Region Archives: Canada

The Cariboo Regional District (CRD) and the City of Williams Lake introduced Resolution LR2 at the recent UBCM Convention that called for changes to the Forest & Range Practices Act, to include regulations that initiate a Fire Mitigation Strategy. Noting he spoke to the resolution from the UBCM floor, CRD chair Al Richmond says there has to be change on how the forests are managed. The resolution would prioritize public safety over other forest management initiatives, including harvesting and reforestation of the affected areas.

John Horgan

KAMLOOPS  – British Columbia’s government is looking to recognize people who went out of their way to help when record-breaking wildfires tore through the province this summer. Premier John Horgan …announced the new “Above and Beyond” awards, which honour those who fought the flames, provided shelter for evacuees, or otherwise helped their community during the crisis. “Whether it was cooking meals, whether it was opening up their homes,” says Horgan. “Whatever was needed was offered. It was inspiring and that’s what true community is all about.” …“People deserve to be recognized for going above and beyond to help each other,” he adds. Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development Minister Doug Donaldson says this award is to celebrate those who went out of their way to help, while tens of thousands were displaced and flames ravaged homes and forests.

As I watch the snow-line creep down the ridges into town, I guess it’s safe to say summer is over and now would be a good time to reflect on the horrific fire season we just endured and – sad to say – deserved. I don’t say “deserved” lightly and I know many will disagree, but please hear me out because if we don’t change our ways it’s going to get worse in the future. For starters, we seldom practice “forestry” in B.C. We practice industrial logging with small pieces of forestry thrown in, and now in an era of global warming, it’s coming back to bite us in the butt, which is exactly what we deserve because we could have done better. What’s so bad about industrial forestry? Let me tell you.

VICTORIA – An investigation of forestry roads constructed on steep terrain has found mixed results. While most of the road sections examined met the legal requirements, and some were very well done, others did not adhere to professional practice guidelines and several road sections were structurally unsafe, according to a report released today. The board looked at the design, construction and deactivation of 26 segments of road, built on steep terrain between 2012 and 2016, in five natural resource districts throughout the province. …“We saw some examples of excellent road construction practices and these are highlighted in our report,” said board vice-chair, Bill McGill. “We also saw some roads that were not well built and six road segments were not considered safe for road users due to construction deficiencies.

Re: “We should be thankful for forest-fire crews,” letter, Oct. 9. It is apparent the letter-writer misread Nick Raeside’s commentary. …The last paragraph in his article suggests looking at the numbers when comparing 2017 to 1958. I went further than that and looked at the numbers over many years in the past. …A quick comparison looks like this: 2017 — 1,302 fires — area burned 12,128 square kilometres; 2003 — 2,472 fires — area burned 2,647 sq. km; 2006 — 2,570 fires — area burned 1,392 sq. km; 2009 — 3,064 fires — area burned 2,474 sq. km. Raeside does make you ask the big question: Why?

First Nations in northeast B.C. will receive a $390,000 investment from the B.C. government to help participants build skills and explore careers in environmental stewardship and natural resource development. The Environmental Technology Access Program is open to members from McLeod Lake, Nak’azdli Whut’en, Nadleh Whut’en, Saik’uz Stellat’en, Takla Lake, Tl’azt’en and Yekooche First Nations. In a partnership between the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology and the Prince George Nechako Aboriginal Employment and Training Association, the training will prepare up to 15 participants for employment in the natural resource sectors or post-secondary education in the environmental resource technology program.

Alberni Valley resident Brittany Belanger is concerned about access to recreation grounds after she says she and her family almost got locked behind Island Timberlands’ gates on Cameron Main during Thanksgiving weekend… The company’s blog lists times when the gates are open. But Belanger says Island Timberlands can sometimes lock the gates outside those times without notice. …In an email to CHEK News, a company spokesperson said “Access may be restricted, temporarily or permanently, to ensure the safety of the public and our employees and contractors, protection of the environment, and the security of assets.” Back in February, Green Party Leader Andrew Weaver introduced a private member’s bill to spark discussion about the issue. He intends to introduce it again this session.

Earlier this year, is was brought to the attention of the Friends of West Kootenay Parks that a local logging company, Cooper Creek Cedar, was in the process of applying for a cutting permit in a sensitive area just outside the boundaries of Cody Caves Provincial Park. Logging in one section of the proposed cut block could have been a disaster for the caves. After prolonged discussions between BC Parks, the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations (FLNRO), and Cooper Creek Cedar, an agreement was reached which saw an alteration of the Goal 2 Boundaries for the Cody Caves Provincial Park which will protect the headwaters of the caves. The Friends of West Kootenay Parks would like to acknowledge Keith Baric of BC Parks, Bill Kestell of Cooper Creek Cedar and the staff at the Lands Branch of the local office of FLNRO for their work in bringing about this conclusion.

Terry Teegee

He’s the first from the north to win the elected position as Regional Chief of the British Columbia Assembly of First Nations (BCAFN). And Terry Teegee was more than ready to address the Chiefs-in-Assembly after the election, held Thursday. As Tribal Chief of the Carrier Sekani Tribal Council (CTSC) since 2012, Teegee is now ready for a new challenge. …Teegee, a registered professional forester, grew up in Fort St. James and attended Fort St. James secondary school. He graduated from the University of Northern B.C. with a bachelor of science degree in forestry in 2006. Teegee also completed his diploma in forestry technology from the College of New Caledonia. …The role of regional chief is to ensure regional concerns of BCAFN members are included in national political discussions and decision-making processes.

Earlier in the year I had the opportunity to listen to a panel of First Nations lawyers share their thoughts about reconciliation.  One of the panelists… went on to say that recognition is achieved by identifying the real issues – and then developing an understanding of these issues. …The coastal forest industry in BC is focused on increasing participation of Indigenous peoples in the forest sector. …And, so, as I thought more about the idea that the duty to consult was the duty to learn, I wondered how we could put that into practice.  How can we collectively move past barriers, adopt more collaborative approaches and solutions that are interest-based and create even more win-win-win outcomes? It strikes me that the next logical step on the path to reconciliation is one that includes tripartite discussions between Indigenous peoples, the Government of BC and the forest industry.

A professor and researcher from the University of British Columbia says the next six to 18 months are going to be critical in preventing the next wildfire disaster in the province. Lori Daniels… is one of three signatories on a letter sent to Premier John Horgan and Forests Minister Doug Donaldson pressuring government to act to prevent another fire season like this year’s. …The letter says the 2017 wildfire season cannot be “just another wake-up call.” …“In many ways, it was a tremendously remarkable summer and I’m hoping one that I won’t be saying a decade from now that ‘we should have acted after 2017’ — because I’m telling you right now, we should have acted after 2003,” Daniels said. Following the 2003 “wake-up call” fire season, Daniels said between 2004 and 2015, only 10 per cent of the hazardous fuels identified were actually treated — at a cost of $78 million.

Diane Nicholls

BC’s Chief Forester, Diane Nicholls, has released new Annual Allowable Cut levels for the Prince George Timber Supply area (TSA) and, not surprisingly, the limits will decrease. …In recent years, the AAC was increased to accommodate salvage of wood destroyed by the Mountain Pine Beetle. That has now come to an end. The reductions represent a 33% reduction in the Prince George TSA and that should not be surprising to anyone. “Now we’ve got a situation where the AAC’s have to drop to a recovery level so it gives our forests a chance to recover. And that drop is going to last for a full 50 to 70 years, says Marleen Morris of the Community Development Institute at UNBC.

VICTORIA – The Forest Practices Board will examine the activities of Lakeside Pacific Forest Products Ltd. (Lakeside) on forest licence A19207, near Harrison Lake, during the week of Oct. 16, 2017. Auditors will examine whether harvesting, roads, silviculture, fire protection and associated planning, carried out between October 2015 and October 2017, met the requirements of the Forest and Range Practices Act and the Wildfire Act. Lakeside’s forestry operations are located on the east and west sides of Harrison Lake, about 25 kilometres north of Harrison Hot Springs, in the Chilliwack Resource District.