Region Archives: Canada West

An investigation report released looks at how well government is investigating, deciding compliance and recovering costs from those responsible for causing wildfires in B.C.  The investigation found government has a well-defined and consistent process. Most decisions are appropriate, but there are some opportunities for improvement.  Approximately half of all wildfires in B.C. are caused by people, and in the past decade, government has spent approximately $2.7 billion on wildfire suppression.  Government has the ability to recover costs related to human-caused wildfires. If government suspects that a person or company has caused a wildfire or contravened the Wildfire Act, it conducts an investigation, offers a hearing and determines whether they were responsible. …“We are pleased to see that enforcement in these cases is generally appropriate,” said Rick Monchak a Forest Practices Board member. “We also note that government has already addressed a couple of the issues that came up in our review.”

In the early 1990s, the pine forests of British Columbia faced a disastrous beetle infestation. The pests, proliferating because of the higher temperatures brought by climate change, were boring through rough outer bark and burrowing through the trees’ living cambium layer. Within weeks the infested trees’ sapwood was stained blue by an associated fungal infection; soon the tree was dead, and the forest turned the scabbed, dull red of drying blood.  While the forests died, rural logging and mill towns began to suffer, too. Cambium Blue, B.C. author Maureen Brownlee’s second novel, is set in one of those towns, the fictional Beauty Creek. Brownlee, whose well-received first book, 2013’s Loggers’ Daughters, was also set in rural B.C., has worked as a journalist in a small B.C. town not unlike the hard-scrabble towns that provide the settings for her stories.

Cattle producers in foothill country in southwestern Alberta are being asked to look out for — and help protect — the iconic but endangered limber pine. “The rugged, twisted trees usually grow on dry, rocky ridges and are thought to be some of the oldest trees in Canada,” the Whitebark Pine Ecosystem Foundation of Canada said in a release. “They grow very slowly, taking about 50 years to begin reproducing. Sadly, we are at risk of losing two-thirds of all limber pine trees in the next 100 years, including nearly 90 per cent of healthy limber pines here in Alberta.” The organization says white pine blister rust is the greatest threat, which is caused by a fungus, and is “fatal to all except rare naturally resistant trees.” Mountain pine beetles have also taken their toll, as have fire suppression measures that have caused fuel loads to build up and produce more intense wildfires that kill trees “that might have survived light surface fires.”

In 1937, Ernest C. Manning, B.C.’s chief forester, told the Vancouver Board of Trade that “our forest resources are our real central bank. … Keep the assets in a productive state and do not dissipate the capital.” In 1939, in his annual report to the legislature, Manning said: “We are turning capital into revenue. We are creating barren lands.” Despite this warning, B.C. continued to maintain unsustainable forestry practices, resulting in much of B.C.’s “capital” being turned into revenue. Most of our iconic high-value old-growth forests are gone. The recent letter “North Cowichan could sell its forests” supported management of our forests that would include spraying forests with glyphosate to kill deciduous trees… [and] replace naturally regenerated mixed forests with monoculture plantation forests. …We need to “manage” our forests using ecoforestry approaches. A good example of this is the Wildwood Ecoforest at Yellowpoint.

FESBC Board Directors Wayne Clogg and Jim Snetsinger recently completed their six-year terms, and are therefore stepping down from FESBC. Each has served as Chair of the FESBC Board, significantly contributing to the success of FESBC since its inception in 2016. In the early days, it was daunting to lead a start-up funding entity from scratch, but they brought instant credibility to FESBC by virtue of their previous backgrounds as Vice President of a major forest products company and Chief Forester for the Province of B.C. FESBC welcomes some new additions to the Board of Directors. They bring important experiences and perspectives that will help shape the future of FESBC. In this newsletter: Learn about 12 new FESBC-funded projects; changes on the FESBC Board, how FESBC funding for community forests across B.C., is helping them in wildfire mitigation efforts, and Meet our Faces of Forestry featured person, Dan Macmaster.

Parks Canada says mountain pine beetle populations have practically bottomed out in Jasper National Park. The most recent population survey shows that their numbers have dropped 94 per cent since their most recent peak in 2019. The survey also shows a sharp decline in trees killed by mountain pine beetle for the fourth consecutive year. Dave Argument, resource conservation manager with Parks Canada, said that he expected to see a continued decline in the mountain pine beetle. “This year’s survey results are not a surprise to us. They’re confirmation of the good news story that we’ve been seeing.” It was a cold snap of the winter of 2019 that really started to significantly bring down the population of mountain pine beetles. Parks Canada has been conducting two surveys on the situation every year. …That survey also aids in mapping out the total area impacted by the mountain pine beetle.

Larry Pynn

As the citizens of North Cowichan consider the future of the municipal forest reserve, they are being asked to choose among four management scenarios. That can be challenging given that the amount of logging in each scenario is being expressed in cubic metres of timber. So, let’s talk in terms of logging trucks. The municipality says that one logging truck operating in the forest reserve hauls from 30 to 35 cubic metres of timber. So, let’s assume an average of 32.5 cubic metres per truckload. Now, let’s see what that looks like for each of the four scenarios presented by the UBC Partnership Group, keeping in mind that these are annual figures: (1) Status Quo: 17,500 cubic metres = 538 logging trucks; (2) Reduced Harvest: 7,400 cubic metres = 227 logging trucks; (3) Active Conservation: 1,300 cubic metres = 40 logging trucks; and (4) Passive Conservation: No logging; no trucks.

The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society recently released the results of a poll to gauge Albertan’s level of activity in parks and conservation areas. Key results show most Albertans support setting aside more land in Alberta to protect wildlife habitat to prevent further decline of wildlife populations (77%), more land in Alberta to be left as wilderness where human activities are minimal (76%), and more land for provincial parks with a focus on recreation and leisure (73%). The poll also revealed many Albertans are opposed to the current provincial government’s plans for conserved and protected lands. “One of the things with the timing of the poll is that we got the results, essentially just as this government, and this new Premier was organizing her cabinet; including splitting what was the Department of Environment and Parks into two ministries,” said Katie Morrison, of CPAWS Southern Alberta.

In Provincial Court Wednesday, Judge Nancy Adams fined Vancouver teacher Deborah Sherry Janet Tin Tun $1,000 and sentenced her to 18 months probation after she pleaded guilty to mischief for gluing her hand to pavement April 4 on the Ironworkers Memorial Second Narrows Bridge in an illegal Save Old Growth blockade. Tin Tun … had sought a conditional discharge… …“She really hasn’t acknowledged that she’s caused any disruption in people’s lives. She has placed herself on a higher platform, she thinks she’s for a higher calling,” Adams said. “She feels, in my view, entitled.” …Adams cited [a protest news story] which mentioned that Tin Tun and another protester “don’t enjoy being arrested, but the disruptions seem to be the only things that get the government to act.” “[Conditional discharge] would enable those who have her view that committing a crime is now the appropriate action when government isn’t moving fast enough,” Adams said.

An audit of forestry activities conducted in the Mackenzie region by Canadian Forest Products Ltd., released on Tuesday reveals Canfor did not live up its obligations on bridge construction and maintenance.  The Forest Practices Board study found one bridge was improperly built and 11 others had structural deficiencies the company failed to address. The public has access to all of the bridges identified as being deficient, according to guidelines contained Forest and Range Practices Act and the Wildfire Act. …“Since the audit, Canfor has responded to these findings in a positive and timely manner by rebuilding the first bridge according to the plans, completing bridge inspections and removing four of the bridges with deficiencies,” Larson said. “Canfor is working to address the remaining bridges with the Ministry of Forests and local communities that depend on these roads and bridges for access.”

VICTORIA – An audit of Canadian Forest Products Ltd.’s (Canfor) forest licence A15384 in the Mackenzie Natural Resource District found Canfor’s forestry activities complied with the Forest and Range Practices Act and the Wildfire Act, except for bridge construction and maintenance. One bridge was not properly built and 11 other bridges had apparent structural deficiencies that were not addressed. All of these bridges were on roads accessible to the public. “The newly constructed bridge did not follow the plans prepared by a professional engineer and was not safe for industrial use. The legislation also requires licensees to maintain bridges, and, if they find structural deficiencies, the bridges must be repaired, closed to users or have signs posted to limit the weight of vehicles permitted to cross the bridge. Canfor did not follow these requirements,” said Bruce Larson, acting chair, Forest Practices Board.

MANITOBA — A man has been charged with illegally cutting down spruce trees from a Manitoba government plantation, then selling them as Christmas trees at a business in Steinbach. …On Dec. 13, they saw a man hauling trees out of the plantation on Crown land north of Marchand. The plantation is a valuable test area that grows high-quality trees for use in forestry renewal projects across southern Manitoba, said a news release from Manitoba Natural Resources and Northern Development. …In all, the man is accused of cutting 167 trees. The majority of them were six to nine metres (20 to 30 feet) tall, but just a shorter section of the top had been removed from each of them. …The trees have been donated to the Ukrainian church in Winnipeg. If convicted, faces a fine of up to $200,000, up to six months in jail or both.

VICTORIA – A new investigation report released looks at how well government is investigating, deciding compliance and recovering costs from those responsible for causing wildfires in B.C.The investigation found government has a well-defined and consistent process. Most decisions are appropriate, but there are some opportunities for improvement. Approximately half of all wildfires in B.C. are caused by people, and in the past decade, government has spent approximately $2.7 billion on wildfire suppression. Government has the ability to recover costs related to human-caused wildfires. If government suspects that a person or company has caused a wildfire or contravened the Wildfire Act, it conducts an investigation, offers a hearing and determines whether they were responsible. This is called a determination. If they are found responsible, government may levy penalties, recover costs and order remediation.

Nanaimo, BC — Mosaic Forest Management is proud to announce a $50,000 contribution to support First Nations students in the Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCA) Planning Advanced Certificate at Vancouver Island University (VIU). VIU welcomed their first cohort of students into the IPCA program in 2022. The IPCA program is a comprehensive program relating to protecting and conserving the lands and waters across Canada. Students who graduate from this program will have advanced knowledge of the meaning and purpose of IPCAs and will be able to distinguish between western land use planning and regulatory approaches and Indigenous practices and world views. The Mosaic-sponsored awards are merit-based, research-focused, and of interest to those involved in land use planning, parks, environmental protection, and conservation or other areas relating to culture, lands, waters, air, and wildlife.

When you work in a B.C. sawmill, you are bound to meet a few colourful characters. Barry Porter has met his fair share of most while employed for 30 years at a Canfor sawmill in Chetwynd. That experience is the basis for his debut novel, Sawmillers. “After all those many years in the sawmill, you meet a lot of interesting people and see a lot of interesting things happen. Some are shocking, some are tragic but there’s a lot of humour so I decided to write a fictional novel about it,” said Porter, who now lives in 108 Mile Ranch. “I wanted to tell a story about the kind of people you might work with.” …Sawmillers follows Rob, a young millwright apprentice, on his first week on the job. Most of the book takes place in the Peace River area but Porter also included a few chapters set in 100 Mile House when Rob visits his parents. Available on Amazon.

Harold Reimer

As British Columbia starts to move away from traditional governance to one of reconciliation, B.C. First Nations will play a key role in the industry’s future. Recent changes to government legislation and policies in the forestry sector will increase tenure for First Nations communities, allowing greater opportunity to experience economic benefits that come from resources being harvested on traditional and territorial Indigenous land. …Collaborative initiatives and partnerships between First Nations and industry are already creating new jobs and opportunities, but more can be done. Building relationships through reconciliation, rather than governance, is key. …Equipment and technology dealers can offer support through purchase and lease arrangements – structuring deals to ensure a better process is followed and crucial after sales support is provided. …Here are some steps the forestry sector can take to help support the communities in which they operate. 

The private lands that make up the Municipal Forest Reserve were initially logged in the early part of the last century. The municipality acquired these lands for the non payment of municipal taxes in the depression years of the late 1920s and the 1930s. …In the 1960s the lands were put under a regime of sustained yield forest management and timber harvesting. In the early 1980s a forestry advisory committee, made up of professional foresters and lay people, was established to guide the management of these forest lands. The result is our Municipal Forest Reserve… Unfortunately there is now a very active group opposed to harvesting on … the Forest Reserve lands. The “Where do we stand” group and supporters are very actively campaigning against timber harvesting. If you support continuing the sustained yield management of the municipal forest lands and the sustained long term harvesting of timber, please complete the survey.

The public consultation into the Municipal Forest Reserve has generated considerable debate in the local paper and social media. Healthy discussion is good. But it’s also important at this critical time that people have factual information upon which to base their opinions. Note that the public came out in full force to attend the forest review online workshops and the open house at the Maple Bay Fire Hall. …All four forest management scenarios were treated fairly and the participants were free to express our opinions. The public discussion has shifted from a logging vs. no-logging debate to a much more nuanced discussion of ecology and modern forestry management practices. …Our professional forester Shaun Mason RFP and the UBC Forestry partnership also receive credit for working together and showing a willingness to explore all available forest management options. …If you haven’t filled out the North Cowichan Community Forest Management Survey you can find it online here.

Dear Mayor Rob Douglas and council: While applauding council’s wisely supportive role in talks about tragic job losses — and potential tax shortfalls — at Catalyst’s Crofton mill, this dire situation (Cowichan Valley Citizen Dec. 15, 2022) points, in part, to our dismal failure to diversify North Cowichan’s forest-based economy. Forestry’s fickle fortunes could also reduce work at local Western Forest Products’ operations, council has learned. In short, struggling taxpayers may face hefty tax hikes as many of our economic eggs sit in the basket of a mill owned by market-driven Paper Excellence. …Much of this dark forecast should have been tackled by council and Economic Development Cowichan decades ago. Foresight and planning were sorely lacking to direct diversification away from forestry alone, and into value-added industries, manufacturing, eco-tourism, and other sunrise economic developments.

North Cowichan is reviewing its forest reserve management practices, with the intent to develop options for a future management plan. Help shape the future of the management of the Municipal Forest Reserve (MFR) by participating in opportunities presented through this process. During Round 2 (Fall 2022), you will be asked to consider four potential forest management scenarios and help determine a preferred option. These scenarios were developed by the UBC Partnership Group (UBC, 3GreenTree Consulting) that considered input on values heard during Round 1 in Fall 2021. The scenarios reflect ecological, economic, and social criteria and indicators, and represent a spectrum of timber harvesting and carbon credit revenue options. Take the survey: An online survey is open until December 31, 2022. 

The forestry profession is in the midst of a major transition. New markets for high-value timber products and novel bioproducts are being explored. More people, companies, and institutions are calling for greater protection of animal habitats, eco-tourism, and biodiversity. Indigenous and local communities have a more prominent seat at the table. And a greater emphasis is being placed on how to tackle the global climate emergency through sustainable forest management than ever before. Our panel of industry experts will discuss some of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Featuring UBC alumni: Moderator: • Linda Coady – President & CEO, BC Council of Forest Industries Guest Panelists • David Brand – CEO, New Forests • Domenico Iannidinardo – Senior VP – Forest & Climate and Chief Forester, Mosaic Forest Management

There’s a lot to be stressed out about these days. But instead of taking medication for low levels of anxiety, your health care provider may soon prescribe spending more time in nature. On Saturday, at COP15, the Canadian Medical Association officially endorsed a B.C. Parks Foundation initiative called PaRx, a national nature prescription program. It’s the first time a national medical organization in the world has endorsed a nature prescription. Dr. Melissa Lem, a director of PaRx, says the CMA endorsement will normalize the idea within the medical profession that nature is essential for good health. What they will typically recommend is at least two hours a week outside, for at least 20 minutes at a time. That could mean going for a hike in the woods. …She said this is the first of its kind in the world, and aligns with the association’s goal of improving health and increasing environmental stewardship.