Prince George Sustainable Forest Management Plan March 2010 Prince George Sustainable Forest Management Plan Version March 2010 This page intentionally left blank Prince George Sustainable Forest Management Plan Version March 2010 Prince George Sustainable Forest Management Plan Version March 2010 This page intentionally left blank Prince George Sustainable Forest Management Plan Version March 2010 Table of Contents Executive Summary ...................................................................................................................................... 1 1.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................. 2 1.1 The Prince George SFMP & CSA Certification ................................................................................... 2 2.0 The Defined Forest Area ......................................................................................................................... 3 2.1 Biophysical Description ....................................................................................................................... 3 2.1.1 Natural Disturbance / BEC ........................................................................................................ 4 2.1.2 Mountain Pine Bark Beetle ....................................................................................................... 4 2.2 Socio-Economic Description ............................................................................................................... 5 2.2.1 First Nations ............................................................................................................................... 5 3.0 Developing the SFMP ............................................................................................................................. 5 3.1 The Industry ......................................................................................................................................... 5 3.2 The Signatories ................................................................................................................................... 6 3.2.1 Canadian Forest Products Ltd, Prince George Operating Area (Canfor) .......................... 7 3.2.2 BC Timber Sales, Prince George Business Area (BCTS) .................................................... 8 3.2.3 Carrier Lumber Ltd. (Carrier) ................................................................................................ 10 3.3 The Non-Signatories.......................................................................................................................... 10 3.4 Public Advisory Group ....................................................................................................................... 11 4.0 SFM Performance Requirements ......................................................................................................... 12 4.1 Criteria and Elements ........................................................................................................................ 12 4.2 Values, Objectives, Indicators, and Targets ...................................................................................... 13 4.3 Current Management Practices and Forecasts ................................................................................. 14 4.3.1 Current Management Practices .............................................................................................. 14 4.3.2 Forecasting and Scenario Analysis ....................................................................................... 14 4.4 Adaptive Management ..................................................................................................................... 15 4.4.1 Monitoring ................................................................................................................................ 16 4.4.2 Analysis, Evaluation and Continual Improvement .............................................................. 16 4.4.3 Annual Reporting ..................................................................................................................... 16 5.0 SFMP Indicators, Targets and Strategies ............................................................................................. 16 Indicator - 1 Old Forest by Natural Disturbance Unit ............................................................................ 17 Indicator - 2 Old Interior Forest ............................................................................................................. 23 Indicator - 3 Young Patch Size Distribution) ......................................................................................... 26 Indicator - 4 Landscape Level Biodiversity Reserves ............................................................................ 29 Indicator - 5 Stand Level Retention ....................................................................................................... 31 Indicator - 6 Wet Trench & Wet Mountain Young Patch Size Distribution ............................................. 33 Indicator - 7 Coarse Woody Debris ........................................................................................................ 35 Indicator - 8 Species Diversity and Ecosystem Productivity ................................................................. 37 Indicator - 14 Chief Forester's Standards for Seed Use ....................................................................... 45 Indicator - 18 Harvesting within Landscape Level Reserves ................................................................. 46 Indicator - 19 Areas Planted Consistent with Operational Plans .......................................................... 48 Indicator - 20 Soil Conservation Standards ............................................................................................ 49 Indicator - 21 Cutblock Area Occupied by Permanent Access Structures ............................................ 51 Indicator - 22 Terrain Management ......................................................................................................... 53 Indicator - 23 Reportable Spills ............................................................................................................. 55 Indicator - 24 Riparian Area Conservation ............................................................................................. 56 Indicator - 25 Stream Crossing Management ........................................................................................ 58 Indicator - 26 Mitigating Sedimentation ................................................................................................. 60 Indicator - 27 Maintenance of Natural Stream Flow .............................................................................. 61 Indicator - 28 Forest Continuity ............................................................................................................. 63 Indicator - 29 Peak Flow Index Calculations (removed and replaced by Indictors 56, 57 and 58 ........ 66 Indicator - 30 Free Growing Requirements ........................................................................................... 66 Indicator - 31 Stand Damaging Agents ................................................................................................... 68 Indicator - 32 Forest Land Conversion .................................................................................................. 70 Indicator - 33 Cut Level Volumes ........................................................................................................... 71 Indicator - 34 Forestry Related Industrial Fires ..................................................................................... 73 Indicator - 35 Non-Timber Benefits ....................................................................................................... 75 Prince George Sustainable Forest Management Plan Version March 2010 Indicator - 36 First Order Wood Products .............................................................................................. 83 Indicator - 37 Volume Advertised Through Competitive Bid ................................................................. 84 Indicator - 38 Public and Stakeholder Input .......................................................................................... 86 Indicator - 39 Viewing of Access Plans, Operational Plans and SFMPs .............................................. 87 Indicator - 40 Responses to Written Public Inquiries ............................................................................ 89 Indicator - 41 Communication Strategies ............................................................................................. 91 Indicator - 42 Support of North Central Interior Suppliers and Contractors ........................................... 93 Indicator - 43 Payment of Taxes ........................................................................................................... 94 Indicator - 44 Stumpage Paid to Government ......................................................................................... 95 Indicator - 45 Loss Time Accidents ....................................................................................................... 97 Indicator - 46 Legally Recognized Treaty Areas ................................................................................... 98 Indicator - 47 FSP Referral to First Nations