Welcome!

to the official website of the

CSA^[1] - Sustainable Forest Management Plan

Okanagan Operations Area of British Columbia

The /Tolko/Gorman Bros./BCTS/Westbank First Nation Okanagan Operations Sustainable Forest Management Plan will foster forest management practices based on science, professional experience and local public and First Nations input that contribute to the long-term health and productivity of forest ecosystems and related  forest economies

 Sustainable Forest Management - Background

Between May 2000 and March 2001 Weyerhaeuser Okanagan Falls and Lumby, and the Ministry of Forests Small Business Forest Enterprise Program [2] (for the area of Tree Farm License 35) worked with a group of local public (the SFM Advisory Group) to develop a Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) Plan.  When the SFM process was initiated the public, including First Nations, were invited to participate in the process.  The SFM Advisory Group that was established involved individuals with backgrounds related to recreation, ranching, forestry, conservation, water and community.

Following completion of the SFM Plan, and in conjunction with its environmental management system, Weyerhaeuser applied for registration of its operating area and became certified under the CSA – SFM standard.  Registration was granted following an independent third party audit by a qualified organization.

During the summer of 2003, Weyerhaeuser and Tolko began discussions on the benefits of working together with the SFM Advisory Group to expand and include Tolko’s Lavington operating areas within the Okanagan-Shuswap Forest District.  This approach was presented at the October, 2003 SFM Advisory Group field trip and was supported in principle by the members.  With this revised process Tolko invited members of the public, including First Nations that have identified resource use/interest within Tolko’s operating areas, to participate in the public advisory group. The licencees and the SFM Advisory Group started implementing this new approach at their December, 2003 meeting.  As a result of Tolko acquiring Riverside Forest Products Limited in late 2004, the DFA was expanded in 2006 to include the Riverside operating area, and additional members were brought into the PAG.  In 2006, Gorman Bros. Lumber joined the SFM group, following the same steps as described above for the Tolko expansion/inclusion.

In late 2007 B.C. Timber Sales (BCTS) also joined the Okanagan SFM Plan.  In 2010, Weyerhaeuser elected not to continue it’s involvement with the SFM Advisory Group and process and Westbank First Nation (WFN) elected to be included in the SFM Plan.

The SFM Plan includes a set of values, objectives, indicators and targets that address environmental, economic and social aspects of forest management in Tolko’s, Gorman Bros., and BCTS and WFN’s (the Licencees) primary operating areas in the Okanagan, as well as Tolko’s operating areas in the Arrow and Boundary Forest District.  The plan area also includes block specific areas that fall outside of the primary plan area.  The SFM Plan is based on the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) Sustainable Forest Management Standard (CAN/CSA Z809) one of the primary certification systems currently being used in British Columbia and Canada.  The CSA system sets performance objectives and targets over a defined forest area to reflect local and regional interests.  Consistent with most certifications, the CSA standards require compliance with existing forest policies, laws and regulations.

The SFM Plan is an evolving document that will be reviewed and revised on an annual basis with the SFM Advisory Group to address changes in forest condition and local community values.  Each year the SFM Advisory Group reviews an annual report prepared by the Licencees, to assess achievement of performance measures.  This monitoring process provides the licencees, public and First Nations with an opportunity to bring forward new information and provide input concerning new or changing public values that can be incorporated into future updates of the SFM Plan.

The licensees have been consulting with the public to develop responsible forest management plans for over 20 years.  These planning processes include development of strategic and field plans, analyses, setting of standards, monitoring and public review. The licensees prepare Forest Stewardship Plans that incorporate the direction provided through these various planning processes.  Related standards and operating plans are continuously updated as new information comes forward.  The SFM Plan is one component of the licensees’ commitment to adapt their management practices in response to changes in societal values.

^[1] Canadian Standards Association

^[2] Now Ministry of Forests and Range, BC Timber Sales

Current information on the SFM Plan can be obtained by visiting the company websites, just click on the appropriate icon on the right of this page.