each case. We took photos for WFP as well. The wood that was flown to the road was photo- graphed, measured, and marked with seizure signs. A large percent- age of the blocks were stamped with the forest service hammer mark. Inspection at site #2: We and the officials walked up an S5 stream where cutting within the 10- Log cut outside the harvest boundary, TFL 19 photo: D. Folkins metre “No Cut” zone had occurred. We crossed the flagged pink line hammer mark. Since WFP is the licensee holder, and photographed 5 cut-up logs C&E officers then conducted the C&E officers said that WFP within the proposed cut block Z105 individual interviews with the opera- would be able to deal with the (SP was approved). More photos tor and the splitters involved at the contractor internally, as long as were taken of damaged regen and WFP office. any discipline was in line with the cuttings in the creek. As before, the Wrap-up meeting: The C&E following MoF goals: wood that was flown to the road officers said that they could not • Stumpage is paid. was photographed, measured, and perceive any faults caused by • The action is stopped. marked with seizure signs. A large WFP. They said that they felt • Preventative measures are percentage of the blocks were WFP’s diligence was more than established. stamped with the forest service adequate in both cases, and that the MoF would not Concluding remarks require copies of WFP’s Administration of Minor Forest records, since we were Product salvage operating agree- not being investigated. ments, pre-work meetings, onsite C&E officers felt that SOP reviews, SOP training, block the shake operator had inspections, scaling and cutting expressed a good atti- approval administration can often tude in that he admitted be a considerable time strain on his mistakes and wanted WFP staff. The importance of to move forward. The maintaining proper records and operator had shown following the SOPs may sometimes records to establish be lost amongst the mountain of partial diligence. How- paper. However, as we found at ever, officers felt that his Zeballos, when problems arise, supervision was lacking. maintaining good records and The shake operator following SOPs are of paramount and cutters involved in importance in establishing due MoF C&E Officer Russell Boucher establishing the violations were diligence. size on illegally cut log photo: D. Folkins issued tickets. Page 8 • Volume 3, Issue 2 Enviro ISO 14001 Certificate Pres by Sandy Lavigne, Coordinator, Environmental Programs On May 3, 2000, WFP held ceremonies in Vancouver, Campbell River, Gold River, Zeballos and Port McNeill to present the ISO 14001 registration certificates to staff, employees and contractors. Vice President Vic Woods and Lead Auditor Peter Johnson of Qual- ity Management Institute (QMI) presented the certificates confirming that the company has been granted ISO 14001 registration throughout all our coastal forest operations following a thorough audit and review of our Environmental Management System (EMS). The registration audit, conducted in February, included interviews with numerous operational personnel and looked at forestry and harvesting systems. Awarding the individual operations certificates recognized their 18 months of dedication in implementing the EMS throughout the entire company. This included extensive training of all personnel in environ- mental awareness, setting up an internal audit team, and regular meet- ings of environment committees in all company and contractor camps. Back row L to R: Paul Turner, Dave Mogen ISO 14001 is an international standard of environmental excellence, Daryl Stewart, Murray Watkinson, Joel Du based on a commitment to continual improvement. Targets for environ- Middle row L to R: Berni Zimmerman, Kim mental performance have been set for maintaining air, soil and water Joe Schluchter, John Halusiak, Chris Bickn quality; annual internal audits confirm our progress in relation to these Davidson, Jim Dunn; Front row: Jim Newm targets. Mainland/Islands This important initiative is a major milestone for WFP. Said Woods, “This certification confirms our continued commitment to managing our forests in an environmentally-responsible way and shows our interna- tional customers that we are meeting the highest environmental stand- ard in our day-to-day forest activities.” WFP’s registration to ISO 14001 is one of the largest and most comprehensive audits in North America. QMI’s Johnson noted that “the audit results confirmed WFP’s thorough and effective EMS at L to R: Brendan Mo all levels of the organization.”

l to r: Peter Johnson, CMI, Vic Woo Jim Cox, Gio Alberti

L to R: Rick McRae, Graham Lasure, Berni Clark, Gary Griffith, Andy Hansen, Jim Cox, Ivan Amos, Helen Wallace, Mickey Brown, NVIR onment Volume 3, Issue 2 • Page 9 sented to WFP – Well Done!

L to R: Trevor Boniface, Bob Craven, John McLaughlin, Mark Kenny, John Costin, Gerry Fraser, John Waring, Kevin Sommerville, Graham Hues Nootka Region Sharon Moffat, Purchasing nsen, Roger Wade, Manager, Vic Woods umaresq Central Warehouse Christensen, nell, Patrick man,

L to R: Vic Woods, Sandy Lavigne, Dan Jepsen, Bill Dumont, Head Office ohan, Daniel Gachter, Jim Basha

ods, Back row L to R: John Crowhurst, Bob Dunn, Dan Jepsen, Peter Johnson; NVIR Regional Man- Front row L to R: Gregor MacIntosh, Lane Thornton, Doug Folkins, Phil Fenn, ager, Gary Griffith Pearl Myhres, Vic Woods, Rick Osmond, Bill Dumont, Zeballos Page 10 • Volume 3, Issue 2 Environment Guidelines for Helicopter Fuel Storage and Mop-up by Dan Jepsen, Manager, Aboriginal Affairs and Environment

Since we have received a drums. Secondary containment is Please keep this example in number of inquiries about proper not required for 45-gallon drums. mind when using the more volatile storage and mop-up techniques However, storage areas should be fuels like Jet “A” and “B” and regu- in the event of jet fuel spills, located both 1) as far from RMAs lar gas. The environment is impor- I thought it timely to provide as possible and 2) where they are tant, but safety remains our an update of the issues. least likely to suffer collision dam- number-one priority. age from vehicles. Old fuel and Storage damaged drums should be dis- There is little guidance in the posed of in the appropriate matter. legislation on the proper storage of the 45-gallon drums of jet fuel The environment products in helicopter fuel transfer “ is important, but areas. WFP requires that storage safety remains and transfer of jet fuel products our number-one meets with the company’s yellow priority. Common SOPs card, which clearly ” states our policies on using petro- Mop-up leum products, for example, “Don’t Jet fuel and regular gas are dump gas or oil anywhere, don’t very volatile. Pay special attention store petroleum in an RMA, and to their proper mop-up in the event when you see an emergency like of a spill. Your first priority is the a fuel spill, follow the WFP emer- safety of personnel, and second, gency procedures and tell your the protection of property. supervisor as soon as possible.” Although you must reduce spills and drips, and mop up small quan- Storage areas tities of fuel, generally the proper Lewey Da Loser says.... “ should be located method of responding to these “Remember, the number one cause both 1) as far types of spills is to keep the fuel of injury in the woods is slips and from RMAs as away from personnel and property falls. Plan ahead, check your possible and and allow it to evaporate. Using footing, think ‘Safety’!” 2) where they pads or constructing berms to are least likely to restrict or contain spills is too Cartoons by Heather Brown suffer collision dangerous for these types of fuel. damage from In spill training, the Coast Guard vehicles. uses a test scenario where they ” ask what you would do in the case We are all aware that there is a of a Jet “B” spill to water adjacent Hazardous Waste well-recognized procedure for drum to a barge facility. Most people by Heidi Walsh, RPF storage: helicopter pilots must fall into the trap of suggesting that The Waste Disposal Program is ensure the drums are stored on containment booms be launched one of the environmental programs their sides to reduce the possibility and an effort made to contain and under WFP’s Environmental Man- of the water contamination that mop up the spill. But this is com- agement System. Its goal is to results from the water accumulating pletely incorrect. The recom- dispose of any hazardous waste in on the drum’s top if it’s stored mended response is to ensure WFP operations by December 31, upright. This informal policy com- the slick is kept away from the 2000. This includes surplus wastes plies with the current legislation barge by using a fire hose set not currently disposed of through regarding storage of 45-gallon to a fine spray. the regular waste disposal channels. Environment Volume 3, Issue 2 • Page 11 Does Your Operation Have Kimsquit, continued from page 3 an Environment Committee? And it’s not over yet . . . by Heidi Walsh, RPF, Assistant, Environmental Programs Decommissioning Kimsquit took Operations Environmental quarterly (March, June, September, four months to complete, at more Committees are a crucial part of and December). It’s vital that these than $600,000. The largest amount the EMS, providing the opportunity committees are set up and working, of contaminate was found under for all employees and contractors since they provide important feed- the marshalling yard. Approxi- to assess WFP’s environmental back about how well WFP is per- mately 7,000 m3 of soil was re- performance. They identify poten- forming on the ground, and thus moved from the site. tial environmental issues in an key to maintaining our ISO Certifi- Everyone should remember that operation, provide feedback, cation. Your input is welcome, so parking a vehicle or piece of equip- and suggest solutions to if you’re interested or have issues, ment in the same spot day after potential issues. please see the manager of your day can have a negative potential All working operations must operation for information. cumulative impact on the environ- have a committee and meet ment. Leaks need to be addressed immediately to prevent the same situation elsewhere. Facts and And the $600,000 spent so Arguments far is not the end of this project. For the next 3 to 5 years, the • With every turn of the second Kimsquit bio cells will have to be hand on your watch, the world’s turned over and re-fertilized annu- population increases by 3. That ally, at an approximate cost of means our planet must support $50,000. Each year a consultant another 93 million people every has to take readings and submit year. The United Nations predicts a report to MOELP. global demand for forest prod- In future, camp decommissioning ucts will increase at the rate of should be minor, requiring one small 86 million cubic metres annually. biocell, at a fraction of the cost—pro- BC harvests less than 80 million viding we all learn from experience. “Being reminded that slips and cubic metres per year. falls are the number one cause • Not all forests are equal. About of injuries in the woods is effective 220,000 hectares of forest land only if YOU make the effort to plan is harvested each year in BC. ahead, check your footing, and To produce an equivalent volume think ‘Safety’!” Water Facts of wood from Siberia, about 1.76 million hectares would have to be • Canadians use, on average, harvested; in the Amazon, about 390 litres of water per day— Disposal Program 11 million hectares. about twice as much as the • Lumber production is cleaner average European. Earlier this year, a request for than its alternatives. To manufac- an inventory of these wastes was ture steel studs results in 40 • A tap that drips once every sent to all WFP operations. With times more harmful effluents and second wastes about 10,000 their help, a final inventory was 3 times more carbon dioxide litres of water per year. compiled and work to dispose of emissions than manufacturing these wastes by our deadline is wooden 2x4 studs. well on its way. Thanks to all who are helping to make this happen. Page 12 • Volume 3, Issue 2 Environment Vandals Mistook Natural Selections for GMOs by Annette Van Niejenhuis, Tree Improvement and Research Coordinator, Saanich Forestry Centre

As a result of vandalism at isms (GMOs) by introducing foreign Western Forest Products’ Saanich DNA into the natural genetic mate- Forestry Centre last fall, and more rial of the product. No GMOs are recently at the Ministry of Forests’ used to reforest any Crown lands. Saanich Seed Orchard, more WFP has been involved in people have been asking what programs to improve the quality of the forest tree breeding and seed seedlings available for reforestation production program is about. The projects for more than 30 years. vandals apparently thought that the These include studies of disease trees, gene archives, and seed and insect resistance, growth rate, orchards that they destroyed and stem form, and wood quality. Why? damaged were genetically modified. In all the species of interest to our But they were terribly mistaken. company, there are high levels of And as a result some of WFP’s variation in each of these traits in reforestation efforts and research wild stands. The tree improvement programs have been set back by programs for each species select as much as 5–7 years. numerous individual trees from What are the real facts? across the landscape for Tree breeding is not genetic breeding programs. modification. Breeding identifies In the early years of the pro- and selects naturally-occurring grams, foresters selected “plus Georgina Dampier, Forest Techni- characteristics from the genetic trees” having good growth and cian, Sannich Forestry Centre variation in natural forests. It does form, which generally means they not introduce new genes or modify have good resistance to pests and in species such as Sitka spruce, existing ones. diseases. Wood quality continues many of which have natural resist- In contrast, genetic engineering to be monitored in these selections. ance to weevils, and in western creates genetically-modified organ- Selections of “plus trees” continue white pine, which have natural resistance to blister rust. Further tree improvement pro- grams have helped solve problems like “in-breeding depression.” This is the result of the natural breeding strategy of conifers. Trees growing adjacent to one another are often closely related; they may result from seed produced by a single tree. Pollen from these adjacent trees has a much greater probabil- ity of reaching the cones of immedi- ate neighbours than of reaching and effectively pollinating cones on more distant trees. Though many species reject self-pollination through various means, once they detect a threshold of difference in neighbouring trees, pollination will Kathy Brown, Sannich Forestry Centre proceed. Environment Volume 3, Issue 2 • Page 13

The orchard system allows than their share and replicating seed in orchards are balsam and growers to choose individual trees them in the orchards through cypress. We take wild seed collec- that are different from each other grafting leads to an orchard full tions periodically to meet our needs and replicate them through grafting. of high-performing trees. Though in these species. WFP favours Because near neighbours will have not all the offspring of these high- stecklings for enhanced regenera- little chance of being near relatives, performers will produce at this tion of cypress. Research contin- a well-designed orchard removes level, they will on average out- ues in these species to determine in-breeding depression. Not only is perform the progeny of trees that a strategy to overcome the seed this a benefit in producing timber, contribute less than their share to production obstacles. but it also increases the number the mean annual increment of the of seeds per cone in many cases. stand. This is the premise underly- Tree breeding is Where in-breeding is prevalent, ing choosing trees for orchards. “ not genetic modi- seed yields, seed germination All selections included in the seed fication. Breeding rates, and seedling performance orchards are tested to confirm that identifies and are low. they are truly “plus trees.” selects naturally- Where possible, seed for en- occurring charac- Only natural hanced regeneration of WFP’s teristics from the “ reproductive managed forests comes from seed genetic variation processes are orchards. Regulations stipulate this in natural forests. used to produce as part of the Forest Practices Code. It does not seed in our or- However, not all seedlings result introduce new chards. At no time from seed collected in seed or- genes or modify in the history of chards. Seed transfer guidelines existing ones. the orchard trees limit the area each orchard can ” have they been serve. So an orchard developed for At the Saanich Forestry Centre subject to genetic hemlock on Vancouver Island will and at our former Lost Lake Seed engineering or not produce seed for regeneration Orchard, seed crops are managed DNA tampering. on the north coast. And a redcedar for western redcedar, western ” orchard developed for low eleva- hemlock, Sitka spruce, and Doug- Removing in-breeding depres- tions on Vancouver Island will not las-fir. Activities include grafting sion can be accomplished by produce seed for use above 600m. continued as Saanich, page 15 simply selecting one tree at random Two species of significant from stands separated by a few interest to WFP that do not produce thousand metres. However, to realize additional gains, we also consider the performance of the WFP Public Forest Tours Are Back selected trees. The North Island Forestry Centre, sponsored by WFP, Canfor, For example, consider a hem- Weyerhaeuser, Interfor and TimberWest, is running free tours for the lock stand of one hectare where public in July and August. The weekday tours give us a chance to the mean annual increment is 10 showcase our operations. Debbie Anderson, Manager of the Forestry cubic metres a year. If 1,000 hem- Centre, says the tours show everything imaginable: “They meet the lock were contributing to that fallers, they’ll see clearcuts, they’ll see old growth and second growth, annual increment, each tree con- fertilizing. We show the good and the bad, and it’s a long day.” Plan to tributes 1/1,000th of the volume. invite your family and friends to visit or take a tour. Bookings can be When you walk through the hem- made by calling the Forestry Centre at (250) 956–3844. lock stand, it becomes very appar- Don’t forget other sites of interest—call the Saanich Forestry Centre ent that some trees are contributing at (250) 652–4023 to arrange for a tour of their tree breeding and seed more than their share, while others production programs. Tours are available to WFP personnel and con- are contributing less. Selecting the tractors. Tours are also running at Gold River. Contact the Tourist Infor- individual trees that produce more mation Centre at (250) 283–2418 for more information. Page 14 • Volume 3, Issue 2 Environment Western Pulp Squamish Operation by Steve Sutherland, Manager, Technical Marketing, Western Pulp Squamish Operation

Western Pulp has two pulp The mill’s main markets are in mills, one located in Port Alice Europe (35%) and the Pacific Rim and one in Squamish, each of (55%). With our unique location in which produce two different prod- Howe Sound (there are no roads ucts. Port Alice is a dissolving mill or railroads to the mill), very little and Squamish a Kraft mill. Dissolv- product is sent to North America. ing pulp is used in various specialty It’s cheaper to have deep-sea products from rayon fabric, explo- vessels arrive directly at the mill for sives, and lacquers, to acetates. loading, than transfer pulp to Van- Kraft pulp, although it has some couver for rail transportation within specialty applications, is mainly North America. All mill employees a commodity product, like lumber. (plus equipment and supplies) must The Squamish mill produces arrive to the mill by ferry each day. NBSK (Northern Bleached The Squamish mill first started Softwood Kraft pulp). NBSK is in 1914, and has gone under Steve Sutherland worked for three considered a long fibre pulp and several modifications since then. years as Assistant Production is valued for its strength. Paper- The mill went through a moderniza- Superintendent of the Woodfibre makers usually add 20 to 30% long tion project in 1986. It was de- Mill before becoming the Technical fibre into their product for strength. signed to produce 623 tons/day. and Environmental Manager in These long fibres can be easily The mill is now averaging 795 tons/ 1996. Since 1999, he has worked seen with the naked eye: take a day, over 25% more than its design as Manager of Technical Marketing. piece of normal photocopy paper capacity. Small projects and proc- and tear it. Closely examine the ess “de-bottlenecking” have dedication of our mill workers in torn edge. You will notice some achieved this gain. Production rate pushing the performance of our fibres longer than others; these is one of the main measures of how mill—this is truly a major accom- longer fibres are the softwood a mill is performing. Says Dave plishment. Chart 1 shows how portion of the paper. NBSK Ingram, mill Manager, “I am very Squamish has increased its pro- fibres are normally around pleased at the hard work and duction year over year. 2.5 to 3mm long. The commodity market for NBSK is strong. Prices have risen Chart 1 Squamish Production—Daily Average from a low of $460 US/ton in March 850 of 1999 to $670 US/ton in April of 2000, a 45% price increase in 800 about a year. It’s a big change from 800 the 1990s, when there was only one strong year in 1995. Brian 761 752 Fallows, Vice President of Market- 750 744 ing at WP, has said, “The renewed 722 strength in the pulp prices coupled 712 700 704 700 690 with the major efforts to improve Production tons/day 684 the environmental performance 671 675 675 and achieve ISO certification are 650 major marketing advantages for 624 the Western Pulp products in the Design global marketplace.” 600 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 ytd Environment Volume 3, Issue 2 • Page 15

Squamish came under consid- BOD gives an indication of how Saanich, continued from page 13 erable environmental pressure in much oxygen the mill’s effluent the 1980s and early ‘90s. With the will consume, thus competing with and propagating orchard trees mill rebuild in 1986 and a new other organisms in the environment of known origin and rank, doing secondary treatment plant installed that require oxygen. The mill’s BOD reproductive bud surveys to deter- in 1992, the mill’s environmental discharge is 1.0 kg/ton, again well mine the proportion of contribution record has been excellent. The below the provincial regulation of of each individual to the seed yield, two charts below give an indication 7.5 kg/ton. managing pollen to decrease in- of how well the Squamish mill is Squamish mill achieved its ISO breeding rates and increase the performing environmentally. Chart 9000 certificate (quality standard) contribution of high-ranking indi- 2 shows the mill’s AOX (chlorinated in 1993 and ISO 14001 in 1999. viduals to the crop, and seed compounds) discharge. The We’re very proud of both of these harvesting. These are all traditional present level of only 0.5 kg/ton is achievements. And with Kraft breeding practices; only natural well below the provincial regulation pulp prices rising and production reproductive processes are used of 1.5 kg/ton. Chart 3 shows BOD, high, we’re looking forward to to produce seed in our orchards. Biochemical Oxygen Demand. a strong 2000. At no time in the history of the orchard trees have they been subject to genetic engineering or Chart 2 Squamish Mill AOX Discharge DNA tampering. Most of the genetic 7.0 diversity of these species is cap- 6.0 6.0 tured in the seed and breeding orchards. By selecting numerous 5.0 4.5 “plus-trees” from across the range

4.0 of these species, most genes are represented. As further selections 3.0 AOX kg/ton 3.0 2.5 take place among the original plus- trees, a few more genes may be 2.0 1.8 1.7 1.5 1.4 Provincial Standard 1.5 kg/ton removed from the seed orchards. 1.0 1.0 0.9 However, with the number of re- 0.5 0.5 serves established across the 0.0 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 landscape, it is unlikely that any genes are being removed from the gene pool. All original selections Chart 3 Squamish Mill BOD Discharge have been replicated in gene banks 40 around the province. All seed is registered with the 35 34 34 Ministry of Forests and stored. The shelf life of each seed crop 30 29 depends on the quality of the seed

25 and the species. Seed of most 25 species remains viable for years 20.9 20 when stored under ideal conditions. Why not come and see for BOD kg/ton 15 yourself? The Saanich Forestry Centre welcomes all WFP person- 10 nel and contractors to visit our Provincial Standard 7.5 kg/ton facilities on the Saanich Peninsula. 5 Just give us a call beforehand 2.2 2 1.6 1.3 1.3 1.2 1 at (250) 652–4023 to confirm that 0 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 one of our staff can give you a tour. Page 16 • Volume 3, Issue 2 Environment Oktwanch Spawning Channel Open after Completion of 4-Year Project

A blessing ceremony performed of the main river. This newly- was due to start in July and August. last November by cultural leaders enlarged channel, converted to a The 1.4 km-long spawning from the Mowachaht/Muchalaht groundwater-fed system, provides channel incorporates the newest First Nation marked the successful stable spawning and rearing areas fish habitat management tech- completion of a 4-year project to that are protected from the chang- niques and research. It mimics a complete a new spawning channel ing dynamics of the river. natural stream by providing calm near Gold River. Located at the The natural side channel that rearing areas for fry, log and root mouth of Oktwanch River where existed before the WFP work was tangles where fish can hide from it empties into Muchalaht Lake, of uncertain value. Juvenile coho predators, and graveled areas for this innovative groundwater-fed salmon that over-wintered were spawning. Ferns, salmon berry, channel is giving new life to those generally dying as their rearing maple, and alder will provide cover- Muchalaht Lake salmon popu- pools evaporated during the spring age on the banks, and assist with lations that use the Oktwanch River and summer months. In addition, restricting access to the stream for spawning and rearing habitat. the channel water exited via 2–3 by large animals and people. “This project will finally allow the separate sub-channels at the lower The long, raised berm protects Muchalaht Lake sockeye, coho, end of the main channel. These the channel from the nearby river. and chinook stock to rebuild,” said exits often dried up during the Other fish habitat improvements Bill Dumont, WFP Chief Forester. summer and early autumn months, proposed for the Oktwanch River “While the salmon have years of preventing juvenile salmon from include gravel bar stabilization, recovery ahead of them, we are entering and exiting the lake. Much another spawning channel project one very important step closer to work was needed on the channel on the opposite valley wall, force returning stable spawning and to ensure survival of eggs and fry. pools, and large woody debris rearing habitats to the watershed.” Site work began during the cover in the main river. It is ex- Then $300,000 spawning chan- spring of 1998, and was completed pected that the river’s main fish nel was a WFP project, supported in August 1999. In total, 28 people spawning and rearing zones will with Forest Renewal BC funding, worked on the project, including gradually recover. started four years ago when the contractors, members of the The Oktwanch channel will be potential renewal of the Oktwanch Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nation, used primarily by sockeye, coho River fish habitat was first exam- Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the and chinook salmon, and may ined. The project was initiated by BC Ministry of Lands, Environment also assist cutthroat trout and Dolly Canfor, then reassigned to WFP. and Parks, and WFP staff. Varden char. Oktwanch comes from Fisheries and Oceans Canada Work began by excavating the the Nuu-chah-nulth word Okwasht, and Forest Renewal BC had recog- channel bed down to 1m below the which means “smoking salmon.” nized that the river’s fish habitat groundwater table in summer, Forest Renewal BC chair Roger would benefit from a restoration when water levels were lowest. Stanyer has pointed out that since project. However, further study This ensured year-round water flow 1994, Forest Renewal has invested showed that due to increased peak for both spawning and rearing. In almost $350 million to restore flows, reduced woody debris, and addition, digging the mouth of the watersheds across BC. “Assess- accelerated sediment delivery, the new channel low enough to exist ments have been completed in river would be unable to support directly into the lake in all seasons 860 watersheds. Restoration efforts large-scale salmon spawning for ensured access between channel have been completed in 150 water- some time. Fisheries biologists and lake. The lower sub-channels sheds, and some restoration has from Fisheries and Oceans Canada were cleared and access to old been done in 320 watersheds. and the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal beaver ponds nearby secured for This significant restoration effort Council determined that a solution summer and juvenile rearing areas. is generating employment in local to saving the runs rested in enlarg- The bulk of the channel work communities, supporting water ing a small side channel to the west was carried out before spawning quality, and protecting fish species.”