Forest Management Planning Document - Saskatchewanpublications.gov.sk.ca/documents/66/93917-Forest...

Forest Management Planning Document

Saskatchewan Environment Forest Service August 2007

Saskatchewan Environment – Forest Service Approved Version 1.0 Forest Management Planning – Forest Planning Manual August 2007

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Acknowledgements: Pat Mackasey, Deb Weedon, Howard Delong, Xianhua Kong, Brendan Hemens, Wilf Goerwell, Dwayne Dye, Rory McIntosh and Del Phillips of Saskatchewan Environment, along with Paul Weedon of the Saskatchewan Forest Centre, are the principal authors of this document. The project team would like to thank all reviewers from Saskatchewan Environment who provided assistance during reviews. The department would also like to thank people from other government agencies, various stakeholder groups, and the public who provided valuable input as the document was developed. The department appreciates the input of staff at Mistik Management Ltd. who piloted the first forest management plan using this document.

For copies of this report, contact: Saskatchewan Environment Forest Service PO Box 3003 Prince Albert, Saskatchewan Canada S6V 6G1 Or visit our web site at: http://www.environment.gov.sk.ca/programs-services

http://www.environment.gov.sk.ca/programs-services

http://www.environment.gov.sk.ca/programs-services


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Table of Contents 1 Introduction 1

1.1 Purpose of the Forest Management Planning Document 1 1.2 Applicability of the Forest Management Planning Standards 1 1.3 General Organization 2 1.4 Planning Hierarchy 2 1.5 Key Legislation 3

1.5.1 The Forest Resources Management Act and Regulations 4 1.5.1.1 Legislative Requirements of Forest Management Agreements 4 1.5.1.2 Legislative Requirements of Term Supply Licences 4

1.5.2 Environmental Assessment Act 4 1.6 Overview of the Planning Process 6

1.6.1 Planning Team 6 1.6.2 Workplan Development 6 1.6.3 FMP Volume I – Background Information 6 1.6.4 Consultation 6 1.6.5 Performance Framework 6 1.6.6 Forest Estate Modelling 7 1.6.7 FMP Volume II – FMP Direction and Implementation 7 1.6.8 Monitoring and Evaluation 7

1.7 Approval Process 9 1.8 Adaptive Management 9 1.9 Guiding Principles 9

1.9.1 Principle 1 - Ecosystem-based Management 9 1.9.2 Principle 2 - Sustainable Forest Management 10 1.9.3 Principle 3 - Open Consultation and Collaboration with Stakeholders,

Aboriginal People and the Public 10 1.9.4 Principle 4 - Social and Economic Sustainability 10 1.9.5 Principle 5 - Adaptive Management and Continual Improvement 10

2 Process for Initiating and Developing a Forest Management Plan 12

2.1 Developing a Planning Team 12 2.1.1 FMP Plan Author 12 2.1.2 Planning Team Composition 12

2.2 Planning Team Deliverables 13 2.2.1 Planning Team Terms of Reference 13 2.2.2 FMP Workplan 14

2.2.2.1 Scoping Development for the Workplan 15 2.2.2.2 FMP Workplan Content 15

2.3 Public Consultation 16 2.3.1 Principles of Effective Public Consultation 17

2.3.1.1 Involvement of Participants 17 2.3.1.2 Evaluation and Continual Improvement 17 2.3.1.3 Accommodation for Participation 17 2.3.1.4 Access to Information 17 2.3.1.5 Interest-Based Solutions 17 2.3.1.6 Well-Defined Scope 18 2.3.1.7 Clear Operating Rules 18 2.3.1.8 Accountability 18


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2.3.1.9 Timeliness 18 2.3.1.10 Commitment to Implementation 18

2.3.2 Public Advisory Group 18 2.3.2.1 Purpose 19 2.3.2.2 Membership and Organization 19 2.3.2.3 Public Advisory Group Terms of Reference 20

2.3.3 Consultation Plan 21 2.3.4 Consultation with Aboriginal Groups 23 2.3.5 Consultation Reports and Records 24 2.3.6 Public Consultation During Plan Implementation 25

2.4 FMP Volume I Requirements 25 2.4.1 Information Gathering 25

2.4.1.1 Provincial Sources of Direction 25 2.4.1.2 Monitoring Program Reports 26 2.4.1.3 Summary of FMP & Environmental Impact Statement Commitments 27 2.4.1.4 Sustainable Forest Management Audit Report 28 2.4.1.5 Comments from Stakeholder and Aboriginal Groups 29

2.4.2 Licence-Specific Information 30 2.4.2.1 Location of Licence Area 30 2.4.2.2 Biophysical Description 30 2.4.2.3 Other Land Uses and Values 30 2.4.2.4 Community and Social Profile 31

2.4.3 Licensee Description 32 2.4.3.1 Forest Management Principles and Certification 33 2.4.3.2 Licensee Economic Profile 33 2.4.3.3 Commitments in the FMA or TSL Agreement 35

2.4.4 Current Forest Condition 35 2.4.4.1 Natural Disturbance 35 2.4.4.2 Forest Management Activities 36 2.4.4.3 Independent Operators 37 2.4.4.4 Significant Changes Expected to Affect Wood Supply and Forest Management Practices 38

2.4.5 Historical Review of the Licence Area 38 2.4.5.1 FMP Administrative History 39 2.4.5.2 EA Administrative History 39

2.5 Plan Title and Approval Page 40 2.5.1 Executive Summary 40 2.5.2 Table of Contents 40

3 Assessing Sustainability 41

3.1 Planning Units 42 3.2 Development Types 42 3.3 Identification of Values, Objectives, Elements, Indicators and Targets 43 3.4 Silviculture 57

3.4.1 Silviculture Strategies 57 3.4.2 Silviculture Ground Rules 57 3.4.3 Assessment of Regeneration Success 58

3.5 Forest Estate Modelling 61 3.5.1 Interaction of Licensee with Planning Team 64 3.5.2 Deliverables Required for Approval 64

3.5.2.1 Submission Requirements of the Digital Planning Inventory 65


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3.5.2.2 Submission Requirements of Forest Development Report and Related Data 65

3.5.2.3 Submission Requirements of Forest Estate Modelling Report and Related Data 66

3.5.3 Forest Characterization 69 3.5.4 Forest Development 69

3.5.4.1 Yield Curve Design 70 3.5.4.2 Growth and Yield Models 71

3.5.5 Management Actions 72 3.5.5.1 Consistency with Management 73 3.5.5.2 Operability Windows 73 3.5.5.3 Renewal 73 3.5.5.4 Stand Tending 73 3.5.5.5 Harvesting 74 3.5.5.6 Stand Break-up 74

3.5.6 Treatment Response 74 3.5.6.1 Stand Re-initiation 75 3.5.6.2 Response Detail 75 3.5.6.3 Regeneration Delays 75 3.5.6.4 Advanced Regeneration 75 3.5.6.5 Consistency with Yields 76 3.5.6.6 Residuals within Harvest Events 76

3.5.7 Model Formulation 76 3.5.7.1 Forest Estate Models 77 3.5.7.2 Standard Model Parameters 77

3.5.8 Modelling Objectives, Targets, and Preliminary Forecasts 77 3.5.8.1 Wood Requirements 78 3.5.8.2 Landscape Diversity 78 3.5.8.3 Public Consultation 78 3.5.8.4 Visual Quality 78 3.5.8.5 Wood Flow 79 3.5.8.6 Ending Inventory Constraint 79 3.5.8.7 Silviculture Levels 79 3.5.8.8 Licensee-led Objectives 80 3.5.8.9 Management Discretion 80

3.5.9 Selection of Management Strategy and Tactical Plan 80 3.5.9.1 Scenario Forecasting 80 3.5.9.2 Baseline Scenarios 80 3.5.9.3 Candidate Scenarios 81 3.5.9.4 Natural Disturbance 82 3.5.9.5 Sensitivity Analysis 82 3.5.9.6 Scenario Review 82 3.5.9.7 Scenario Results and Submission 83 3.5.9.8 Preferred Management Strategy 83 3.5.9.9 Selected Management Strategy 83 3.5.9.10 Tactical Scenarios 84 3.5.9.11 Tactical Plan 84 3.5.9.12 Model Formulation of the SMS 85 3.5.9.13 Management Choice 85 3.5.9.14 Reporting Results 86 3.5.9.15 Sensitivity Analysis and Re-planning Threshold 86 3.5.9.16 Planning Evolution of SMS 86


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4 Forest Management Plan Volume II Requirements 87 4.1 Plan Title and Approval Page 87

4.1.1 Executive Summary 87 4.1.2 Table of Contents 87

4.2 Planning Process 87 4.3 Forest Characterization 88 4.4 Forest Development 88 4.5 Summary of Public Consultation 88 4.6 Presentation of FMP Objectives and Description of Values, Objectives, Indicators and Targets 88 4.7 Highlights of Forest Estate Modelling 89

4.7.1 Scenario Development Process 89 4.7.2 Scenario Forecasts 89 4.7.3 Presentation of the Selected Management Strategy 89

4.7.3.1 Summary of Management Objectives 90 4.7.3.2 Management and Utilization of the Timber Resource 90 4.7.3.3 Presentation of Silvicultural Strategies 90 4.7.3.4 Presentation of Access Management 91 4.7.3.5 Presentation of Future Forest Condition 91

4.8 Tactical Plan 92 4.8.1 Linkage to Operational Plans 92 4.8.2 Presentation of Tactical Plan 93

4.9 Integration of Forest Management Activities with Non-timber Uses 95 4.10 FMP Requirements for Wildfire Management 97

4.10.1 Forest Protection 97 4.10.2 Values at Risk 97

4.11 Forest Insect and Disease Management 99 4.11.1 Strategy for Forest Insect and Disease Management 99

4.12 Strategy for Plan Implementation 100 4.12.1 Management Challenges on the Licence Area 101

4.13 Monitoring Programs 101 4.14 FMP Amendments 102

5 Monitoring of the Forest Management Plan 103

5.1 VOIT Performance Monitoring 103 5.2 Compliance Monitoring 105

5.2.1 VOIT Performance Framework Compliance Indicators and Targets 105 5.2.2 Forest Estate Modelling Assumptions 105 5.2.3 Monitoring Requirements 106

5.3 Silvicultural Effectiveness Monitoring 106 5.4 Compliance of Forest Operations 107 5.5 Reporting and Evaluation Processes 107

5.5.1 Annual Report Requirements 107 5.5.1.1 Monitoring of Selected Management Strategy and Tactical Plan 108

5.5.2 Audits 108 5.6 Forest Management Effects Monitoring Program 108

6 FMP Amendments 109

6.1.1 Major FMP Amendments 110 6.1.2 Minor FMP Amendments 110 6.1.3 Minor Amendments to the Tactical Plan 111


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7 Literature Cited 113 8 Appendix 1 - Tables to be used in the FMP Process 115 9 Appendix 2 - Figures to be used in the FMP Process 204 10 Appendix 3 - List of Maps Required for FMPs 217 11 Appendix 4 - General Mapping Standards for FMPs 218

11.1 Introduction 218 11.2 Map Format 218 11.3 Basic Map Features 218

11.3.1 Map Layout Requirements 218 12 Appendix 5 – Procedures of Provincial Forest Type Classification 219

12.1 Introduction 219 12.2 Tree Species and Polygon Type Description in both the UTM inventory and the SFVI 219

12.2.1 Tree Species 219 12.2.2 Polygon Types 220

12.3 Description of PFTs and Rules for PFT Classification 221 12.3.1 Description of PFTs 221 12.3.2 Rules for Classifying Cover Species Group and PFTs 222

12.3.2.1 Rules for Classifying Cover Species Group 222 12.3.2.2 Rules for the PFT Classification 223

12.4 PFT Classification with the UTM Inventory 224 12.4.1 Using a Lookup Table for the PFT Classification 224 12.4.2 Using Visual Basic Script for the PFT Classification 224

12.5 PFT Classification with the SFVI 225 12.5.1 Polygon Type Classification 225 12.5.2 Species Composition Value Projection 227 12.5.3 CSG Classification 232 12.5.4 PFT Classification. 232

12.6 Seral Stage Assignments 233 12.7 Relationship between PFT and Development Types 234 12.8 Conclusion 234

13 Appendix 6 - Data Requirements for Development of FMPs 235

13.1 Introduction 235 13.2 The Planning Inventory 235

13.2.1 Updating 235 13.2.2 Adding Forecasted Changes for the Remaining Three Years 236 13.2.3 Formatting Attributes 236 13.2.4 Updating and Coding Attribute Values 240

13.3 The Selected Management Strategy from Forest Estate Modeling 242 13.4 Planned Harvest and Road Construction 244

13.4.1 The Planned Harvest 244 13.4.2 The Planned Road Corridor 245


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13.5 Data Standards 24614 Appendix 7 –Submission Requirements for FMPs 248

14.1 General Requirements 248 14.2 Submission File 248

14.2.1 Standardized File Name 248 14.2.2 Submission File Structure 249 14.2.3 Head File 250

14.3 Metadata File 250

List of Tables Table 1. Elements of the audit protocol findings to include in the FMP Vol. I............................29 Table 2. List of Land Use Values to be accounted for in an FMP................................................31 Table 3. Values, Objectives, Elements, Indicators and Targets from a Saskatchewan

Perspective. ...........................................................................................................................46 Table 4. Baseline Scenario............................................................................................................81 FMP - Table 2 - 1 Summary of Current FMP Commitments and Approval Conditions...........115 FMP - Table 2 - 2 Summary of Current Environmental Impact Statement Commitments

and Conditions ....................................................................................................................117 FMP - Table 2 - 3 Person-Years of Mill Employment ..............................................................119 FMP - Table 2 - 4 Person-Years of Woodlands Operations Employment ................................121 FMP - Table 2 - 5 Quantity of Timber Products Produced........................................................123 FMP - Table 2 - 6 Quantity of Timber Products Sold ...............................................................125 FMP - Table 2 - 7 Value of Products Sold ($1000s) .................................................................127 FMP - Table 2 - 8 Quantity of Timber Products Exported ........................................................129 FMP - Table 2 - 9 Crown Dues Paid..........................................................................................131 FMP - Table 2 - 10 Wood Usage ...............................................................................................133 FMP - Table 2 - 11 Licence Area Land Summary.....................................................................135 FMP - Table 2 - 12 Area by Provincial Forest Type and Seral Stage .......................................137 FMP - Table 2 - 13 Area Affected by Natural Disturbances 1...................................................139 FMP - Table 2 - 14 Planned Versus Actual Hectares of Harvesting by Provincial Forest

Type and Seral Stage. .........................................................................................................141 FMP - Table 2 - 15 Area Salvaged from Natural Disturbances 1 ..............................................144 FMP - Table 2 - 16 Regeneration Status by Provincial Forest Type .........................................146 FMP - Table 2 - 17 Road Construction for the Current FMP Term ..........................................148 FMP - Table 2 - 18 Road Upgrades for the Current FMP. ........................................................150 FMP - Table 2 - 19 Road Reclamation for the Current FMP Term...........................................152 FMP - Table 3 - 1 Description of Development Types .............................................................154 FMP - Table 3 - 2 Summary of Managed Crown Productive Forest by Development

Type ....................................................................................................................................156 FMP - Table 3 - 3 Silviculture Ground Rules.............................................................................158 FMP - Table 3 - 4 Candidate Scenarios of Wood Supply Analysis...........................................162 FMP - Table 4 - 1 Values, Objectives, Indicators and Targets From a Saskatchewan

Perspective ..........................................................................................................................164 FMP - Table 4 - 2 Utilization Standards....................................................................................167 FMP - Table 4 - 3 Summary of Projected SGR Areas by Year.................................................169 FMP - Table 4 - 4 Proposed Road Construction, Reclamation, and Decommissioning............171


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FMP - Table 4 - 5 Summary Description of the Management Unit ..........................................174 FMP - Table 4 - 6 Volume Summary by Tactical Blocks for Licensee ....................................177 FMP - Table 4 - 7 Summary of New FMP Commitments.........................................................180 FMP - Table 4 - 8 Existing and Future Management Challenges for the Licence Area for

the FMP Term.....................................................................................................................182 FMP - Table 5 - 1 Data Format for Presentations of Baseline Levels and Indicator

Reporting.............................................................................................................................184 FMP - Table 5 -2 Area to Assess for Regeneration Success. .....................................................195 FMP - Table 5 - 3 Indicators for Annual Reporting. .................................................................197 FMP - Table Appendix - 1 Dataset Used for Generating the Planning Inventory.....................202 Table 5A - 1 Tree species and their respective character code...................................................219 Table 5A - 2 Polygon types in the SFVI.....................................................................................220 Table 5A - 3 Description of provincial forest types (PFT).........................................................221 Table 5A - 4 The CSG decision rules .........................................................................................222 Table 5A - 5 Rules for the PFT classification with the UTM Inventory and the SFVI..............223 Table 5A - 6 Relationship between SPCL and PFTs..................................................................224 Table 5A – 7 The rules for polygon type classification.............................................................226 Table 5A - 8 Seral stages ............................................................................................................234 Table 13 - 1: Attributes of the Planning Inventory ....................................................................237 Table 13 - 2: Attributes of the Table for the Selected Management Strategy. ..........................243 Table 13 - 3: Attributes of the planned harvest..........................................................................244 Table 13 - 4: Attributes of the Planned Road. ...........................................................................247 List of Figures Figure 1. Forest planning hierarchy in Saskatchewan. ..................................................................3 Figure 2. Overview of Forest Management Planning Process and Requirements.........................8 Figure 3. The linkage between development types, modelling and silviculture...........................60 Figure 4. The Forest Estate Modelling Process. ...........................................................................63 Figure 5. Overview of Saskatchewan’s Forest Management Planning Cycle. ...........................103 FMP - Figure 2 - 1: Area by Provincial Forest Type and Seral Stage .......................................204 FMP - Figure 2 - 2: Area Disturbed from Fire by Provincial Forest Type & Seral Stage1. ......206 FMP - Figure 2 - 3: Area Disturbed by Insects by Provincial Forest Type and Seral Stage .....208 FMP - Figure 2 - 4: Area Disturbed from Disease by Provincial Forest Type and Seral

Stage....................................................................................................................................208 FMP - Figure 2 - 5: Area Disturbed from other Natural Causes by Provincial Forest Type

and Seral Stage....................................................................................................................208 FMP - Figure 2 - 6: Area Harvested by Provincial Forest Type and Seral Stage......................209 FMP - Figure 2 - 7: Regeneration Status by Provincial Forest Type1. ......................................211 FMP - Figure 2 - 8: Forest Management Plan - Volume I, Title and Approval Page................213 FMP - Figure 4 - 1 Forest Management Plan - Volume II, Title and Approval Page ...............214 FMP - Figure 4 - 2 Forest Management Plan – Title Page for Sections of the FMP.................215 not Prepared by the Plan Author. ................................................................................................215 FMP - Figure 4 - 3 Forest Management Plan Contributors .......................................................216 Figure 14 - 1: Example of Submission File Structure................................................................250


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Glossary of Acronyms CSA Canadian Standards Association FMA Forest Management Agreement FMFP Fire Management and Forest Protection Branch FMP Forest Management Plan FMPD Forest Management Planning Document FRMA The Forest Resources Management Act GIS Geographical Information Systems IFLUP Integrated Forest Land Use Plan m3 Cubic Metre MU Management Unit NAD North American Datum (i.e. NAD 83) NDE Natural Disturbance Emulation NSR Not Sufficiently Regenerated PAG Public Advisory Group PFT Provincial Forest Types RTA Roads and Transportation Agreement SFM Sustainable Forest Management SFVI Saskatchewan Forest Vegetation Inventory SGR Silviculture Ground Rules SMS Selected Management Strategy TSL Term Supply Licence


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UTM Universal Transverse Mercator VOITs Values, Objectives, Indicators and Targets


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1 Introduction 1.1 Purpose of the Forest Management Planning Document Forest management plans (FMPs) are prepared to provide strategic-level direction for management of forest resources in a Forest Management Agreement (FMA) area or for a Term Supply Licence (TSL) area with a term greater than five years. Planning for the management and use of the forest resource, following guiding principles such as ecosystem-based management is essential to ensure the ecological sustainability of Saskatchewan’s forests for future generations. The forest management planning standards document (herein referred to as the FMPD) is part of the provincial standards, hosted in the Forest Planning Manual. This document contains applicable objectives, standards, guidelines and procedures to be applied when preparing a forest management plan. The document also describes the requirements for Saskatchewan’s forest management planning process, including a detailed description of the planning process and the information required for submission, monitoring and evaluation. It is important that forest management plans establish clear goals, objectives and strategies to guide forest management activities; set the desired future forest conditions; and attempt to minimize land and resource use conflicts. The FMP will include an assessment of sustainability for the area under management and include forest estate modelling to determine the sustainable rate of harvest for a period of approximately 200 years. The framework provided by this FMPD commits the government and licensees to undertake sustainable forest management by planning, monitoring, reporting and applying adaptive management. The framework embodied by these objectives, standards, guidelines and procedures is intended to ensure that minimum requirements for the preparation of an FMP are clearly outlined and understood. 1.2 Applicability of the Forest Management Planning Standards All forest management plans scheduled for renewal and implementation after April 1, 2005 will be prepared in accordance with the standards of this FMP document. The FMP standards outlined in this document apply to all those required to submit a FMP in fulfillment of their licence; these include FMA holders and those holding a TSL with a term greater than 5 years. Both FMA areas and TSL areas will herein be referred to as licence areas for the purposes of this document. The requirements of this document do not apply to independent operators or licences granted to harvest non-timber forest products. However, the operations carried out by all independent operators must comply with the FMP prepared for the licence area in which the independent operator conducts forest operations. During the development of the FMP, licensees are required to consult with the independent operators that have volume rights within the licence area. The requirements of this document also do not apply to FMAs and TSLs issued for non-timber forest products. Different planning standards will need to be established regarding long-term non-timber forest products tenures.


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Forest management planning in Saskatchewan is an ongoing activity. Forest management plans are under preparation at different times for each FMA. All plans are renewed on a ten-year planning cycle. It will be a number of years before the FMPD of the Forest Planning Manual can be fully implemented across the province, due to the various approval dates in effect for existing FMAs. Approximately 24 to 28 months is required for the preparation, review and final approval of a FMP. 1.3 General Organization The FMP document is organized into five key sections: 1. Introduction; 2. FMP Development Processes,

a. Terms of reference b. FMP work plan c. Public Consultation d. FMP Volume I – Background Information

3. Assessing Sustainability; a. Values Objectives Indicators and Targets (VOITS) b. Silviculture Ground Rules (SGRs) c. Forest Estate Modelling

4. FMP Volume II Requirements – FMP Direction and Implementation, and 5. Monitoring & Evaluation. A summary of all the required tables, figures, and maps for completing and submitting an FMP has been provided in Appendices 1-3. Provincial standards in this FMP document are clearly identified by the use of boxes. All standards have boxes around them, with small case, italicized letters in the bottom right hand side. All approved deliverables of a FMP process, once approved, are legally binding. a Enforcement protocols regarding these standards will be developed for the Compliance Manual. 1.4 Planning Hierarchy The forest planning hierarchy in Saskatchewan is shown in Figure 1. Linkages to all levels of forest planning must be described in the FMP starting at the highest level of strategic planning, the Integrated Forest Land Use Plan, prepared by SE. An Integrated Forest Land Use Plan (IFLUP) provides a strategic framework for decision-making regarding land and resource uses for a given area. It outlines zones for sensitive, protected and management areas. IFLUPs do not make industrial allocations. The FMP must take into account the recommendations and management strategies outlined in the IFLUP. The FMP process will respect special zones and important values identified in the IFLUP when setting values, objectives, indicators and targets (VOITs) for the FMP. In cases where some or all of the licence area is not covered by a current IFLUP, the planning team will identify a process in which the Forest Service can assist

the licensee in integrating non-timber values into the FMP. The requirement for this process is to be outlined in the FMP workplan. A tactical plan is a key deliverable produced during the FMP development process. The tactical plan produces a spatial harvest sequence for the term of the FMP depicting locations for harvest blocks and major road corridors. Once an FMP is approved, the tactical plan is implemented through operating plans and is updated annually. The licensee and SE monitor the FMP progress through operating plans and annual reports. The licensee also prepares pre-harvest site prescriptions for each harvest block that they plan to harvest during each operating year. The pre-harvest site prescription provides site-specific information to guide aspects of forest operations.

The recommendations and management strategies identified in an IFLUP and implemented in a FMP must be reflected in operating plans and pre-harvest site prescriptions, where applicable. The licensee is required to clearly identify linkages between the FMP and the direction from other planning levels for the area. Figure 1. Forest planning hierarchy in Saskatchewan

1.5 Key Legislation Standards in this FMP document have been developed to provide licensees with guidance and detail regarding the requirements provided in legislation. For specific legal requirements, licensees should review the appropriate legislation, including The Forest Resources Management Act (The FRMA) and Regulations and The Saskatchewan Environmental Assessment Act. These are available on-line from the Queen’s Printer at: www.qp.gov.sk.ca


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1.5.1 The Forest Resources Management Act and Regulations The Forest Resources Management Act and Regulations provide the legal framework for the development of plans for forest management activities conducted on Crown land in the province. The FRMA specifies that an informed public has the right to participate in making decisions about Crown forests, with the goal of balancing the use of Crown forest lands for economic, social and cultural benefits, while protecting the long-term health of forest ecosystems. Section 26-31 of The Forest Resources Management Regulations lists specific requirements that licensees must include in FMPs, such as description, objectives and plan preparation.

1.5.1.1 Legislative Requirements of Forest Management Agreements

Section 34(1) of The FRMA states that an FMA is not to exceed a term of 20 years. All existing Saskatchewan FMAs are for 20-year terms. Section 38(1) of The FRMA states that “prior to commencing any activity authorized by a FMA, the licensee shall submit to the minister for approval a forest management plan (FMP) for the full term of the agreement and a five-year operating plan”. Section 39 describes the requirements of a licensee when preparing a FMP. Section 38(3) of The FRMA states that “once every ten years the licensee must submit a revised FMP to the minister for approval for the full term of the agreement.”

1.5.1.2 Legislative Requirements of Term Supply Licences Section 43(1) of The FRMA states that a TSL is not to exceed a term of ten years, while Sections 42–48 outline the requirements of a TSL holder. Section 45 describes the planning requirements of a TSL holder, including the preparation of an FMP for the full term of the licence and annual operating plan. Section 29 of The FRMA Regulations provides an exemption for TSL holders with licence terms of five years or less.

1.5.2 Environmental Assessment Act Saskatchewan’s Environmental Assessment Act (The EA Act) is a general application statute. For situations where a proposed activity is likely to have a significant effect on the environment, the proponent is required to conduct an environmental impact assessment and seek approval from the minister responsible for The EA Act before proceeding. Upon review of the proposal and environmental impact statement, the minister may take one of several courses of action: 1. Approve the development; 2. Approve the development with terms and conditions imposed to minimize adverse

effects and to provide for a better environmental option or an alternative process, design, or location; or,

3. Refuse approval of the proposal altogether.

The EA Act requires that government conduct a technical review of the environmental impact assessment, and that the environmental impact assessment and the review results be made available for public inspection and comment. This framework ensures that the minister’s decision includes input from the proponent, the public and specialists from across government. Environmental assessment is used to look at new projects or


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proposals to expand, alter, or change existing projects; it is not generally used to regulate ongoing operations. The environmental assessment process is intended to ensure that environmental, biogeophysical and social values are considered during project design along with economic and technical factors. Environmental assessment is used to protect human health, community well being, and the productivity and capacity of natural systems. The process seeks to encourage better project design and to promote development that is sustainable. In this way, business’ long-term project costs are reduced and future taxpayers do not inherit costly environmental liabilities. The process is intended to be broad-based and inclusive and to anticipate challenges, rather than simply react to them. Drawing on common principles, methods and techniques, environmental assessment is used to:

1. Forecast the effects likely to arise from a project and estimate their impacts; 2. Find ways to prevent, minimize, or offset any adverse impacts; and, 3. Engage government decision-makers, project proponents, affected communities

and the interested public in resolving project conflicts. The following outline is intended as a brief summary, outlining requirements as described by selected sections of The EA Act. Readers should reference the actual legislation for specific legal requirements.

1. Section 2(d) of The EA Act provides criteria used to identify “developments” that would require ministerial approval before proceeding (Section 8 of The EA Act);

2. Section 9.1(2) clearly defines 20-year forest management plans as “developments” subject to The EA Act;

3. Proponents are responsible for conducting the environmental impact assessment and preparing an environmental impact statement, which is the document used to review the proponent’s proposed development and its resulting impacts; proponents are responsible for, all costs associated with this work (Section 9(1) & 9(2));

4. When the minister is satisfied that the proponent has met all the requirements of The EA Act, he/she may approve with or without terms and conditions or deny the proposed development (Section 15);

5. If a proponent has received a ministerial approval under The EA Act and they intend to make changes to the project that do not conform with what was proposed and approved, the proponent must seek ministerial approval before proceeding with those changes (Section 16); and,

6. The proponent is required to implement the development in accordance with the terms and conditions of the approval (Section 17).

Developers who are unclear about the environmental significance of their projects can get advice about their responsibilities under The EA Act from the SE Environmental Assessment Branch by submitting a brief project description. The Branch can then formulate an opinion about whether or not an environmental impact assessment is required and can advise the developer accordingly. Even in cases where the conclusion is that The EA Act is not likely to apply, this initial environmental evaluation is useful; it puts the developer in contact with particular municipal, provincial and federal agencies which have regulatory requirements for the project, as well as offering the developer insight and potential solutions for issues that these agencies may raise.


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1.6 Overview of the Planning Process The following is a brief summary of the steps required during the planning of a FMP. An overview of forest management planning process, submission and approval requirements is illustrated in Figure 2. This figure highlights three key streams in the development of an FMP: the planning process, staged approval products, and public consultation. More detailed information about each of these steps can be found in Sections 2-4 of this document. The FMP process starts at least two years before the expiration of a licensee’s current FMP. Aspects of the forest management planning process presented in the FMPD are summarized below.

1.6.1 Planning Team In preparing an FMP, the first step is to designate a planning team consisting of representatives of the licensee and Saskatchewan Environment (SE). Interaction among members of the planning team provides important linkages between the licensee, SE, other government agencies where appropriate, independent operators and members of the public advisory group with an interest on the licence area. The planning team will facilitate input from various sources, acquire relevant information to assist plan development, and ensure that all staged approvals are met in a timely manner.

1.6.2 Workplan Development The planning team starts its work by developing a workplan and associated schedule for the development of the FMP. The FMP workplan includes timelines and interim approval steps that are consistent with the overall FMP development timeframe. This FMP workplan will be used to monitor progress in the development of the FMP.

1.6.3 FMP Volume I – Background Information Once the Forest Service has approved the FMP workplan, the licensee, with assistance from the planning team, will begin to prepare the FMP Volume I - background information. The FMP Volume I supports the planning process by bringing together a variety of information and background materials. These materials include related plans and reports, inventory documentation and a community, social and economic profile for the area. This provides critical background information for the sustainability assessment of the planning area.

1.6.4 Consultation Consultation with stakeholders, aboriginal groups, and the public is initiated at the beginning of the FMP and maintained throughout the entire FMP planning term through the formation of a public advisory group (PAG). While developing the FMP workplan, the licensee will also develop and submit a public consultation plan with help from the planning team.

1.6.5 Performance Framework The licensee will identify values, objectives, indicators and targets (VOITs) that provide a performance framework for development of the FMP, as well as an ongoing assessment of progress of the FMP as it is implemented. The planning team and the public will both provide input into the development of the VOITs.


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1.6.6 Forest Estate Modelling The licensee will undertake the forest estate modelling process for the licence area, which will assess potential management strategies. The licensee will work collaboratively with the planning team to select the most appropriate management strategy, recognizing the established VOITs for the licence area. The selected management strategy will form the basis for the preparation of the FMP Volume II – FMP Direction and Implementation. Based upon the selected management strategy, the licensee will develop the tactical plan, providing spatial information indicating where forest operations may occur in the next 20 years.

1.6.7 FMP Volume II – FMP Direction and Implementation The licensee will present the FMP direction and implementation based on the selected management strategy. The desired future forest condition will identify the composition of the forest that will best meet the diverse social, cultural, economic and environmental needs of the licence area. The licensee will present, in the FMP Volume II, the necessary management actions to arrive at the desired future forest condition.

1.6.8 Monitoring and Evaluation In FMP Volume II, the licensee will provide an outline of the monitoring processes that will be utilized to assess and report on progress made during the implementation of the FMP and to compare the activities actually carried out with those proposed in the approved plan. This will include monitoring the indicators (established within the performance framework) and compliance monitoring functions. This component of the FMP implementation process is crucial for ongoing adaptive management and continual improvement of forest management planning and practices. The monitoring process relies largely on reporting systems, including the evaluation of results and recommendations to be incorporated into subsequent FMPs. Reporting is conducted through both independent sustainable forest management audits and annual reports.

Figure 2. Overview of Forest Management Planning Process and Requirements


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2 years

Establish Planning Team

Background Information Gathering

Form Public Advisory

Group

Public Review & Comment

Presentation of Tactical Plan


Minister's Approval

FMP Workplan Public Consultation

Plan

Forest Estate Modelling

• Planning Inventory

• Forest Development Report

• Forest Estate Modelling Report

Draft FMP - Vol. II Submission

Final FMP – Vol. II

Develop FMP Workplan & Consultation

Plan

FMP Volume 1


Planning Team Terms of Reference

Assessing Sustainability: • Identify VOITs • Develop SGRs • Assess Wood

Supply • Present

Management Strategies

• Develop Tactical Plan

Finalize FMP – Vol. II

Planning Process Steps

Staged Approval Products

Public Consultation

KEY STREAMS IN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLANNING PROCESS

0

T i m

e l i n e


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1.7 Approval Process Although SE and the licensee comprise the planning team, it is the responsibility of the licensee to prepare the FMP, while SE is the agency responsible for plan approval. During the two-year process of FMP preparation, the planning team will work together to develop and implement a staged review process. An overview of the required review, approval stages and associated delivery products to be submitted to SE Forest Service is shown in Figure 2. The staged review and approval process will ensure that information required for initiation or completion of other components of the plan is finalized and approved. This process also provides the planning team with clear direction for required timelines and deliverables to complete the FMP and to facilitate ongoing plan development. Opportunities for public review and comment will be provided at appropriate review stages. 1.8 Adaptive Management Once an FMP is approved, the licensee and SE will monitor the implementation of the plan using two approaches. The first approach will involve monitoring of compliance with the current legislation and provincial manuals, and monitoring of compliance with the current FMP. This will be done through processes further described in this FMP document and in the Compliance Manual. The second approach will be to assess the progress of forest management activities against the selected management strategy in the FMP. This will be achieved through monitoring the appropriate indicators and reporting upon their status at specified time intervals. In addition, the licensee will participate in the Forest Management Effects Monitoring Program. This program is designed to evaluate the results of forest management activities in comparison to natural disturbances and can be adjusted to mitigate potential impacts on the health of the forest ecosystem. The program will provide important information on the impact of forest management activities on soil, water, forest and wildlife components of the forest ecosystem. The results will be used to evaluate both the plan itself and the implementation of the plan, with the intent of improving forest practices supported by the plan. 1.9 Guiding Principles The following sections outline principles that have been prepared by the Forest Service as a framework to support the development of the FMP document. The Forest Service expects these principles to be reflected in the planning processes for activities to be conducted on Crown forest lands in the province. The principles are based on the tenets of ecosystem-based management, adaptive management, public involvement and accountability.

1.9.1 Principle 1 - Ecosystem-based Management

1. The focus is on whole systems, rather than on individual resources or species; 2. The prime management objective is to maintain ecosystem integrity and health;


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3. The most effective strategy for maintaining forest health and the potential for long-term forest sustainability is to emulate natural disturbance patterns;

4. Decisions are based on science, traditional knowledge and human values; 5. Long-term sustainability of renewable resources is a fundamental value; 6. Decisions are based on sound ecological models and understanding; and 7. Humans are an important component of the ecosystem and societal benefits are

also to be considered and maintained.

1.9.2 Principle 2 - Sustainable Forest Management

1. Sustainable forest management is made up of three key facets: ecological sustainability, economic sustainability and social sustainability; therefore, forests are managed in order to sustain social, economic and ecological values for future generations;

2. Large, healthy, diverse and productive Crown forest lands and their associated ecological processes and biological diversity are to be conserved;

3. Forest management planning is based on the concept of sustainable forest management and considers all forest resource values; and

4. The use of a performance framework will allow for the assessment of all forest resource values designated as VOITs over the term of the FMP.

1.9.3 Principle 3 - Open Consultation and Collaboration with Stakeholders,

Aboriginal People and the Public

1. Everyone in Saskatchewan, including private landowners and land managers, all levels of governments, Aboriginal Peoples, members of interest groups, industry and other agencies, must work together to identify problems, opportunities and to find common solutions;

2. There are many benefits derived from an effective public involvement process. Input from all interested parties in forest management planning means better decisions, with consideration for the whole resource, before actions are taken; and

3. The consultation process is maintained through the continual involvement of all interested parties through the planning process, by keeping participants informed, and by reporting decisions and the reasons for those decisions.

1.9.4 Principle 4 - Social and Economic Sustainability

1. Forests provide substantial commercial benefits, including: timber and non-timber

forest products, as well as water and land-based tourism. There are also non-commercial benefits, such as wildlife habitat, recreation opportunities, aesthetics, traditional land use values and wilderness values. The distribution of these benefits is a key aspect of both social equity and sustainable forest management, and requires forests to be managed to support these values over the long term; and

2. Social and economic sustainability values that are directly influenced by licensees are best tracked through a performance framework that continually measures and assesses the values as the FMP is implemented.

1.9.5 Principle 5 - Adaptive Management and Continual Improvement

1. Scientific knowledge of forest ecosystems will continue to expand, which will

modify our understanding of ecosystem dynamics and how they are influenced by human activity;


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2. Monitoring processes, including the performance framework provided by the values, objectives, indicators and targets presented in the FMP will assist in the process of learning from past experiences, evaluating the effects of forest management activities on the long-term health of forest ecosystems, and assessing progress towards FMP objectives;

3. New understanding of sustainable forest management that becomes available to licensees and learning gained through monitoring of current FMP implementation will be incorporated into a revised FMP as part of the adaptive management and continual improvement cycle;

4. Reporting on the results of forest management activities provides accountability by measuring progress and helping to determine the effectiveness of various planning strategies;

5. Forest management planning is a dynamic process which will reflect improvements to sustainable forest management practices as identified at both the national and provincial level; and

6. Linkages between FMPs and subsequent operating plans must be built and maintained to ensure that FMP objectives are carried consistently through plan implementation.


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2 Process for Initiating and Developing a Forest Management Plan 2.1 Developing a Planning Team A key step in beginning the formal FMP process is the creation of the planning team. The planning team will act as the working body throughout the FMP development process. Responsibility for plan preparation rests with the licensee, while responsibility for plan approval rests with SE.

2.1.1 FMP Plan Author The licensee will appoint a plan author who is responsible for the overall development and submission of the forest management plan on behalf of the licensee.

a The plan author will be assisted by an interdisciplinary planning team and the public advisory group, both of which will be created as part of the FMP process. The plan author will act as the chairperson of the planning team.

2.1.2 Planning Team Composition In addition to the plan author, the licensee may also identify consultants or key members of their staff to participate on the planning team. The planning team will consist of a core technical planning team of staff representing the licensee and the Forest Service.

a This core team will participate in all planning team meetings. A second level of the planning team, in the form of advisors, will provide assistance to the planning team when required. The advisors will include representation from the licensee, SE, other government agencies, and from the PAG. The Forest Service FMP co-ordinator will lead all SE representatives on the planning team and act as the key point of contact between SE and the plan author. The FMP co-ordinator will have overall responsibility for helping the plan author to co-ordinate plan production support as appropriate and, in particular, with the ongoing review and approval process for the FMP. The FMP co-ordinator will recommend other SE representatives to the planning team to provide a cross-section of resource expertise and experience. The SE staff complement may include those with expertise in forest management, inventory and analysis, fish and wildlife management, forest science, environmental assessment, fire management and enforcement. At the beginning of the planning process, the plan author will work with the FMP coordinator to determine which branches of SE and other government agencies need to be consulted and to determine specific interests to be addressed in the FMP. Where specific interests relevant to the licence area and the development of the FMP exist, the interested agency will be invited to participate as an advisor to the planning team during the development of the FMP. When an agency, in discussion with the plan author and the FMP co-ordinator, decide to participate, the agency will be expected to make appropriate


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commitments of staff and resources to provide necessary input, including active participation in relevant planning team meetings and workshops. For the preparation of FMPs that will be subject to an environmental impact assessment, a representative of the SE Environmental Assessment Branch will be invited to participate as a member of the planning team. Where the FMP is subject to an environmental impact assessment or a EA change in development, the plan author and the FMP coordinator will maintain close liaison with the EA Branch representative responsible for the licensing process for the plan.

b In particular, the FMP workplan and other key stages (identified in the workplan) will be reviewed with the EA branch. The level of participation of individual planning team members may vary, depending on their area of expertise. Ideally, planning team members will be familiar with the licence area. Members of the planning team will be expected to contribute information and facilitate the development of the FMP based upon their area of expertise and the resource values that they represent. SE planning team members will be involved in the FMP review and approval process. Through participation on the planning team these representatives will remain apprised of progress on the FMP, provide information from government sources as appropriate, and provide advice to the plan author as work proceeds. Other SE staff that are not active members of the planning team may be required to participate directly in the FMP review and approval process. 2.2 Planning Team Deliverables The planning team is responsible for developing three deliverables for initiation of the FMP: the planning team terms of reference; the FMP workplan; and the public consultation plan. These three products may be submitted as either one deliverable or three separate deliverables for approval, as arranged by the planning team. The licensee must submit its planning team terms of reference, FMP workplan, and public consultation plan for approval by the Executive Director of the Forest Service and a senior representative for the licensee (e.g. Woodlands Manager) a minimum of 24 months before the FMP implementation date. These deliverables must be included in the appendix of the FMP – Volume II.

a

2.2.1 Planning Team Terms of Reference One of the planning team’s first objectives is to agree on its own terms of reference to guide its work in the development of the FMP. Creating terms of reference is critical to the success of the FMP as it sets out a path for moving forward, establishing what needs to be achieved, by whom and when. The planning team terms of reference will contain information regarding goals for the FMP, such as defining the vision, objectives and scope of the plan. It will include information on the role of stakeholders and resource managers, timelines, a workplan, and mechanisms for resolving disputes.

a


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The terms of reference should include the following: 1. Licence area for which the FMP is being developed; 2. Date of expiry of the current FMP for the area, where applicable; 3. Name of plan author, licensee represented, and position with licensee; 4. Name of SE FMP coordinator; 5. Names, position titles, and organizations represented for all planning team

members, SE plan advisors and other agency advisors; 6. Outline of roles and levels of participation foreseen for all members and advisors

to the planning team including the following key roles: a. Leadership of public consultation process and liaison with the PAG and

communities, including aboriginal groups; b. Participation of licensee and SE representatives at public meetings and their

working relationship with the PAG; c. Leadership for forest estate modelling and other resource analysis

requirements; and, d. Coordination of SE review and approval processes.

7. Currently proposed SE plan reviewers, and their roles and responsibilities; 8. Dispute resolution process for resolving disagreements between planning team

members, including stages of resolution and the point of involvement of senior representatives of the Forest Service and the licensee; and

9. Schedule of meetings and workshops and an outline of immediate tasks and responsibilities for the planning team leading to the development of the FMP workplan.

The approved terms of reference will provide the formal basis for the planning team and the licensee to proceed with the planning process. Both SE and the licensee must approve this to ensure that both organizations have endorsed the planning team and the purpose and structure of the process, and clearly understand and commit the resources required to develop the FMP. Minor amendments to the planning team terms of reference may be undertaken through mutual consent of both the plan author and the FMP co-ordinator.

2.2.2 FMP Workplan

The FMP workplan will outline the manner in which the licensee and the planning team will produce the deliverables related to the production of the FMP. Once approved, the planning team terms of reference and the FMP workplan become the formal starting point for development of the FMP for the licence area. The licensee must report on their progress related to the approved FMP workplan at intervals agreed to at the outset of planning. Any major changes to the production schedule expected to have an impact on the submission of FMP deliverables must be forwarded to the Executive Director of the Forest Service and a senior representative for the licensee as an amendment requiring approval.

a The FMP workplan schedule is to be updated as work proceeds. Minor amendments to the FMP workplan may be undertaken through mutual consent of both the plan author and the FMP coordinator.


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2.2.2.1 Scoping Development for the Workplan The plan author, with assistance from the planning team, must undertake a scoping and workplan development process that includes key tasks and a schedule for plan production.

a During the scoping process, the planning team should review and discuss factors affecting the development of the FMP and how these factors will be addressed, including the following criteria:

1. Review of the FMPD to ensure the licensee understands and follows the standards;

2. Environmental Assessment Act review to ensure that requirements will be addressed, including discussions with environmental assessment branch representatives;

3. Identification of stakeholders and aboriginal groups or communities on or adjacent to the licence area who may be affected by the FMP and the potential ways to involve these groups;

4. Identification of all potential government or other agencies having jurisdiction over activities in the licence area;

5. Identification of known issues and concerns regarding the management of forest resources (timber and non-timber) on the licence area;

6. Identification of issues/concerns regarding the availability of inventory or other information sources that may affect the development of the FMP; and

7. Development of a list of other land uses and values and the format for describing them (this information will be presented in the FMP Vol. I).

The scoping process will include discussions amongst the planning team, with team advisors, and with other government representatives involved in the FMP development and approval process. These discussions will lead to the development of the FMP workplan. The planning team will co-ordinate with government representatives responsible for administration of The EA Act to streamline FMP requirements and the associated environmental impact assessment and environmental assessment statement, where appropriate.

2.2.2.2 FMP Workplan Content The FMP workplan will include a detailed listing of tasks and subtasks necessary to complete the FMP. The workplan will define the tasks; including interim approval steps, the participants involved and time estimates as well as a plan for public consultation and involvement of the PAG. The workplan will include a listing of analysis tools to be used and a description of how they will be used. Analysis tools to be used for any of the following tasks must be authorized by the Forest Service as part of the FMP workplan approval:

a. Assessment of management strategies; b. Assessment of sustainability; c. Projection of current and future forest conditions through time; d. Determination of the available harvest areas; and e. Determination of the silvicultural program.

a


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The FMP workplan should also contain the following information:

1. An itemized listing of the tasks required to complete the FMP, with reference to all of the deliverables required in the course of the FMP production: a. Identification of lead person responsible for each task; and, b. Relationship of the tasks to the FMP content requirements as described in

Sections 2- 4 of this FMP document; 2. Schedule for production of the FMP that includes progress checkpoints and

anticipated timing of deliverables; 3. Expected contributions that will be needed from both the licensee and SE in order

to meet requirements, including preparatory work and minute-taking; 4. SE interim review and approval steps; 5. Identification of issues that may affect the schedule for plan production; 6. Identification of resources or assistance that may be required from SE, other

government agencies, or other sources to address identified issues or as otherwise required to develop the FMP, and;

7. PAG and a general public consultation meeting schedule, relative to FMP development progress, and including approximate target dates.

2.3 Public Consultation In developing the FMP, the licensee must create and implement a public consultation program or make use of or modify programs already in place. Consultation efforts should be focused on local communities, stakeholder groups, aboriginal people and others having an interest in the land, resource uses, and/or forest management activities within the licence area. The licensee must maintain a consultation record, documenting concerns and issues raised during the consultations and how those concerns and issues will be or were addressed. In the preparation of the FMP, the licensee is required by Section 39(2) of The FRMA to identify forest products and resources in the licence area that are of value to others. The licensee must indicate how those products and resources may be affected by forest management activities and explain what actions the licensee will take to address these values. Further to these requirements, Section 27 of The FRMA Regulations requires the forest management plan to include a description of traditional and current land use in the licence area along with any cultural activities and concerns of local residents. The public consultation process will assist in identifying land and resource uses through discussions with aboriginal people, communities, stakeholder groups, associations and interested individuals. Early, informed input from all interested parties will improve decision-making and assist in the development of a plan that will sustain forest values for future generations. The FMP is to be prepared in an open consultative fashion. Opportunities for public participation in the development of the plan will:

1. Increase participants’ understanding of sustainable forest management, the value of the forest and the interests of others;

2. Increase public support for the implementation of the forest management plan because of their role in its development; and

3. Achieve more solutions collectively than the licensee, Forest Service, or others could achieve individually.


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2.3.1 Principles of Effective Public Consultation To promote effective public consultation, the following principles have been developed to offer to guide licensees. The consultation plan will be developed as part of the FMP workplan and will embody the principles listed below. The Forest Service will use these principles to assess how well the licensee meets the public consultation standards.

2.3.1.1 Involvement of Participants The design of the consultation process must be adaptable to the needs and rights of any affected parties and appropriate to local circumstances. It is acceptable to use existing consultation processes, start new ones, or restart old processes. Where possible, licensees are encouraged to build upon existing processes in order to capitalize on the learning that has already taken place.

2.3.1.2 Evaluation and Continual Improvement Public consultation itself is a key component of the adaptive management and continual improvement process. It provides important input on existing and potential issues for both the licensee and the Forest Service, and offers an avenue to explore potential solutions to the concerns raised. Responding to feedback is an essential part of a successful process. As parties become more familiar with the issues and with each other, the public consultation process will need to be reviewed and adapted to changing circumstances. Thus it is important to evaluate the effectiveness of the public consultation process as it proceeds.

2.3.1.3 Accommodation for Participation It is important to identify and make efforts to involve all parties with a significant interest in the planning process. These parties should be provided with one or more mechanisms to participate in the FMP development process, and these mechanisms should ensure that participants’ views have been heard and that they have been treated with respect. This may require more than one consultation mechanism to enable people to participate in a manner and to a level with which they are comfortable. Such mechanisms can include the PAG, public open houses, or specific discussions/meetings with interested parties and individuals on a variety of topics.

2.3.1.4 Access to Information Access to relevant and understandable information for those being consulted is critical to the success of a consultation process. Therefore, information should be provided in a manner that is understandable by the general public. In addition, all parties involved must understand and respect the need for confidentiality of specified information.

2.3.1.5 Interest-Based Solutions Interested parties must have the opportunity to discuss issues, values and outcomes of interest to them. This includes the opportunity to learn the perspectives of others, understand their underlying needs, and discover the beliefs and needs that various participants have in common. This makes it possible to discover creative solutions that are in the mutual interests of the parties.


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2.3.1.6 Well-Defined Scope Participants need to understand why it is in their interest to participate and the purpose of their involvement. They must also understand that plan recommendations must be consistent with relevant legislation, regulations and government policies. They need to be clear about the limits of their level of involvement in the process and that the authority for approval of the plan rests with the minister.

2.3.1.7 Clear Operating Rules Immediately after the formation of the PAG, the consultation process must establish guidelines that outline how the PAG will function. Roles and responsibilities need to be clearly articulated and understood.

2.3.1.8 Accountability Parties who participate in the public advisory group process are accountable to their constituencies and to the planning process. It is important that the participants representing groups or organizations effectively speak for the interests they represent. Mechanisms and resources for timely feedback and reporting to constituencies are crucial and need to be established. Clearly accounting for decisions made in response to issues raised in the development of the plan is key to building trust and ensuring that the process is open and transparent. Participants need to be confident that their input has been heard and respected. They also have to understand the response to their input.

2.3.1.9 Timeliness Clear and reasonable time limits for working towards the end of the planning process need to be established.

2.3.1.10 Commitment to Implementation Parties need to trust that the FMP will be implemented. Clear commitments to implementation are essential. The proposed monitoring programs to assess and report on implementation progress will help to demonstrate this commitment to the public.

2.3.2 Public Advisory Group Within the consultation plan the licensee must outline the proposed approach for the development and implementation of the public advisory group. If the licensee plans to use an existing public advisory group process, similar information about the group’s operation and any proposed modifications is required.

a For the development of the FMP, the public advisory group is expected to represent a broad cross-section of the values present in the licence area providing advice and input about these areas, as well as resource use and community values. This information will complement input from the broader public consultation process, which will be conducted at the required FMP stages. The information will also compliment input from other mechanisms where applicable, such as the IFLUP process.


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2.3.2.1 Purpose The licensee will propose ways for the public advisory group to participate in the preparation and implementation of the FMP. Some examples of this may include:

1. Nominating a representative of the PAG to serve as an advisor to the planning team. Other committee members may attend planning team meetings as observers;

2. Discussing items in joint meetings with the planning team, to be held at agreed-upon stages of the planning process, and which may include: a. The desired forest conditions and benefits; b. Specific optional VOITs in the performance framework for the development

and subsequent implementation and assessment of the FMP; c. Management objectives, strategies, problems and issues; d. Development of value-based resource inventories; e. Evaluation of tradeoffs that must be made during the planning process; f. The resolution of problems as early as possible in the planning process; and g. Materials to be presented at public information sessions.

3. Ensuring that local interests are effectively communicated to all involved in forest management planning;

4. Increasing the effectiveness of the public consultation process by: a. Participating in its design through the development and implementation of the

terms of reference; b. Providing advice to the planning team on preparations for the public

information sessions, including public notices, content and presentation of information and maps, potential locations and other logistics;

c. Arranging for representatives to attend and participate at public information sessions; and

d. Providing advice on additional public consultation opportunities that may be useful in the context of local circumstances and needs.

5. Providing opportunities to participate in an issue resolution process; 6. Providing opportunities for a representative of the committee to attend the

presentation of the draft forest management plan to the Forest Service; and 7. Assisting in monitoring performance of plan implementation.

2.3.2.2 Membership and Organization

The public advisory group should be a standing committee with members invited to participate by the licensee. In the case of community or resource use groups, the licensee may request that the organization nominate a representative to join the PAG. Since a licensee may want to establish additional public advisory groups or sub-committees, (especially where a licence encompasses a large geographic area with many communities), a protocol to describe how multiple public advisory groups or sub-committees will function may be necessary. The protocol will address the coordination of roles and relationships of the multiple committees or subcommittees during the development of the FMP. It will also address the process to be used to track input received from the multiple groups and how the input is to be addressed in FMP development. It may be beneficial for the PAG to include one or more members of an existing planning process (e.g., IFLUP) as one of the interest-based representatives.


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The membership of the public advisory group will ideally include a number of local individuals representing a range of interests from the stakeholders and communities within or adjacent to the licence area. The majority of members should be drawn from nominations provided by local interest groups and community organizations. Persons directly employed by the licensee preparing the FMP are eligible to be members of the PAG but will not make up the majority of the committee.

a The Forest Service will work with the licensee to identify key groups that should be invited to participate in the PAG. Where they are represented at the local level, the following values and interests should be considered for invitation to nominate a representative for participation on the public advisory group:

1. Local chamber of commerce or other business representation; 2. Tourism/outfitting industry; 3. Anglers and hunters; 4. Aboriginal organizations; 5. Forest industry (including independent operators); 6. Naturalists; 7. Communities (including urban municipalities, aboriginal communities, or rural

municipalities); 8. Resource users (including trappers, co management boards, ranchers, etc); 9. Other Crown forest land recreationists (including snowmobile clubs, etc.); 10. Woods workers and/or forest industry trade unions; 11. Mineral sector; 12. Economic development organizations; 13. Environmental groups; and 14. Heritage groups or organizations.

2.3.2.3 Public Advisory Group Terms of Reference

The PAG terms of reference must describe the process the group will follow while working with both the licensee and planning team during the development and implementation of the FMP and may include an updated terms of reference for an existing committee. The PAG, with assistance from the licensee, will develop a single terms of reference for each licence. The approved terms of reference will be made public. The terms of reference will be submitted as part of the public consultation plan.

a The public advisory group should use the following guidelines to develop its terms of reference:

1. Name and affiliation of each committee member and the date of his or her appointment to the committee;

2. A letter of approval from the stakeholder or community recommending the committee member;

3. Goals and scope of the committee and its role in development of the FMP; 4. Responsibilities of individual members sitting on the PAG, including how each

committee member will report back to and/or obtain input from the constituency he or she represents;


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5. Process for selecting members, the term of service, and a description of how a range and balance of interests will be maintained on the committee;

6. Key dates and timelines for the committee in the preparation of the FMP; 7. Responsibility for minutes of committee meetings; 8. Rules developed by and for the PAG with respect to any procedural matters,

including: a. How the chair of the committee will be selected; b. How facilitation of discussions will occur and the process for arriving at the

decisions for recommendations by the committee; c. Frequency of, and attendance at, committee meetings, including the role of

alternates; d. Development of agendas for committee meetings; e. Attendance at public meetings by committee members; f. Circulation of information among committee members; g. Selection of the committee representative to serve as a member of the

planning team; h. Ensurance that only the delegated authority speaks on behalf of the interest

group or community the PAG member represents; i. Selection of alternates for the chair of the committee and for the

representative to the planning team; j. Procedures regarding the declaration of conflicts of interests by individual

committee members, and how the committee will address those declarations; k. Preparation of committee reports; and, l. A formal process for dispute resolution.

9. Background material and training required to assist committee members with their roles and responsibilities and forest management planning matters;

10. When applicable, a protocol that describes how multiple committees or subcommittees will function;

11. A mechanism to amend the terms of reference if required; and 12. A statement recognizing aboriginal rights and affirming that aboriginal

participation in the public consultation process will not prejudice these rights.

2.3.3 Consultation Plan The licensee will be asked to involve key interested parties in the development of the FMP. Examples of key interested parties include other forest-based businesses (e.g. resource-based tourism outfitters, mining companies, and exploration companies), stakeholders, aboriginal groups, existing committees, and the public. When developing the consultation plan, the licensee should describe the manner in which public input will be in incorporated into the development of additional VOITs (requirements described in Section 3.3), which may include the following mechanisms:

1. Input of VOITs directly from a licensee’s certification performance framework, which would have been previously developed and documented from public consultation;

2. Supporting information utilized in development of additional VOITs from the issues and concerns table developed in conjunction with the FMP, and any other input obtained from the general public or from the PAG through discussions related to FMP development; and


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3. Through specific participation of the PAG in additional VOIT development, through directed workshops/sessions specifically to help the licensee to develop these VOITs.

This description should include the licensee’s anticipated approach for bringing forward public input in developing the additional VOITs and a plan for overall presentation of the VOIT framework to the public, as part of the public consultation process. The public consultation plan must include the following:

1. Identify the licensee’s principal contact person for public consultation enquiries; 2. Identify the key Forest Service representative on the planning team for public

enquiries pertaining to the FMP process for the licence area (identified through discussions between the plan author and the Forest Service FMP coordinator);

3. Commitment to maintain a PAG throughout the development and implementation of the FMP;

4. Commitment to hold a series of three public information sessions for broad public review of the development of the FMP at three specified stages; a. FMP Vol. I release; b. Forest estate modelling; and c. FMP Vol. II review;

5. Outline the overall strategy for public consultation for the FMP; 6. The PAG terms of reference; 7. Outline the anticipated process for public information sessions at the three required

key stages identified earlier, including the information presentation methods for each of the three key stages, and an indication of the information to be provided at each stage;

8. Identify anticipated processes/mechanisms for incorporating public input to the formulation of the additional VOITs in meeting overall performance framework requirements; and

9. Identify methods to maintain records of consultation undertaken, issues and concerns raised, information shared and the mechanism proposed to enable the licensee and the Forest Service to track and respond to issues and concerns (issues and concerns table to be maintained and provided as an appendix to the FMP).

a Other sources of information that the licensee may include when outlining the overall strategy for public consultation include:

a. How interested parties will be identified; b. The stages of FMP development at which interested parties will be able to

participate; c. Consultation mechanisms proposed (PAG, public open houses, web site,

newsletters, response to invitations by interested parties, etc.); d. Invitation processes to be used; and e. Documentation and follow-up processes to be followed.

The licensee should consider the following points when developing the PAG:

a. How interested parties will be identified and invited to participate; b. The proposed advertising and invitation mechanism to develop the PAG; c. An outline of methods and approaches to involve the parties in the process

that may subsequently become part of the terms of reference for the PAG; and


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d. The rationale for determining the overall composition of the PAG (e.g., number of participants, values to be represented, etc.).

2.3.4 Consultation with Aboriginal Groups

The consideration of aboriginal interests through the involvement of aboriginal forest users and communities in forest management planning as described in this section is intended, in part, to assist the Crown in addressing obligations it may have under subsection 35(1) of The Constitution Act, 1982. Within the public consultation plan, the licensee must clearly address the processes to be used when consulting with aboriginal forest users who have aboriginal rights and /or treaty rights and whose traditional territory is within the licence area.

a It is important that the public consultation process address and encourage aboriginal participation, and that this be referenced in the consultation plan. This requirement relates to the development and implementation of both the public advisory group and the broader public consultation process. Examples that should be considered for inclusion in the consultation plan include:

1. Invitations to participate in the PAG for representatives of aboriginal communities and organizations, including organizations, band or tribal councils, and resource users present in the licence area;

2. Invitations to be posted in aboriginal communities to announce public information sessions; and

3. Informative postings to aboriginal and non-timber resource user groups, such as trappers and co-management boards.

As part of the joint review and development of the FMP workplan, the licensee must discuss planned public consultation approaches, especially regarding aboriginal people, with SE representatives on the planning team during preparation of the public consultation plan.

b This will ensure that any new provincial policy direction regarding aboriginal consultation that is relevant to the FMP development process is incorporated. SE has a legal duty to consult with aboriginal groups, including both First Nations and Métis groups. SE will undertake aboriginal consultation during the development of the FMP to make sure that their consultation obligations are met. SE staff will co-ordinate their aboriginal consultation efforts with the plan author.


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2.3.5 Consultation Reports and Records

During the preparation of the FMP, the licensee will produce a minimum of three consultation reports of their consultation activities. These consultation reports must be submitted to SE for review upon completion of each key public review period and will be located in the respective appendix of either the FMP – Volumes I or II. These consultation reports, as follows, will reflect the three key public review periods of the FMP and summarize the public advisory group’s activities:

1. FMP Vol. I, Background Information; 2. Forest Estate Modelling; and, 3. FMP Vol. II.

a

FMP consultation reports must at a minimum, contain the following information:

1. Persons/organizations contacted; 2. Forum (location, meeting reference, date and type of contact made); 3. What information was provided, in a tabular format;

a. Summary of key issues raised both during public reviews and overall development of the FMP and how they were addressed;

b. The interested party who raised the issue, c. Forum at which the issue is brought forward; and d. The response of the licensee, including how the issue/concern is addressed in

the FMP, if applicable (the response of the licensee may include reference to a process for resolution at a later time, such as a subsequent operating plan, for site-specific issues);

4. Documentation of efforts made to contact known aboriginal forest users and communities affected by or interested in forest management within the licence area;

5. Documentation of efforts made to encourage aboriginal forest users and communities to become involved in identifying and addressing traditional use activities within the licence area;

6. Summary of known aboriginal interests potentially affected by proposed forest management activities identified in the FMP; and

7. Summary of information obtained about known aboriginal interests and needs potentially affected by proposed forest management activities identified in the FMP.

b These consultation reports should include outcomes of the consultation plan, the results achieved through the public consultation process, and the input that it provided to the FMP.


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2.3.6 Public Consultation During Plan Implementation The licensee will address public consultation during plan implementation in both the VOITs and the FMP Volume II. This may include details of how the licensee will continue consultation efforts with respect to the operating plan process, FMP amendments, monitoring of the progress of the FMP (including the performance framework), and any audits that will take place.

a 2.4 FMP Volume I Requirements The content requirements for the FMP Volume I primarily include background information. The purpose for gathering background information is to evaluate activities on the licence area to help set the context for forest management planning. The following descriptions must be considered in the development of the FMP Volume I:

1. The licence area, including the water, land, and forest, and planning boundaries; 2. The licensee and its history; 3. The people in the licence area; 4. The current condition of the forest in the licence area; 5. The activities and values associated with the forest found on the licence area; and 6. The recent history of forest management on the licence area.

The licensee will hold the first public information session upon releasing a draft FMP Volume I. The session will apprise people of the ongoing FMP development process and the information available for planning.

2.4.1 Information Gathering In preparation for the development of the FMP and the associated forest estate modelling work, the licensee is required to undertake an information gathering process, leading to the preparation and submission of the FMP Volume I. The process of preparing this background document is to provide the licensee and the planning team with the framework to collect, review and determine the status of the information sources available for development of the FMP. In addition to work carried out by the licensee, the information gathering process will include input from the Forest Service members of the planning team, who will provide direction and guidance on provincial sources of information. Sections 2.4.2 – 2.4.4 outline in greater detail the types of information to be included in the FMP Volume I.

2.4.1.1 Provincial Sources of Direction Applicable documents prepared by the Province, including those providing forest management requirements as prepared by SE, must be used in development of the FMP.

a


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Gathering and review of these documents will provide the licensee with the provincial context and requirements for the preparation of the FMP. The FMP co-ordinator will provide the licensee with a list of applicable documents. These provincial sources of direction may include the following:

1. SE’s provincial manuals for forest management, which include: a. Forest Planning; b. Forest Operations; c. Compliance; and d. Scaling.

These manuals are in various stages of development and are subject to amendment. SE staff on the planning team will update the licensee regarding the status of these manuals and their applicability to the preparation of the FMP at the start of the planning process.

2. Applicable IFLUPs, which contain regional management objectives, targets and strategies, and any applicable inventories. IFLUPs may not be available for all areas;

3. The existing approved FMP for the licence area; 4. Approved or draft resource management plans (e.g., fisheries or wildlife

management plans, park management plans) that are relevant to the licence area; 5. Summary of SE resource issues identified within the licence area during the

current term of the FMP; 6. Strategic business direction reports, as available for forest-based businesses

dependent on the licence area - in particular the forest industry; and 7. Other relevant information.

2.4.1.2 Monitoring Program Reports

A necessary component of forest management planning is the monitoring and reporting of established indicators, which support adaptive management and continual improvement. The results of monitoring activities and reporting from performance and compliance audits and from the forest management effects monitoring program should be used in FMP preparation. Past monitoring results will be used to assess the success and progress towards previous objectives and will assist in the development of future objectives, indicators, and targets. The program will yield information on the effects of forest management activities on various elements of the forest ecosystem. It will provide input for various facets of FMP development, including the establishment of baseline data for input to the modelling processes and the assessment of assumptions about the effects of forest management. The licensee will include a list of all reports relevant to monitoring and may include a summary of the overall results of the forest management effects monitoring program undertaken on the licence area during the current FMP term.

a The summary should include an analysis and assessment of the results to date and how this information will be used in the development of the future FMP.


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2.4.1.3 Summary of FMP & Environmental Impact Statement Commitments It is important that the licensee document commitments made in the current FMP and environmental impact statement and describe the progress made towards achieving their objectives and plan approval conditions. Through this process, the licensee and the planning team are provided with information that will contribute to the establishment of VOITs, which will be used in the preparation of the new FMP. The comparison of past to expected performance will also assist in the review and development of planning processes and operating practices, and improve future planning and operating performance. To assist the evaluation of past performance, the licensee must provide a tabular summary (FMP – Table 2 – 1) of all FMP commitments and approval conditions for the current FMP and a report on their progress in achieving the FMP commitments and approval conditions. These commitments must be linked to any established VOITs and the FMP objectives and/or targets proposed by the licensee.

a The licensee must provide a tabular summary (FMP – Table 2 – 2) of all environmental impact statement commitments and approval conditions for the past environmental impact statement, and a report on their progress in achieving these commitments and approval conditions. These commitments must be linked to past environmental impact statement objectives and/or targets proposed by the licensee.

b In addition to current FMP and environmental impact statement commitments, the licensee is to report on the following:

1. Outstanding environmental impact statement - The licensee is required to consult with the environmental assessment branch to determine if any outstanding environmental impact statement commitments from previously approved environmental impact statement(s) still apply. If this is the case, these commitments will be included in the summary in addition to the commitments of the current FMP and environmental impact statement.

2. Not meeting commitments - Where a licensee has been unable to meet specific commitments described in the current FMP or environmental impact statement, the licensee is required to document the reasons why the commitment has not been met and any response/direction provided by SE. The licensee must also document any trends found relative to there past objectives, FMP and/or environmental impact statement commitments, and FMP and environmental assessment approval conditions. These may indicate a need to adjust the current management approach, or suggest a need for further assessment.

3. Prior tenure - The above requirements to report on environmental impact statement commitments are to include those commitments made under prior tenure where applicable (e.g. an organization that moves from a TSL licence to an FMA licence). The licensee must consult with Environmental Assessment Branch to verify the ongoing status of previous environmental impact statement commitments.

c


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2.4.1.4 Sustainable Forest Management Audit Report As described in Section 35 of The Forest Resources Management Regulations, a licensee is required to conduct a periodic independent sustainable forest management audit. SE has developed an Independent Sustainable Forest Management Audit Manual (2003) to guide the audit program, which is intended to assess the licensee’s effectiveness in:

1. Achievement of the objectives of the forest management plan; 2. Compliance with terms of the FMA and applicable regulations; and 3. Achievement of the audit criteria and forest management objectives.

The deliverables of a sustainable forest management audit include an audit report and an optional co-ordinated action plan. Audit findings are reported using the detailed audit protocol in Appendix A of the Independent Sustainable Forest Management Audit Manual. The purpose of the coordinated action plan is to identify actions to address the findings in the audit report and assign responsibilities and timeframes for completing the actions. The licensee must indicate the results of their sustainable forest management audit in the FMP – Volume I either by attaching their most recent co-ordinated action plan or by producing a summary of key points from both the audit report and their most recent coordinated action plan (if a co-ordinated action plan was completed). If the licensee chooses the second option, they must include all the key elements of the audit findings listed in Table 1. A licensee must summarize this information primarily from the viewpoint of the current forest management plan, environmental assessments and relevant ministerial approval letters.

a The audit results will form the basis for reporting on achievements as related to the current FMP, and for summarizing past performance.


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Table 1. Elements of the audit protocol findings to include in the FMP Vol. I Section Heading Subject Heading1 1.5 Independent Audit 1.5.1 Audit Report 1.6 Reporting 1.6.1 Achievement of Plan Objectives 1.6.2 Self-Inspection 2 Planning 2.1 Linkage Between Plans 2.2 Inventories and Mapping 2.3 Resource Supply Analyses and Harvest Scheduling 2.4 Forest Condition 2.4.1 Current Conditions 2.4.2 Predicted Future Conditions 2.5 Biodiversity and Wildlife Habitat 2.6 Riparian and Water Resources 2.7 Visual Quality and Recreation 2.8 Traditional, Cultural or Other Special Resource Values 2.9 Forest Protection 3.1 Harvesting 3.1.1.1 Landscape Level Planning 3.1.1.2 Stand Level Planning 3.1.2.1 Landscape Level Practices 3.1.3 Self-Inspection 3.3 Road Activities 3.3.1.1 Landscape Level Planning 3.3.1.2 Stand Level Planning 3.3.2.1 Landscape Level Practices 3.3.3 Self-Inspection 3.4 Silviculture 3.4.1.1 Landscape Level Planning 3.4.1.2 Stand Level Planning 3.4.2.1 Landscape Level Practices 3.4.3 Self-Inspection 4 Research 5 Socio-Economic 5.1 Consultation 5.2 Economic and Employment Note1: Subject headings are indicated to identify topics of audit findings for which the summary is to be prepared.

2.4.1.5 Comments from Stakeholder and Aboriginal Groups The licensee must address comments and concerns expressed by the public or aboriginal groups during the current FMP planning term (i.e., years 1-7) by referencing the current updated issues and concerns table, which summarizes and tracks the licensee response (also described earlier in Section 2.3 of this FMP document). The updated issues and concerns table must be provided as an appendix to the FMP Volume I.

a The information presented should include the forum in which the issue was raised (i.e., letter, public meeting, workshop, etc), the stakeholder concerned, the issue or concern raised, and a brief outline of the response of the licensee, which may include reference to resolution through a future operating plan, particularly in the case of site-specific concerns.


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2.4.2 Licence-Specific Information

2.4.2.1 Location of Licence Area The licensee is required to provide a written description of the geographic location of the licence area and an indication of the size and extent of the area. The description will also contain a brief summary of the region(s) within which the licence area is situated, including major lakes, rivers, highways, and communities.

a The textual information presented in this section is to be accompanied by a map (FMP – Map – 1) showing the geographic location of the licence area.

b

2.4.2.2 Biophysical Description A biophysical description of the planning area helps the PAG, the general public, and other readers of the FMP to visualize biophysical factors that affect the forest condition and control many of the management options available for the planning area. While highlighting unique ecodistrict characteristics, the licensee will describe the climate, geology, landforms, soils, and watersheds of each ecoregion in the planning area. If information is available, describe dominant ecosystems of each ecoregion. The description shall include maps of the ecoregions and ecodistricts (FMP - Map 2 - 2), landforms (local surface form and parent mode of deposition) (FMP - Map 2 - 3), soils (soil order and soil great group) (FMP - Map 2 - 4) and watersheds for the planning area (FMP - Map 2 - 5).

a The watershed map shall be produced from watershed boundaries and orthophotos, Saskatchewan Forest Vegetation Inventory information, or other data sources agreed to by SE, and shall indicate basins, sub-basins, four-character sub-basins1, and major lakes and rivers.

b Information about all inventories used in the biophysical description shall be summarized in FMP -Table Appendix – 1. All maps shall be produced according to the mapping standards described in Appendix 4 - General Mapping Standards for FMPs.

c

2.4.2.3 Other Land Uses and Values A description of land uses and values helps the PAG, the general public, and other readers of the FMP to interpret the known factors that may influence management of the forest resource, and to understand the approaches being proposed in the FMP to address these concerns.

1 As defined by Environment Canada (PFRA, 2005)


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At a minimum, the licensee shall describe the following land uses and values listed in Table 2. Other land uses and values to be described, and the format for describing them, shall be part of the FMP workplan.

a Table 2. List of Land Use Values to be accounted for in an FMP Traditional land use and values, where information is available Recreational use (other than areas identified with a land disposition as shown below) Visually Sensitive areas Known species-at-risk occurrences and distribution of habitat, and the distribution of habitat of other species-of-concern. Mineral dispositions (including exploration activities) Oil and Gas leases Land dispositions (agriculture, wild rice, recreational and residential, commercial and industrial, traditional resource use, and miscellaneous) Trapping areas Roads, railways, utility lines, pipelines, and trails (linear developments) Any land user, who SE believes may be directly affected by releasing restricted or sensitive information, must agree as to the way this information is to be presented. Information about all datasets used in the description of land uses and values shall be summarized in FMP -Table Appendix – 1. Each dataset provided by the licensee shall include metadata, according to standards provided or agreed to by Saskatchewan Environment.

b When preparing information for this section, the licensee shall reference input received from the public related to documenting land uses and values.

c

2.4.2.4 Community and Social Profile The licensee is required to provide a community and social profile, including a description of the communities within the licence area and adjacent region (as appropriate to capture information for communities dependent upon the resources of the area).

a This information is required for the licensee and the planning team to consider the potential effects of the proposed forest management activities on the people of the region and to understand public values and interests. The information will assist the licensee and the planning team to develop public consultation processes to identify VOITs relating to social and economic values for the licence area. This information may also be required to assist with any requirements for an environmental impact assessment or change in development associated with the FMP.


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Whether or not to include any community that is outside the boundary of the licence area in the community and social profile will be determined through discussions with the planning team and the public advisory group, in consultation with SE. Information is to be presented in the community and social profile on the characteristics of the communities in the region, with particular focus on the dependence of these communities on the forest sector in the area.

b The community and social profile is to include demographic information, which characterizes the population size, age range, level of employment, level of income, and level of education in each community. The demographic information must include aboriginal communities that are in or adjacent to the licence area.

c A summary is to be prepared indicating the significance of the demographic information to those communities that have substantial participation in the resource sector (both timber and non-timber) related to the resources of the licence area. The summary is to include an evaluation of the economic description provided in the previous section and the expected economic impact of the forest sector on the region and its communities.

d The demographic profile provides the baseline information on the social and economic environment that may be affected by forest management decisions. This baseline information can be used when incorporating socio-economics relative to the forest estate modelling scenario when forecasting impacts on local communities and the provincial economy, to the extent possible based on model capabilities.

2.4.3 Licensee Description The licensee is required to provide a general business profile of the company or companies they represent. Items to include are the general ownership structure (i.e., wholly owned by, subsidiary of, division of, part of a larger company or holding company), the primary business sectors in which the company operates, the types and capacities of mill facilities (i.e., number and locations of pulp mills, oriented strand board plants, remanufacturing mills, lumber mills), and the major markets served (i.e. Eastern Canada, Europe, US–Midwest, domestic market). A description of how the timber resources associated with the TSL or FMA relate to the company’s business profile and to the general wood flow for the company’s manufacturing plants is required.

a (Example: the softwood component is processed at the licensee’s sawmill and the chips are shipped to a hog fuel plant or sold as animal bedding material). In general terms, describe the licensee’s administrative structure for the forest management of the license area and describe the location of associated offices.


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2.4.3.1 Forest Management Principles and Certification The licensee is to provide a description of its corporate visions, principles, and/or other business commitments to sustainable forest management (SFM) and ecosystem-based management as they pertain to the FMP and forest operations proposed for the licence area.

a The licensee is to describe, where applicable, any sustainable forest management, environmental management certification systems and/or chain of custody certification to which the company is committed. This will include the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) SFM system, International Standards Organization (ISO) Environmental Management System (EMS), Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI), or Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) process. This description is to include the stage at which the company is at in the certification process and the dates of certification if applicable.

b The licensee will provide a general description of related VOITs, and/or forest management objectives and commitments resulting from such systems that will pertain to the management of the licence area, in conjunction with preparation and implementation of the FMP; linkages to corporate values and commitments will also be documented. The detailed presentation of VOITs or forest management principles applying to any management systems in place for the licenses area will be described in conjunction with presentation of the objectives for the FMP Volume II in Section 4.6. In addition, the plan author will explain the linkages between its business commitments and certification processes (if applicable), as well as links to the VOITs, and to monitoring, continual improvement, and adaptive management.

c

2.4.3.2 Licensee Economic Profile The licensee must describe the economic contribution made by its operations to the communities within the licence area, the region and the province. Mill and forest management employment information should be presented for both company and contractor operations. Other inputs to the economy, such as timber dues and other fees generated through the operation, should be documented. The current levels of economic activity for existing operations are to be described, along with any estimated changes anticipated as a result of the implementation of the new FMP. The description for new operations will focus on estimates of anticipated economic activity.


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The licensee will summarize their economic activities listed in FMP – Table 2 - 3 through to FMP – Table 2 - 9 for all mill operations during their current FMP term (to date), including those of each mill located within the licence area or receiving timber resources from the area. This information is to be summarized for each fiscal year, with a total and mean provided for the first seven years of the FMP term (anticipated levels should be included for the final three years). A written summary of these economic activities and trends must accompany the statistics. The licensee must describe major changes in economic activities that have influenced the operation of the business and affected employment and other benefits. The licensee will utilize the information presented in this section to meet the requirements in Section 2.4.2.4, for describing the contribution of forestry to the communities and to the social/economic values of the area.

a The licensee shall provide information on past, current and anticipated future wood requirements from the licence area, for both the licensee and independent operators.

b The licensee must provide a summary of the volume commitments currently in place for the licence area, including FMA, TSL agreements, memorandums of understanding/agreements, and letters of intent and commitments to independent operators.

c In addition to a summary of timber commitments for the licence area, any requirement to purchase residual volumes from other sources or from outside the license area in order to meet facility requirements should be outlined. A brief overview of the current status of such volume agreements should be included, noting any potential changes. Agreements to be described are limited to those found in official government documents. Private business-to-business arrangements need not be included in this summary. The licensee must report on wood from all sources delivered to all mills or small businesses owned by the licensee, wood harvested from the licence area, and wood harvested from the licence area that is sold to buyers outside of the licence area during the current 10-year FMP term, including actual levels for the first seven years and estimates (referencing planned levels) for the remaining three years. The summary is to include a description of timber supplied to mills as a result of one or more commitment agreements from the licence, where applicable. The summary must include FMP – Table 2-10.

d A summary may include changes that occurred in market conditions, mill configurations, or limitations resulting from natural disturbances or operating conditions (e.g., access problems).


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2.4.3.3 Commitments in the FMA or TSL Agreement The licensee will provide an overview of the key elements of the current TSL or FMA agreement, including a review of conditions, commitments or expectations in the award of the agreement and/or subsequent extensions, replacements and amendments. Typically, this section will reference portions of the preamble of the TSL or the FMA documents, including any commitment to associated manufacturing plant(s).

a Describe the commitments of harvest volumes by species and products to other parties for the licence area as described in the TSL or FMA licence and other agreements. Details of the licensee’s wood supply commitments are presented in Section 2.4.3.2

b

2.4.4 Current Forest Condition A description of the current forest condition provides background information to help the PAG, the general public and other readers of the FMP to understand management objectives of the current FMP and the outcome of forest management practices in the licence area. The licensee will be required to evaluate the current forest condition when conducting analyses during the forest estate modelling process, in order to meet sustainable harvest and desired future forest condition objectives. The licensee shall describe the land base according to the Licence Area Land Summary (FMP - Table 2 – 11), including lands managed by the licensee and lands outside of licensee management but within the boundaries of the licence area.

a The licensee shall describe the productive forest by indicating the distribution of provincial forest types by seral stage. The description shall include a table (FMP - Table 2 – 12) and graph (FMP - Figure 2 - 1) indicating the area (ha) for each seral stage within each provincial forest type, a map (FMP - Map 2 - 6) indicating the distribution of provincial forest types and another map (FMP - Map 2 - 7) showing the distribution of seral stages.

b

Information regarding all inventories/datasets used in the description of the current forest condition shall be summarized in FMP -Table Appendix – 1.

c

2.4.4.1 Natural Disturbance A description of natural disturbances aids the PAG, the general public and other readers of the FMP in interpreting the management issues involved in meeting sustainable harvest and desired future forest condition objectives and in understanding the approaches being proposed in the FMP to address these concerns. The licensee shall describe the past seven years of fire, insect, disease, and other natural disturbance events occurring in the productive forest, current to three years prior to the submission date. This information will be reported as part of the FMP Volume I and thereafter will be updated annually in the annual report.

a


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The description of natural disturbances that occurred in the first seven years of the current FMP shall include the following:

1. A table (FMP -Table 2 – 13) indicating the total hectares of disturbances ≥ 10 ha that were caused by fire, insect, disease or by other natural factors;

2. A graph indicating the total hectares of all fire disturbances ≥ 10 ha for each seral stage of each provincial forest type (FMP-Figure-2-2);

3. A graph indicating the total hectares of all insect disturbances ≥ 10 ha for each seral stage of each provincial forest type (FMP-Figure-2-3);

4. A graph indicating the total hectares of all disease disturbances ≥ 10 ha for each seral stage of each provincial forest type (FMP-Figure-2-4); and

5. A graph indicating the total hectares of all other disturbances (other than fire, insects, or disease) ≥ 10 ha for each seral stage of each provincial forest type (FMP-Figure-2-5); and,

b

2.4.4.2 Forest Management Activities Annual reports of past forest operations provide important background information for use in the preparation of the FMP. In particular, the conclusions and recommendations in reports of past forest operations provide important information to be used in confirming or changing management direction. The licensee must summarize key aspects of their annual reports, as well as other aspects deemed important by the planning team, for presentation in the FMP Volume I. This summary must be provided for the current 10-year forest management planning term, utilizing actual (first seven years) and estimated (remaining three years) values as necessary to compare to planned values for the same 10-year term. For natural disturbance events, only the seven-year actual values must be reported.

a The tables, figures, maps and associated text shall describe the actual harvesting, silviculture, road development and other forest management activities that have occurred for the first seven years of the current FMP term and the planned activities for the remaining three years of the term. This information will be reported as part of the FMP Volume I and thereafter will be updated annually in the annual report.

b


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The description of the current FMP term shall include the following:

1. A table showing, by seral stage and provincial forest types, the planned and actual area (hectares) harvested and the difference between the two. (FMP - Table 2 - 14);

2. A graph showing the total area harvested in the licence area by provincial forest type and seral stage. (FMP - Figure 2 - 6);

3. A table (FMP - Table 2 - 15) summarizing area salvaged by disturbance type (for all disturbances ≥ 10 ha) for each seral stage of each provincial forest type.

4. A table (FMP - Table 2 - 16) and a graph (FMP - Figure 2 – 7) showing the regeneration status by provincial forest type for all stands scheduled for assessment in the silviculture effectiveness monitoring program;

5. A table showing, by road class, the total distance (kilometers) of planned road construction and actual distance of road construction and the difference between the two. (FMP -Table 2 - 17)2;

6. A table showing, by road class, the total distance (kilometers) of road upgrades, both planned and actual, and the difference between the two. (FMP -Table 2 - 18);

7. A table showing, by road classes, the total distance (kilometers) of road reclamation, both planned and actual, and the difference between the two. (FMP -Table 2 - 19);

8. A large-scale map (FMP - Map 2 - 8), as per the mapping standards in Appendix 4 - General Mapping Standards for FMPs, illustrating the following: a. Actual harvest history for the first seven years of the current FMP term; b. Planned harvesting for the remaining three years of the current FMP term; c. Actual road development activities; including construction, and

reclamation for the first seven years of the current FMP term; d. Planned road development activities; including construction, and

reclamation for the remaining three years of the current FMP term; e. Active roads which were constructed prior to the current FMP term; and

9. A large-scale map (FMP - Map 2 - 9), as per the mapping standards in Appendix 4 - General Mapping Standards for FMPs, illustrating the following: a. Not sufficiently regenerated (NSR) areas which are currently the

responsibility of the licensee; and b. NSR areas which are not currently the responsibility of the licensee.

c

Information regarding all inventories used in the description of forest management activities, including planned activities, shall be summarized in FMP – Table – Appendix 1.

d

2.4.4.3 Independent Operators The Forest Service will provide the plan author with an overview of the independent operators working in the licence area during the current FMP term with a TSL less than five years, including descriptions of any associated manufacturing plant(s).

2 The Forest Service may require that the licensee also report the amount of road decommissioned and/or closed during the FMP term.


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The Forest Service will also summarize all the commitments of harvest volumes, by species and products, to independent operators and permit holders that have operated in the licence area during the current FMP term.

2.4.4.4 Significant Changes Expected to Affect Wood Supply and Forest Management Practices

The licensee must describe any significant changes that are expected to have an effect upon the determination of harvest levels or otherwise affect forest management practices proposed in the FMP. When preparing this summary, the licensee shall provide an indication of actions that have been or are being taken by the licensee in response to such events for processes over which the licensee has control.

a Examples could include implementation of The Forest Resources Management Act and Regulations, approval of IFLUPs, implementation of provincial and/or FMA standards, the Representative Area Network program, updating the forest inventory data using SFVI, development of visual quality areas, improved yield curves, or extraordinary cumulative fire, insect or disease events.

2.4.5 Historical Review of the Licence Area The licensee must provide a brief historical review of the licence area, describing the terms or forms of tenure/timber harvesting rights that were in place prior to the award of the original TSL or FMA licence, the date of the original TSL or FMA and subsequent licence extensions or replacements, and the significant amendments to the licence document.

a Significant changes to the TSL and/or FMA licence document(s) should be summarized in historical sequence along with any changes in licensee corporate ownership. A description of changes in the licensee corporate ownership that apply to the operation of the licence area and related TSL or FMA agreements should include transfer dates, government approval dates, a summary of any significant approval conditions put into place as a condition of transfer and key changes in forest management for the licence. This section must also describe any changes to legal administrative boundaries of the licence area since the initial award of the licence and will include the following:

1. The significant changes to the initial licence area/boundary to date, including the changes in gross hectares; and

2. A summary of the land withdrawal process, including the status of the land withdrawal budget against each withdrawal period.

b The licensee will provide a general historical summary of significant events and accomplishments in forest management for the licence area made since the initial FMA or TSL licence with particular focus on the timeframe relating to the current FMP where applicable.

c


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The following topics should be included:

1. General harvest trends since the date of the original FMA or TSL licence, including the harvest trends of all independent operators;

2. Access development; 3. Silviculture accomplishments; 4. Inventory program; 5. Growth and yield program; 6. Research program; 7. Tree improvement; 8. Work with stakeholder, community and aboriginal groups; 9. Historic development of manufacturing plants supported by the licence area; and 10. Other similar topics.

2.4.5.1 FMP Administrative History A description must be provided that outlines the history of the administration of the current FMP.

a A description of major changes that have been instituted in forest management on the licence area corresponding to previous FMPs must be provided, along with a description of the nature of the major amendments to the most recent FMP.

b For the current FMP, a detailed listing of significant government letters relating to interpretation or implementation of the FMP is required. The detailed listing will include dates, topic, description, and actions taken by the licensee.

c This subsection should also describe the linkages between FMP approval dates to the original FMA and/or TSL licence date and extension dates.

2.4.5.2 EA Administrative History A description must be provided that outlines the history of the administration of The Environmental Assessment Act approval received for the FMP currently in effect, as applicable.

a The description should provide an overview of changes since the initial environmental impact assessment undertaken for the area. The submission date, approval date and effective date are to be fully described along with any major amendment dates. A full description of the nature of any significant changes is to be provided. A detailed listing of all government letters relating to interpretation or implementation of the Environmental Assessment approval is required. The detailed listing will include each date and topic, a brief description of each letter and the associated action(s) taken by the licensee.

b


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2.5 Plan Title and Approval Page The Forest Management Plan, Title and Approval Page (FMP – Figure 2 - 8) will be located at the front of each draft and the approved FMP Volume I. For the submission of the FMP Volume I, the plan author will complete and sign the title and approval page of the draft and final. The licensee’s senior company official, who has overall responsibility for forest management activities on the licence area and for administration of the FMA or TSL, will also sign the title and approval page. The final stage of the approval process involves the FMP being signed by the executive director of the Forest Service.

a The plan author must list all contributors to the FMP (FMP Figure 4 – 2), and also list members of the planning team, advisors to the team, as well as reviewers of the FMP (FMP Figure 4 - 3).

b

2.5.1 Executive Summary An executive summary will summarize all the key elements of the FMP. The executive summary is required to include a listing of all documents that comprise the FMP submission, which will provide an index of all of the constituent materials of the FMP.

a

2.5.2 Table of Contents The table of contents will follow the executive summary. It will contain a list of tables, a list of figures, and the appendices (which will include supplementary documentation).

b


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3 Assessing Sustainability The Province of Saskatchewan has embraced the vision of sustainable forest management, which is “to maintain and enhance the long-term health of forest ecosystems, while providing ecological, economic, social and cultural opportunities for the benefit of present and future generations” (Canadian Forest Service, 2002). As developed through the Canadian Council of Forest Ministers, sustainable forest management (SFM) provides a framework for value identification and for the linkages between national and provincial forest policy and local level forest values. The Forest Resources Management Act and The Forest Resources Management Regulations provide provincial direction for legislated requirements for the sustainable management of Crown forest lands in Saskatchewan. This FMP document sets out further detailed direction regarding the requirements that must be addressed by licensees in the development and implementation of the FMP for the licence area, including development of a performance framework of core and optional values, objectives, indicators and targets (VOITs), as well as requirements for both forest estate modelling and public consultation. Once the planning team has been established and completed the initial deliverables, including the FMP Volume I, the licensee is ready to initiate work on the assessment of sustainability of the wood supply for the licence area through the forest estate modelling process. This key stage of the FMP is required in order to demonstrate that forest management activities as proposed by the licensee will sustain the environmental, social and economic values provided by the license area. The assessment focuses on the management planning units defined for the area and the VOITs for sustainability (described further in Section 3.3). It will be based on extensive use of forest modelling techniques, including forest estate modelling to forecast the future forest conditions resulting from the proposed forest management activities. The assessment of sustainability will include the forecast future conditions for applicable indicators within the performance framework. The wood supply analysis will use a series of model runs to explore potential alternative management strategies leading to the selection of a management strategy. This selection will be based upon the strategy that is deemed to provide the best combination of outputs for the area over the forecast horizon. With the direction provided by the selected management strategy, the licensee undertakes the preparation of the FMP in order to realize the management objectives along the planning horizon. The FMP Volume II is to contain a summary of the forest sustainability assessment and documentation showing how the forest management plan has addressed the values embraced in the VOIT framework described in Section 3.3. The summary will include consideration of not only the results of the wood supply assessment as it pertains to related indicators, but also the expected achievement of remaining targets for indicators included in the framework that are not directly assessed within the wood supply analysis. The framework of core and additional indicators described in Section 3.3 will be utilized to assess and report on sustainability as implementation of the FMP proceeds. The results will also assist in future FMP development for the licence area. Further detail pertaining to the measurement and reporting requirements is provided in Section 4.13.


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3.1 Planning Units In conjunction with the development of the FMP, planning units must be designated in order to provide geographic context and reference for planning, operational implementation and monitoring at levels within a given licence area. The licensee will work with the planning team to designate the planning units to be applied to the licence area, which recognize two distinct levels, management units and operating areas. Both management units and operating areas must be spatially defined in the FMP and in subsequent operating plans and remain constant through the term of the FMP.

a A management unit is a forest-level landscape area within a licence area which is designated by the licensee through discussions with the other members of the planning team. An operating area is a portion of land within a management unit, usually delineated by permanent natural biophysical features, socio-cultural features and/or a combination of both. An operating area is primarily used in operational planning and implementation of the tactical plan. The designation of management units and operating areas will provide geographical reference at levels that enable operational application of the forest estate modelling process and development of the tactical plan. These planning units will also provide ongoing linkages for development of operating plans that follow the FMP and for subsequent monitoring and reporting processes that require such levels of geographic precision. 3.2 Development Types A description of the current forest condition based on the available forest inventory is necessary to define the forest at a level of detail adequate for forest estate modelling. For this purpose, forest inventory stands can be grouped into similar types and modelled from a current state to a future state. Forest development types created by the licensee through aggregation of forest inventory stands of similar species composition and developmental characteristics will be a primary input to the forest estate modelling process. The creation of development type definitions is flexible at the license area level to address local issues, forest conditions, and management style. Development types will also be used in data and results summaries in the FMP, operating plan and annual report tables. The licensee must create development types in such a way that they can be accurately summarized to SE as provincial forest types. The classification of SFVI and UTM inventories into provincial forest types is by a set methodology described in Appendix 5. Development types are expected to be aggregations of forest inventory stands of similar species composition and developmental characteristics. Portions of the forest within a particular development type may receive different intensities of management (silviculture strategies). It is the selected group of silviculture strategies and the portion of a particular development type to which they apply that determines the future forest condition (future development types). For example, suppose that stand A, B, C, D and E all have similar


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stand compositions but with slight differences - all stands might have the same leading species in the canopy, but a variety of secondary species. If a given silviculture strategy, carried out with the application of a silviculture treatment combination to the five stands, results in, or is expected to result in the same future forest condition, then it is logical to group these stands into a single current development type. However, this same development type might be managed under two silviculture strategies (implemented using at least two silviculture treatment combinations) to result in two different future forest conditions (future development types). Figure 3 references the linkage between development types, modelling and silviculture. Development types defined by the licensee must be presented in the format illustrated by FMP - Table 3 - 1. The managed Crown productive forest by development type must be summarized in a table as illustrated in FMP - Table 3 - 2.

a 3.3 Identification of Values, Objectives, Elements, Indicators and Targets Through the development of the Saskatchewan Long-Term Integrated Forest Resource Management Plan (1995), Saskatchewan’s Forest Management Policy Framework and subsequently The Forest Resources Management Act, the Province of Saskatchewan is committed to the concept of Sustainable Forest Management (SFM). The document “Defining Sustainable Forest Management in Canada: Criteria and Indicators 2003”, developed under the auspices of the Canadian Council of Forest Ministers identifies a set of criteria and indicators which have been developed at the national level. There are six key criteria:

1. Biological Diversity; 2. Ecosystem Condition and Productivity; 3. Soil and Water; 4. Role in Global Ecological Cycles; 5. Economic and Social Benefits; and 6. Society’s Responsibility for Sustainable Development.

The criteria are intended to reflect society’s values at the national level and were determined through public consultation across Canada. A number of values and corresponding objectives, elements, indicators and targets have been developed and explored, through the framework offered by the Canadian Council of Forest Ministers SFM criteria and indicators and through done in Saskatchewan, including public involvement processes associated with land use planning, and SE-forest industry participation in the forest management effects monitoring program. Building upon this earlier work, the Forest Service has developed a framework of values, objectives, elements, indicators and targets (VOITs) to be utilized as a basis for development of FMPs. Table 3 describes the VOITs that have been established as a standard requirement for Crown forest lands in Saskatchewan. VOITs are to be submitted during development of the FMP, as a staged deliverable. They are to be drafted and submitted for review prior to forest estate modelling, although the final approval stage for the VOITs will be determined through the FMP workplan.

a


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The framework presented is patterned after that presented by the Canadian Council of Forest Ministers, which is in turn complementary to the CAN/CSA Z809-02 standard (CSA 2002). These indicators and targets must be utilized in the development of the FMP and subsequently reported on in annual reports. In addition to these indicators, the licensee is required to develop additional indicators as follows:

1. One additional indicator under each of Objective 1.3.1.1, 4.1.1.1, 5.2.1.1, 5.3.1.1, and 6.4.1.1; and

2. Two additional indicators under each of Objectives 5.1.1.1 and 6.3.1.1. b

Licensees are encouraged to develop additional indicators and targets for both Objectives 6.1.1.1 and 6.2.1.1. Indicators and targets are specified as being either SE or licensee-specific. SE indicators and targets often reflect provincial-level requirements and are to remain in the VOIT framework submitted for approval by a licensee. Where identified in Table 3, the licensee may develop licensee-specific indicators and targets, providing that these VOITs contain the required information as identified for the SE indicators and targets to the satisfaction of the Forest Service.

c The licensee may also use additional indicators and/or targets to fulfill the framework’s requirements. SE will review and approve all additional indicators as part of the VOITs approval process. The indicators have been developed to address basic requirements of the framework, to guide development of the FMP, and to provide a consistent level of monitoring and reporting across all FMA and TSL areas for which FMPs are developed and implemented. They represent critical aspects of forest values that must be addressed to support the sustainability of the plan. In addition, these indicators will provide input into the forest estate model and aid in determining the approved selected management strategy. Further, the use of additional indicators may be desirable in order to represent aspects of the license area. While not deemed critical to ecological sustainability of the area, such additional indicators do represent values of importance to the public, representing social and economic aspects of sustainable development as a whole. With respect to the table itself, the attributes are defined as:

1. Criteria - define a set of values Canadians want to enhance and sustain. 2. Element - elements serve to elaborate and specify the scope of their associated

criterion. 3. Value - a characteristic, component, or quality considered by an interested party

to be important in relation to an element. 4. Objective - a broad statement describing a desired future state or condition of a

value. 5. Indicator - a variable that measures or describes the state or condition of a value.


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6. Target - a specific statement describing a desired future state or condition of an indicator. Targets should be clearly defined, time-limited, and quantified if possible.

It is recognized that the licensee will also have additional FMP management objectives, such as those associated with the forest estate modelling process, development and application of silviculture ground rules (SGRs), and the development of the tactical plan. Such objectives are expected to be of a more precise and specific nature. It is anticipated that many of these additional management objectives may not fit directly into the VOITs framework explicitly, though they may be related to and, in fact, supportive of some of the VOITs. Once the approved selected management strategy has been identified, the licensee and SE will use the indicators to track progress made towards the established targets as set out in legislation, by standards, and/or through the development of the approved selected management strategy and public consultation process. Additional details on progress reporting are found in FMP-Table 5-1. This will create a baseline for each of the indicators and will provide input into the wood supply modelling process as appropriate. This baseline can be used to assess progress towards the targets at each stage of reporting. The complex and dynamic nature of forest ecosystems may lead to inherent uncertainties that must be considered in the modelling process. These include catastrophic natural disturbances (e.g., fire, blowdown, snow damage, insect and disease, etc.), operational constraints, and changing social and non-timber values that may preclude the licensee from achieving the established targets. It is also anticipated that as work proceeds on the joint industry-Forest Service forest management effects monitoring program, results will provide further input and possible modification to established standards for some indicators and targets. Such modifications will be addressed in future FMPs.

Table 3. Values, Objectives, Elements, Indicators and Targets from a Saskatchewan Perspective Criterion Element Value Objective SE Indicator Licensee-

Specific Indicator

SE Targets Licensee- Specific Target

Targets Set By Standard

1. Area of softwood-dominated mixed wood and white spruce provincial forest types.

√

Target(s) set by provincial natural disturbance emulation (NDE) standard # 4 - landscape-level maintenance of softwood-dominated mixedwood and white spruce forest types.

√ √

2. Area of old forest by cover species group.

√

Target set by provincial NDE standard # 3 – retention of old forest on the landscape.

√

√

3. Spatial distribution of old forest by cover species group.

√

Target set by provincial NDE standard # 3 -.

√ √

1.0 Biological diversity

1.1 Ecosystem Diversity

1.1.1 Natural range of variation

1.1.1.1 Conservation of the biological diversity of Saskatchewan’s forests.

4. Frequency distribution of patch size of old forest.

√

Target set by provincial NDE standard # 3.

√ √


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Criterion Element Value Objective SE Indicator Licensee- Specific Indicator

SE Targets Licensee- Targets Set By Standard

Specific Target

1.2 Species Diversity

1.2.1 Quantity and quality of forest habitat.

1.2.1.1 Maintain habitat for identified forest-dwelling species.

5. Current supply of habitat for identified forest-dwelling species vs. predicted supply (as determined through forest estate modelling).

√

Definitions of habitat (supply and quality) to be determined through discussions with SE. Habitat to be modeled will be determined through discussions with SE and possibly through public consultation. Target(s) set by approved selected management strategy.

√

6. % of tree seedlings planted that are from “wild” seedlots as defined by provincial seed standards.

√

Target set by provincial or FMA standards

√ √

1.3 Genetic Diversity

1.3.1 Natural genetic diversity.

1.3.1.1 No loss of natural genetic diversity through forest management activities. 7. % of tree seedlings

planted that are from “improved” seedlots as defined by provincial seed standards.

√

Target set by provincial or FMA standards

√

√


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Specific Target

8. The licensee will provide one additional indicator and target for this element / objective for review and approval by SE.

√ N/A √

9. Average area of residual trees left after harvest.

√

Target will be set by provincial NDE standard #1 - residuals within harvest events and blocks.

√

√

2.0 Ecosystem Condition and productivity

2.1 The stability, resilience and rates of biological production in forest ecosystems.

2.1.1 Natural ecosystem processes.

2.1.1.1 Maintain the stability, resilience and rates of biological production in forest ecosystems.

10. Percent of harvested areas regenerated and assessed as free-to-grow by the standards indicated in the forest management plan.

√

Targets to be set by the management regime identified in the approved selected management strategy. Free-to-grow standards are set by a licensee’s SGRs.

√

√


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Specific Target

11. % of the productive forest land base converted to RTA, Class 1, 2 and interblock 3 roads each year.

√

Target(s) set through the approved selected management strategy.

√

12 Percent of harvest events by size (area) class distribution.

√

Size class target (s) will be set through the provincial NDE standard #2 - harvest event size distribution.

√

√

13. Percent of the area of each individual fire which was salvage harvested.

√

Proportion by individual fire as set by the provincial NDE standard #5 - fire salvage.

√

√


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Specific Target

14. The actual harvested delivered volume as a percentage of the predicted harvest volume, annually and every 5 years by management unit. Where predicted harvest volume is the area of each development type within the actual harvested area multiplied by the respective yield curve values for that development type.

√

The actual harvest volume, broken down by softwood and hardwood, by management unit shall be within: 15% of the predicted harvest volume annually; 10% of the predicted harvest volume every 5 years.

√

15. Area harvested by provincial forest types and age class vs. scheduled area of each individual provincial forest type and age class.

√

Target to be set by the approved selected management strategy.

√


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Specific Target

16. Average actual annual softwood and hardwood harvest volume vs. approved harvest volumes.

√

Target to be set by the approved selected management strategy. The averaging period will be greater or equal to a 5-year period and set out in the FMP.

√

17. % of sampled harvest blocks that are in compliance with provincial standards related to soil disturbance.

N/A Target and reporting will be set by provincial and/or FMA standards.

N/A

√

18. % of sampled harvest blocks which are in compliance with provincial standards related to road reclamation.


N/A

√

3.0 Soil and Water

3.1 Quantity and Quality of Soil and Water

3.1.1 No loss of quantity and quality of soil and water.

3.1.1.1 Maintain and/or enhance the quantity and quality of soil and water.

19. % of inspections in compliance with prescriptions developed for the protection of water quality and fish habitat.


N/A

√


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Specific Target

20. % of sampled harvest blocks that are in compliance with the provincial and/or FMA standards related to riparian area management.


N/A

√

4.0 Role in Global Ecological Cycles.

4.1 Carbon Cycle

4.1.1 Productive land base.

4.1.1.1 Mitigate the impact of the forest and forest activities on the productive land base.

21. The licensee will provide one indicator and target for this element / objective for review and approval by SE.

√

N/A

√

5.0 Economic and Social Benefits

5.1 Economic Benefits

5.1.1. Sustainable economic benefits over the term of the FMP.

5.1.1.1 Maximize the economic benefits derived from the forest without compromising the integrity of the forest ecosystem.

22 & 23. The licensee will provide two indicators and targets for this element / objective for review and approval by SE.

√

N/A

√


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Specific Target

24. On-going consultation with other stakeholders at various levels of forest management planning using established advisory committees or other forums which are effective.

√

Establishment of a Public Advisory Group and other local stakeholder advisory boards and to consult with them annually or as determined by the boards themselves.

√

25. Develop and maintain a thematic map of non-timber resources and non-timber forest use activities.

On an annual basis, acquire and input into the production of a thematic map product.

5.2 Distribution of Benefits

5.2.1 Fair distribution of benefits.

5.2.1.1 To ensure other forest uses are addressed.


√

N/A

√

5.3 Sustainability of Benefits.

5.3.1 No loss of benefits.

5.3.1.1 Maintain or enhance benefits.

27. The average annual haul distance from operating areas to the processing facility(s).

√

The average haul distance shall not vary by more than 20% over each five-year period.

√


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Specific Target


√

√

29. % of “within” FMA area aboriginal communities involved in ongoing discussions, review of operational and forest management plans and co-management/ advisory processes. √

On an annual basis, 100% of the “within” FMA area aboriginal communities shall be involved in ongoing discussions, review of operational and forest management plans and co-management / advisory board processes.

√

6.0 Society’s Responsibility

6.1 Aboriginal and Treaty Rights.

6.1.1 Respect for aboriginal and treaty rights.

6.1.1.1 To ensure aboriginal and treaty rights are respected within the context of planning and implementing forest activities.

30. As an option, the licensee will provide one additional indicator and target for this element / objective for review and approval by SE.

√

N/A

√


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Specific Target

31. Spatial identification and operational protection of known culturally significant Aboriginal sites.

√

100 % of known culturally significant Aboriginal sites are spatially identified and receive operational protection from forest management activities.

√

6.2 Aboriginal traditional land-use and Forest-based Ecological Knowledge.

6.2.1 Protection of Aboriginal traditional land-use and Forest-based ecological knowledge

6.2.1.1 To avoid impacting culturally important sites.

32. As an option, the licensee will provide one additional indicator and target for this element / objective for review and approval by SE.

√

N/A

√

6.3 Forest Community Well-being and Resilience.

6.3.1 Sustainable forest communities.

6.3.1.1 To ensure local communities are involved in the forest management activities.

33 & 34. The licensee’s Public Advisory Group will provide two indicators and targets for this element / objective which are acceptable to the licensee. They will be reviewed and approved by SE.

√

N/A

√


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SE Targets Licensee- Specific Target


35. The number of meetings held with the licensee’s PAG during the implementation phase of the FMP.

√

A minimum of one consultation meeting, specifically pertaining to the implementation of the licensee’s FMP, shall be held with the PAG.

√

6.4 Fair and Effective Decision-Making.

6.4.1 Involvement of stakeholders in FMP development and implementation.

6.4.1.1 Maximize the involvement of stakeholders in FMP development and implementation.


√ √

37. Age of current forest inventory for the licence area (based on photography age). √

100% of the FMA area shall have a forest inventory that is less than 20 years old.

√

6.5 Informed Decision Making.

6.5.1 Information about and for forest management should be publicly available.

6.5.1.1 Ensure that the available information for forest management is current and available. 38. The number of

educational opportunities made available to staff and the public.

√

Target to be set by licensee in conjunction with SE representatives.

√

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3.4 Silviculture

3.4.1 Silviculture Strategies Silviculture is the management of forest cover through various activities or strategies. Silviculture strategies are broad-level management decisions based on the available forest inventory, mill requirements (both current and anticipated future), realistic levels of silviculture investment, and other constraints. By incorporating appropriate silviculture strategies, the licensee may propose increasing, maintaining or decreasing the levels of different development types to create a desired future forest condition. For example, if a development type is currently decreasing in abundance due to ineffective or non-existent silviculture treatments in the past, a change in silviculture strategy may be lead to a reversal of the trend and eventually to a desired condition. Silviculture ground rules contained in the FMP will describe the activities that will be carried out on different development types during the effective period of the FMP to meet the goals identified in the chosen silviculture strategies and modelled in the wood supply analysis. A report of past silviculture operations, as well as a report past silviculture success should be referenced to provide insight and direction into the development and/or refinement of strategic silviculture options. The silviculture strategies and the source(s) of information used in their development will be documented in the forest estate modelling package. This information, in addition to the selected management strategy, will be presented to both the public advisory group and at the appropriate public information sessions. This will be done in order to show how the strategy balances the achievement of all management objectives as described in the management VOITs.

3.4.2 Silviculture Ground Rules A silviculture ground rule (SGR) identifies the current and future forest condition, silviculture system, development information, management standards, regeneration standards, and acceptable alternative harvest, renewal and stand tending treatments for a specific development type. Silviculture ground rules must be created for all development types actively managed on the licence area and reported in FMP – Table 3-3. Once a licensee receives an approval of their FMP which includes licence-specific regeneration standards, these standards will be enforced during the new FMP term (as opposed to those established in the regeneration assessment document).

a Figure 3 references the linkage between development types, modelling and silviculture. More than one silviculture ground rule can apply to a single current development type. A licensee may propose different levels of intensity of management on a given development type which will produce different yields, and potentially different future development types (future forest conditions). The silviculture ground rules will serve as the prescriptions for the areas of FMP operations (i.e. - all harvest, renewal and stand tending areas planned in the FMP) and actively managed development type areas which experience stand-replacing natural disturbance.


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Silviculture ground rules should be developed by a silviculture forester under the direction of the plan author, using silviculture information applicable to the licence area (silviculture information and guides from other jurisdictions can be used to support proposed silviculture activities if site characteristics and processes are similar). Local knowledge and the experience gained by planning team members through past management practices will also be considered. Data from temporary and permanent monitoring plots would serve as the best documentation in support of proposed silviculture activities. Within a SGR, various treatment packages may be developed by the licensee, which reflect current silviculture practices which work for managed development types on the licence area. For each silviculture ground rule applied to development types, the most commonly applied silviculture treatment combination(s) used on the licence area must be identified, as well as acceptable alternative treatment combinations. Acceptable alternative silviculture treatment combination(s) for a given SGR must produce the same end result in terms of yield curve/future forest condition as would be expected to be achieved from the most commonly applied silviculture treatment combination.

b For any situations where this would not be the case, such an alternative would then need to be identified as part of a different SGR that has been assigned to the same current development type to obtain the different end result (yield curve/future forest condition). Should the licensee wish to include a silviculture ground rule that includes a treatment that is not supported in the literature or by local evidence, that treatment is to be identified as an exception and tracked as such. Such evidence is later referenced in the forest estate modelling section (3.5.6.1 – stand reinitiation) and may also include regeneration survey data. The rationale for that exception is to be provided in the text, and the regeneration success monitoring system for the FMP will describe the methods that will be used to determine the effectiveness of that exception.

3.4.3 Assessment of Regeneration Success The silvicultural effectiveness monitoring program requires licensees to assess the silviculture effectiveness in meeting plan objectives for naturally and artificially regenerated areas are referred to in Section 5.3. The results of these assessments will be the basis for determining if the regeneration program associated with the selected management strategy has been met. Text regarding the monitoring program will include the methodologies used, timing and duration of activities, and documentation and reporting of results. Monitoring during the FMP term will assess the success of silviculture activities in the achievement of standards contained in the silviculture ground rules.

a



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It is recognised that the period between FMP submissions may be too short a period to evaluate the silviculture success of some SGRs applied to harvest areas during the plan period. In the development of a new FMP, where the results from the scheduled regeneration assessment for an SGR (presented in the previous plan) are not yet available, the licensee will be required to provide an interim assessment supporting the continued use of that SGR in the new FMP.

b


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Figure 3. Development and application of silviculture ground rules

Develop silviculture ground rules to identify silviculture activities to be implemented operationally on the current development types

Apply silviculture strategies to development types in the manner necessary in the wood supply analysis to model desired future wood output

Create development types (aggregate inventory stands)

Provincial forest types Development

types roll up into…

Formulate silviculture strategies to apply to development types based on desired furnish for mill(s) and current forest condition

SFVI Inventory used to create…

3.5 Forest Estate Modelling Forest estate modelling is the art and science of forecasting forest characteristics. The outcome of this modeling can be used to assess the expected state of environmental, economic and social values and objectives over time. The forest is modelled in terms of its current condition, expected development, and responses to potential management actions. Different management strategies are explored to characterize their effect relative to the plan objectives through time. A preferred management strategy is selected from the range of options based on its forecasted achievement of an ideal balance of objectives. Wood supply analysis explores a specific facet of the forest condition within a forest estate model. A good forecast must account for all factors that significantly influence outcomes. Consequently, wood supply analysis must consider the effect of numerous operational restrictions, environmental considerations and social objectives in arriving at a reasonable prediction of the future forest condition. It is clear that the scope of information necessary to generate an adequate forest estate model and perform good wood supply analysis is as wide as the breadth of forest management itself. This section will provide direction on the choice of data, formulation of models, and generation of information pertinent to the forest management planning process in Saskatchewan. This section is presented procedurally with respect to the development of the models and scenario forecasts. The diagram in Figure 4 shows the forest estate modelling process. The role of forest estate modelling in the FMP process is to provide guidance on two scales:

1. Strategic – 200-year forecasts without spatial detail. This scale is necessary for the assessment of many objectives, targets, and standards; and

2. Tactical – 20-year forecast with detailed spatial blocking of treated areas and other values from the strategic forecast that have a spatial component. This scale provides the schedule of activities on which the FMP is based.

As shown in Figure 4, the operational plan, the third scale of management, will be derived directly from the tactical schedule. The process of forest estate modeling commences with both input and formulation of the forest estate model. Preparation of information to drive the model constitutes the majority of effort in the process. Model input includes the planning inventory, which is a digital characterization of the forest derived from a detailed forest inventory and other important resource management layers. Yield curves are another important input to the forest estate model and are established for all forest development types identified by the licensee. Other important inputs to the forest estate model includes information about the licensee’s management actions, which are tools such as harvesting, renewal and stand tending used by the licensee. Final model input includes treatment response, which is the forest’s response to management actions identified by the licensee. Model formulation is then undertaken to establish important model parameters and conditions which are necessary to implement the model. Saskatchewan Environment – Forest Service Approved Version 1.0

61Forest Management Planning – Forest Planning Manual August 2007

The forest estate modelling process then continues with the licensee identifying important model objectives such as wood requirements, landscape diversity – which will identify important indicators and targets developed in the VOITs, and important objectives identified through public consultation. Model constraints are also identified and often include wood flow, ending inventory and silviculture levels. After a model is formulated, it is ready to run for testing different management strategies or scenarios. These may have different management actions, objective, targets, or constraints which reflect the licensee’s management intents and assumptions, as well as any direction provided by the Forest Service and the PAG. From the spectrum of candidate scenarios, the licensee identifies their preference, which is called the preferred management strategy, and is to be used for building the selected management strategy (SMS). Based on the preferred management strategy, the licensee will generate one or more tactical scenarios, each of which shows the spatial harvest in next 20 years. The licensee then selects one of the tactical scenarios, inputs it into the model which generated the preferred management strategy (or the tentative selected management strategy) and then reruns the model. Several iterations may be required until the licensee is satisfied with both the SMS and the tactical plan. The tactical plan is a core component of a 20-year forest management plan and serves as the basis for a licensee to develop future operating plans. Saskatchewan Environment – Forest Service Approved Version 1.0


Figure 4. The Forest Estate Modelling Process.

Candidate Scenarios

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Saskatchewan Environment – Forest Service Approved Version 1.0


3.5.1 Interaction of Licensee with Planning Team

Since forest estate modelling is a substantial part of a FMP, the licensee is required to keep the planning team apprised of all key stages and proposed decisions throughout the modelling process. The licensee must clearly identify the proposed deliverables of the modelling process for approval by the Forest Service in the FMP workplan. The licensee must present the following stages/proposals of the forest estate modeling process to the planning team: 1. Forest characterization.

a. The procedure of generating the planning inventory in terms of datasets used, updating and netdown of the land base.

2. Forest development

a. The development type classification; b. The methodology for developing yield curves; c. Models used to generate yield curves; and d. Model initialization and calibration data.

3. Model input and formulation a. Model software to be used; b. Operability windows for management actions; c. The modelled age of stand break-up for all development types; d. The modelled transitions e. The model formulation (before proceeding to establish objectives and targets for

inclusion in a set of candidate scenarios); f. Wood flow constraints; and g. An ending inventory constraint.

4. Model output a. Candidate scenarios and their results; b. Strategic treatment schedule and scenario results indicators; and c. Tactical plan.

a

3.5.2 Deliverables Required for Approval The following deliverables, at a minimum, must be identified in the FMP workplan and submitted for approval by the Forest Service, as part of the forest estate modelling process:

1. Digital planning inventory. 2. Forest development report. 3. Forest estate modelling report.

a



The following subsections, in addition to noted appendices, provide detailed description and requirements for these important deliverables.

3.5.2.1 Submission Requirements of the Digital Planning Inventory The complete characterization of the forest shall be submitted as a single geographic layer comprising all constituent attributes, hereafter referred to as the planning inventory. The planning inventory is a component of the FMP submission requiring approval. Licensees must submit the planning inventory they use for the development of the FMP. The data submissions are mandatory and supersede any data sharing agreement if such an agreement prevents the Forest Service from acquiring the data. A submission will not be accepted unless all the data meets the conditions in terms of data type, format, and quality as described in Appendix 6 – Data Requirements for FMPs. The planning inventory will be retained for the review, approval and implementation of the FMP and associated operating plans. In absence of a data sharing agreement, licensees must submit their SFVI and other data layers to the Forest Service for the purpose of review and approval of the planning inventory.

a

3.5.2.2 Submission Requirements of Forest Development Report and Related Data

The licensee is to submit the forest development report in a format following that described in the forest estate modeling process throughout Section 3.5.4. Any plot data will be provided in comma-delimited text files or another approved file format with a header row, suitable for import into a commercial database.

a Yield curves will be submitted in the forest development report and include a description of the forest development type represented, the curve represented in tabular format (i.e., yield table) based on 5-year intervals and an accompanying graph (i.e., yield curve), with product components identified as per utilization standards. The report will include a section describing the modelling processes, and each yield curve page will refer to the modelling process used to derive it. For pages depicting yield curves based on equations, the full equation and coefficients will be provided. The report will be accompanied by a digital copy of the yield curves, either as tables in a comma-delimited text file with a header row, or by providing equation coefficients in the same format. Further details on submission requirements are provided in Appendix 7 – Submission Requirements for FMPs.

b



3.5.2.3 Submission Requirements of Forest Estate Modelling Report and Related Data

The licensee is to submit the forest estate modelling report in a format following that described in the forest estate modelling process throughout Sections 3.5.5-3.5.9. The following subsections below (i.e., I-VIII) are to be fully described in the forest estate modelling report and/or be included in the supportive data provided to the Forest Service.

a I. Management Actions The licensee shall provide a complete description of all actions, including pre- and post-action condition in general terms; operability requirements including any and all age, volume, piece-size, and block size criteria; a list of yield strata considered eligible for the treatment; and the cost of the treatment, if the model’s objective function is in dollar value. The description will also compare historical and planned use of the treatment.

a This section of the forest estate modelling report shall include a separate section describing the selection of senescence ages by development type, including a complete description of all analysis undertaken such that the Forest Service could reproduce it. Further details on the standards to be followed when submitting information to the Forest Service are provided in Appendix 7.

b II. Treatment Response The licensee shall submit proposed treatment and break-up responses in the following forms:

1. A description of the methodology used to determine responses; and 2. A digital matrix of responses for each treatment. The complete list of yield strata

will comprise both the set of rows and the set of columns. The value at the intersection of a row and column will indicate the percentage of the row stratum that succeeds to the column stratum after the treatment. If necessary, responses will be aggregated such that a stratum can succeed to no more than 10 different strata after the treatment. The matrix will be formatted as a comma-delimited text file with a header row and submitted on a medium acceptable to the Forest Service.

a III. Model Formulation The licensee shall submit the model formulation in the format native to the model. Model files will be commented or documented sufficiently to support easy interpretation, to the satisfaction of the Forest Service. A data dictionary of codes used in the model will be provided.

a Saskatchewan Environment – Forest Service Approved Version 1.0


IV. Modelling Objectives and Targets The licensee must describe the estimated wood requirements as per Section 3.5.8.1. The licensee will also describe how the Forest Service’s natural disturbance emulation standards and standards for visual resource management are to be applied to the licence area. In addition, this section of the wood supply analysis report will describe any objectives or targets established by the licensee, independently or as a result of public consultation. This section must also discuss these objectives and targets with reference to the planning inventory and supporting preliminary forecasts, and note the span of time during which they will be implemented or respected. Further details on the standards to be followed when submitting information to the Forest Service are provided in Appendix 7 – Submission Requirements for FMPs.

a V. Scenario Results The licensee shall describe the candidate scenarios as per Section 3.5.9.3. The scenarios shall be summarized in a table, such that the characteristics subject to change form the columns, and the scenario names the rows, with the difference in each scenario identified at the intersection. This section of the report shall indicate, for each scenario, the assumptions or strategies that will be used in the model to address Section 3.5.9.4.

a For each of the items identified in Section 3.5.9.7, the licensee shall provide a comma-delimited text file with a header row and an accompanying data dictionary describing the fields used and any codes employed, in an electronic format approved by the Forest Service.

b The licensee shall describe in the forest estate modelling report all the description specified for the candidate scenarios, as well as any refinements or changes. It shall further include the results of the sensitivity analysis as per Section 3.5.9.5, for the indicators described in Section 3.5.9.7, described in tables and graphs and accompanied in the digital format described above. Further details on the standards to be followed when submitting information to the Forest Service are provided in Appendix 7 – Submission Requirements for FMPs.

c Saskatchewan Environment – Forest Service Approved Version 1.0


I. Model Formulation Submission of the Selected Management Strategy The SMS model formulation, SMS and the tactical plan must be described in the forest estate modelling report before being presented in FMP Volume II.

a The model formulation will be provided digitally to the Forest Service. The model formulation consists of all input information necessary to execute the model. The licensee shall also explain in detail the assignment of quantities, investments, time allotments, etc. to management choices employed in the final SMS, as per Section 3.5.9.13.

b The licensee must describe any block size constraints employed and the rationale for them, as well as associated green-up periods. The report will include tables and graphs describing forecasts of the indicators specified in Section 3.5.9.14, for:

1. The non-spatial results for the 200-year forecast; essentially equivalent to the results provided in Section 3.5.9.1; and

2. The non-spatial and spatial results for the 20-year forecast. c

Most importantly, the forest estate modelling report will include a full explanation supporting the choice of the SMS from among the candidate scenarios. It will include detail regarding differences, deviations, and improvements relative to the current FMP for the area, where one exists, as per Section 3.5.9.16. VII Data Submission for the SMS The licensee shall submit the SMS in a tabular dataset showing the following:

1. Any model thematic codes, with a separate field for each theme; 2. The first period a stand is scheduled for harvest strategically; 3. Any pre-blocking attributes, including those associated with harvesting,

biodiversity, or any other value; and 4. The shadow price of the stand with respect to the SMS.

The SMS will be retained for the review, approval and implementation of the FMP and associated operating plans.

a


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Forest Management Planning – Forest Planning Manual August 2007

VIII Data Submission of the Tactical Plan The licensee shall submit the tactical plan, with spatial geographic data, report and map with the following requirements:

1. The tactical plan and planned roads, and both the datasets should spatially identify: a. Proposed 20-year harvest stands by 5-year period; and b. Proposed 20-year road construction by 5-year period and road class.

2. The distribution of event sizes created in each 5-year period in the 20-year tactical schedule, as described in the provincial NDE standards;

3. The area and volume of each development type by age-class scheduled for harvest in the tactical schedule;

4. Average volume-weighted haul distance in each 5-year period in the tactical schedule; and

5. A map showing harvest blocks, identified by 5-year period, and existing and planned roads, as per mapping standards described in Appendix 4.

The tactical plan will be retained for the review, approval and implementation of the FMP and associated operating plans.

a Refer to Appendix 6 – Data Requirements for FMPs for the naming, format and structure of the dataset.

3.5.3 Forest Characterization With respect to forest management, the condition of the forest includes all those aspects of its current state that affect the flow of values from the forest, as well as the actions that forest managers can take to alter the forest and/or the flow of values. Therefore, in preparing a digital definition of the forest under consideration, it is important to include all spatial attributes that have an important impact on forest management. Licensees will use the planning inventory to develop area inputs to the forest estate model. Licensees must list the names of all datasets used for generating the planning inventory in FMP - Table Appendix – 1.

a

3.5.4 Forest Development If the values derived from the forest depend upon its condition, then forecasts of stand development are necessary to predict future forest condition based on its current state. This section will address natural and managed stand forecasts, as well as appropriate modifications when insects or disease are present.



3.5.4.1 Yield Curve Design I. Stratification of Data Data used to build yield curves will be stratified according to development type using the same sources of information used to stratify the forest inventory (refer to Section 3.2 for further information on development types).

a When the forest inventory has been prepared using photo-interpretation, plot data will be grouped according to their photo-interpreted SFVI attributes and any other planning inventory data used for forest inventory stratification, rather than their ground attributes.

b II. Succession Yield projection systems must reflect successional pathways.

a Plots should be grouped, or models defined, such that the effect of succession is recognized as leading to more realistic predictions of future stand condition based on current stand characteristics. The yield projection system may account for succession either within yield curves or using transitions between development types. Refer to Section 3.5.6.1 for further detail. III. Form and Utilization All form and utilization standards affecting merchantable volume must be approved by the Forest Service prior to compilation of the yield curves, as per the FMP workplan. Licensees shall submit the following:

1. Taper equations used to derive volume from tree and plot data; 2. Stump height, log length, acceptable butt and top diameters, and any other standard

or threshold affecting the definition of merchantable volume; and 3. Cull (decay, waste, and breakage) factors used to develop net merchantable yield

curves, with a demonstrable link to a defensible combination of stem analysis, harvest block waste surveys, and historical scaling evidence.

a



IV. Yield Components Yield curves for a development type must incorporate forecasts of the following:

1. Average merchantable volume per hectare by product (or piece size and species as agreed to by the Forest Service) given the utilization and merchantability standards prescribed in the licence and any other utilization or merchantability standard evaluated in the FMP and timber supply analysis, for any development type contributing to the harvestable forest;

2. Average independent tree volume; and 3. Residual merchantable volume, defined as the difference between merchantable

tree volume quantified using licensee-specified utilization standards, and the merchantable tree volume quantified using a 30 cm stump height and 5 cm top diameter inside bark, all other factors being identical.

a V. Consistency with Management Yield curves must adequately represent strategies proposed in any part of the FMP. Licensees shall demonstrate consistency between yield curves for plantations and other density-controlled stands with prescribed establishment or post-stand tending densities where applicable.

a

3.5.4.2 Growth and Yield Models Generally, yield curves are likely to be generated by one of two model types:

1. An equation that predicts volume directly; or, 2. A model that represents components of stand development at various scales to

forecast stand structure, from which volume can be derived. Regardless of the model type chosen, the following characteristics shall apply:

1. The model formulation will be made available to the Forest Service; 2. The statistical properties and error of the model will be evaluated and provided to

the Forest Service; 3. The accuracy and precision of the model will have been tested with data sets not

used in the calibration process, and results of this testing will be reported to the Forest Service;

4. The behaviour of models outside the range of calibration data will be biologically reasonable, or it will be demonstrated that the models will not be used in these ranges;

5. Models will have been published in a peer-reviewed scientific publication. Independent review by qualified academics may be approved by the Forest Service;

6. Models will have demonstrated applicability to the forest, or a local calibration process shall be described;

7. Models will include consideration of site productivity and stand density; and 8. Models developed from plots in fully stocked stands will include adjustments for

stands that are not fully stocked. Saskatchewan Environment – Forest Service Approved Version 1.0


I. Initialization and Calibration The licensee shall demonstrate that samples are ecologically representative of the forest under consideration, at the ecoregion level. Thus, all samples need not be obtained within the licence boundary. It must be demonstrable that sufficient samples exist to ensure an accurate assessment of each defined stratum in the forest.

a For treated stands, where data availability is often restricted, the ecoregion requirement is waived, but licensees must demonstrate that the basic factors contributing to results found elsewhere are true for the subject treatments specified in the FMP or have been adjusted to reflect differences. These factors include:

1. Site preparation; 2. Stand tending; 3. Initial density; 4. Site productivity; and 5. Insect/disease damage levels.

b II. Disturbance Yield curves must reflect the influence of known damaging agents where these are not already recognized by the model.

a Many disturbance agents affect the availability of merchantable volume without eliminating the stand completely. Yield curves should account for these influences, such as spruce budworm and dwarf mistletoe. III. Sampling Strategies Any sampling strategy must conform to the Forest Service’s growth and yield standards.

a IV. Sampling Data Plot data collected to support yield curve construction must be submitted to the Forest Service for approval on request. In such cases, compiled and cleaned temporary or permanent sample plot data will be submitted with a data dictionary describing the contents in a format acceptable to the Forest Service. Raw sample tree and plot data may also be requested for approval. The SFVI attributes of each sample plot will be included. A map shall be provided that allows the Forest Service to verify the location and distribution of sampling plots.

a

3.5.5 Management Actions The set of management actions defines those tools available to the manager for altering the forest condition and generating products of interest. These include actions to regenerate stands, to tend them towards a desired future forest condition, and to harvest Saskatchewan Environment – Forest Service Approved Version 1.0


them in a manner that generates products of interest but may simultaneously achieve other objectives as well.

3.5.5.1 Consistency with Management Actions will be defined to reflect current and planned treatment alternatives as described in FMP silviculture ground rules.

3.5.5.2 Operability Windows Characteristics such as volume, piece size, and species composition help define the age in which stands can be harvested or subjected to other treatments (ex. thinning). The period of time in which a stand is considered eligible for a specific activity (ex. harvest) is defined by a minimum age and maximum age, which is known as its operability window Operability windows for each management action will be provided to the Forest Service such that:

1. Merchantable volume per hectare, average merchantable tree size, mean annual increment, and minimum harvest age by development type are used to define operability windows and are demonstrated to be consistent with historical practice;

2. Where merchantable volume is employed, it accounts for the variation in data used to build the yield curve. It must be demonstrable that either (a) all sample points used to develop the yield curve are above the minimum operable volume threshold in the operability window; (b) sample points below the operable volume threshold represent within-stand variability and thus should not be dropped;

3. The specific definition of operability for each action within the wood supply model is provided; and

4. Where intended practice will depart from historical practice, a commitment to ongoing monitoring and reporting must be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Forest Service

a

3.5.5.3 Renewal Renewal encompasses actions intended to regenerate the forest after harvesting or other disturbance. The operational strategies associated with modeled renewal must be explicitly defined and be consistent with silviculture ground rules in the FMP.

a It is not necessary to model site preparation or competition control explicitly; however, if they are part of an operational strategy, this should be documented.

3.5.5.4 Stand Tending Stand tending treatments are intended to manipulate immature stands to create the desired future forest condition.


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Stand tending treatments must be explicitly recognized in the model. Any stand tending treatment defined in the forest estate model will result in a transfer of area from the original type to a new development type. They shall not result in a change of age. If any stand tending treatments are not defined in the model, then any assumptions regarding their use shall be explicitly recognized in the yield curve submission and the silviculture ground rules.

a

3.5.5.5 Harvesting Harvesting treatments will produce commercial volume and possibly other desired forest values as well. I. Multiple Entry Treatments Some treatments, such as a shelterwood harvest, require two or more entries into a stand before the treatment is considered complete. Once one of those treatments has been applied there is a distinct period of time before the second or further treatment can be carried out. Multiple entry treatments shall be formulated in the model to reflect that period of inoperability between when a stand receives an initial treatment, and when it can receive subsequent treatments. Models must not fail to implement the second and subsequent entries.

a II. Seasonal Sensitivity If areas of the licence have been classified as having restricted seasonal accessibility in the planning inventory, harvest actions must be differentiated based upon the season of their application, and stand eligibility defined appropriately.

a

3.5.5.6 Stand Break-up Stand break-up, or senescence, will be considered an action in formulating wood supply models as a modelling convenience, but also because allowing a stand to break up is in itself a management decision.

a Licensees shall provide the Forest Service with proposed senescence ages by stratum such that:

1. Senescence ages are defined by development type; and 2. Objective evidence of stand decline and break-up by yield curve is provided; this

can consist of permanent sample plot, temporary sample plot, or aerial survey data. b

3.5.6 Treatment Response



The forest’s response to management actions is a necessary part of forecasting future forest condition and the calculation of realistic harvest volumes. Responses will assign forest areas to new conditions with associated new yield curves.

3.5.6.1 Stand Re-initiation If the licensee and the Forest Service do not reach consensus on how transition rules are defined for certain development types, the licensee must provide objective evidence of natural response or a firm commitment to achievable silviculture strategies to support proposed transitions. Any or all of the following will be considered acceptable evidence of natural response:

1. Permanent sample plot data; 2. Chronological sequences of interpreted air photos; 3. Expert opinion obtained from a cross-section of industrial, provincial government,

and academic personnel with extensive field experience; and 4. Succession models that have received independent academic peer review and have

been calibrated to local conditions (ecoregion-level) and validated by the same. a

Evidence of achievability of silviculture strategies must include:

1. Annual area of treatments completed over the last 10 years; 2. Success rates of treatments in achieving the target condition; and 3. Commitment to a program monitoring future success rates of proposed treatments,

as per Section 4.13 and Section 5.3. c

3.5.6.2 Response Detail The number of responses defined for any single stratum-treatment combination should reflect the fineness of the original stratification. Up to ten responses may be defined for each stratum-treatment combination. The number of responses should depend on the refinement of the stratification. For example, a coarse stratification might employ more transitional responses; a fine stratification might employ fewer.

3.5.6.3 Regeneration Delays Combinations of site conditions, treatment, seed, rain and weather may cause natural delays in the establishment of regeneration. These are to be accounted for and recognized in model inputs and recognized in transitions.

3.5.6.4 Advanced Regeneration The regenerating stand age immediately following senescence must reasonably reflect understory development as the overstory deteriorates, based on objective evidence.


75


3.5.6.5 Consistency with Yields Renewal treatments shall be consistent with yield curves in recognizing regeneration success rates. Depending on the degree of aggregation in the strata, licensees may choose to reflect success rate by transitioning to several yield curves, or by transitioning to only one that reflects the average success rate. In the case of aggregation, it shall be demonstrable that less than 10% of any new stratum is inoperable because of poor regeneration success.

3.5.6.6 Residuals within Harvest Events Residuals maintained following completion of harvest events (see provincial NDE standards for further clarification) must be modelled using one of the following methods which reflect this effective reduction in treated area.

1. Yield curve deduction with area transition; 2. Yield curve deduction; and 3. Annual allowable cut deduction.

a If yield curve deduction with area transition is applied, the licensee shall ensure that an appropriate percentage of the treated area is retained from harvesting throughout the planning horizon. The Forest Service prefers the use of yield curve deduction with area transition method rather than only deducting annual allowable cut or yield curve for the following reasons:

1. It allows the licensee and the Forest Service to forecast the amount of area maintained as residuals throughout the forecast;

2. It allows the licensee to implement the Forest Service standards for the composition of residuals; and

3. It ensures that yield curves will still reflect operability considerations.

3.5.7 Model Formulation It is necessary to have a working forest estate model formulation before decisions are made regarding appropriate objectives and targets, etc., based on scenario analysis, benchmarking, and trade-off evaluation.



3.5.7.1 Forest Estate Models The licensee must use forest estate models approved by the Forest Service.

a The selected forest estate model shall be specified by name and version in the FMP workplan. If the Forest Service does not already have the specified model, it may require the licensee to provide a copy of the model, any necessary licence, an instruction manual, and necessary training for a period of time specified by the Forest Service, up to the duration of the licence renewal that the FMP supports. Regardless of the model used, the Forest Service may require input files to be submitted in formats accepted by tools currently used by the Forest Service.

b The Forest Service currently uses Remsoft’s Spatial Planning System, including Woodstock, Spatial Woodstock, and Stanley.

3.5.7.2 Standard Model Parameters Model parameters and conditions required by the Forest Service must be implemented in the forest estate model. These include:

1. Forecasts have a 200-year horizon; and 2. Five-year periods will be employed.

a

3.5.8 Modelling Objectives, Targets, and Preliminary Forecasts The diversity of values derived from public forests demands a complex suite of management objectives to characterize the desired forest condition. It is likely that some objectives will conflict with each other; reconciling these to produce the most acceptable outcome constitutes the art of forest management. This process of reconciliation will necessarily involve many preliminary model forecasts to help establish the feasible solution space from which acceptable candidate scenarios may be drawn. In creating candidate scenarios, licensees must respect objectives and targets as established by the Forest Service. For those indicators where flexibility exists, licensees will make use of the preliminary forecasts to develop acceptable targets.

a



3.5.8.1 Wood Requirements The licensee must estimate wood requirements for the next 20 years.

a The wood supply objective for all scenarios must be based on estimated wood requirements. Wood requirements are the expected wood volume demands on the timber resource for the licence area. The licensee shall define wood requirements based on long-term (20-year) average demand of all mills supplied by the licence area and volume and product commitments to independent operators and other parties as specified in their licence, and submit the following to the Forest Service:

1. For existing mills, quantitative evidence of historical consumption, production levels and capacity on an annual basis for the last five years. Consumption should be differentiated between volumes obtained directly from the licence forest, and volumes obtained from other sources. This data must be directly linked to information provided through Section 2.4.3.2.

2. Maximum and anticipated mill consumption based on designed peak capacity and anticipated production of planned mills, mill upgrades and mill expansions;

3. Explanation of any factors that would alter future wood requirements compared to historical requirements;

4. Wood requirements shall be characterized in terms of the same size and species criteria, not necessarily the same values, used in yield curve definition;

5. Any discrepancy between scaled consumption and merchantable volume on the stump as estimated by yield curves must be analyzed, and an adjustment factor provided. This factor will be used to restate the wood requirement for the next 20 years within the wood supply model in a manner quantitatively consistent with the yield curve definition. If this factor proves to be large, the Forest Service may require remedial action; and,

6. Third party volume and products commitments shall be summarized in the same manner as mill requirements.

b

3.5.8.2 Landscape Diversity Scenarios must achieve the Forest Service’s standards for landscape diversity, as described in the provincial NDE standards. The licensee must also show achievement of targets specified for VOITS that are based upon natural disturbance emulation.

a

3.5.8.3 Public Consultation Where applicable, scenarios will reflect licensee responses to the public consultation process, as per Section 2.3.

a

3.5.8.4 Visual Quality Scenarios must respect any provincial or FMA standards established for visual resource management.

a



3.5.8.5 Wood Flow Flow constraints define acceptable periodic changes in the flow of timber from the analysis area over the forecast period. The choice of a final flow objective depends on scenario analysis using preliminary forecasts. I. Flow and Wood Requirements Changes in the flow of timber must not cause a failure to meet wood requirements in any period as defined in Section 3.5.8.1, point 2, unless an alternative source of fibre can be demonstrated and the benefits of such a policy supported by the licensee.

a II. Fluctuations Increases and declines in flow are acceptable provided that:

1. Wood requirements are achieved in the first 20 years; 2. Achievement of an equilibrium harvest level in the last 50 years of the forecast

period is demonstrated, and it is higher than that equilibrium resulting from an even-flow policy;

3. Notwithstanding points 1 and 2, severe demonstrable mortality will occur due to insects or disease, and is deemed catastrophic by the Forest Service;

4. Notwithstanding point 3, no objective or target specified by the Forest Service is sacrificed;

5. Wood flow does not significantly exceed the mill requirement established in Section 3.5.8.1 point 2 in the first 20 years of the forecast in the judgment of the Forest Service; and

6. Harvest declines do not exceed 10% per decade. This threshold may be changed at the discretion of the Forest Service.

a

3.5.8.6 Ending Inventory Constraint The nature of forest estate models currently in use necessitates the imposition of an ending inventory constraint to prevent liquidation of the forest in the final periods of the model. An ending inventory constraint must be defined and justified.

a

3.5.8.7 Silviculture Levels Targets for silvicultural levels must be consistent with available resources. Licensees shall ensure that chosen treatment levels are achievable in terms of time, labour, capital and any other necessary resources. The licensee will be expected to complete actions scheduled in the FMP.

a



3.5.8.8 Licensee-led Objectives Any objectives or targets not specified by the Forest Service must receive approval. Targets identified independently by the licensee must not compromise targets specified by the Forest Service, and must be analyzed for their effect on wood supply. As these may have a profound effect on the future condition of the forest ecosystem, it is necessary that the licensee explore the effects of these objectives and targets in preliminary forecasts, and that these be reviewed by the Forest Service prior to finalization in the VOITs and application to the SMS.

a

3.5.8.9 Management Discretion The licensee must describe the development of acceptable ranges of values for discretionary forest estate modelling indicators based on the results of preliminary forecasts.

a The licensee shall clearly explain how the range of possible solutions was developed for forest estate modelling indicators without mandatory targets.

b

3.5.9 Selection of Management Strategy and Tactical Plan One of the challenging aspects of planning forest management activities on Crown lands is to account for the varied interests of other stakeholders. Forest managers must make all reasonable efforts to reconcile these interests with the potential of the forest resource. In this section, instruction and guidance is provided for the development of different management or alternative scenarios and the choice of the selected management strategy. As the SMS requires a spatial plan, instruction is also provided for developing the tactical plan.

3.5.9.1 Scenario Forecasting Scenarios that forecast the production of forest values resulting from different management strategies help define the boundaries of the multi-dimensional forest planning challenge. For this reason, scenarios may explore realistic as well as extreme alternatives to assist planners in arriving at a well-defined and well-understood choice. Scenarios will be developed by the licensee to show different management strategies based on objectives, actions, treatments and constraints (e.g. wood flow, VOITs, etc.).

a

3.5.9.2 Baseline Scenarios Baseline scenarios provide the Forest Service with information regarding issues of concern (ex. potential wood volume declines) and forest dynamics in uniform terms across the province. They are not intended to provide candidate scenarios, which are to be defined by the licensee.



The licensee shall model two baseline scenarios defined in Table 4. SE reserves the right to add additional baseline scenarios, which will be discussed with the planning team. When modelling baseline scenarios, the licensee shall ensure that the following conditions are met:

1. All the Forest Service standards for diversity are met; 2. Wood requirements, and responses to public concerns are excluded from the

scenario; and, 3. The definition of volume used includes residual merchantable volume as defined in

Section 3.5.4.1– IV, point 3. a

Table 4. Baseline Scenario.

Scenario Wood supply objective

Flow constraint Utilization Specifications

Maximize merchantable fibre opportunity

Maximize the total merchantable volume harvested in all periods

Even flow for the first 20 years, up to 20% variation for the remaining 180 years

Licensee’s proposed utilization standards

Same as above

Same as above Same as above Refer to FMP-Table-4-2

3.5.9.3 Candidate Scenarios

Scenarios provided by the licensee are intended to support or supply candidates for the preferred management strategy. The Forest Service must approve the candidate scenarios.

a The licensee shall submit a list of proposed scenarios (FMP - Table 3 - 4), with all differences clearly identified. The licensee must provide an explanation of the process and considerations used to develop the scenarios, demonstrating consistency with their consultation process. The licensee will conduct additional scenario forecasts if required by the Forest Service.

b It is recommended that scenarios provide reasonable and useful bounds to potential solutions. Candidate scenarios must not forecast harvested wood volumes that exceed wood requirements in the first 20 years. For the remaining 180 years, candidate scenarios will maximize the harvest volume, subject to all other stated standards and constraints.



3.5.9.4 Natural Disturbance The licensee shall identify natural disturbances threatening the achievement of scenario forecasts, and adopt modeled strategies or model assumptions that reduce or explicitly incorporate this risk where possible.

a Forecasts of the future forest condition are full of uncertainty. It is necessary to identify the principal factors contributing to this uncertainty and, if random processes drive them, change our strategies or our expectations. The licensee shall describe, to the satisfaction of the Forest Service, how the following natural disturbances have been adequately taken into account:

1. Fire – The Forest Service considers periodic re-planning (as part of the normal FMP cycle) and the consequent amendment process sufficient to account for fire risk. The licensee must describe the risk of fire to the timber supply;

2. Insect and disease disturbances as specified in Section 4.11; and 3. Windthrow.

b

3.5.9.5 Sensitivity Analysis The licensee shall conduct sensitivity analysis to assist in the identification of a preferred management strategy.

a The licensee shall identify uncertainty in model inputs that may significantly impact results, and explore the change in outcomes resulting from altering those inputs over a reasonable range of values. These shall include, at a minimum:

1. Sensitivity of forecasts to yield curves; 2. Sensitivity of forecasts to varying levels of regeneration failure; 3. Sensitivity of forecasts to changes in treatment response; and 4. Sensitivity of forecasts to catastrophic changes in the forest condition, specifically

those that might result from the factors described in points 1-3 in Section 3.5.9.4. b

3.5.9.6 Scenario Review

Candidate scenarios must be presented to the planning team and public advisory group for review as specified in the licensee’s approved consultation plan.

a The licensee will quantify the effect of responses to public concerns on the wood supply in the appropriate public consultation report.

b



3.5.9.7 Scenario Results and Submission The results of all candidate scenarios shall be presented in the forest estate modelling report.

a Not all scenario results indicators specified by the Forest Service have associated standards for approval. Instead, some are associated with provincial and federal reporting requirements, or may be used for future monitoring and auditing. The licensee shall provide the strategic treatment schedule as well as the following scenario results indicators in the forest estate modelling report:

1. The harvest of each product (or piece size as agreed to by the Forest Service) identified in the wood requirements in each period, by management unit and in total;

2. The operable and total growing stock in each period; 3. The volume of mortality in each period. Excessive mortality may lead the Forest

Service to direct the licensee to alter wood flow constraints; 4. The area of every treatment conducted in each period. This will be quantified in

terms of the area of each development type-age class combination. For renewal treatments, use the pre-harvest classification;

5. Age class distribution for periods 0,10, 20, 50,100, and 200; 6. The area summary for each period as follows: a) total operable area for harvest;

and b) total eligible area for non-timber indicators; Area classified as in-block retention in each period;

7. Average harvested stem volume in each period; 8. Average harvest age in each period; and 9. Any indicator representing a VOIT identified in the planning process.

b

3.5.9.8 Preferred Management Strategy

Based on the scenario results, the licensee must select a scenario that is deemed to best satisfy the diverse demands on the forest resource. This scenario is the preferred management strategy and is to be used for building the selected management strategy (SMS).

a The evaluation of candidate scenarios for the preferred management strategy may result in changes to the forest characterization and development descriptions, the final versions of which will be employed in the SMS. For example, the definition of operable forest or assumptions affecting yield curves may change, with the agreement of the Forest Service.

3.5.9.9 Selected Management Strategy Starting with the preferred management strategy, a tentative SMS is built through iterations with the tactical plan. Spatial adjustment of harvest sequencing may be required to the initial tactical plan due to restrictions imposed by spatial requirements and natural limitations, such as Saskatchewan Environment – Forest Service Approved Version 1.0


operational scale, road access and NDE standards. The changes to the tactical plan may alter the strategic harvest schedule for the preferred management strategy. As a result, the preferred management strategy may require adjustments to accommodate the spatial reality of the tactical plan and a new strategic harvest schedule is selected, forming a tentative SMS. Several iterations between the previous strategic harvest schedule and a new tactical plan may be required before the SMS, including a final tactical plan, is reached (Figure 4).

3.5.9.10 Tactical Scenarios The strategic schedule can likely be achieved using different spatial arrangements of harvest sequencing on the licence area, of greater or lesser acceptability to stakeholders. The licensee will use an appropriate spatial blocking method of harvest sequencing to produce one or more tactical plan schedules based on the preferred management strategy.

a

3.5.9.11 Tactical Plan One of the tactical scenarios is selected as an initial tactical plan. The tactical plan is generated based on the SMS through an iterative analysis. The requirements of a tactical plan are provided in Section 4.7. The licensee must spatially block a feasible tactical harvest plan for the next 20 years based on the SMS, including harvesting to satisfy independent operator allocations.

a The introduction of spatial configuration to the planning problem will likely necessitate manual alterations to and deviations from the strategic schedule. In addition, as per The Forest Resources Management Act, the Forest Service may direct harvesting into stands damaged by natural disturbance agents, including insects and disease. I. Consistency with the Strategic Schedule A tactical plan, no matter how it is generated, must be input into the tentative selected management strategy and be consistent with it. The licensee will conduct iterative analysis to ensure that the chosen tactical plan achieves the VOITs as closely as possible. Generally, this process will include the following steps (also see Figure 4):

1. Input the initial tactical plan or adjusted tactical plan from step 3 into the model

formulated for the tentative SMS. 2. Run the model for optimizing the objectives and targets of the tentative SMS; 3. If an acceptable solution is reached, go to step 4, otherwise make adjustments or

changes to the tactical plan and go back to step 1; and 4. Stop the iterations when the tactical plan and SMS are in agreement. At this stage

both the SMS and the tactical plan have been finalized. b



II. Spatial Constraints Definitions of adjacency, for assessing green-up periods, maximum block sizes and proximity for grouping stands into blocks, must be clearly indicated and justified.

a The Forest Service currently specifies no limitations on green-up periods and maximum block sizes. Through the public consultation process or other means, licensees may identify valid reasons for imposing limits. These limits are to be consistent with provincial NDE standards and a justification must be provided in the forest estate modelling report.

bIII. Forest Service Spatial Targets Spatial targets identified by the Forest Service must be demonstrably achieved in the next twenty years.

a

3.5.9.12 Model Formulation of the SMS The model formulation used in the SMS will be provided to the Forest Service. The licensee will maintain a copy of the model formulation associated with the SMS and the means to re-examine and re-use it, until it has been replaced with a new formulation associated with a new FMP.

a It is suggested that the licensee use the model associated with the SMS in subsequent planning efforts to assist in understanding the effects of minor changes to the FMP, the effects of unforeseen disturbance, and other direct or indirect changes to scheduled activities.

3.5.9.13 Management Choice The assignment of quantities, investments, time allotments or other characterizations to management choices employed in the SMS shall be explained in detail.

a Many options are possible when defining or selecting the SMS, and the best choice is not always obvious. The licensee must rationalize the choice of an SMS, making reference to the candidate scenarios where appropriate, including the following selections:

1. Evaluation of VOITs, and the effect of levels chosen for additional or licensee-specific indicators, affect on the FMP in reference to the VOIT framework;

2. The selection of silviculture levels; 3. The selection of harvest levels; 4. The scheduling and location of future roads; and 5. The design and use of planning units to achieve a desired distribution of treatments

and forest conditions across the forest. b



3.5.9.14 Reporting Results The licensee will provide a forecast of indicators specified in Section 3.5.9.7 in the forest estate modelling report.

a

3.5.9.15 Sensitivity Analysis and Re-planning Threshold The licensee will ensure that all requirements of Section 3.5.9.5 are met for the SMS.

a The results of this analysis will be taken into consideration by the Forest Service when assigning re-planning thresholds for inclusion in the FMP and the associated forest licence agreement.

b

3.5.9.16 Planning Evolution of SMS Differences between the current FMP and the SMS must be identified and explained to include:

1. Changes in the forest characterization, including boundaries, exclusions, development types and age-class structure. Explanation of these changes must include necessary references to natural disturbances, administrative changes, and changes to management choices;

2. Changes in yield curves; and 3. Changes in management strategies.

a



4 Forest Management Plan Volume II Requirements While the material presented in earlier sections of this document focused on the background information requirements pertaining to preparation of the FMP Volume I, this section of the document provides the plan content requirements for the FMP Volume II. The FMP Volume II focuses primarily on the outcomes of the forest estate modelling process and provides the strategic direction for the FMP. 4.1 Plan Title and Approval Page The Forest Management Plan, Title and Approval Page (FMP – Figure 4 – 1) will be located at the front of each draft and the approved FMP Volume II. In submission of the FMP Volume II, the plan author will complete, sign and seal the title and approval page of each of the draft and final copies. The licensee’s senior company official, who has overall responsibility for forest management activities on the licence area and for administration of the FMA or TSL, will also sign the title and approval page. Once the approval process has been completed, the FMP must be signed by the executive director of the Forest Service and the Minister of the Environment.

a The plan author must list all contributors to the FMP (FMP Figure 4 – 2), and also list members of the planning team, advisors to the team, as well as reviewers of the FMP (FMP Figure 4 - 3).

b

4.1.1 Executive Summary An executive summary will summarize all the key elements of the FMP. The executive summary is required to include a brief summary of plan components that comprise the FMP submission and will provide an index of all of the constituent materials of the FMP.

a

4.1.2 Table of Contents The table of contents will follow the executive summary. It will include a list of tables, a list of figures, and the appendices (which will include supplementary documentation).

a 4.2 Planning Process The licensee shall provide a summary of the planning process undertaken during the preparation of the FMP and how the standards in the FMP document were achieved. The licensee must also provide a chart or graph depicting the length of time the planning process took and when various planning deliverables were completed.

a For FMP processes for which an EA process is a requirement, this section must provide a description of the relationship of the EA process to the overall development of the FMP.

b



This section should also provide an overview of how all the concurrent processes in the FMP are related and how these linkages will be maintained over the upcoming ten-year period. 4.3 Forest Characterization The licensee is to provide a summary of the forest characterization report, which will include a brief description of the planning inventory used in the forest estate modelling process. The licensee will also describe the planning units assigned to the licence area. 4.4 Forest Development The licensee is to provide a summary of the forest development report, including a brief description of the development types assigned, as well as the yield curves designed for the forest estate modelling process. 4.5 Summary of Public Consultation As described in Section 2.3, in the course of preparing the FMP, the licensee is required to identify values associated with the licence area that are of interest and/or concern to other stakeholders, aboriginal communities or organizations, and the general public. For this section, the licensee is required to provide a summary of public consultation activities that took place during development of the FMP.

a Section 2.3 of this document describes the content requirements for the various products to be produced to meet the FMP consultation process. Stages in the FMP development process that include documentation on public consultation requirements are:

1. Public consultation plan; 2. Reports and records of public consultation, including:

a. FMP Volume I; b. Forest Estate Modelling; c. FMP Volume II; and d. Summary of the public advisory group activities.

3. Issues and concerns table requirements; and 4. Public consultation processes to be undertaken throughout FMP implementation.

4.6 Presentation of FMP Objectives and Description of Values, Objectives,

Indicators and Targets The framework of VOITs as described in Table 3 will be presented as described in FMP –Table- 4-1.

With respect to indicator and targets submitted by the licensee, the reporting timelines and formats will be established through discussions with and approval by the Forest Service.



4.7 Highlights of Forest Estate Modelling The licensee will explore different management strategies and scenarios to characterize the potential of the forest with respect to the values society demands. Different management or alternative scenarios, as well as the choice and justification of the selected management strategy are presented. As the SMS requires a spatial plan, instruction is also provided on developing and presenting the tactical plan. Selection of the modelling process was outlined in Section 3.5.

4.7.1 Scenario Development Process The licensee must describe the process used to generate scenarios to examine alternative strategies, and the results. The licensee shall specifically address the following:

1. The determination of critical factors affecting scenario development, including SGRs, and how each of these was varied between scenarios. This must be presented in tabular format; and

2. The use of any socio-economic, habitat, or other models used in the scenario development process other than for growth and yield or forest estate modelling, which is covered in Section 3.5.

a

4.7.2 Scenario Forecasts Scenario forecasts are powerful tools for demonstrating the short and long-term effects of management choices. The licensee must summarize the results of scenario forecasts, ensuring:

1. Sufficient explanation of the forest estate modelling process is provided such that plan reviewers, stakeholders, and the general public can gain a general understanding of how scenarios were forecast. The licensee should reference the forest estate modelling information document produced during the FMP process as the source for specific detail;

2. Demonstration of either the achievement of core VOITs, or the consideration in setting targets for licensee-specific VOIT indicators, ensuring careful referencing of the VOIT framework presented by the licensee (see Section 3.3 and Section 4.6);

3. Documentation of the strategic supply (200 yrs) of harvestable wood volume from the forest. Supporting text will recognize that this supply may possibly decrease when spatial considerations are applied in the tactical plan; and

4. Documentation of the predicted use of specific silviculture treatments, including harvesting, in terms of area by management unit and development type, for the first 20 years.

a

4.7.3 Presentation of the Selected Management Strategy A forest management strategy can be complex and requires sufficient explanation to SE, the PAG, aboriginal communities or organizations, and other members of the public regarding its many aspects. Saskatchewan Environment – Forest Service Approved Version 1.0


To adequately describe the selected management strategy, the licensee must describe and document the following:

1. General description of SMS and key elements of this strategy, justifying the rationale for selection;

2. How the selected management strategy satisfies the wood demands placed on the licence area;

3. A discussion of any significant challenges or difficulties (if they exist) for this SMS to achieve specific VOITs. Some discussion of associated risks should be included;

4. How the levels chosen for discretionary levels of forest management activities (harvest, road development, silviculture activity levels, etc.) affect the FMP with reference to the VOITs framework; and

5. How concerns expressed by members of the public, aboriginal communities or organizations, and stakeholders are addressed by the SMS.

a

4.7.3.1 Summary of Management Objectives The licensee will list all the management objectives that are additional to the VOITs associated with the SMS. These include those pertaining to the forest estate modelling process, SGR development and the development of the tactical plan.

a

4.7.3.2 Management and Utilization of the Timber Resource The licensee shall present the operability and utilization standards applied to harvested stands as used in the SMS, consistent with Section 3.5.4 and the licensee’s completed FMP - Table 4-2. Presentation of these utilization standards must also include description of the licensee’s defect specifications.

a The licensee will describe the consistency of the utilization and operability standards outlined above, compare them to those used in the forest estate model, and state the licensee’s commitment to the utilization standards approved for the term of the FMP.

4.7.3.3 Presentation of Silvicultural Strategies The FMP requires careful specification of the silvicultural strategies and assumptions used to build the SMS and achieve the desired objectives. The licensee will present these aspects of their planned silviculture program to provide a benchmark for assessment of future activities.

a For each proposed harvest area presented in the tactical plan the most applicable silviculture ground rule will be spatially identified. An area summary must also be produced as per FMP-Table 4-3.

b



4.7.3.4 Presentation of Access Management Finding the balance between providing reasonable access for the public and industrial users while protecting the natural resources can be difficult. The FMP is the appropriate place to discuss these strategic level concerns and the licensee’s approach to access management. The tactical plan in turn provides a spatial representation of access to the forest and provides an opportunity to discuss specific access concerns. The licensee is encouraged to plan strategic road networks (Class 1 & 2) across the productive land base for one rotation period. The licensee will describe, at a strategic level, their general approach to access management for the licence area. This description will include:

1. The licensee’s access management principles; 2. A commitment to continue to work with other stakeholders, the PAG and relevant

government agencies on access management planning during implementation of the FMP;

3. A description of the total existing permanent roads within the license area as per FMP- Table 2-17, including roads not built by the licensee;

4. A description of the total proposed permanent roads that will be constructed, reclaimed and decommissioned within the license area during the term of the FMP, as per FMP-Table- 4-4. and

5. A description of how the licensee will plan water crossings. a

4.7.3.5 Presentation of Future Forest Condition The presentation of future forest condition will be based on the SMS forecasts using the forest estate model. This projection will be used to provide the best possible approximation of the future condition of the forest, the values that will be available from it, and the actions necessary to create it. Not all attributes have associated acceptance criteria, but they are nonetheless important for helping stakeholders and reviewers to understand underlying forest dynamics and some of the more subtle consequences of adopting the SMS. Saskatchewan Environment – Forest Service Approved Version 1.0


When reporting attributes, the licensee shall ensure that the forecast used incorporates the tactical plan and any consequences thereof. The licensee will report upon all VOIT indicator levels which are applicable to the modelling process, and in particular will ensure that the following attributes specific to the presentation of the final tactical plan, are presented:

1. The area in each development type considered operable during the strategic forecast at 0, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200-years after the plan implementation date;

2. The area in each 10-year age class of forest considered operable during the strategic forecast at 0, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200-years after the plan implementation date;

3. Average annual harvest level of softwood and hardwood, in short-term (i.e. 1-20 years) and long-term (i.e. 1-200 years), if there are significant variations in timber flow throughout the strategic forecasts;

4. The operable and total growing stock throughout the strategic forecast, with reference to the harvest level;

5. The habitat area that meets the requirements of selected species for each period, with reference to any critical thresholds identified by SE or the licensee; and

6. The area of any silvicultural treatment conducted, including harvesting, throughout the strategic forecast.

a 4.8 Tactical Plan During the forest estate modelling stage, the licensee is required to develop and present a tactical plan providing a spatial harvest and road development schedule that has been integrated with the SMS. Tactical planning is the primary tool for the implementation of the FMP through linkages to operating plans, and ensures that sustainable forest management strategies outlined in the FMP are reflected in the planned operations.

4.8.1 Linkage to Operational Plans The Forest Service requires that the five-year operating plans be developed directly from the tactical plan. A strong link between the two types of plans is a necessary condition to ensure that daily activities will ultimately achieve the shared goals for the forest resource. Through a close linkage with the tactical plan, the operational plan will provide continual information on the effect of management actions upon the forest condition. Saskatchewan Environment – Forest Service Approved Version 1.0


Compliance assessment of such linkages will be undertaken at the operating plan development stage. To ensure such a linkage, the licensee will generate its five-year operating plans with the following principles:

1. Only delineate blocks to be harvested identified in the tactical schedule, except for approved salvage operations and incidental harvesting (i.e. power line clearing, land clearing, road re-alignments, etc);

2. Select a block for harvesting no more than one period deviating from its scheduled harvest period. For instance, in period 1 (i.e. – years 1-5), the licensee may operationally identify blocks for harvest from the tactical schedule periods 1 or 2 (i.e. – years 6-10). In period 2, they may identify blocks from periods 1, 2, or 3 (i.e. – years 11-15); and

3. Employ the same or improved utilization standards (for harvested trees only) in the operating plan as are included in the approved FMP.

a A licensee may propose an alternate approach to the Forest Service which meets these results. Operating plans that fail to meet these conditions will normally be rejected. For more information, consult the Operating Plan and Annual Report section of the Forest Planning Manual.

4.8.2 Presentation of Tactical Plan The tactical plan is designed to be a working tool for forest planners during the development of future operating plans. It will consist of text, tables and map products. Much of the information provided will serve as the backbone of future reporting requirements and will establish levels for many of the values that will be assessed in compliance monitoring. The licensee must describe their choice of the final tactical plan by referencing the following considerations:

1. How spatial concerns identified in the public consultation process are addressed. The licensee will retain a record of public response to the tactical plan selection process, including reference as applicable to the issues and concerns table. This information is to be summarized in the forest estate modelling public consultation report; and

2. How the choice of tactical plan and its reconciliation with the strategic schedule supports or is consistent with the VOITs framework.

a Presentation requirements of the tactical plan include:

1. Description of the purpose of the tactical plan, and its relationship to the FMP and operating plans;

2. Description of how the tactical plan focuses on general development pattern and is the spatial application of the FMP;

3. Scheduling of the timing of harvest is approximate and blocks can be harvested in one period as described in Section 4.8.1; and

4. A tactical plan overview map, FMP-Map – 4-1 of the entire FMA area featuring proposed tactical blocks and roads.

b Saskatchewan Environment – Forest Service Approved Version 1.0


The licensee shall provide their projected target summary of management units during the new FMP term (10 years), particularly noting the following:

1. The volume proposed for harvest by product or piece size, as agreed to by the Forest Service, with the acceptable limits of variation for each five year period;

2. The area proposed for harvest by development type, with the acceptable limits of variation for each five year period;

3. General explanation of how the tactical plan was created and how key criteria are used to create the plan; and

4. Relevant information regarding the integration of the independent operators program, in co-operation with the Forest Service.

c

The licensee is to provide the following information for each management unit:

1. Background summary of the management unit, as per FMP- Table- 4-5; which describes the management unit, any significant features, special values and associated public consultations;

2. Volume summary by tactical blocks for the licensee’s proposed harvest areas, as per FMP - Table 4 - 6. A similar table is required for the independent operators;

3. Proposed road construction as per FMP – Table 4 – 4; 4. Summary of projected silviculture ground rules as per FMP - Table 4 - 3. The licensee

is also to provide SGRs for blocks where silviculture is underway and inventory labels are not yet available. These final SGRs are to match the inputs to the forest estate model; and

5. A series of tactical plan maps, FMP-Map-4-23, for each management unit, showing the following features:

i. Merchantable stands by species cover group (i.e., S, SH, HS, H) from the net productive land base;

ii. Lakes and streams layer; iii. Permanent and partial exclusions and other significant features such as

lodges, cabins, historic trails etc.; iv. Management unit boundary, IFLUP zone boundaries, visual sensitive areas,

critical habitat or habitat features; v. Areas harvested and all-season roads constructed during the existing FMP

term; vi. Fires less than 20 years old by five year periods;

vii. Planned harvest by five year periods; viii. Planned roads, including RTA, class 1, 2 and 3 (inter-block);

ix. Any silviculture rehabilitation strategies (i.e. clearing for replanting); and x. All existing and proposed bridges and access control points (i.e. road

closures). d


94

3 Due to the number of maps, the Forest Service requires only two hard copies of each MU map in the final FMP submission. Maps are to be at a scale of between 1:50,000 to 1:75,000, one or more maps may be required to cover each MU.


Balancing the application of SGRs is important in terms of ensuring that the management assumptions built into the forest estate model are accomplished in forest operations to the extent necessary to meet future wood supply and landscape level objectives. Balancing the area of a projected SGR from the tactical plan against the actual harvested area and associated SGR within a management unit (MU) is permitted, as it will allow for adjustments of SGRs based on actual site conditions encountered. The total area from free-to-grow assessments will be placed in the appropriate SGR categories (for growth requirements) and will be compared against the projected area of SGRs planned in the original tactical plan, for the same pool of harvested blocks in that MU. The time element for achieving a balance of SGRs will be the pool of successful regeneration surveys conducted during each five-year period of the FMP. Consequently, the pool of available blocks for regeneration surveys during the first and second five-year period of this FMP will include blocks that were harvested in previous FMP terms. Innovation and development of new SGRs and treatment packages during the term of the FMP is encouraged and will be handled by amendments to the tactical plan. 4.9 Integration of Forest Management Activities with Non-timber Uses The licensee must present approaches and processes that will be used to integrate forest management activities in the licence area with non-timber values and uses that are present in the region.

a Based upon the information gathered by the licensee and the planning team (Section 2.4) and the input received through the public consultation program, the FMP is to document the non-timber values and uses associated with the license area and ensure they are addressed in the preparation and implementation of the FMP. Saskatchewan Environment – Forest Service Approved Version 1.0


Within this section, the licensee is to follow-up on these descriptions with documentation of the approaches and processes to be used for conservation of non-timber values and resources as listed below. These approaches are to be applied where forestry activities will occur and have influence over any non-timber resource values. Non-timber values and resources to be addressed in the FMP (where applicable):

1. High-value non-timber forest products; 2. Visual resources; 3. Ranges; 4. Recreation areas; 5. Watersheds; 6. Lakes and streams; 7. Identified critical wildlife habitat (to include rare, threatened and endangered

species, and species at risk); 8. Archeological and cultural resources; 9. Traditional use areas; 10. Outfitting and tourism; 11. Trapping; 12. Fishing; 13. Hunting; 14. Oil and gas exploration; 15. Oil and gas development; 16. Mineral exploration; 17. Mining; and 18. Agriculture.

b For FMPs being prepared for licence areas for which an IFLUP has been prepared or is currently under development, the FMP is to include reference to the IFLUP and include a description of the manner in which proposed FMP strategies and processes will adopt or link to the IFLUP. For licence areas where an IFLUP has not been prepared, discussions should occur between the licensee and members of the planning team to identify strategic land and resource management issues. It is expected that the requirement for this process will be outlined in the FMP workplan where appropriate.

c Discuss the linkage each approach will have to operating plans to ensure conservation of other values in the forest will be maintained. The licensee will indicate their commitment to both FMA standards and guidelines and established manuals, such as Forest Operations or Forest Planning in relation to this section. The licensee should also identify other measures, such as CSA SFM plan development and implementation, ISO EMS systems, other certification processes and/or standard operating procedures (SOPs), which will address potential management issues relating to conservation of non-timber values on the licence area. Current arrangements with various stakeholder groups pertaining to recognition and management of non-timber values should be referenced in this section, citing specific courses of action which the licensee has agreed to with the stated stakeholder group and how it may benefit the implementation of the FMP and the management of the resource. It is expected that reference will be made as appropriate to any specific areas where Saskatchewan Environment – Forest Service Approved Version 1.0


integration with an existing non-timber use has been developed in the FMP (such as VOITs, tactical plan development, etc.). 4.10 FMP Requirements for Wildfire Management The Prairie and Forest Fires Act (1982) provides the legal framework to protect and manage Saskatchewan resources in relation to wildfire. Licensee’s responsibilities under the Act include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Submission of an annual fire control plan; 2. Responding in the control of fires; 3. Conducting operations to provide for reduction of fire hazards; and 4. Respecting the issue of fire bans and closures of forest lands by SE due to fire

hazard. The province’s fire and forest insect and disease policy framework (2003) has been developed to provide direction for SE and to licensees regarding how fires will be managed on the landscape, among other purposes. This framework represents a fundamental shift from fire control and suppression to wildfire management and planning. This framework includes recognition that the boreal forest is a fire dependant ecosystem. Where opportunities exist and support resource management objectives, fire will be used to protect, maintain, enhance forest resources and be allowed to perform its natural ecological role. Emulation of fire characteristics through harvesting practices will be employed based on the best scientific information currently available.

4.10.1 Forest Protection The licensee should consider how wildfire management issues may be incorporated within the forest estate modeling process. This may include development of associated VOITs and their application to scenario forecasts. The licensee should contact the planning team representative from the Fire Management and Forest Protection Branch (FMFP) for further direction in this regard.

4.10.2 Values at Risk FMFP maintains a database of known values at risk from which wildfire management strategies are developed. This information is collected from various department agencies and incorporated into a central database providing a spatial inventory of public and private property, heritage resources and natural resources such as high timber value, and is used by FMFP as a decision support system to determine wildfire management strategies. Key components of this information can be made available to the licensee and the planning team while developing the FMP Volume I. Saskatchewan Environment – Forest Service Approved Version 1.0


As part of the FMP development process, the licensee and the planning team will identify where modified wildfire suppression efforts may be applied with respect to timber value/priorities. Within the FMP (particularly the forest estate modelling process, presentation of the tactical plan and subsequent operating plans), the licensee is required to update and identify these timber values and priorities. Examples of criteria used may include: productive vs. non-productive land, mature/immature forest, age, volume, proximity to mill, recent burns, insect and disease infestations, social considerations, road infrastructure and forest economics.

a In addition to the identification, management and protection of timber and related values within the FMP development process, it is also important to highlight the potential risk from wildfire to communities located in and adjacent to forest ecosystems. FMFP, through their Community Risk Assessment Program, will identify priority communities within the licence area to the licensee. In development of the FMP and the associated tactical plan, the licensee is required to address landscape-level fuel risk management for the licence area in consultation with FMFP and the planning team.

b In this regard, measures may include:

1. Application of prescribed burn treatments as part of an overall fire control program to assist in reducing wildfire risk to communities and to areas of high timber values/priorities;

2. Modified suppression efforts applied to areas of low timber values/priorities on both the licence area and within protected areas;

3. Harvest scheduling including accelerated harvest of areas of high value timber in close proximity to areas identified as high wildfire risk; and

4. Licensees working collaboratively with FMFP and key stakeholders to identify potential fuel breaks, fuel modification zones and fuel management techniques for: a) implementing Community Wildfire Protection Plans to reduce wildfire risk to communities; and b) implementing fuel treatments on the borders of protected areas to facilitate modified suppression within these areas.

The licensee must describe the approach to fulfilling their roles and responsibilities for management of wildfire within the licence area. A description of how the licensee will conduct its planning and operational activities to work with SE in this regard is to be provided. As part of this description the licensee is to provide a summary of all commitments pertaining to wildfire management and control to be implemented over the term of the FMP.



In providing this description the licensee is required to provide a brief summary of how wildfire management issues have been considered and incorporated within the development of the VOITs, the formulation of the selected management strategy, development of the tactical plan, and how the licensee will ensure follow-through in subsequent operating plans as implementation occurs through the FMP term. The focus for presentation of this information is to illustrate how the licensee will work with SE in meeting provincial requirements for wildfire management.

d 4.11 Forest Insect and Disease Management Insect and disease-related disturbances occur across the landscape at variable intensities and extents, and these natural disturbance factors are indicative of a healthy forest ecosystem. At the same time, during severe outbreaks these disturbances may affect the production and maintenance of forest resources and related values. SE’s approach to forest insect and disease management is firmly set within the principles of ecosystem-based management and the strategic approach will be documented in future provincial strategies regarding forest insect and diseases.

4.11.1 Strategy for Forest Insect and Disease Management The licensee must provide a detailed account of how they plan to work with SE regarding the management of the following forest insect and disease species:

1. Eastern spruce budworm; 2. Jack pine budworm; 3. Forest tent caterpillar; 4. Large aspen tortrix; 5. Terminal weevils (white pine weevil and lodgepole terminal weevil); 6. Bark and engraver beetles, including mountain pine beetle (unless otherwise

directed by the provincial forest insect and disease specialist); 7. Dwarf mistletoe; 8. Armillaria spp; 9. Hardwood leaf and foliar diseases; and 10. Other species or threats deemed important by the provincial forest insect and

disease specialist. a

Significant highlights of the licensee’s forest insect and disease management strategy must be presented in the tactical plan (Section 4.7). The licensee must also include required linkages to standards established in the Forest Planning Manual regarding forest insect and disease surveys and management.

b A detailed account of the licensee’s forest insect and disease management approach should be based on the following four key management components listed below. Further detail on these forest insect and disease management components may be found in the Forest Planning Manual, or through discussions with the provincial forest insect and disease specialist.



1. Monitoring & Detection 2. Risk Assessment and Prioritization 3. Evaluation of Treatment Options 4. Assessment of Treatment Results

The FMP is to contain management measures to be taken regarding each key component. The licensee must describe their approach to fulfilling their roles and responsibilities related to the management of forest insect and disease for the licence area. A description of how the licensee will conduct its planning and operational activities to work with SE in this regard is to be provided. In providing this description the licensee is required to provide a brief summary of how forest insect and disease management issues have been considered and incorporated within the development of the VOITs, the formulation of the selected management strategy, development of the tactical plan, and how the licensee will ensure follow-through in subsequent operating plans as implementation occurs through the FMP term.

c The focus for presentation of this information is to illustrate how the licensee will work with the Forest Service in meeting provincial requirements for forest insect and disease management. 4.12 Strategy for Plan Implementation The licensee is required to provide a clear strategy for how the FMP will be implemented in the initial 10-year term, supporting the indicators and targets outlined in the VOITs and the additional management objectives that have been developed in association with the forest estate modelling, the selected management strategy and the tactical plan.

a An overview of how the operating plans and other supporting processes will be linked, particularly to the tactical plan, for future implementation is to be presented in this section.

b The licensee must summarize all commitments presented throughout the FMP in FMP – Table- 4 - 7. These commitments must be accompanied by a timeframe for implementation and any associated action items will be described, as well as the manner in which implementation will occur. This summary must link to the VOITs and also include any commitments or FMP/ environmental assessment approval conditions carried over from the current FMP.

c The licensee should provide a discussion of their supporting infrastructure, staff and other resources, that will be used to implement the FMP. The licensee should also discuss how information systems infrastructure, certification and/or environmental management system programs and other supporting systems/programs may be used during the implementation of the FMP. Reference should be made to the role of the various monitoring programs developed and include a vision of the ongoing role of the public advisory group in the implementation of the FMP, especially as it relates to the principles of adaptive management and continual improvement. The details of these programs, however, will be presented in the monitoring section of the FMP.


100


Dependent upon direction received from environmental assessment Branch, Saskatchewan Environment may make it a requirement for the licensee to provide a tabular summary (similar to FMP- Table 4 - 7) of all environmental assessment statement commitments and approval conditions that pertain to the currently approved FMP and report on their progress.

d Once the FMP has been approved, the licensee shall arrange with the Forest Service to form a management implementation team (MIT) which will meet at several scheduled times throughout each operating year to discuss ongoing implementation of the FMP.

e The MIT will also be important as a forum to discuss and report on the progress of the FMP. The MIT may also be used to discuss environmental assessment statement commitments and approval conditions when they are directly related to forest management.

4.12.1 Management Challenges on the Licence Area The licensee is to identify challenges faced in managing the licence area during the implementation of the new FMP. These challenges may include any of the following areas: administrative; achievement of VOITs; resource-based; community concerns; aboriginal concerns; independent operators; or issues raised by SE. Such challenges are to be listed in a table and categorized. The licensee is expected to provide a solution to address each of the challenges presented (FMP – Table 4 – 8).

a The planning team, modelling processes, past forest management planning experience and discussions with the public are likely to be sources of knowledge to assist in the development of action steps to address forest management challenges. In particular, the discussions of the planning team and the PAG will provide input for the licensee to consider as methods to address management challenges are developed. 4.13 Monitoring Programs The FMP Volume II will contain a section describing the programs the licensee will use during the initial 10-year period to monitor implementation of the FMP. This section of the FMP will include specific provisions for monitoring activities, as provided in Section 5 of this FMPD. The descriptions of the monitoring programs will include when the monitoring will be carried out, the duration of the monitoring, and how the results will be documented, reported and used to support the adaptive management process.


101


The licensee is required to outline their monitoring program for reporting on the FMP’s implementation, including the components outlined below:

1. Performance monitoring of the VOIT framework; 2. Compliance Monitoring:

a. VOIT performance framework indicators and targets set by SE standards; b. Forest estate modelling assumptions; c. Selected management strategy and tactical plan implementation; d. Silviculture effectiveness; and, e. Compliance with approved forest operations.

3. Reporting mechanisms: a. Self reporting of non-compliances, including compliance VOITs; b. Annual report submissions; and, c. Forest audit program

4. Forest management effects program. a

4.14 FMP Amendments The FMP Volume II will contain a section that describes how the licensee plans to address FMP amendments, if they arise during the initial 10-year implementation period of the FMP. This section of the FMP will include specific provisions as described in Section 6 of the FMP document.



5 Monitoring of the Forest Management Plan Each component of the monitoring process is intended to provide mechanisms for the support of adaptive management and continual improvement. In particular, monitoring processes should lead to ongoing improvements to forest management processes and operations and provide improved information for the development of future FMPs through the assessment of progress towards objectives and targets. An overview of the forest management planning cycle, contained in Figure 5, includes a monitoring and evaluation process. An important part of the planning cycle includes the interpretation, assessment and evaluation of the FMP. The reporting of this information is a critical step in completing a feedback mechanism for future FMPs and to provide an indication of the achievement of FMP commitments. Figure 5. Overview of Saskatchewan’s Forest Management Planning Cycle.

Forest Management Plan Operating Plan Annual Report Achievement of VOITs & FMP Commitments 5.1 VOIT Performance Monitoring The licensee must monitor the VOITs framework established for the implementation of the FMP and outline the processes that will be used to monitor and report on the VOITs framework as outlined in Sections 3.3 and 4.6.

a

New Knowledge

Plan

Implement Plan

Evaluate and Interpret

Report



This facet of the monitoring process for the FMP is referred to as performance monitoring, in recognition of the intent to use measurement/reporting of the VOITs to provide an indication of the performance of licensees in relation to the indicators and targets established in the FMP. The format and the timing of the information submission within the performance monitoring process will be presented. Reporting timelines and formats will be established, indicating the measurement interval and data format as outlined in FMP-Table 5-1.

b Assessment of the VOITs through the performance monitoring process will include:

1. Comparison of the state of the indicator at the start (baseline level) and at the end of the measurement period;

2. Assessment of progress made in terms of the target set through provincial standards, the approved selected management strategy, other modelling processes, public input or other mechanisms as described in Section 3.3;

3. Clear identification of those VOITs that include an indicator, target or measurement protocol established by SE standards (compliance VOITs) along with notation of achievement and any associated commentary; and

4. Explanation of any deviations from the target, with reasons for, and supporting analysis of, the difference.

c In presenting the results of VOITs monitoring, the licensee is required to provide a fact sheet summarizing the monitoring results as compared to the target for each indicator presented in the FMP. These fact sheets will be presented in the annual report along with a summary of any deviations from established standards in conjunction with the self-reporting process being implemented as per the Compliance Manual.

d The licensee is required to include a description of the mechanisms to be employed in the performance monitoring process. These are expected to include, but not be limited to:

1. Licensee Environmental Management Systems (EMS); 2. Licensee forest certification processes such as Canadian Standards Association

(CSA) Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) systems; 3. Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and associated digital data (e.g.

coverage’s for forest cover, stand age, harvest and natural disturbance, etc.); 4. Databases for attributes associated with the indicators; 5. Public consultation records, including an updated issues/concerns table data; and 6. Independent forest audit records.

e Results of performance monitoring processes will be provided using an indicator fact sheet format in the Annual Report with year of reporting (annually, every 5 years, etc.), dependent upon the indicator as described in Section 4.6.

f Saskatchewan Environment – Forest Service Approved Version 1.0


5.2 Compliance Monitoring Compliance monitoring provides a framework for ensuring that all commitments made by the licensee in the FMP are tracked during the FMP implementation term. Due to the intricate nature of an FMP, maintenance and tracking of this information is to be conducted in a manner that allows the licensee and the Forest Service to ensure these commitments are being met. Compliance with any commitment in an approved FMP will be measured through protocols established in the Compliance Manual. The following subsection outlines the key aspects that a licensee must address through their compliance monitoring process.

5.2.1 VOIT Performance Framework Compliance Indicators and Targets As noted above, a number of VOITs include targets and/or measuring processes that have been set as standards within this FMP document, the natural disturbance standards, or other standards as applicable. Therefore, monitoring of VOITs that include such standards is considered to be a compliance requirement and such indicators and/or targets are compliance indicators and/or targets. In these cases, monitoring and reporting is a compliance requirement for licensees in the implementation of the FMP, with the requirements pertaining to these indicators described earlier within the performance monitoring subsection.

a

5.2.2 Forest Estate Modelling Assumptions The forest estate modelling process contains a number of assumptions that determine both the level of timber harvest and the direction for the tactical plan. A licensee must ensure that all these assumptions are being addressed during the term of an FMP and provide evidence of this to the Forest Service. These commitments must be displayed in FMP- Table 4 - 7, which provides a clear indication of how these assumptions are being addressed by the licensee. These requirements include the following:

1. Growth and Yield: Licensees are required to identify a monitoring program that provides periodic feedback on the accuracy of yield curve forecasts utilized in the forest estate modelling and the development of the selected management strategy. This assessment is to be reported upon at five-year intervals with reporting contained within the appropriate annual report unless otherwise agreed to with SE. As such, it is expected that a report on yield curve accuracy will be provided every five years.

2. Modelling Assumptions: The licensee will provide a listing of all modelling assumptions that relate to the selected management strategy and provide a description of the methodology to be used to monitor and report on these assumptions. Reporting is to be undertaken every five years.

3. Growth and Yield Models: Model forecasts will be monitored and evaluated using measured growth data and reported every five years.

b Saskatchewan Environment – Forest Service Approved Version 1.0


5.2.3 Monitoring Requirements Through the monitoring program (Section 4.13), the licensee will assess and report on yield curve accuracy every five years and report on how they are addressing assumptions used in the forest estate model. The licensee must identify monitoring protocols to satisfy this requirement.

a Further details regarding submission of annual reports can be found in the Operating Plan and Annual Report section of the Forest Planning Manual, currently under development. 5.3 Silvicultural Effectiveness Monitoring The purpose of the silvicultural effectiveness monitoring program is to assess the success of silviculture activities in the achievement of regeneration standards contained in the silviculture ground rules, recognizing that achievement of these standards is required to achieve the forecasted results of the forest estate modelling. Monitoring of achievement of regeneration standards also involves compliance monitoring. Results achieved in a licensee’s regeneration success monitoring program are to be reported and compared to the appropriate standards utilized with the applicable SGR. The licensee must describe the silvicultural effectiveness monitoring program proposed to assess silviculture success in relation to both forest management and silvicultural objectives and strategies described in the plan. Regeneration assessments are necessary to determine the overall effectiveness of the silviculture strategies in meeting the long-term management objectives for the licence area. The assessment program must, at a minimum, assess reforestation success on harvested areas using regeneration standards described in the SGRs listed in FMP – Table 3 - 3.

a Regeneration standards are targets for the regeneration of a development type using the most common treatment combination or alternate treatment combinations for a specific SGR (more than one SGR is possible for each development type). The regeneration standards must be developed and validated using relevant research results applicable to the species in the licence area or using data from previous regeneration surveys, temporary sample plots, or permanent sample plots. The results of regeneration assessments on regeneration polygons tracked by SGR number will be reported in the annual report and will be used to determine if the regeneration polygon is on the yield trajectory that is identified in the SGR. These assessments will indicate the status of regenerated areas, and identify areas where strategies/implementation techniques are adequate or need improvement. Ground, aerial, or other survey methodologies may be used as long as they provide the level of detail and accuracy required as described in the Forest Operations Manual. A summary of the area to be assessed for silvicultural effectiveness in each period of the plan will be provided as shown in FMP – Table- 5-2.

b


106

For further details regarding the requirements of reporting, refer to the annual report section of the Operating Plan and Annual Report section of the Forest Planning Manual.


5.4 Compliance of Forest Operations The Forest Service will identify processes to be utilized for a licensee to self-regulate and monitor its operations in terms of compliance to forest operations standards through the Compliance Manual. Reference should be made to processes and systems that have been established and/or will be developed to ensure that all forest operations on the licence area will be conducted within approved conditions and will meet required standards. Processes may include licensee EMS, forest certification processes, self-inspection processes and other procedures.

a The licensee will report any deviations from planned activities at both the FMP and operating plan levels.

b 5.5 Reporting and Evaluation Processes Reporting mechanisms to be utilized by licensees for implementing the monitoring program will include:

1. Self-reporting of non-compliances, including compliance VOITs; 2. Annual report submissions; and 3. The forest audit program.

a

5.5.1 Annual Report Requirements The licensee is required to outline the processes to be used in the preparation and submission of the annual report to be submitted for the licence area.

a Reference should be made to the VOITs framework, public consultation processes, and other aspects of the FMP that will be reported on annually in the submission of this report. Descriptions of the use of annual reports for reporting of monitoring processes have been provided above. A number of indicators, which are not part of the VOIT framework, are included in FMP-Table 5-3 and must be reported at the required timeframe as part of the annual report. Indicators which are replicated in an approved VOIT framework are to only be reported through the VOITs framework.

b When the licensee submits an annual report, they must address all annual reporting requirements associated with the forest management effects monitoring program.

c Further details of annual report requirements for FMPs are provided in the Operating Plan & Annual Report standards document.



5.5.1.1 Monitoring of Selected Management Strategy and Tactical Plan The licensee is required to document monitoring processes to be used for assessment of actual activities related to the management actions and forecast activities developed for the selected management strategy and utilized in the tactical plan. These must include all targets developed in the tactical plan, including, but not limited to the following:

1. Areas and volumes harvested compared to the plan; 2. Areas silviculturally treated and SGRs applied compared to the plan; 3. Harvest records – mapping – harvest blocks – volumes – types – ages cut as

compared to the plan; 4. Roads built (by class) compared to plan; and, 5. Renewal activities compared to plan.

Information must be reported on each year in the licensee’s annual report and must compare planned against actual activities.

a In the annual report, the licensee will report self-regulation activities and compliance requirements, including any non-compliance that has occurred and associated actions to be taken.

5.5.2 Audits The requirements of the sustainable forest management audit were discussed earlier in Section 2.4.1.4 (Independent Sustainable Forest Management Audit Report) of this FMP document. As this audit is conducted every five years, outcomes of all monitoring processes in the FMP will be thoroughly analyzed. Therefore it is critical that the licensee construct and conduct effective monitoring and reporting programs associated with the FMP. This audit will also report on the progress of an existing coordinated action plan developed during the previous audit cycle. The licensee will report on findings of any other auditing process conducted by SE during the future FMP term.

a 5.6 Forest Management Effects Monitoring Program All licensees are required to participate in the forest management effects monitoring program and to implement a program to monitor the health of the forest ecosystem for the respective licence area.

a


108

This long-term program is designed to monitor the ecosystem’s response to forest management activities as compared to its response to natural disturbances (e.g. wildfire). The results of these comparisons are documented and reviewed, providing SE with input for its review of forest management standards. This information will also be used as input to enable adjustments to be made to forest management processes and practices, to further mitigate their impacts and bring the results closer to those expected from natural disturbances. Some of these indicators will overlap with the performance indicators and compliance monitoring. This should be addressed in the FMP such that there is no duplication of effort.


6 FMP Amendments The Forest Service has defined a planning framework that ensures the forest sector’s best knowledge is acted upon. However, it is also acknowledged that forest ecosystems and their associated natural disturbance regimes, social demands, and market events cannot be fully accounted for, simply because they are unpredictable. Instead, the robustness of the FMP may be defined by determining what levels of change or loss will cause a failure to achieve required VOITs and/or management objectives. Based on those levels, a replanning threshold can be defined, which will be used to trigger the generation of new strategic or tactical schedules. It is not normally expected that an FMP will require amendment unless there is a catastrophic event which affects forest resources and, as a consequence, the ability of the licensee to effectively implement the tactical plan. Such a situation would require an update to the current forest condition, the planning inventory and the forest estate model. An updated management strategy would then be selected for the licence area, leading to a revised tactical plan. The licensee is required to establish an appendix for the submitted FMP to be identified as the FMP Amendment Log. All approved amendments to the FMP must be maintained in this appendix throughout the duration of the FMP.

a The thresholds regarding updating of the planning inventory and recalculation of the forest estate model are established by the licensee while undertaking the sensitivity analysis as part of the forest estate modelling process (Section 3.5). The licensee will use the results of the sensitivity analysis to specify thresholds for events of a random nature that would necessitate re-blocking of the tactical schedule. Any calculation shall explicitly recognize salvage opportunities. A change in the strategic schedule is always a significant event. However, changes to the tactical schedule fall into two classes, major and minor, and are described below. Issues may also have resulted from forest management practices, which are contrary to the approved EIS and may result in an amendment of both the FMP and EIS.



6.1.1 Major FMP Amendments Based on sensitivity analysis conducted as described in Section 3.5.9.5, the licensee will describe strategic and tactical replanning thresholds with respect to the criteria listed below. If any of these criteria are exceeded during the FMP term, the licensee is required to immediately notify the Forest Service to discuss a major FMP amendment.

1. The area of fire in operable, productive, and strategically scheduled development types in the first 10 years of the FMP necessary to produce a failure to achieve the VOITs;

2. The level of insect or disease-caused disturbance, in terms of area and severity (characterized as mortality and growth loss), that would result in a failure to achieve the VOITs;

3. The level, quantified appropriately, of any other likely event that would result in a failure to achieve the VOITs. Licensees are advised to consider and define these carefully, as application to deviate from the tactical schedule for any other reason will likely be denied; and

4. Administration of legislation or licensee agreements resulting in a changed or altered condition. For example, where approved land withdrawals from the FMA agreement affect implementation of the FMP and/or tactical plan.

a A licensee may be subject to a major FMP amendment if they require amendments to their utilization standards for more than one operating year during the FMP term. In the event that a major FMP amendment is required, the licensee will work with the Forest Service to develop an FMP amendment workplan.

6.1.2 Minor FMP Amendments A minor FMP amendment will occur if any major revisions are required within the tactical plan. Other necessary minor FMP amendments will be reviewed as required by the Forest Service, and should normally take place with the submission of an operating plan. Saskatchewan Environment – Forest Service Approved Version 1.0


When revisions to a licensee’s tactical plan are required, the licensee must undertake the following process to develop the revised tactical plan:

1. Provide a clear description of the need for revising the tactical plan; 2. Identify those blocks (table and maps) that were not affected by the event

precipitating the revision. Those blocks will be maintained in the amended plan; 3. Identify those blocks (table and map) that have been harvested since the

implementation of the tactical plan and include previously unidentified blocks from salvage operations, incidental harvesting, and rehabilitated sites associated with silviculture operations;

4. The same blocking process, including any software or models used to develop the original tactical plan, will be used to develop the revision, while maintaining the link to the strategic schedule and to the retained blocks identified in points 1and 2;

5. All affected VOIT and other indicator forecasts will be reproduced and supplied in the amendment document;

6. Describe all variations from the original tactical plan with respect to: a. Primary road development; b. Road access management; c. Recreation features; d. Wildfire risk management protection of communities; e. Effects on watersheds and fish values; f. Wildlife; g. Forest health; h. Visual concerns; i. Relationship to IFLUP; j. Interaction with other industrial users; k. Integration of the independent operators program; l. Scheduling of harvesting; m. Scheduling rehabilitation silviculture; and n. Other, as deemed applicable by the licensee and/or SE.

7. Summarize any feedback from the public and stakeholder consultation process on the amended tactical plan and how this amended tactical plan addressed concerns raised;

8. Provide replacement tables and maps for all effected MUs; and 9. File the approved tactical plan revision as part of the FMP, within the FMP

Amendment Appendix log. The revised tactical plan will replace the current tactical plan, which will be archived.

a

6.1.3 Minor Amendments to the Tactical Plan The tactical plan is not intended to create another layer of approval required prior to harvest. Minor amendments to the tactical plan are generally not required, as most concerns can be address by the licensee in subsequent operating plans. The following is not a complete list, but gives typical examples of situations in which a minor amendment to the tactical plan might be required:

1. To introduce and implement an improved SGR; 2. To incorporate testing and trials for sensitive site harvesting; 3. To vary the sequence of harvesting in the tactical plan by more than the threshold

approved in the tactical plan; and Saskatchewan Environment – Forest Service Approved Version 1.0


4. To vary the road network (i.e. location). Examples of where minor amendments are not required are:

1. Minor block boundary variations, or minor relocation of roads (provided that no significant impact to other users is identified);

2. Clearing rights-of-way associated to linking tactically scheduled blocks to primary roads;

3. Permanent land clearing for approved activities; 4. Approval of salvage operations and incidental harvest; and, 5. Harvest proposed by others (e.g. approved linear developments, oil and gas

developments, gravel and burrow pits), provided that no significant impact to other users is identified.

Most minor amendments may require stakeholder consultation, as deemed necessary by the SE area forester. Prior to approval, adequate information and maps will be provided to justify the amendment.



7 Literature Cited Acton, D.F., G.A. Padbury and C.T. Stushnoff. 1998. The ecoregions of Saskatchewan.

Saskatchewan Environment and Resource Management (ed.). Canadian Plains Research Centre, University of Regina. 205 pp.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration (PFRA). 2004. PFRA Watershed Project - Version 5. Andison, D. 2004. Spatial Analysis Protocols for Saskatchewan Vegetation Pattern

Indicators, Version 3.0. Saskatchewan Environment, Forest Service. Prince Albert, SK. 39 pp.

Canadian Council of Forest Ministers. 2003. Defining Sustainable Forest Management

in Canada: Criteria and Indicators 2003. Canadian Forest Service. 2002. The State of Canada’s Forests 2001/2002. Nat. Res. Can. Canadian Standards Association (CSA). 2003. CSA Standard Z809-02 Sustainable

Forest Management: Requirements and Guidance. Revised Standard includes Update No. 1. May 2003. 58 pp.

Cote, M. (editor). 2000. Dictionary of Forestry. Les Presses de l’Universite Laval. 473

pp. Ecological Stratification Working Group (ESWG). 1995. A National Ecological

Framework for Canada. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Research Branch, Centre for Land and Biological Resources Research and Environment Canada, State of the Environment Directorate, Ecozone Analysis Branch, Ottawa/Hull.

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR). June 2004. Forest Management

Planning Manual for Ontario’s Crown Forests. Toronto: Queen’s Printer for Ontario. 440 pp.

Saskatchewan Environment. 2004a. Forest Operations Manual - Regeneration

Assessment, Version 1.0. Forest Service. Prince Albert, SK. 42 pp. Saskatchewan Environment. 2004b. Forest Planning Manual - Saskatchewan Forest

Vegetation Inventory, Version 4.0. Forest Service. Prince Albert, SK. 83 pp. Saskatchewan Environment – Forest Service Approved Version 1.0


Saskatchewan Environment. 2003. Independent Sustainable Forest Management Audit Manual, Version 1. Forest Service. Prince Albert, SK. 24 pp.

Saskatchewan Environment. 1995. Saskatchewan Long-term Integrated Forest Resource

Management Plan. Saskatchewan Environment & Resource Management. Prince Albert, SK. 249 pp.

Wiken, E. (compiler). 1986. Terrestrial Ecoszones of Canada. Ecological Land

Classification Series, No. 19. Lands Directorate, Environment Canada, Ottawa. Ecological Stratification Working Group. 1995. A National Ecological Framework for Canada. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Research Branch, Centre for Land and Biological Resources Research and Environment Canada, State of the Environment Directorate, Ecozone Analysis Branch, Ottawa/Hull.



8 Appendix 1 - Tables to be used in the FMP Process FMP - Table 2 - 1 Summary of Current FMP Commitments and Approval Conditions

Objective Commitment Measurement Criteria

Due Date Progress Comments Reference

Perform

study to

evaluate

ecosystems

that may be

prone to

nutrient

depletion

after

harvesting

(Example)

Completed

study sent to

SE

(Example)

July 2007

(Example)

Study

delivered

to SE

June 2006

(Example)

Further

studies

recommended

(Example)


115

Vol 2,

Section

3.6.4.

page 91

(Example)

Prevent

nutrient

depletion

on

harvested

areas

(Example)



116

Instructions for FMP -Table 2 - 1

This table summarizes all FMP commitments and approval conditions for the current FMP. Objective:

Enter objective, indicating a more specific intention

Commitment: Enter the name of commitment (or action) that will help achieve the objective and move towards meeting the goal. There may be more than one commitment for a given objective.

Measurement Criteria: Enter the criteria for evaluating how each commitment will be met.

Due Date: Enter the due date, if applicable, for meeting the criteria.

Progress: Enter information that indicates the progress made on the commitment, including whether the measurement criteria have been met or not.

Comments: Enter any comments that may provide more clarity or more detail about the commitment.

Reference: Provide the volume number(s), section number(s) and page number(s) where the commitment is made in the FMP or FMP Approval Condition.


117

FMP - Table 2 - 2 Summary of Current Environmental Impact Statement Commitments and Conditions

Objective Commitment Measurement Criteria

Due Date Progress Comments Reference

Complete an

Access

Management

Plan

(Example)

Completed

Access

Management

Plan sent to SE

(Example)

July 2007

(Example)

Study

delivered to

SE June 2006

(Example)

Road closures to be

finalized in operating

plans (Example)

Environmental Impact

Statement, Vol. 4,

Section 4.2.1, page 97

(Example)

Minimize road

access for

wildlife

protection

(Example)



This table summarizes all EIS commitments and approval conditions for the EIS currently in effect.

Objective:

Enter objective, indicating a more specific intention

Commitment: Enter the name of commitment (or action) that will help achieve the objective and move towards meeting the goal. There may be more than one commitment for a given objective.

Measurement Criteria: Enter the criteria for evaluating how each commitment will be met.

Due Date: Enter the due date, if applicable, for meeting the criteria.

Progress: Enter information that indicates the progress made on the commitment, including whether the measurement criteria have been met or not.

Comments: Enter any comments that may provide more clarity or more detail about the commitment.

Reference: Provide the volume number(s), section number(s) and page number(s) where the commitment is made in the Environmental Impact Statement.



FMP - Table 2 - 3 Person-Years of Mill Employment

Year Mill

Name 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Mill

Total Mill A

Mill B

Etc.

Annual Total

Enter Grand Total

∗ Years 8,9, and 10 are estimated because information is reported at the end of year 7 of the current FMP term.



Instructions for FMP -Table 2 - 3 This table shows the person-years of employment by year for the current FMP term of each mill that is located in the licence area or that receives timber resources from the area. Mill Name:

Enter the name of each mill that is located in the licence area or that receives timber resources from the area.

Year: For each mill, enter the actual amount of person-years employment for each of the first 7 years of the current FMP term, and the estimated person-years of employment for each of the remaining 3 years of the current FMP term.

Annual Total: Enter the actual total person-years employment of all mills for each of the first 7 years of the current FMP term and the estimated total person-years employment of all mills for each of the remaining 3 years of the current FMP term.

Mill Total: For each mill, enter the total of the actual amount of person-years of employment for the first7 years of the current FMP term and the estimated person-years of employment for the remaining 3 years of the current FMP term.

Grand Total: Enter the total amount of person-years of employment for all mills over the current FMP term by adding the mill totals.



FMP - Table 2 - 4 Person-Years of Woodlands Operations Employment

Year Activity

Type 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Total

Harvesting

Forest Renewal

Forest Management

Annual Total

Enter Grand Total

∗ Years 8, 9 and 10 are estimated because information is reported at the end of year 7 of the current FMP term.





122

Instructions for FMP-Table-2-4

This table shows the person-years of employment by year for the current FMP term for harvesting, forest renewal, and forest management operations taken place within the licence area.

Year: Enter the actual amount of person-years employment in harvesting, forest renewal, and forest management for each of the first years of the current FMP term and the estimated person-years of employment for each of the remaining 3 years of the current FMP term.

Annual Total: Enter the actual total person-years for the combination of harvesting, forest renewal, and forest management employment for each of the first 7 years of the current FMP term and the estimated total person-years for the combination of harvesting, forest renewal, and forest management employment for each of the remaining 3 years of the current FMP term.

Activity Type Total: For each of the following: harvesting, forest renewal, and forest management employment; enter the total of the actual amount of person-years of employment for the first 7 years of the current FMP term and the estimated person-years of employment for the remaining 3 years of the current FMP term.

Grand Total: Enter the person-years of employment for the current FMP term by adding the Activity Type totals.


123

FMP - Table 2 - 5 Quantity of Timber Products Produced Quantity Produced (Example)

Year Facility (Example)

Product (Example) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8* 9* 10*

Total OSB Board (M3/8") 22759 40807 43158 13008 17793 49747 9130 14208 48724 43874 303208

Board (M3/8") 18260 41207 13422 42853 26680 5364 36720 44045 38933 44361 311845 Chips (ODT) 46580 44263 34706 31468 17730 43742 9746 32650 15747 5188 281820

297917 Cores (m3) 8201 26517 44878 34519 46797 16069 8240 46949 41363 24384247064

Plywood

Spin outs (m3) 24593 45888 16541 9053 33977 20495 11083 11623 43020 30791250893 Studs (MFBM) 23590 24968 35013 13611 49305 16344 10834 34691 6383 36154286154


Sawmill Chips (ODT) 48034 27080 25041 18302 27541 30470 44731 19859 11723 33373

*Years 8,9, and 10 are estimated because information is reported at the end of year 7 of the current FMP term. (M3/8") = Metric 3/8 inch equivalent (ODT) = Oven Dry Tons (m3) = Cubic Meters (MFBM) = 1000’s of Board Feet


124


This table shows the amount of each product produced by year for the current FMP term for all mills that are located in the licence area. The types of facilities and products listed in the table are examples only and licensees must enter their own information. Facility:

Enter each type of facility of any mill that is located in the licence area. The types of facilities must be determined in the workplan.

Product: Enter each product produced and its measurement unit for each type of facility. The listing of products produced and associated measurement units must be determined in the workplan, as the type of products may vary amongst different licensees.

Year:

For each product of each type of facility, enter the actual quantity produced for each of the first 7 years of the current FMP term and the estimated quantity of production for the remaining 3 years of the current FMP term.

Total:

For each product of each type of facility, enter the total of the actual quantity produced for the first 7 years of the current FMP term and the estimated amount of production for the remaining 3 years of the current FMP term.


125

FMP - Table 2 - 6 Quantity of Timber Products Sold

*Years 8,9, and 10 use in on i d of rren are estimated beca formati s reporte at the end of year 7 the cu t FMP term. (M3/8") = Metric 3/8 inch equivalent (ODT) = Oven Dry Tons (m3) = Cubic Meters (MFBM) = 1000’s of Board Feet

Quantity Sold (Example) Year

Facility (Example)

Product

(Example) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8* 9* 10* Total

OSB Board (M3/8") 26419 41676 47825 13630 20636 53638 11271 14941 53458 47147 330641 Board (M3/8") 18460 45830 15242 47697 27556 10280 38764 47417 39027 47698 337971 Chips (ODT) 49120 48640 39454 36414 21500 45685 12261 34164 19209 9494 315941 Cores (m3) 12587 29007 48766 36186 50154 19267 12999 50943 45069 28107 333085

Plywood

Spin outs (m3) 27407 46309 21250 10170 36766 20654 16066 12382 43871 33112 267987 Studs (MFBM) 28135 25910 38267 17432 50158 18945 11864 37812 8810 40040 277373 Sawmill Chips (ODT) 49820 30990 27191 22217 31923 32829 48573 20458 12078 35435


311514


126


This table shows the quantity of each product sold by year for the current FMP term for all mills that are located in the licence area. The types of facilities and products listed in the table are examples only and licensees must enter their own information. Facility:


Product: Enter each product sold and its measurement unit for each type of facility. The listing of products sold and associated measurement units must be determined in the workplan, as the type of products may vary amongst different licensees.

Year: For each product of each type of facility, enter the actual quantity sold for each of the first 7 years of the current FMP term and the estimated quantity of sales for each of the remaining 3 years of the current FMP term.

Total: For each product of each type of facility, enter the total of the actual quantity sold for the first 7 years of the current FMP term and the estimated quantity of sales for the remaining 3 years of the current FMP term.


127

FMP - Table 2 - 7 Value of Products Sold ($1000s)

Value of Product Sold ($1,000) (Example) Year

Facility (Example)

Product (Example)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8* 9* 10* Total

OSB Board (M3/8") 18145 96255 26905 96317 31806 65221 6505 17283 9827 12238 380502 Plywood Board (M3/8") 72126 57154 32633 10327 22448 56694 70343 73122 3981 26475 425303

Chips (ODT) 46854 46831 11106 2046 53666 11353 28139 83285 43191 73411 399882 Cores (m3) 83314 32599 76898 85670 81277 8989 95432 30137 90166 73501 657983

Spin outs (m3) 92258 21027 19925 72417 96580 55502 51672 99074 68280 57019 633754 Sawmill Studs (MFBM) 61858 33851 73371 77908 65627 39880 61908 18866 75090 38527 546886

Chips (ODT) 97547 29741 30721 69233 56568 61442 80186 33176 61857 76451 596922 Yearly Total 472102 317458 271559 413918 407972 299081 394185 354943 352392

Enter Grand Total 357622




128


This table shows the value of each product sold by year for the current FMP term for all mills that are located in the licence area. The types of facilities and products listed in the table are examples only and licensees must enter their own information. Facility:


Product: Enter each product sold and its measurement unit for each type of facility. The listing of products sold and associated measurement units must be determined in the workplan, as the type of products may vary amongst different licensees.

Year: For each product of each facility, enter the actual sales (in 1,000s of dollars) for each of the first 7 years of the current FMP term and the estimated sales for each of the remaining 3 years of the current FMP term.

Yearly Total: Enter the actual sales of all products in all facilities for each of the first 7 years of the current FMP term and the estimated sales of all products in all facilities for each of the remaining 3 years of the current FMP term.

Total: For each product of each facility, enter the total of the actual sales (in 1,000s of dollars) for the first 7 years of the current FMP term and the estimated sales for the remaining 3 years 8 of the current FMP term.

Grand Total: Enter the sales for all products of all facilities over the current FMP term by adding the totals


129

FMP - Table 2 - 8 Quantity of Timber Products Exported

*Years 8,9, and 10 use inf on is d at t of y current P ter are estimated beca ormati reporte he end ear 7 of FM m. (M3/8") = Metric 3/8 inch equivalent (ODT) = Oven Dry Tons (m3) = Cubic Meters (MFBM) = 1000’s of Board Feet

Quantity Exported (Example) Year

Facility (Example)

Product

(Example) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8* 9* 10*

Total OSB Board (M3/8") 2018 839 5705 2451 3651 10282 33 1217 9229 1307 36733

Board (M3/8") 2479 6707 1782 1452 4917 777 1554 1952 2607 3102 27328 Chips (ODT) 5913 9048 4214 962 354 5262 2033 449 1041 1329 30603 Cores (m3) 36 4023 6834 6427 1695 3414 746 2359 381 5146 31061

Plywood

Spin outs (m3) 1919 5541 4103 17 3726 1863 2695 2208 8327 228 30627 Studs (MFBM) 2965 4412 1331 1817 4274 2635 2289 2559 1643 5825 29751 Sawmill Chips (ODT) 1665 1083 1873 4321 213 2916 6265 2482 2272 326


23414


130

Instructions for FMP -Table 2 - 8 This table shows the amount of each product exported by year for the current FMP term for all mills that are located in the licence area. The types of facilities and products listed in the table are examples only and licensees must enter their own information. Facility:


Product:

Enter each product exported and its measurement unit for each type of facility. The listing of products exported and associated measurement units must be determined in the workplan, as the type of products may vary amongst different licensees.

Year: For each product of each facility, enter the actual amount exported for each of the first 7 years of the current FMP term and the estimated amount of exports for each of the remaining 3 years of the current FMP term.

Total:

For each product of each facility, enter the total of the actual amount exported for the first 7 years of the current FMP term and the estimated amount of exports for the remaining 3 years of the current FMP term.


131

FMP - Table 2 - 9 Crown Dues Paid Crown Dues Paid ($1,000) (Example) Year

Facility (Example)

Product

(Example) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8* 9* 10*

Total OSB Board (M3/8") 126 668 187 669 221 453 45 120 68 85 2643

Plywood Board (M3/8") 1002 794 453 143 312 787 977 1016 55 368 5907 Chips (ODT) 325 325 77 14 373 79 195 578 300 510 2777 Cores (m3) 810 317 748 833 790 87 928 293 877 715 6398 Spin outs (m3) 1281 292 277 1006 1341 771 718 1376 948 792 8803

Sawmill Studs (MFBM) 859 470 1019 1082 912 554 860 262 1043 535 7596 Chips (ODT) 677 207 213 481 393 427 557 230 430 531 4146 Yearly Total 5081 3073 2974 4228 4342 3158 4280 3876 3721

Enter Grand Total 3535



Instructions for FMP -Table 2 - 9 This table shows the crown dues paid for each product by year for the current FMP term for all mills that are located in the licence area. The types of facilities and products listed in the table are examples only and licensees must enter their own information.

Facility:

Enter each type of facility of any mill that is located in the licence area. The types of facilities listed in the table are an example only. The types of facilities must be determined during the workplan.

Product:

Enter each product exported and its measurement unit for each type of facility. The products exported and the associated measurement units are examples only. The listing of products exported and associated measurement units must be determined during the workplan, as the type of products may vary amongst different licensees.

Year:

For each product of each facility, enter the actual crown dues (in 1,000’s of dollars) paid for each of years 1 to 7 of the last 10-year period, and the expected crown dues to pay for each of years 8 to 10 of the last 10-year period.

Yearly Total:

Enter the actual crown dues paid for all products in all facilities for each of the first 7 years of the current FMP term and the estimated crown dues paid for all products in all facilities for each of the remaining 3 years of the current FMP term.

Total:

For each product of each facility, enter the total of the actual crown dues paid (in 1,000s of dollars) for the first 7 years of the current FMP term and the estimated amount of crown dues to pay for the remaining 3 years of the current FMP term.

Grand Total:

Enter the crown dues paid (in 1,000s of dollars) over the current FMP term by adding the totals.



FMP - Table 2 - 10 Wood Usage Mill

Name Year Conifer (1000 m3) Hardwood (1000 m3) Total

LA 1 PW LA 2 PW LA 3 PW LA 4 PW LA 5 PW LA 6 PW LA 7 PW LA 8* PW LA 9* PW LA 10* PW LA

Mill total PW

LA … PW LA

…

Mill total PW

LA Grand Total PW

*Years 8,9, and 10 are estimated because information is reported at the end of year 7 of the current FMP term. LA=wood harvested in licence area PW=purchased wood



Instructions for FMP -Table 2 - 10 This table lists the conifer and hardwood volume (1000 m3) delivered from the licence area and from outside of the licence to each mill or small business owned by the licensee that is located in the licence area for each year of the current FMP term.

Complete the table as follows:

Mill name: Enter the first mill name, or small business name that is located on the licence area. Each component of the table will be repeated for each additional mill or small business owned by the licensee that is located in the licence area.

Year: Enter each of the actual conifer and hardwood volume (1000 m3) that is delivered both from the licence area and from sources outside of the licence area to the first mill or small business owned by the licensee for each of the first 7 years of the current FMP term, and the estimated wood deliveries for each of the remaining 3 years of the current FMP term. Enter the total for each of the conifer and hardwood volume (1000 m3) delivered both from the licence area and from sources outside of the licence area to the first mill or small business owned by the licensee for the full term of the current FMP.

Total: Enter the total of the actual conifer and hardwood volume (1000 m3) that is delivered both from the licence area and from sources outside of the licence area to the first mill or small business owned by the licensee for each of the first 7 years of the current FMP term, and the estimated wood deliveries for each of the remaining 3 years of the current FMP term. Enter the total conifer and hardwood volume (1000 m3) delivered both from the licence area and from sources outside of the licence area to the first mill or small business owned by the licensee for the full term of the current FMP.

Continue..: Repeat the process for each additional mill or small business owned by the licensee.

Grand Total Enter the total for each of the conifer and hardwood volume (1000 m3) delivered both from the licence area and from sources outside of the licence area to all mills or small businesses owned by the licensee for the full term of the current FMP. Enter the total conifer and hardwood volume (1000 m3) delivered both from the licence area and from sources outside of the licence area to all mills or small businesses owned by the licensee for the full term of the current FMP.



FMP - Table 2 - 11 Licence Area Land Summary Crown

Land Ownership and Type Managed (ha) Designated

(ha)

Other (ha) Total (ha)

Forested

Productive Forest

Non-productive Forest

Treed Wetland

Open Wetland

Brush and Alder

Rock

Non-forested

Water

Other Land

Developed Agricultural Land

Unclassified

Other

Un-surveyed

Total

Total Crown:



Instructions for FMP -Table 2 - 11 This table summarizes the area of different land types by land ownership for the licence area. The source of information for this table is the planning inventory for the licence area. Inventory for lands other than Crown managed land should be reflected where information is available and particularly where large areas of these lands within the licence area have implications on the development of the FMP. Enter the area in hectares by SFVI land type for each land ownership type:

Crown:

• Managed: All Crown land available for forest management purposes including lands designated to Saskatchewan government agencies where appropriate. Crown managed may include area of some or all inventory land types (e.g., treed wetland, protection forest and production forest). Area affected by forest management planning decisions is included.

• Designated: All Crown land that is not available for forest management purposes

through legal designation. This includes provincial parks under The Parks Act and areas classified as exclusions. It also includes areas established by policy direction (where forest management activity is not permitted) and higher order land use decisions (e.g. - IFLUPs)

Other:

Includes all other land ownership (e.g. federal lands, Indian reserves).



FMP - Table 2 - 12 Area by Provincial Forest Type and Seral Stage

Area (Hectares) (Example)

Seral

Stage

Young Immature Mature Old Very Old Total

WSF 1000 400 300 1000 600 3300

BSL 500 500 200 200 1000 2400

BSJ 1000 300 1000 300 1000 3600

JLP 500 1000 100 300 1000 2900

PMW 1000 500 500 1000 500 3500

SMW 300 300 800 1000 700 3100

HSM 1000 500 500 500 500 3000

HPM 600 600 600 600 600 3000

TAB 1000 200 1000 200 200 2600

Provincial

Forest Type

AOH 500 500 500 500 300 2300

Total 7400 4800 5500 5600 Enter

Grand

Total

6400



Instructions for FMP -Table 2 - 12 This table summarizes the total area of the productive forest in the licence area by provincial forest type and seral stage. The source of the information is the Saskatchewan Forest Vegetation Inventory updated to three years prior to the submission date of the new FMP. Provincial Forest Type:

Enter the provincial forest type. The derivation of provincial forest type from the SFVI and UTM inventories is described in Appendix 5.

Seral Stage:

Enter the seral stage. The derivation of seral stage from the SFVI and UTM inventories is defined in Appendix 5.

Area (hectares):

Enter the area (hectares) of productive forest in the licence area for each provincial forest type-seral stage combination. Enter the total area of productive forest in each provincial forest type by adding the areas of productive forest in all seral stages for the given provincial forest type. Enter the total area of productive forest in each seral stage by adding the areas of productive forests in all provincial forest types for the given seral stage. Enter the grand total by adding the totals of provincial forest types.



FMP - Table 2 - 13 Area Affected by Natural Disturbances 1

Area Affected (hectares) Provincial

Forest Type Fire Insect Disease Seral Stage Other Total

Young Immature Mature

Old Very Old

WSF

Total BSL …… …… …… …… …… ……

BSJ …… …… …… …… …… ……

JLP …… …… …… …… …… ……

PMW …… …… …… …… …… ……

SMW …… …… …… …… …… ……

HSM …… …… …… …… …… ……

HPM …… …… …… …… …… ……

TAB …… …… …… …… …… ……

AOH …… …… …… …… …… ……

Total Grand Total

1 In order to allow time for analyzing data and examining options for the next FMP, all known information for the current FMP term is compiled at the end of the 7th year of the current FMP term. The remaining three years of information are normally estimated according to planned events. However, natural disturbance events can’t be planned. Therefore, only the first seven years of events for the current FMP term are reported in this table.




140

Instructions for FMP -Table 2 - 13 This table summarizes the area affected by natural disturbance type (fire, insect, disease, or other), seral stage, and provincial forest types (for all disturbance events where gross size is ≥ 10 ha) for the first seven years of the current FMP term. Note that the table shows the information to fill out only for the WSF provincial forest type. The same format must be followed for all provincial forest types: Provincial Forest Type:


Seral Stage:

For each provincial forest type, enter each seral stage. The derivation of seral stage from the SFVI and UTM inventories is defined in Appendix 5.

Area Affected (Hectares):

Enter the area (hectares) affected over the seven years by each fire, insect, disease, or other disturbance type for each provincial forest type-seral stage combination. Enter the total area (hectares) affected over the seven years by all combined disturbances for each province forest type-seral stage combination. Enter the total area (hectares) affected over the seven years for all combined seral stages by each fire, insect, disease, or other disturbance type for each provincial forest type. Enter the total area (hectares) affected by natural disturbance over the seven years for each provincial forest type. Enter the total area (hectares) affected over the seven years by each fire, insect, disease, or other disturbance type. Enter the grand total of the area (hectares) affected over the seven years by natural disturbance for the entire licence area.


141

FMP - Table 2 - 14 Planned Versus Actual Hectares of Harvesting by Provincial Forest Type and Seral Stage.

PROVINCIAL FOREST TYPE SERAL STAGE

Actual hectares harvested in first seven years

Planned hectares of harvesting for

remaining three years

Total hectares of harvesting for the current FMP term (Actual + Planned)

Planned hectares of harvesting

for current FMP term

Difference between total and planned

hectares of harvesting for FMP

term

Young

Immature

Mature

Old

Very Old

WSF

Total BSL …… …… …… …… …… …… BSJ …… …… …… …… …… ……

JLP …… …… …… …… …… ……

PMW …… …… …… …… …… ……

SMW …… …… …… …… …… ……

HSM …… …… …… …… …… ……

HPM …… …… …… …… …… ……

TAB …… …… …… …… …… ……

AOH …… …… …… …… ……


……

Instructions for FMP -Table 2 - 14 This table shows, by provincial forest type and seral stage, the actual area of harvesting for the current FMP term, the planned area of harvesting for the current FMP term, and the difference between the actual and planned area of harvesting for the current FMP term. The source of information for the actual area harvested in the first seven years is from the annual reports. The source of information of the planned area of harvesting in the remaining three years of the current FMP term is the planned harvesting area projected in the five-year operating plan. This is submitted three years prior to the submission date of the new FMP. Note that the table shows the information to fill out only for the WSF provincial forest type. The same format must be followed for all provincial forest types: Provincial Forest Type:


Seral Stage: Enter each seral stage for each provincial forest type. The derivation of seral stage from the SFVI and UTM inventories is defined in Appendix 5.

Actual area harvested in first seven years: Enter the actual area of harvesting for each seral stage of each provincial forest type for the first seven years of the current FMP term. Enter the total of the actual area of harvesting of all seral stages for each provincial forest type for the first seven years of the current FMP term.

Planned area of harvesting for the last three years: Enter the total of the planned area of harvesting of all seral stages for each provincial forest type for the first seven years of the current FMP term. Enter the planned area of harvesting for each seral stage of each provincial forest type for the remaining three years of the current FMP term.

Total area of harvesting for the current FMP term: For each seral stage of each provincial forest, add the actual hectares of harvesting for the first seven years of the current FMP term to the hectares of planned harvesting for the remaining three years of the current FMP term and enter the total for the current FMP term. Enter the total area of harvesting of all seral stages for each provincial forest type for the current FMP term.

Planned area of harvesting for the current FMP term: Enter the hectares of harvesting planned for each seral stage of each provincial forest type as identified for the full term in the current FMP. Enter the total area of planned harvesting of all seral stages for each provincial forest type as identified for the full term in the current FMP.

142Saskatchewan Environment – Forest Service Approved Version 1.0 Forest Management Planning – Forest Planning Manual August 2007

Difference between actual and planned area of harvesting for current FMP term:

For each seral stage of each provincial forest type enter the difference between the actual hectares of harvesting for the current FMP term and the planned hectares of harvesting as identified for the full term in the current FMP. Enter the difference between the actual hectares of harvesting of all seral stages for each provincial type for the current FMP term and the planned hectares of harvesting of all seral stages for each provincial forest type as identified for the full term in the current FMP.


FMP - Table 2 - 15 Area Salvaged from Natural Disturbances 1

Area Salvaged (hectares) Provincial

Forest Type Fire Insect Disease Seral Stage Other Total

Young Immature Mature

Old Very Old

WSF

Total BSL …… …… …… …… …… ……

BSJ …… …… …… …… …… ……

JLP …… …… …… …… …… ……

PMW …… …… …… …… …… ……

SMW …… …… …… …… …… ……

HSM …… …… …… …… …… ……

HPM …… …… …… …… …… ……

TAB …… …… …… …… …… ……

AOH …… …… …… …… …… ……

Total Grand Total

2 In order to allow time for analyzing data and examining options for the next FMP, all known information for the current FMP term is compiled at the end of the 7th year of the current FMP term. The remaining three years of information are normally estimated according to planned events. However, natural disturbance events can’t be planned. Therefore, only the first seven years of events for the current FMP term are required to be reported in this table.


Instructions for FMP -Table 2 - 15 This table summarizes the area salvaged by natural disturbance type (fire, insect, disease, or other), seral stage, and provincial forest types (for all disturbance events where gross size is ≥ 10 ha) for the first seven years of the current FMP term. Note that the table shows the information to fill out only for the WSF provincial forest type. The same format must be followed for all provincial forest types: Provincial Forest Type:


Seral Stage:

For each provincial forest type, enter each seral stage. The derivation of seral stage from the SFVI and UTM inventories is defined in Appendix 5.

Area Salvaged (hectares):

Enter the area (hectares) salvaged over the seven years for each fire, insect, disease, or other disturbance type for each provincial forest type-seral stage combination. Enter the total area (hectares) salvaged over the seven years for all combined disturbances for each province forest type-seral stage combination. Enter the total area (hectares) salvaged over the seven years for all combined seral stages for each fire, insect, disease, or other disturbance type for each provincial forest type. Enter the total area (hectares) salvaged over the seven years for each provincial forest type. Enter the total area (hectares) salvaged over the seven years for each fire, insect, disease, or other disturbance type. Enter the grand total of the area (hectares) salvaged over the seven years after natural disturbance for the entire licence area.



FMP - Table 2 - 16 Regeneration Status by Provincial Forest Type

Area (hectares) by Regeneration Status (Example)

Not Sufficiently

Regenerated

Sufficiently

Regenerated

Total

WSF 1500 2000 3800

BSL 900 900 2700

BSJ 200 900 2300

JLP 200 1000 2200

PMW 900 200 1700

SMW 700 200 1100

HSM 800 100 1000

HPM 600 0 700

TAB 100 1000 1600

Provincial

Forest

Type

AOH 100 100 900

Total 6000 6400 Enter

Grand

Total




147

Instructions for FMP -Table 2 – 16 This table summarizes the regeneration status by provincial forest type for all harvest blocks assessed in the silviculture effectiveness monitoring program, for the first 7 years of the current FMP term. The source of the information is the regeneration status in the annual report. Provincial Forest Type:

Enter the provincial forest type. Regeneration assessment summaries are based on the provincial forest type that is the best match for each development type (FMP – Table 3 – 1) that is chosen for the future forest condition during the operational implementation of a silviculture ground rule. The derivation of provincial forest type from the SFVI and UTM inventories is described in Appendix 5.

Area (hectares) by Regeneration Status:

Enter the area assessed in the first 7 years of the current FMP term for each provincial forest type that is not sufficiently regenerated, or is sufficiently regenerated. Enter the grand total of area assessed in the first 7 years of the current FMP term.


148

FMP - Table 2 - 17 Road Construction for the Current FMP Term

ROAD CLASS

Historical Road

Construction (km)

Actual

Constructed in First Seven Years (km)

Planned

Construction for

Remaining

Three Years

(km)

Total

(Actual +

Planned) (km)

(A)

Current FMP

Term Road

Construction

Targets (km)

(B)

Difference

Between A & B

(km)

Roads and Transportation Agreement (RTA)

Class 1*

Class 2*

Class 3 (Inter-

block)*


*Road Classes are as defined in FMA Standards and Guidelines or as otherwise defined or agreed to by Saskatchewan Environment



149

Instructions for FMP -Table 2 - 17 This table shows, by road class, for the current FMP term: the total kilometres of road constructed, the planned kilometres of road construction, and the difference between the total and the targeted kilometres of road construction. The source of information for the actual kilometres of roads constructed in the first seven years of road construction is in the annual report. Historical Road Construction: Enter the kilometres of active roads that were constructed for each road class prior to the current FMP term. Actual Constructed in First Seven Years:

Enter the kilometres of actual road constructed for each road class for the first seven years of the current FMP term.

Planned Construction for Last Three Years: Enter the kilometres of planned road construction for each road class for the remaining three years of the current FMP term.

Total Construction (A): Add the kilometres of actual road constructed for the first seven years of the current FMP term to the kilometres of planned road construction for the remaining three years of the current FMP term and enter the total for each road class.

Current FMP Term Road Construction Targets (B): Enter the kilometres of planned road construction for each road class as identified for the full term in the current FMP.

Difference Between A & B: For each road class enter the difference between the total kilometres of road construction for the current FMP term and the planned kilometres of road construction as identified for the full term in the current FMP.


150

FMP - Table 2 - 18 Road Upgrades for the Current FMP.

UPGRADED ROAD CLASS

Original Road Class

Actual Upgrades

in First Seven

Years (km)

Planned

Upgrades for

Remaining

Three Years

(km)

Total Upgrades

(Actual +

Planned) (km)

(A)

Current FMP

Road Upgrade

Targets (km)

(B)

Difference

Between A & B

(km)

Class 2

Class 3 Class 1*

Trail

Class 3 Class 2*

Trail

Class 3 (Inter-

block)*

Trail




151

Instructions for FMP -Table 2 – 18 This table shows for the current FMP term: the total road upgrades, the planned upgrades and the difference between the total and planned amount of upgrades. The source of information for the actual kilometres of road upgrades in the first seven years is the annual road upgrades found in the annual reports. Actual Upgraded in First Seven Years:

Enter the kilometres of actual upgrades to each new road class from each previous road class for the first seven years of the current FMP term.

Planned Upgrades for Last Three Years Enter the kilometres of planned upgrades to each new road class from each previous road class for the remaining three years of the current FMP term.

Total Upgrades (A): Add the kilometres of actual upgrades to each new road class from each previous road class for the first seven years of the current FMP term to the kilometres of planned upgrades to each new road class from each previous road class for the remaining three years of the current FMP term.

Current FMP Road Upgrade Targets (B):

Enter the kilometres of planned upgrades to each new road class from each previous road as identified for the full term in the current FMP.

Difference Between A & B: For each new road class upgraded from each previous road class enter the difference between the total kilometres of upgrades for the current FMP term and the target kilometres of upgrades as identified for the full term in the current FMP.


152

FMP - Table 2 - 19 Road Reclamation for the Current FMP Term.

ROAD CLASS

Actual Reclamation in First Seven Years

(km)

Planned

Reclamation for

Remaining Three

Years (km)

Total Reclamation

(Actual + Planned)

(km)

(A)

Current FMP

Targets for

Reclamation (km)

(B)

Difference Between

A & B (km)

Roads and Transportation Agreement (RTA)

Class 1*

Class 2*

Class 3 (Inter-

block)*



Instructions for FMP-Table-2-19 This table shows for the current FMP term the total kilometres of road reclamation, the planned kilometres of road reclamation for the current FMP term, and the difference between the total and planned kilometres of road reclamation. The source of information for the actual kilometres of roads reclamation in the first seven years is the annual report. Actual Reclamation in First Seven Years:

Enter the kilometres of actual road reclamation for each road class for the first seven years of the current FMP term

Planned Reclamation for Last Three Years:

Enter the kilometres of planned road reclamation for each road class for the remaining three years of the current FMP term.

Total Reclamation:

Add the kilometres of actual road reclamation for the first seven years of the current FMP term to the kilometres of planned road reclamation for the remaining three years of the current FMP term and enter the total for each road class.

Current FMP Targets for Reclamation:

Enter the kilometres of planned road reclamation for each road class as identified for the full term in the current FMP.

Difference Between A & B:

For each road class enter the difference between the total kilometres of road reclamation for the current FMP term and the target kilometres of road reclamation as identified for the full term in the current FMP.



FMP - Table 3 - 1 Description of Development Types Development type Reference

No. Name

Provincial Forest Type

Silviculture System

SFVI Parameters

and Criteria

Additional Information Reference

No.

Development type

Name




155


This table describes the development types used to classify all forest stands in the licence area, including stands not available for forest management activities. Development types are used as the basis for summarizing data for the FMP, operating plan and annual report. Development Type:

List each development type including an appropriate Reference number (maximum 6 characters – alphanumeric) and a descriptive Name (maximum 20 characters – e.g. JpPureBasic). The list must include all development types currently represented by the forest inventory as well as development types which will occur in the future as a result of management actions to current development types (this incorporates management strategies to increase the presence of under-represented development types).

Provincial Forest Type:

Indicate a provincial forest type that is the best match for each development type. The derivation of provincial forest type from the SFVI and UTM inventories is described in Appendix 5.

Silviculture System:

Indicate the silviculture system (i.e., clearcut, shelterwood) to be used for the development type.

SFVI Parameters & Criteria:

For the purpose of assigning a development type to each stand, identify the appropriate SFVI parameters (e.g., species composition, productivity class, stocking) or other criteria by which the stands are classified.

Additional Information:

Indicate any other information, which is useful in describing each development type.


156

FMP - Table 3 - 2 Summary of Managed Crown Productive Forest by Development Type

Production Forest

Development type Age Class

Protection Forest

(ha) Unavailable

(ha)

Available

(ha)

Development

type total

Total




157


This table summarizes the area of Crown forest lands (as shown in FMP Table 2 - 10) by development type and age class for the licence area. The source of information for this table is the planning inventory with development types as defined in FMP - Table 3 - 1. Development type:

Enter the development type as identified in FMP - Table 3 - 1.

Age Class: Enter 20-year age classes.

Protection Forest: Enter the area (in hectares) by development type and age class.

Production Forest: Unavailable:

Enter the area (in hectares) of the licence area that is not available for timber production due to IFLUP or FMP decisions, or other known factors (e.g., exclusions, inaccessible area).

Available: Enter the area (in hectares) of the licence area minus the unavailable area.

Enter all totals as required. Ensure that the total areas in the Protection Forest and Production Forest (Unavailable and Available) columns correspond with the productive forest subtotals in FMP - Table 2 - 10.


158

FMP - Table 3 - 3 Silviculture Ground Rules Silviculture Ground Rules and Treatment Options SGR Reference Code

Silviculture System Variant

Logging Method

Slash Management

Site Preparation Method

Regeneration Tending Post Free Growing Tending

General Comments

Development Type Transitions and Regeneration Standards Pre-Disturbance Development Type

Area (Ha)

Future Development Type and Associated Yield Curve Reference

SGR Reference Code

Years from Harvest to Free-to-Grow

Preferred Tree Species

Minimum Density (sph)

Minimum Height (m)



FMP - Table 3 - 3 describes the silviculture systems and types of treatments that are to be used to manage development types (as identified in FMP – Table 3 – 1) for a specific current condition in order to achieve a predicted future condition. The sources of information for the table are applicable boreal silviculture guides for similar sites and the knowledge and experience of the plan author and planning team. The table has two portions – the SGR and treatment options section and the development and regeneration standards section. Silviculture Ground Rules and Treatment Options This portion of the table is to indicate the most commonly used combinations of silviculture treatments as well as acceptable alternative treatment combinations for each Silviculture Ground Rule. Silviculture treatment packages include combinations of the following: silviculture system, logging method, slash management, site preparation, regeneration, and tending.

SGR Reference Code: Enter a code (maximum 15 characters) that identifies the silviculture ground rule. This code is used to reference the silviculture ground rule elsewhere in the plan and in operational plans and reports.

Silviculture System Variant Enter the silviculture system variant (e.g., strip clear-cut, uniform shelterwood) as well as any reference to commercial thinning. Where there are options, indicate in the ‘general comments’ column under what conditions the different variants will be used.

Logging Method: Enter the logging method (full tree, tree length or short wood) to be used. Where there are options, indicate under what conditions the different methods will be used. Special restrictions on the type of logging equipment, the prescription for logging, or the timing of logging to ensure site compatibility are to be noted in the general comments section. Slash Management: Enter the slash management method (e.g., pile and burn, scatter across site) to be used. Where there are options, indicate under what conditions the different methods will be used. Site Preparation: Enter the method(s) of site preparation (e.g.., mechanical, chemical, prescribed burn) as well as optional details as desired.



Regeneration: Enter the method(s) of regeneration treatments (e.g., natural, plant, seed) as well as optional details as desired.

Tending: Enter the tending methods (e.g., cleaning, spacing) that are required in order to meet the regeneration standard. Post Free Growing Tending: Enter the tending methods (e.g., cleaning, spacing) that are required in order to advance the stand to rotation age once the free growing standards have been met.

Development Type Transition Rules This portion of the table is to indicate the predicted transition from the development type existing before disturbance to the development type expected at the next rotation. This portion of the table also indicates the regeneration standards to be used when evaluating the performance of the stand, providing a benchmark to evaluate the ability of the stand to achieve the expected development type.

Pre-Disturbance Development Type: Enter the development type (identified in FMP - Table 3 - 1) that applies before the next disturbance, such as forest harvesting, takes place.

Area:

Enter the area of the productive forest occupied by each development type. Areas not currently achieving the targets set by regeneration standards are not included in this number but are documented in FMP - Table 2 – 16.

Future Development Type and Associated Yield Curve Reference:

Enter the predicted future development type following disturbance, and the yield curve reference that projects the forest growth to the next rotation age.

SGR Reference Code Enter the SGR reference codes that identify each of the set of management treatments available for achieving the predicted future development type. The predicted future development type may be achieved by more than one SGR. Beside each SGR reference code, list the expected percent in which that SGR will be used to achieve the expected future development type.

Years from Harvest to Free-to-Grow

For each future development type, enter the number of years predicted for a stand to reach free-to-grow status (from the end of the operating year of harvest). The number of years entered must not be greater than that specified by Provincial Regeneration standards.




161

Preferred Tree Species Enter the symbol for the preferred tree species for each development type.

Minimum Density (sph) Enter the minimum stems per hectare (sph) of the preferred species that must be present at the free-to-grow assessment date in order to consider the stand free-to-grow and achieving the transition to the predicted future development type. At a minimum, each of the qualifying stems must meet all free-to-grow Provincial Regeneration standards (e.g., height, distance away from competing vegetation).

Minimum Height (m) Enter the minimum height (m) a preferred species must attain to be declared free-to-grow at the time of assessment. At a minimum, each of the qualifying stems must meet all other free-to-grow Provincial Regeneration standards


162

FMP - Table 3 - 4 Candidate Scenarios of Wood Supply Analysis. Forest Estate Modelling Targets & Objectives

Scenarios

Maximize merchantable volume

Maximize the total saw log volume

Planting Natural Regeneration

Tending Wood even flow For the first 20 years

Non-declining flow for the remaining 180 years

…

Scenario 1



163


This table summarizes candidate scenarios applied in forest estate modelling. The report shall indicate, for each scenario, the assumptions or strategies that will be used in the model. Scenarios:

Enter scenario name. Objectives and Targets:

For each scenario, indicate the target or objective to be met in the corresponding column to be considered in the modelling.

FMP - Table 4 - 1 Values, Objectives, Indicators and Targets From a Saskatchewan Perspective ∗ Criterion ∗ Element ∗ Value Objective Indicator Targets Measurement

Interval Data Format

A Criterion defines a set of values Canadians want to enhance and sustain.

Elements serve to elaborate and specify the scope of their associated criterion.

A characteristic, component, or quality considered by an interested party to be important in relation to an element.

A broad statement describing a desired future state or condition of a value.

An indicator is a variable that measures or describes the state or condition of a value.

A target is a specific statement describing a desired future state or condition of an indicator. Targets should be clearly defined, time-limited, and quantified, if possible. A target is set either by the approved selected management strategy or by standards or legislation.

The measurement interval will reflect the appropriate timeline which will yield enough information for a useful assessment of the progress towards the target.

This should include the spatial and temporal scope of the targets. The plan text should include the present state of the indicator being monitored to which future measurements will be compared too. This is often referred to as a “baseline” measurement.


164


165

∗ Criterion ∗ Element ∗ Value Objective Indicator Targets Measurement Interval

Data Format

An Example would be:

1.0 Conservation of the biological diversity of Saskatchewan’s forests.

1.1 Ecosystem Diversity

∗ 1.1.1 Natural range of variation

1.1.1.1 Conservation of the biological diversity of Saskatchewan’s forests.

1.1.1.1.1 Area by development type and age class.

Target(s) set by approved selected management strategy.

Data will be presented in tabular and bar-graph format depicting development type by age, etc.

Every five years.


Instructions for FMP -Table 4 – 1 This table documents the core and optional area-specific VOITs(see Section 3.3) on Crown lands within the licence area. Criterion:

Enter the criterion for sustaining each value.

Element: Enter one or more elements for each value that represents an important aspect of the overall objective that needs to be addressed by one or more indicators, providing more detailed guidance in determining indicators.

Value: Enter each core and optional-area specific value.

Objective: Enter a statement describing a desired future state or condition for each value.

Indicator: Enter one or more indicators for each element listed that measures the state or condition of the relevant value and for which one or more targets may be set.

Target: Enter one or more targets that state the desired future state or condition of each indicator.

Measurement Interval: Enter the timeline, which will yield enough information for a useful assessment of the progress towards each target.

Data Format: Enter the spatial and temporal scope of each target.



FMP - Table 4 - 2 Utilization Standards4

Operational standards for merchantable trees

Stump height (cm)

Min. merchantable bole length (to top diameter) (m)

Top diameter (cm)

30 5.2 5.0 Utilization standards for harvested trees

Min Log length (m)

Top end diameter of log (cm)

Acceptable total rot in the entire log (%)

NA 5.0 50


1674 Numbers in italics represent current provincial baseline targets


Instructions for FMP -Table 4 - 2 This table describes the operational standards for merchantable trees and utilization standards applied to harvested stands as used in forest estate modelling. The licensee is to specify their utilization standards which may be different than the provincial baseline targets. Operational Standards for Merchantable Trees:

Enter utilization standards for both hardwood and softwood species groups.

Stump Height: Enter the minimum stump height (in centimetres) for the selected utilization standard.

Minimum merchantable bole length (to top diameter): Enter the minimum merchantable bole length (in metres) to the minimum top diameter for the selected utilization standard.

Top Diameter: Enter the minimum top diameter (in centimetres) for the selected utilization standard.

Utilization Standards for Harvested Trees:

Enter utilization standards for both hardwood and softwood species groups.

Minimum Log Length: Enter the minimum top diameter (in centimetres) for the selected utilization standard.

Diameter at Top End of Log: Enter the minimum diameter (in centimetres) at the top end of the log for the selected utilization standard.

Acceptable Total Rot in the Entire Log: Enter the maximum percentage of rot in the entire log for the selected utilization standard.



FMP - Table 4 - 3 Summary of Projected SGR Areas by Year


169

Management Unit

Future Development Type Code

Period scheduled

for Harvest

Block Identification

Total Area

1A-1

1A-2

1A-3

2B2 2B5 2B6

Proposed Harvesting 23-14 23-15 23-17

80 75

147

50 49

30

26 88 59

23-22 23-25

133 133ha 66 55 11

23-31 77 42 35 23-32 155 105 50

1

23-41 108 108 23-44 117 56 32 29 23-52 127 62 65 23-55 58 32 26

Subtotal

Period 1

1143 236 128 319 87 125 248

2

Subtotal

Period 2

3

Subtotal

Period 3

4

Subtotal

Period 4

Total _




170

Instructions for FMP -Table 4 - 3 This table provides a summary of the silviculture ground rules, by management unit for proposed harvesting by period. Management Unit

Enter the name of the Management Unit. Future Development Type Code

Enter each Future Development Type Code that applies to all blocks proposed for harvesting by management unit and by period.

Period scheduled for Harvest

Enter the proposed period for harvesting. Tactical Plan Block Identification (Block Identification)

Enter the identification used for each block proposed for harvesting in each period. The ID’s provided in the table are an example.

Total Area (ha)

Enter the total proposed area (in hectares) for harvesting for each tactical plan block during each period. The areas indicated in period 1 are an example. Enter the total proposed area (in hectares) for harvesting for all blocks.

Proposed Harvesting

Enter the proposed area (in hectares) for harvesting under each Future Development Type for each block in each year. The areas indicated in period one are an example. Enter the total proposed area (in hectares) for harvesting in each period under each Future Development Type. The total areas indicated for period 1 are an example. Repeat the process for periods 1-4. Enter the total proposed area (in hectares) for harvesting.


171

FMP - Table 4 - 4 Proposed Road Construction, Reclamation, and Decommissioning

MU Road Operation Road Class Year 1-5

(km) Year 5-10

(km) Year 6-15

(km) Year 16–20

(km) Total (km)

Comments

RTA

Class 1

Class 2

Construction

Class 3 (inter-block)

Class 1

Class 2

Reclamation (road built 2001 and later)


Class 1

Class 2

Historical Reclamation (road built before 2001)


Class1

Class 2

Decommissioning



Instruction for FMP -Table 4 - 4 This table provides a summary of the road construction, reclamation, and decommissioning activities during five-year periods by management unit. Management Unit: Enter the name of the Management Unit Road Operation - Construction

Road and Transportation Agreement (RTA) Enter the kilometres of RTA road construction proposed during years 1-5. Repeat the process for years 6-10, 11-15, and 16-20. Enter the total kilometres of RTA construction proposed during years 1-20. Enter any comments regarding major crossings or road user agreements for RTA roads proposed for construction during years 1-20.

Repeat as above for Class 1, 2 and 3 (inter-block only) roads

Road Operation - Reclamation (road built 2001or later) Class 1 Roads

Enter the kilometres of Class 1 road reclamation proposed during years 1-5. Repeat the process for years 6-10, 11-15, and 16-20. Enter the total kilometres of Class 1 road reclamation proposed during years 1-20. Enter any comments regarding major crossings, key access control points, or road user agreements for Class 1 roads proposed for reclamation during years 1-20.


Road Operation – Historical Reclamation (road built before 2001)

Class 1 Roads Enter the kilometres of Class 1 historical road reclamation proposed during years 1-5. Repeat the process for years 6-10, 11-15, and 16-20. Enter the total kilometres of Class 1 historical road reclamation proposed during years 1-20. Enter any comments regarding major crossings, key access control points, or road user agreements for Class 1 historical roads proposed for reclamation during years 1-20.




Road Operation – Decommissioning (road built 2001 or later) Class 1 Roads Enter the kilometres of Class 1 road decommissioning proposed during years 1-5. Repeat the process for years 6-10, 11-15, and 16-20. Enter the total kilometres of Class 1 road decommissioning proposed during years 1-20.

Comments

Enter any comments regarding major crossings, key access control points, or road user agreements for Class 1 roads proposed for decommissioning during years 1-20. Repeat as above for Class 1, 2 and 3 (inter-block only) roads

Continue…

Repeat the process for each additional Management Unit.



FMP - Table 4 - 5 Summary Description of the Management Unit


174

MU# and Name Item Current Conditions General Description • Biophysical description

• Area Summary (hectares) Gross Area

Private, parks, Representative Areas Network

Non Productive forests

Non Productive, Water

Productive Forest

Currently Available for harvest

20 year plan harvest

• Other

Landscape Infrastructure (roads, rail, pipelines, power lines)

•

Wildlife • Access Management • Water and Fisheries • Recreation features • Protected areas, Communities, and cultural or historic values

•

Visual Concerns • Forest Health • Wildfire Management • IFLUP • • Sensitive Sites Interaction with industrial and commercial users

•

Sequence of harvest • Consultation • Miscellaneous •


Instructions for FMP -Table 4 - 5 This table provides the format for providing consolidated key information associated with the Management Unit. General Description:

Provide a biophysical description of the MU including predominant landform, soil types forest types, ecodistrict, etc. Complete the area summary table. Provide any other general descriptive information that may be pertinent to the management unit.

Landscape:

Presentation of Natural Disturbance Emulation (NDE) standards as required by the NDE document of the Forest Planning Manual.

Infrastructure:

Describe the existing numbered highways, Road and Transportation Agreements (RTAs), and primary roads. Provide general information on number of kilometres of new RTA and Class 1 primary roads that are presented in this tactical plan for this MU. Describe any major new bridge crossings or bridge replacements that will be required in the first ten years of the plan.

Wildlife:

Describe any key wildlife concerns if any, and location of any special or unique habitat (such as nesting sites, salt licks, etc.).

Identify any rare, threatened or endangered species. Access Management:

Describe the proposed access management and road closure program. Include information on key existing or proposed access control points.

Water and Fisheries:

Describe the primary watershed, key lakes, and rivers. Describe known intakes of surface drinking water and well locations. Describe key fisheries issues.

Recreation Features:

Describe the key lodges, boat launches, cabins, recreational or historical trails, viewpoints, remote camping sites, mineral springs, significant recreation features, etc.




176

Protected Areas, Communities, and Cultural or Historic Values Describe, Parks, Representative Areas Network, Ecological Reserves, key communities, Indian Reserves located within or adjacent to the MU Describe any known cultural, historic sites or values, without putting the site at risk to damage.

Visual Concerns

Describe any known visual sensitive areas. List the harvest blocks in tactical plan that might have a localized visual concern, or are contained in a visual sensitive area.

Forest Health:

Describe known forest health problems, and locations (e.g. dwarf mistletoe, root rot, etc.).

Wildfire Management:

Describe any wildfire management concerns or special strategies in the tactical plan. (e.g. providing fire suppression activities for communities, subdivisions, and protection of silviculture investments).

Integrated Forest Land Use Plan (IFLUP):

Describe the IFLUP zones that apply to this MU. Describe any site-specific IFLUP concerns or recommendations for this MU.

Sensitive Sites

Identify any harvest blocks that are on steep terrain or sensitive soils that will require special care during harvest.

Interaction with Industrial and Commercial Users:

Describe known “other” industrial or commercial users that may effect implementation of the plan. Examples may include, mining, sand and gravel extraction, oil and gas exploration and development, wild rice operations, grazing leases, commercial fisheries, outfitting, trapping, etc.

Sequence of Harvest

Describe any special timing constraints to address wildlife, or other forest users concerns.

Consultation:

Record any MU specific comments. Miscellaneous

Backlog NSR sites that are candidates for rehabilitation treatments. Research sites, silviculture trails, etc.


177

FMP - Table 4 - 6 Volume Summary of Tactical Blocks Scheduled for Harvest

Management Unit

Conifer

Hardwood

Tactical Block ID

Gross Area

Sawlog Pulp etc Total OSB Pulp etc Total Total volume Average haul distance

Year 1-5

Sub total Year 6-10

Sub total Year 11-15 Sub total Year 16-20

Sub total Grand total Projected harvest in first 10 years



This table provides a summary of the volume of products proposed for harvesting during five-year periods. This includes all areas scheduled for salvage.

Management Unit:

Enter the name of the Management Unit. Year 1-5:

Enter the identification number for each tactical block proposed for harvesting during the first five years. For each proposed tactical block enter the gross area to be harvested. For each proposed tactical block enter the predicted volume to be harvested by product (conifer sawlog, pulp, etc and/or hardwood OSB, pulp, etc.). For each proposed tactical block enter the total volume of conifer products to be harvested. For each proposed tactical block enter the total volume of hardwood products to be harvested. For each proposed tactical block enter the total volume of all products to be harvested. Under sub-total, enter the proposed gross area for all tactical blocks proposed for harvesting in years 1-5. Under sub-total, enter the proposed volume to be harvested for all tactical blocks for each product in years 1-5. Under sub-total, enter the total proposed volume to be harvested for all tactical blocks and for all products in years 1-5. Under sub-total, enter the average haul distance for all tactical blocks to harvested in years 1-5.

Year 6-10

Repeat the same steps for years 6-10 that were used in years 1-5 Year 11-15

Repeat the same steps for years 11-15 that were used in years 1-5 Year 16-20

Repeat the same steps for years 16-20 that were used in years 1-5 Grand Total

Enter the total gross area for all tactical blocks proposed for harvesting during years 1-20. Enter the total proposed volume to be harvested for each product during years 1-20. Enter the total proposed conifer volume to be harvested during years 1-20.



Enter the total proposed hardwood volume to be harvested during years 1-20. Enter the total proposed volume of all products to be harvested during years 1-20. Enter the average haul distance for all proposed blocks to be harvested during years 1-20

Projected Harvest in First Ten Years

Enter the total gross area for all tactical blocks proposed for harvesting during years 1-10. Enter the total proposed volume to be harvested for each product during years 1-10. Enter the total proposed conifer volume to be harvested during years 1-10. Enter the total proposed hardwood volume to be harvested during years 1-10. Enter the total proposed volume of all products to be harvested during years 1-10. Enter the average haul distance for all proposed blocks to be harvested during years 1-10.

Continue…

Repeat the above process for each additional Management Unit.



FMP - Table 4 - 7 Summary of New FMP Commitments. Commitment

Strategy for Implementation

Measurement Criteria

Schedule/Resolution Forest Service Measurement

Comments




This table summarizes all commitments made by the licensee in the FMP. Commitment:

List all management objectives and commitments proposed by the licensee for the FMP (other than VOITS identified in FMP - Table 4 - 1).

Strategy for Implementation: Summarize the strategy for meeting each commitment, such as the utilization of information systems infrastructure, certification and/or environmental management system programs or other supporting systems/programs.

Measurement Criteria: Enter the criteria for measuring when a commitment has been or is continuing to be met.

Schedule/Resolution: Enter the time frame to meet or begin to maintain each commitment.

Forest Service Measurement: Leave as an empty column for SE Forest Service to fill in as indicating when the commitment has been met or is being maintained.

Comments: Leave as an empty column for SE Forest Service to report action items or other information related to the commitment.



FMP - Table 4 - 8 Existing and Future Management Challenges for the Licence Area for the FMP Term

Challenges Status Notation Source





183

Instructions for FMP -Table 4 – 8 This table lists all the existing and future challenges raised by different agencies or the organization. Issues:

Enter the management challenge issues raised from different parties or organizations.

Status:

Enter EXISTING for existing management challenges or NEW for the identified challenges for the future.

Notation: Enter YES if the issue has lead to the development of specific VOITs for inclusion in the performance framework, otherwise enter NO.

Source: Enter agencies that raised the issue. Possible agencies may include: Branches of SE (e.g. Forest Service, Environmental Assessment, Fish & Wildlife, Fire Management & Forest Protection, etc.), Saskatchewan Industry and Resources, administrative; resource-based; community; aboriginal; independent operators or licensee staff.

FMP - Table 5 - 1 Data Format for Presentations of Baseline Levels and Indicator Reporting SE Indicator Licensee-

Specific Indicator

Data Format for Presentation of Baseline Levels and for Indicator Reporting

Reporting Periodicity


1. Area of softwood-dominated mixed wood and white spruce forest types.

√

The format for the reporting of data is set out in NDE standard # 4 - landscape-level maintenance of softwood-dominated mixedwood and white spruce forest types. Every 5 years. √

2. Area of old forest by cover species group.

√

The format for the reporting of data is set out in NDE standard # 3 – retention of old forest on the landscape. Every 5 years.

√

3. Spatial distribution of old forest by cover species group.

√

The format for the reporting of data is set out in NDE standard # 3 - retention of old forest on the landscape. Every 5 years. √

4. Frequency distribution of patch size of old forest. √

The format for the reporting of data is set out in NDE Standard # 3 - retention of old forest on the landscape. Every 5 years. √

5. Current supply of habitat for identified forest-dwelling species vs. predicted supply (as determined through forest estate modelling).

√

Habitat area by species will be presented in a manner set out through discussions with Forest Service representatives.

Every 5 years.


184

SE Indicator Licensee- Specific Indicator

Data Format for Presentation of Baseline Levels and for Indicator Reporting Reporting Periodicity


6. % of tree seedlings planted that are from “wild” seedlots as defined by provincial seed standards.

√

Data will be presented in a tabular format identifying total area regenerated with wild/natural seed sources by development type, total area regenerated by development type and the percentage of the total area regenerated by wild/natural seed sources.

Annually √

7. % of tree seedlings planted that are from “improved” seedlots as defined by provincial seed standards.

√

Data will be presented in conjunction with the previous indicator identifying area and percentage of total area regenerated with genetically improved seed by development type.

Annually √

8. The licensee will provide one additional indicator and target for this element / objective (as per Table 3) for review and approval by Forest Service.

√

Data will be presented in a manner set out through discussions with Forest Service representatives. Timelines will

be determined through

discussions with Forest Service representatives.

9. Average area of residual trees left after harvest.

√

Data and reporting set by provincial NDE standard #1 - residuals within harvest events and blocks.

Every 5 years.

√


185




10. Percent of harvested areas regenerated and assessed as free-to-grow by the standards indicated in the forest management plan.

√

Data will be presented in a tabular format showing total harvest area, total treated area, and total area in the “free-to-grow” stage and the percent of the treated area in the “free-to- grow” stage by year of harvest.

Annually. The first reporting period will be in 2013.

√

11. % of the productive forest land base converted to RTA, Class 1, 2 and interblock 3 roads each year.

√

Data will be presented in a tabular format depicting the area (width of right-of-way x distance in meters/10,000) of road by road-class. The table will include area of existing roads prior to the operating year being reported on, area of new roads built in the operating year being reported on and percent increase over the operating year being reported on.

Annually

12. Percent of harvest events by size (area) class distribution.

√

Data will be presented in tabular format and as bar graphs as set out in the NDE standard #2 - harvest event size distribution.

Annually √

13. Percent of the area of each individual fire which was salvage harvested.

√

Data will be presented in a tabular format depicting total area in hectares of each fire, the area salvage harvested in hectares and the percentage of the areas salvaged harvest as a percent of the total area.

Annually

√


186




14. The actual delivered harvest volume as a percentage of the predicted harvest volume, annually and every 5 years by management unit. Where predicted harvest volume is the area of each development type within the actual harvested area multiplied by the respective yield curve values for that development type.

Data will be presented in a tabular and line graph format depicting the actual delivered harvest volume and the predicted harvest volume, broken down by softwood and hardwood and by management unit.

Annually

15. Area harvested by provincial forest types and age class vs. scheduled area of each individual provincial forest type and age class.

√

Data will be presented in a tabular and line graph format depicting the predicted harvest area and actual harvest area by year. Additionally, the tabular format will include the difference between the actual and predicted and the difference between them as a percentage of the predicted harvest area.

Every 5 years.


187




16. Average annual softwood and hardwood actual harvest volume vs. approved harvest volumes.

√

Data will be presented in a tabular format depicting the actual volume harvested by softwood and hardwood, the approved annual volume harvested by softwood and hardwood, and the difference between the two. A line graph format will be submitted depicting the actual volume harvested by softwood and hardwood and the approved annual volume harvested by softwood and hardwood. Data will be submitted annually.

Annually

17. % of sampled harvest blocks that are in compliance with provincial standards related to soil disturbance.

N/A

Data will be presented in a tabular format depicting the individual sites which were sampled, those sites which were in compliance and in non-compliance and the percent of each of the total sampled.

Annually √

18. % of sampled harvest blocks which are in compliance with provincial standards related to road reclamation.

N/A

Data will be presented in a tabular format depicting the individual sites which were sampled, those sites which were in compliance and in non-compliance and the percent of each of the total sampled. Annually √

19. % of inspections in compliance with prescriptions developed for the protection of water quality and fish habitat.

N/A

Data will be presented in a tabular format depicting the individual sites which were sampled, those sites which were in compliance and in non-compliance and the percent of each of the total sampled.

Annually √


188




20. % of sampled harvest blocks that are in compliance with the provincial and/or FMA standards related to riparian area management.

N/A

Data will be presented in a tabular format depicting the individual sites which were sampled, those sites which were in compliance and in non-compliance and the percent of each of the total sampled. Annually √

21. The licensee will provide one indicator and target for this element / objective for review and approval by the Forest Service.

√



discussions with Forest Service representatives.

22 & 23. The licensee will provide two indicators and targets for this element / objective for review and approval by the Forest Service.

√



discussions with Forest Service representatives

24. On-going consultation with other stakeholders at various levels of forest management planning using established advisory committees or other forums which are effective.

Acquire and input into the production of a thematic map product. Data will be submitted in a map format on request. Annually


189




25. Develop and maintain a thematic map of non-timber resources and non-timber forest use activities.

Data used to generate the map will be made available to the Forest Service.

Annually

26. The licensee will provide one additional indicator and target for this element / objective for review and approval by the Forest Service.

√

Data will be presented in a manner set out through discussions with Forest Service representatives.

Timelines will be determined through discussions with Forest Service representatives

27. The average annual haul distance from operating areas to the processing facility(s).

√

Data will be presented in a tabular format depicting the actual average annual haul distance based on the road distance from the centre of each operating area to the major processing facility.

Annually

28. The licensee will provide one additional indicator and target for this element / objective for review and approval by the Forest Service.

√


Timelines will be determined

through discussions with Forest Service representatives


190




29. % of “within FMA area” aboriginal communities involved in ongoing discussions, review of operational and forest management plans and co-management / advisory processes.

Data will be presented in a tabular format depicting a list of consultations by type and date. Meeting minutes will be supplied on request.

Annually

30. As an option, the licensee will provide one additional indicator and target for this element / objective for review and approval by the Forest Service.

√




31. Spatial identification and operational protection of known culturally significant Aboriginal sites.

√

Data and reporting format will have to be discussed based on availability of data.

Every 5 years.

32. As an option, the licensee will provide one additional indicator and target for this element / objective (as per Table 3) for review and approval by the Forest Service.

√





191




33 & 34. The licensee’s Public Advisory Group will provide two indicators and targets for this element / objective for review and approval by the Forest Service.

√




35. The number of meetings held with the licensee’s PAG during the implementation phase of the FMP.

√


Annually

36. The licensee will provide one additional indicator and target for this element / objective (as per Table 3) for review and approval by the Forest Service.

√




37. Age of current forest inventory for the licence area (based on photography age).

√

Data will be presented in tabular format depicting the average age (as a weighted average based on area) of the inventory within each management unit of the licence area. Every 5 years.


192


193


Data Format for Presentation of Baseline Levels and for Indicator Reporting

Reporting Periodicity


38. The number of educational opportunities made available to staff and the public.

√

Data will be presented in tabular format depicting the number of educational opportunities made available to staff and/or the public listed by date.

Annually



194

Instructions for FMP -Table 5 - 1 This table lists the reporting requirements for the VOITs. Further details regarding submission requirements will be located in various standards documents within the Forest Planning Manual (i.e. - Operating Plan and Annual Report standards document, NDE standards document) and the Forest Operations Manual (i.e. – Regeneration Assessment document). Other standards documents will be approved over time, so please consult with Forest Service representatives for current information.


195

FMP - Table 5 -2 Area to Assess for Regeneration Success.

Period (1-4) Development

Type Silviculture

Ground Rule

Projected Development

Type

Area to be Assessed (ha)

Harvest

Development Type Subtotal

Harvest Subtotal Natural

Disturbance

Development Type Subtotal

Natural Disturbance Subtotal

Total



askatchewan Environment – Forest Service ent Planning – Forest Planning Manual

196

Instructions for FMP -Table 5 - 2 This table summarizes the area (in hectares) to be assessed for regeneration success during the 20-year period of the plan, by plan period, development type and SGR. The source of information for this table is a record of applicable SGRs, harvest and natural disturbance and silviculture treatments. The amount of area to be assessed for success should be consistent with the level of regeneration success required to meet plan objectives and the management strategy as well as levels of past disturbance (i.e., harvest and natural). Development Type:

Enter the development type identified in FMP - Table 3 - 1 that best describes the stands at the time of harvest or natural disturbance.

Harvest/Natural Disturbance:

Forecast assessments by original disturbance (i.e., harvest or natural disturbance). The assessment of natural disturbances where salvage harvest has been completed is included under the natural disturbance.

Silviculture Ground Rule:

Enter the SGR (from FMP - Table 3 - 3) that best describes the treatments that were implemented. In the case where an original SGR was changed, enter only the final SGR implemented.

Projected Development Type:

Enter the projected development type as described in the SGR (FMP - Table 3 - 3).

Area to be Assessed:

Enter the forecast area (hectares) to be assessed and subtotal by development type.

Enter all subtotals and totals as required.

FMP - Table 5 - 3 Indicators for Annual Reporting. Number Indicator Data Format 1 Forest area converted to other uses (permanent removal of

forest cover)

Data will be presented in tabular format. Report by total area (ha) based on category of conversion. Data will be submitted annually in the annual report.

2 Area by provincial forest types and age class.

Data for the current status will be presented in a bar-graph format with age on the X-axis and area on the Y-axis. There will be a separate graph for each development type and a summary graph depicting area of each development type in each age class. Each development type and age class will be represented using different colours. Data depicting the target set by approved selected management strategy will be presented in the same manner. Data depicting the actual status of the forest landscape at the end of the defined re-measurement interval will be presented in the same manner. Data will be reported on every 5 years.

3 Number and size of natural (e.g. fire, wind, insects, disease etc.) disturbances by disturbance type vs. the threshold level used in the forest estate modelling sensitivity analysis.

Data will be presented in a tabular format showing area by disturbance type by year and in bar-graph format showing disturbance type on X-axis and area on the Y-axis. The maximum established form the forest estate modeling sensitivity analysis will be presented in a tabular format and as a line on the above bar-graph.


197Data will be submitted every 5 years.

Number Indicator Data Format 4 Wood flow to mills outside the FMA area.

Data will be presented in a tabular format showing the actual wood flow in m3 between wood processing mills outside the FMA area and the wood flow predicted in the approved selected management strategy. Data to be reported annually in the annual report.

5 Wood flow between mills within the FMA area.

Data will be presented in a tabular format showing the actual wood flow in m3 between wood processing mills within the FMA area and the wood flow predicted in by approved selected management strategy. Data to be reported annually in the annual report.

6 Distance in km by RTA, Class 1, 2 and interblock 3 roads established each operating year.

Data will be presented in a tabular format depicting the kilometers of road by road-class. The table will include total length of existing roads prior to the operating year being reported on, total length of new roads built in the operating year being reported on and percent increase over the operating year being reported on. Data will be reported on annually in the annual report.

7 Percent of regenerated areas receiving stand tending in conjunction with the operating plan.

Data will be presented in tabular format. Present annually in the annual report under “renewal, tending and protection activities”. Detailed requirements are provided in the Operating Plan and Annual Report document of the Forest Planning Manual.


198

Number Indicator Data Format 8 Area and percent of historical NSR regenerated.


9 Percent of harvested forest left for natural regeneration.


10 Percent of harvested forest artificially regenerated.


11 Volume, species and percentage of total wood requirements coming from crown and private land.

Data will be presented in a tabular and lined graph format. There will be separate graphs to present a) volume; b) species and 3) percentage of total wood requirements (Y axis) coming from crown and private land. The X-axis will represent years. Data will be submitted every 5 years.

12 Percent of area of private land harvested and regenerated.

Data will be presented in tabular format. Data will be reported on annually in the annual report.


199



200

Number Indicator Data Format 13 Levels of employment

Data will be presented in tabular format using the existing reporting structures of FMP-Tables 2-3 to 2-5 for the licence area. Data will be reported on annually in the annual report.

14 Percent of total contractor person-days of work retained in local communities.

Data will be presented in tabular format for the licence area. Data will be reported on annually in the annual report.

15 Proportion of local community population employed in the forest industry


16 Percent of total person-days of work retained by persons of aboriginal descent


Instructions for FMP -Table 5 - 3 This table lists all the required indicators for annual reporting of the FMP that are additional to the VOITs. Further details regarding submission requirements are located in the Operating Plan and Annual Report Submission standards document.



FMP - Table Appendix - 1 Dataset Used for Generating the Planning Inventory

Dataset Name

Data format

Publication date

Year update

Originator Obtained date

Comment



FMP -Table Appendix - 1 This table lists all datasets used for generating the planning inventory for wood supply analysis. These datasets affect the determination of how much wood can be harvested on an annual basis while striving to maintain a long-term sustainable supply of wood. The datasets must be spatially defined with polygon features showing where the interested area is located within a licence area. Dataset name:

The name of dataset.

Data format: Enter one of the following format: coverage, shape file, geodatabase.

Publication date: Enter the date on which the inventory was published in the format: mmddyyyy. E.g. 04192005 for April 19, 2005. Enter N/A if it is unknown. Year update: Enter the most recent year in which the inventory was updated. Enter N/A if it is unknown. Originator: Enter the organization which generated the inventory.

The possible organizations are: SE (Saskatchewan Environment), the forest company or other organization.

Obtained date: Enter the date, in the same format as the publication date on, which it was created, downloaded, or received.

Comment: Enter comment about the inventory.



9 Appendix 2 - Figures to be used in the FMP Process FMP - Figure 2 - 1: Area by Provincial Forest Type and Seral Stage

FMP - Figure 2 - 1 Area by Provincial Forest Type and Seral Stage

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

4000

WSF BSL BSJ JLP PMW SMW HSM HPM TAB AOH


Are

a (1

000

ha) Very Old

OldMatureImmatureYoung

Seral Stage



Instructions for FMP – Figure 2 –1: Area by Provincial Forest Type and Seral Stage This figure shows the total area by provincial forest type and seral stage in the licence area. The source of the information is the Saskatchewan Forest Vegetation Inventory updated to three years prior to the submission date of the new FMP. Complete the figure as follows. Figure type:

Histogram - Stacked column chart

X-axis: Provincial forest type

The derivation of provincial forest type from the SFVI and UTM inventories is described in Appendix 5.

Y-axis: Area (1000 ha)

Legend: Seral Stage

The derivation of seral stage from the SFVI and UTM inventories is defined in Appendix 5.



FMP - Figure 2 - 2: Area Disturbed from Fire by Provincial Forest Type and Seral Stage1.

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500



Are

a (1

000

ha) Very Old


1 In order to allow time for analyzing data and examining options for forest management planning, all

known information is compiled current to three years prior to the submission date of the new FMP. The remaining three years of information are normally estimated according to planned events. However, natural disturbance events can’t be planned. Therefore, only the first seven years of events for the current FMP term are reported in FMP - Figures 2-2 to and 2-5.



Instructions for FMP - Figure 2 -2: Area Disturbed from Fire by Provincial Forest Type and Seral Stage This figure shows the total area of fire disturbance in the licence area by provincial forest type and seral stage for the first seven years of the current FMP term. The source of information is the amount of fire disturbance reported in the annual report, or other submissions as agreed to by the Forest Service. Complete the figure as follows. Figure type:





Legend: Seral Stage




FMP - Figure 2 - 3: Area Disturbed by Insects by Provincial Forest Type and Seral Stage This figure shows the total area of insect disturbance in the licence area by provincial forest type and seral stage for the first seven years of current FMP term. The source of information is the amount of insect disturbance reported in the annual report, or other submissions as agreed to by the Forest Service. Complete this figure following the instruction and example for FMP - Figure 2 – 2. FMP - Figure 2 - 4: Area Disturbed from Disease by Provincial Forest Type and Seral Stage This figure shows the total area of disease disturbance in the licence area by provincial forest type and seral stage for the first seven years of the current FMP term. The source of information is the amount of disease disturbance reported in the annual report, or other submissions as agreed to by the Forest Service. Complete this figure following the instruction and example for FMP – Figure 2 –2. FMP - Figure 2 - 5: Area Disturbed from other Natural Causes by Provincial Forest Type and Seral Stage This figure shows the total area of other natural disturbance in the licence area by provincial forest type and seral stage for the first seven years of the current FMP term. The source of information is the amount of other disturbances reported in the annual report, or other submissions as agreed to by the Forest Service. Complete this figure following the instruction and example for FMP - Figure 2 – 2.



FMP - Figure 2 - 6: Area Harvested by Provincial Forest Type and Seral Stage.

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500



Are

a (1

000

ha) Very Old


Seral Stage



FMP - Figure 2 -6: Area Harvested by Provincial Forest Type and Seral Stage This figure shows the total area (actual harvesting in the first 7 years of the current FMP term plus the estimated amount of harvesting in the remaining 3 years of the current FMP term) harvested in the licence area by provincial forest type and seral stage for the current FMP term. The source of information for the actual area harvested in the first seven years of the current FMP term is from the annual report. The source of information of the estimated area of harvesting in the last three years of the current FMP term is the planned harvesting reported in the annual report, submitted three years prior to the submission date of the new FMP. Complete the figure as follows. Figure type:





Legend: Seral Stage




FMP - Figure 2 - 7: Regeneration Status by Provincial Forest Type1.

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

4000

WSF

BSLBSJ

JLPPMW

SMWHSM

HPMTAB

AOH


Are

a (h

a)

Not SufficentlyRegenerated

SufficientlyRegenerated

Un-surveyed

Regeneration Status

1 In order to allow time for analyzing data and examining options for forest management planning, the

first 7 years of information of the current FMP term is compiled three years prior to the submission date of the new plan. The remaining three years of information of the current FMP term is normally estimated according to planned events. However, regeneration success or failure can’t be estimated. Therefore, only the first seven years of information of the current FMP term is reported.



FMP - Figure 2 -7: Regeneration Status by Provincial Forest Type This figure shows the regeneration status by provincial forest type for all stands scheduled for assessment in the silviculture effectiveness monitoring program (see Section 5.3) during the first seven years of current FMP term. The source of information is the amount of area reaching free-to-grow status reported in the annual reports. Complete the figure as follows. Figure type:


X-axis: Provincial Forest Type: Regeneration assessment summaries are based on the provincial forest type that is the best match for each development type (FMP - Table 3 - 1) that is chosen for the future forest condition during the operational implementation of a silviculture ground rule. The derivation of provincial forest type from the SFVI and UTM inventories is described in Appendix 5.


Legend: Regeneration Status

Regeneration status indicates those stands that either: a) meet sufficient regeneration status; b) are not-sufficiently regenerated, or c) which haven’t been surveyed. A stand that is sufficiently regenerated must meet the licensee’s regeneration standards identified in their silviculture ground rules and/or the provincial regeneration standards.



FMP - Figure 2 - 8: Forest Management Plan - Volume I, Title and Approval Page

FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN - VOLUME I for the

[NAME OF FMA or TSL] [Name of plan author's organization]

for the 10-year period from April 1, _______ to March 31, _______ I hereby certify that I have prepared this FMP - Volume I to the best of my professional skill and judgement in accordance with the requirements of the Forest Planning Manual.

_____________________________ ____________________ [Plan Author] [date]

Submitted by: ______________________________ ____________________ [Senior official of [date] plan author's organization] I recommend that this forest management plan be approved for implementation and certify that it has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Forest Planning Manual, relevant policies and obligations, including any relevant SE agreements with aboriginal people. I also certify that the forest management plan has been prepared in accordance with the approved standards of other applicable manuals.

Certified and Recommended for Approval by:

____________________________________ ____________________ [Director of Forest Management] [date]

Approved by:

____________________________________ ____________________ [Executive Director of the Forest Service] [date]



FMP - Figure 4 - 1 Forest Management Plan - Volume II, Title and Approval Page

FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN - VOLUME II

for the [NAME OF FMA or TSL]

[Name of plan author's organization] for the 10-year period from April 1, _______ to March 31, _______

I hereby certify that I have prepared this FMP - Volume II to the best of my professional skill and judgement in accordance with the requirements of the Forest Planning Manual.

_____________________________ ____________________ [Plan Author] [date]

Submitted by: ______________________________ ____________________ [Senior official of [date] plan author's organization] I recommend that this forest management plan be approved for implementation and certify that it has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Forest Planning Manual, relevant policies and obligations, including any relevant SE agreements with aboriginal people. I also certify that the forest management plan has been prepared in accordance with the approved standards of other applicable manuals.

Certified and Recommended for Approval by:

____________________________________ ____________________ [Executive Director of the Forest Service] [date]

Approved by:

____________________________________ ____________________ [Minister of the Environment] [date]



FMP - Figure 4 - 2 Forest Management Plan – Title Page for Sections of the FMP not Prepared by the Plan Author.

For Sections of the Forest Management Plan not Prepared by the Plan Author FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN

for the [NAME OF FMA or TSL]

[Name of plan author's organization]

for the 10-year period from April 1, _______ to March 31, _______

Name Organization Job Title Sections prepared Name Organization Job Title Sections prepared Name Organization Job Title Sections prepared Name Organization Job Title Sections prepared Name Organization Job Title Sections prepared Name Organization Job Title Sections prepared



FMP - Figure 4 - 3 Forest Management Plan Contributors

FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN for the

[NAME OF FMA or TSL] [Name of plan author's organization]

for the 10-year period from April 1, _______ to March 31, _______

PLANNING TEAM MEMBERS Planning team member and position held Affiliated organization ____________________________________ __________________________________ Plan Author ____________________________________ __________________________________ ____________________________________ __________________________________ ____________________________________ __________________________________ ____________________________________ __________________________________

PLANNING TEAM ADVISORS ________________________________ __________________________________ ________________________________ __________________________________ ________________________________ __________________________________

PLAN REVIEWERS ________________________________ __________________________________ ________________________________ __________________________________



10 Appendix 3 - List of Maps Required for FMPs FMP - Map 2 - 1 Map of Licence Area FMP - Map 2 - 2 Ecoregions and Ecodistricts FMP - Map 2 - 3 Local Surface Form and Parent Mode of Deposition FMP - Map 2 - 4 Soil Development FMP - Map 2 - 5 Watersheds FMP - Map 2 - 6 Provincial Forest Types FMP - Map 2 - 7 Seral Stages FMP - Map 2 - 8 History of Harvest and Road Development FMP - Map 2 – 9 History of NSR on the Licence Area FMP - Map 4 - 1 20-Year Tactical Harvest Plan FMP - Map 4 - 2 Series of Tactical Plan Maps by Management Unit



11 Appendix 4 - General Mapping Standards for FMPs 11.1 Introduction Licensees must submit all map products based on the mapping standards described in this section. Any land user determined by SE to be potentially directly affected by the release of restrictive or sensitive information, must agree as to the manner of presentation of that information. 11.2 Map Format The licensee shall present all maps in paper and ADOBE ACROBAT digital format.

a 11.3 Basic Map Features The following spatial features (layers) must be included in all maps.

1. Water (lakes and double line rivers); 2. Road; 3. Streams; 4. Permanent exclusions (i.e., crown land committed to other land uses or under

other dispositions, parks, representative areas, wilderness and conservation areas, centre-line features, and treaty land entitlements;

5. Management unit and operating unit boundaries; 6. Base map boundaries for overview maps of an FMA; and 7. Annotations for water, exclusions, roads etc.

a

11.3.1 Map Layout Requirements The following information shall be displayed on all mapping products:

1. Title including main and subtitles; 2. Map serial number if more than one map is generated to show a certain theme; 3. North arrow; 4. Map scale bar; 5. Date; 6. Authoring group; 7. Source data; 8. Neat line that surrounds map; 9. Legend that defines every symbol, line, and colour; 10. Legend and layout frame; 11. Licensee logo; 12. Key map that allows enough detail for identification of the location of the mapped

features; 13. Paper maps shall have minimum margins of 1 inch along the top, bottom, right

and left sides; 14. Each data set showing a featured theme(s) shall be displayed to its maximum

spatial detail. No generalization is allowed and spatial detail shall be maintained for all data sets; and

15. Map file name (*.pdf). Saskatchewan Environment – Forest Service Approved Version 1.0


12 Appendix 5 – Procedures of Provincial Forest Type Classification 12.1 Introduction The provincial forest type (PFT) classification system is used for classifying Saskatchewan’s Crown forests at the provincial level. Such a system is required for consistently comparing information about Saskatchewan’s Crown forests across multiple licence areas in support of broader provincial and regional policy and planning objectives. It does not preclude the need for monitoring, assessing and/or reporting on other forest classifications for any other purpose or scale as long as the other forest classifications are nested within PFTs. The following topics are to be described in this chapter:

a. Tree species and polygon type description in both the UTM inventory and Saskatchewan Forest Vegetation Inventory (SFVI);

b. Description of PFTs and rules for PFT classification; c. Procedures of classifying PFTs using the UTM inventory; d. Procedures of classifying PFTs using the SFVI; e. Seral stage assignments; and f. Relationship between PFTs and development types

12.2 Tree Species and Polygon Type Description in both the UTM inventory and

the SFVI

12.2.1 Tree Species Table 5A–1 lists the tree species and associated codes used in forest inventory databases. An “X” label indicates an individual species is listed in the UTM inventory or the SFVI . The species listed in Table 5A-1 are considered major tree species found in the crown forests in the Province of Saskatchewan and are the fundamental elements for the PFT classification. Table 5A - 1 Tree species and their respective character code CODE SPECIES

NAME LISTED IN UTM

LISTED IN SFVI

wS White Spruce X X bS Black Spruce X X jP Jack Pine X X bF Balsam Fir X X tL Tamarack X X lP Lodgepole Pine X X rP Red Pine X sP Scots Pine X sL Siberian Larch X tA Trembling Aspen X X




220

CODE SPECIES NAME

LISTED IN UTM

LISTED IN SFVI

bP Balsam Poplar X X wB White Birch X X wE White Elm X X gA Green Ash X X mM Manitoba Maple X X bO Burr Oak X X pC Plains

Cottonwood X

12.2.2 Polygon Types

Table 5A-2 lists 10 polygon types for the Provincial Forests in Saskatchewan. The Crown forests are classified into productive and non-productive polygon types. Only the productive type, i.e. TYPE = “FOR”, is assigned PFTs. Non-productive polygon types are not involved in the PFT classification but may be used for describing or summarizing different land use features. Table 5A - 2 Polygon types in the SFVI TYPE Description FOR Forest: Productive forest land WAT Water: All water areas defined by polygon features. This includes lakes, ponds and

reservoirs, and rivers captured as polygon features. TMS Treed muskeg: Areas of muskeg in which stunted trees occur in clumps or as spaced

individuals. OMS Open muskeg: Wet areas of mosses, grasses, sedges, and small herbaceous plants; often

associated with small areas of open water.


BSH Brush & alder: Areas covered with “non-commercial” tree species or shrubs and usually associated with wetlands or water features.

GRS Grass: Areas covered with grasses having shrub cover <26%. RCK Rock: Areas of barren or exposed rock where a few scattered trees may be found but

where crown cover is less than 25%. ALA Agricultural land: Lands which are cultivated for growing crops, orchards, pastures, etc.

Abandoned agricultural land would be included. UCL Unclassified: Non-forested areas which are man-made, such as roads, railroads, mines,

utility corridors, gravel pits, etc. OTH Other: Non-forested lands that do not fall into any other category or can be described as

being a non-vegetated surface layer. 12.3 Description of PFTs and Rules for PFT Classification

12.3.1 Description of PFTs The productive Crown forests in the Province of Saskatchewan consist of 10 provincial forest types (Table 5A-3) that represent a mix of forest cover required for sustainability assessments at broad ecoregional and provincial planning and reporting levels. Associated seral stages are used for setting and monitoring natural disturbance targets, and discussed later in Section 12.6. The PFT classification can be done using either the provincial UTM inventory or the Saskatchewan Forest Vegetation Inventory (SFVI). Table 5A - 3 Description of provincial forest types (PFT)

PFT Broad Description of Forest Type & None-forested areas WSF White spruce or balsam fir dominated softwood stands BSL Black spruce or tamarack/larch dominated softwood stands



PFT Broad Description of Forest Type & None-forested areas BSJ Black spruce and Jack pine dominated mixed softwood stands JLP Jack or lodgepole pine dominated softwood stands PMW Pine dominated mixedwood stands SMW Spruce dominated mixedwood stands HSM Hardwood with spruce (bS, wS, bF, and tL) mixedwood HPM Hardwood with pine mixedwood TAB Trembling aspen or white birch dominated hardwood stands AOH Any other hardwood dominated hardwood stand except TAB

12.3.2 Rules for Classifying Cover Species Group and PFTs

12.3.2.1 Rules for Classifying Cover Species Group Table 5A-4 shows the rules of Cover Species Group (CSG) classifications based on species composition values for both the UTM inventory and the SFVI. CSG is similar to the General Designation for Species Association in the UTM inventory. A photo interpreter determines species composition values of forested stands (polygons) using volume criteria for the UTM inventory and crown closure criteria for the SFVI. The procedures for projecting species composition values from multiple layers in the SFVI into one layer and then classifying CSGs will be described later in Section 12.5. Table 5A - 4 The CSG decision rules Cover Species Group

UTM SFVI

S SWD* ≥ 75% SWD ≥ 7.5**

SH 50% ≤ SWD < 75% 4.5 ≤ SWD < 7.5 HS 25% ≤ SWD < 50% 2.0 ≤ SWD < 4.5 H SWD < 25% SWD < 2.0 * - Total of all softwood species composition values ** - Sum of projected species composition values from multiple layers.



12.3.2.2 Rules for the PFT Classification The rules for classifying productive polygons into the PFTs with the UTM inventory and the SFVI are listed in Table 5A-5. The CSG values are equal to that of Species Associations (SA) in the UTM inventory database, while the CSG values in the SFVI database have to be generated based on the rules listed in Table 5A-4. Table 5A - 5 Rules for the PFT classification with the UTM Inventory and the SFVI

Classification Conditions by Inventory UTM SFVI

PFT

sp10* = wS or bF

[wS]** + [bF] ≥ 50% of SWD WSF

sp10 = jP and sP11 <> bS or sp10 = lP

[jP] + [lP] + [sP] + [rP] ≥ 80% of SWD or [jP] + [lP] + [sP] + [rP] ≥ 70% of SWD and [bS] ≤ 10% of Total Species Value (TSV) or [jP] + [lP] + [sP] + [rP] ≥ 60% of SWD and [bS] = 0

JLP

sp10 = bS and sp11 <> jP or sp10 = tL

[bS] + [tL] + [sL] ≥ 80% of SWD or [bS] + [tL] + [sL] ≥ 70% of SWD and [jP] ≤ 10% of TSV or Any stand without jP

BSL

S

sp10 = bS and sp 11 = jP or sp10 = jP and sp11 = bS

Any stand with jP

BSJ

sp10 = jP or lP [jP] + [lP]+[rP]+[sP] > [wS] + [bF] + [Bs] + [tL] + [sL] PMW SH sp10 = wS, bS, bF, or tL Otherwise SMW sp20 = any of wS, bS, bF, or tL

[wS] + [bF] + [Bs] + [tL] + [sL] ≥ [jP] + [lP]+[rP]+[sP} HSM HS

sp20 = either jP or lP

Otherwise HPM

sp10 = tA or wB

[tA] + [wB] ≥ [bP] + [gA] + [mM] + [wE] + [bO] + [pC] TAB H

sp10 = bP, mM, or wE Otherwise AOH * - Attribute definitions in the UTM inventory database

sp10 - primary species sp11 - secondary species for hardwood (H) and softwood (S) stands sp20 - secondary species for hardwood/softwood (HS) and softwood/hardwood (SH) stands

** - Represents composition value of a species whose name is inside “[]” Saskatchewan Environment – Forest Service Approved Version 1.0


12.4 PFT Classification with the UTM Inventory Based on the rules shown in Table 5A-5, the classification can be made with either of the following approaches:

a) Lookup table b) Visual Basic script.

12.4.1 Using a Lookup Table for the PFT Classification

Table 5A-6 lists a few records of a lookup table as an example showing the relationship between the value of the UTM inventory species classification (SPCL) and PFTs. The PFT value for productive forested polygons is obtained by joining this table and the UTM inventory attribute table, using column SPCL as a primary key. The SPCL value can be obtained by concatenating values of columns SA, SP10, SP11, and SP20 of a UTM inventory database. Table 5A - 6 Relationship between SPCL and PFTs

SPCL PFT S WSTL WSF S TLWS BSL S JPBS BSJ S JPWS JLP SHWSTLTA SMW SHLPWSTA PMW HSTAWBWS HSM HSTAWBTL HSM HSTAWBJP HPM H TA TAB H MMWE AOH

12.4.2 Using Visual Basic Script for the PFT Classification

The following Visual Basic for Application (VBA) script for Microsoft Access can be used to generate PFT values for individual productive forested stands. The names of all the attributes of the UTM inventory used for the classification in this script are represented inside a square bracket “[]”. To convert the following code into a working script requires additional work, such as adding a database name before the column name, and adding a loop for classifying every polygon. The VBA scripts for subsequent sections of this document will be shown and described in a similar way to that provided below. If [SA] = "S " Or [SA] = “ S” Then If ([SP10] = “BS” And [sp11] = “JP”) Or ([SP10] = “JP” And [sp11] = “BS”) _ Then [PFT] = "BSJ" 'Mixed black spruce and Jack pine softwood stands Saskatchewan Environment – Forest Service Approved Version 1.0


ElseIf [SP10] = “WS” Or [SP10] = “BF” Then [PFT] = "WSF" 'White spruce or balsam fir dominated softwood stands ElseIf ([SP10] = “BS” And [SP11] <> “JP”) Or ([SP10] = “TL”) Then [PFT] = "BSL" 'Black spruce or tamarack/larch dominated softwood stands ElseIf [SP10] = "JP" And [SP11] <> “BS” Or [SP10] = "LP" Then [PFT] = "JLP" 'Jack or lodgepole line dominated softwood stands End If ElseIf [SA] = "SH" Then

If [SP10] = “JP” Or [SP10] = "LP" Then [PFT] = "PMW" 'Pine dominated mixedwood stands Else [PFT] = "SMW" ' Spruce dominated mixedwood End If ElseIf [SA] = "HS" Then If [SP20] = “JP” Or [SP20] = "LP" Then [PFT] = "HPM" 'Hardwood with pine mixedwood stands Else [PFT] = "HSM" 'Hardwood with spruce mixedwood stands End If ElseIf [SA] = "H " or [SA] = “ H” Then If [SP10] = "TA" Or [SP10] = "WB" Then [PFT] = "TAB" 'Trembling aspen or white birch dominated hardwood stands Else

[PFT] = "AOH" 'Any other hardwood dominated stands, other than hardwood stands dominated ‘by trembling aspen and white birch

End IF End if 12.5 PFT Classification with the SFVI Since the SFVI contains multiple tree layers, the procedures of assigning PFT values to polygons from the SFVI inventory are more complicated than that for the UTM inventory. The following steps are required to classify productive polygons in the SFVI into PFTs.

1) Polygon type classification 2) Species composition value projection 3) PFT classification

12.5.1 Polygon Type Classification



If the polygon type classification, as listed in Table 5A-2, has not been done in the SFVI, the first step is to classify all polygons in the SFVI database into polygon types. Table 5A-7 shows the rules of polygon type classification. Any stand in the SFVI inventory can be classified into a polygon type by following keys listed in this table. Table 5A – 7 The rules for polygon type classification KEY Condition Yes/No Polygon type 1 A stand has Aquatic Feature Class (AFC)

value YES NO goto Key 2

RCK (if AFC = “RF”) UCL (if AFC = “DM”) WAT (otherwise)

2 Moisture regime = “VM”, “M”, “MM”, “MW”,”W”, or “VW”

YES goto Key 3 NO goto Key 8

3 Moisture regime = “MW”,”W”, or “VW” YES goto Key 4 NO goto Key 5

4 Total treed crown closure (CC) <= 6 YES NO goto Key 5

OMS

5 Total crown closure of black spruce and Larch >= 90

YES goto Key 6 NO goto Key 8

6 The tree layer type of a stand is complex YES NO goto Key 7

TMS

7 Black spruce site index (SI) >= 6 1 YES NO

FOR TMS

8 A stand has Land Use Category (LUC) value

YES NO goto Key 9

ALA (if LUC code <> “AlA”) UCL (otherwise)

9 A stand has transportation class value YES NO goto Key 10

UCL

10 Total vegetated crown closure (CC) >= 6 YES goto Key 11 NO goto Key 14

11 Total treed CC >= 6

Yes NO goto Key 12

RCK (if Non-Vegetated Surface Layer (NVSL) = “RCK” and total treed CC < 25) FOR (otherwise)

12 Total treed and shrub CC >= 26 YES NO goto Key 13

BSH

13 Total treed and shrub CC > grass CC YES NO

BSH GRS

14 RCK (if NVSL = “RCK”) OTH (otherwise)

1. The best available site index assessment technique in Saskatchewan was reported with the following formula by Cieszewski et al. (1993),

3.1

x/bh4)50/bh(50/bh50/b42

x/bh4)50/bh(50/bh)x,hx,50(H

ax

2ax

ax

a

ax

2ax

ax +

+−+−+

+−++=



where a and b are coefficients to be estimated, and hx is a stand height minus 1.3 m, x is the stand age at breast height, which is the result of the stand age minus age adjustment factor as defined in Table 3, SFVI standards document (2004), and 50 is the prediction age for the computed height. For black spruce, the estimated coefficients a and b are 1.219256 and 2301.082 respectively, and the age adjustment factor is 20.

12.5.2 Species Composition Value Projection Since there are as many as three tree layers in the SFVI, species composition values of a productive forested stand need to be projected into one layer. There are two assumptions about weighting each layer’s importance for such a projection:

1) The crown closure of an individual layer is an important weighting factor. 2) As an overstory layer, the first layer should be given extra weighting to emphasize

the importance of this layer in a stand. But if the crown closure of the first layer is less than 10 percent, extra weighting is not necessary as the first layer may consist of remnant old trees left from a previous disturbance.

Based on these assumptions, the following two formulas are used for calculating the composition value of an individual species in a stand: Formula (1), using only crown closure as weighting factor, is for stands whose first layer’s crown closure is <= 10%; and Formula (2), using both crown closure and height as weighting factors, is for stands whose first layer’s crown closure is > 10%.

sppv = (1) ∑∑==

3

1i

3

1i

cci/cci*sppvi

sppv = (2) hi*cci/hi*cci*sppvi3

1i

3

1i∑∑==

where: • sppv denotes the projected species composition value of an individual tree species,

expressed in numbers from 1 (representing 10% composition of a stand) to 10 (representing 100% composition of a stand)

• sppvi denotes the species composition value of an individual tree species in the ith layer (i = 1…3)

• cci denotes the crown closure value of the ith layer (i = 1…3) • hi denotes the tree height of the ith layer (i = 1…3) There is also a consideration that if a stand reaches its merchantable stage, the lower tree layers that are not merchantable should not be considered for classifying CSG or PFT. Based on this consideration, a stand is to be classified into either merchantable or non-merchantable stand before starting PFT classification for that stand. The criteria for a



merchantable stand is the tree layer’s height >= 15 meters and the tree layer’s crown closure >= 25%. If there are multiple layers whose height is >= 15 meters, the sum of crown closure of all these layers should be used to check against the crown closure criteria, i.e. 25%. The following temporary columns need to be added to the SFVI table to hold the projected species composition value: wS, bS, jP, bF, tL, lP, tA, bP, wB, gA, mM, wE, bO, rP, sP, sL, pC. All the columns must store floating number values with at least two decimal places in order to retain the accuracy of projected species composition values. A VBA script can be used for projecting species composition value. Instead of showing the whole script that contains many variables and loops, the following script is used as an example for projecting white spruce composition values of three tree layers: Dim spv As Integer ‘ variable for storing summary of a species value for three layers Dim crowncl As Integer ‘ variable for storing summary of the crown closure value for ‘three layers spv = 0 crowncl = 0 Dim merchantable As Integer ‘for identifying merchantable stand’s crown closure merchantable = 0 If [height1] >= 15 Then merchantable = merchantable + [crown1_cl] If [height2] >= 15 Then merchantable = merchantable + [crown2_cl] End If If [height3] >= 15 Then merchantable = merchantable + [crown3_cl] End If End If If [type] = “FOR” Then If merchantable >= 25 Then ‘Merchantable stand If [crown1_cl] <= 10 Then ‘ The crown closure of first layer is less than or equal to 10% If [crown1_cl] > 0 And [height1] >= 15 Then crowncl = [crown1_cl] If [sp1_1] = “wS” Then spv = spv + [sp1_1_cov] * [crown1_cl] ‘only crown closure as weighting ElseIf [sp2_1] = “wS” Then spv = spv + [sp2_1_cov] * [crown1_cl] ElseIf [sp3_1] = “wS” Then spv = spv + [sp3_1_cov] * [crown1_cl] ElseIf [sp4_1] = “wS” Then spv = spv + [sp4_1_cov] * [crown1_cl] ElseIf [sp5_1] = “wS” Then spv = spv + [sp5_1_cov] * [crown1_cl] ElseIf [sp6_1] = “wS” Then spv = spv + [sp6_1_cov] * [crown1_cl] End If End If If [crown2_cl] > 0 And [height2] >= 15 Then



crowncl = crowncl + [crown2_cl] If [sp1_2] = “wS” Then spv = spv + [sp1_2_cov] * [crown2_cl] ElseIf [sp2_2] = “wS” Then spv = spv + [sp2_2_cov] * [crown2_cl] ElseIf [sp3_2] = “wS” Then spv = spv + [sp3_2_cov] * [crown2_cl] ElseIf [sp4_2] = “wS” Then spv = spv + [sp4_2_cov] * [crown2_cl] ElseIf [sp5_2] = “wS” Then spv = spv + [sp5_2_cov] * [crown2_cl] ElseIf [sp6_2] = “wS” Then spv = spv + [sp6_2_cov] * [crown2_cl] End If End If If [crown3_cl] > 0 And [height3] >= 15 Then crowncl = crowncl + [crown3_cl] If [sp1_3] = “wS” Then spv = spv + [sp1_3_cov] * [crown3_cl] ElseIf [sp2_3] = “wS” Then spv = spv + [sp2_3_cov] * [crown3_cl] ElseIf [sp3_3] = “wS” Then spv = spv + [sp3_3_cov] * [crown3_cl] ElseIf [sp4_3] = “wS” Then spv = spv + [sp4_3_cov] * [crown3_cl] ElseIf [sp5_3] = “wS” Then spv = spv + [sp5_3_cov] * [crown3_cl] ElseIf [sp6_3] = “wS” Then spv = spv + [sp6_3_cov] * [crown3_cl] End If End If ElseIf [crown1_cl] > 10 Then ‘ the first layer’s crown closure > 10% If [crown1_cl] > 0 And [height1] >= 15 Then crowncl = crowncl + [crown1_cl] * [height1] If [sp1_1] = “wS” Then spv = spv + [sp1_1_cov] * [crown1_cl] * [height1] ‘ additional tree factor ElseIf [sp2_1] = “wS” Then spv = spv + [sp2_1_cov] * [crown1_cl] * [height1] ElseIf [sp3_1] = “wS” Then spv = spv + [sp3_1_cov] * [crown1_cl] * [height1] ElseIf [sp4_1] = “wS” Then spv = spv + [sp4_1_cov] * [crown1_cl] * [height1] ElseIf [sp5_1] = “wS” Then spv = spv + [sp5_1_cov] * [crown1_cl] * [height1] ElseIf [sp6_1] = “wS” Then spv = spv + [sp6_1_cov] * [crown1_cl] * [height1] End If End If If [crown2_cl] > 0 And [height2] >= 15 Then crowncl = crowncl + [crown2_cl] * [height2] If [sp1_2] = “wS” Then spv = spv + [sp1_2_cov] * [crown2_cl] * [height2] ElseIf [sp2_2] = “wS” Then



spv = spv + [sp2_2_cov] * [crown2_cl] * [height2] ElseIf [sp3_2] = “wS” Then spv = spv + [sp3_2_cov] * [crown2_cl] * [height2] ElseIf [sp4_2] = “wS” Then spv = spv + [sp4_2_cov] * [crown2_cl] * [height2] ElseIf [sp5_2] = “wS” Then spv = spv + [sp5_2_cov] * [crown2_cl] * [height2] ElseIf [sp6_2] = “wS” Then spv = spv + [sp6_2_cov] * [crown2_cl] * [height2] End If End If If [crown3_cl] > 0 And [height3] >= 15 Then crowncl = crowncl + [crown3_cl] * [height3] If [sp1_3] = “wS” Then spv = spv + [sp1_3_cov] * [crown3_cl] * [height3] ElseIf [sp2_3] = “wS” Then spv = spv + [sp2_3_cov] * [crown3_cl] * [height3] ElseIf [sp3_3] = “wS” Then spv = spv + [sp3_3_cov] * [crown3_cl] * [height3] ElseIf [sp4_3] = “wS” Then spv = spv + [sp4_3_cov] * [crown3_cl] * [height3] ElseIf [sp5_3] = “wS” Then spv = spv + [sp5_3_cov] * [crown3_cl] * [height3] ElseIf [sp6_3] = “wS” Then spv = spv + [sp6_3_cov] * [crown3_cl] * [height3] End If End If End If Else If [crown1_cl] <= 10 Then If [crown1_cl] > 0 Then crowncl = [crown1_cl] If [sp1_1] = “wS” Then spv = spv + [sp1_1_cov] * [crown1_cl] ‘only crown closure as weighting ElseIf [sp2_1] = “wS” Then spv = spv + [sp2_1_cov] * [crown1_cl] ElseIf [sp3_1] = “wS” Then spv = spv + [sp3_1_cov] * [crown1_cl] ElseIf [sp4_1] = “wS” Then spv = spv + [sp4_1_cov] * [crown1_cl] ElseIf [sp5_1] = “wS” Then spv = spv + [sp5_1_cov] * [crown1_cl] ElseIf [sp6_1] = “wS” Then spv = spv + [sp6_1_cov] * [crown1_cl] End If End If If [crown2_cl] > 0 Then crowncl = crowncl + [crown2_cl] If [sp1_2] = “wS” Then spv = spv + [sp1_2_cov] * [crown2_cl] ElseIf [sp2_2] = “wS” Then



spv = spv + [sp2_2_cov] * [crown2_cl] ElseIf [sp3_2] = “wS” Then spv = spv + [sp3_2_cov] * [crown2_cl] ElseIf [sp4_2] = “wS” Then spv = spv + [sp4_2_cov] * [crown2_cl] ElseIf [sp5_2] = “wS” Then spv = spv + [sp5_2_cov] * [crown2_cl] ElseIf [sp6_2] = “wS” Then spv = spv + [sp6_2_cov] * [crown2_cl] End If End If If [crown3_cl] > 0 Then crowncl = crowncl + [crown3_cl] If [sp1_3] = “wS” Then spv = spv + [sp1_3_cov] * [crown3_cl] ElseIf [sp2_3] = “wS” Then spv = spv + [sp2_3_cov] * [crown3_cl] ElseIf [sp3_3] = “wS” Then spv = spv + [sp3_3_cov] * [crown3_cl] ElseIf [sp4_3] = “wS” Then spv = spv + [sp4_3_cov] * [crown3_cl] ElseIf [sp5_3] = “wS” Then spv = spv + [sp5_3_cov] * [crown3_cl] ElseIf [sp6_3] = “wS” Then spv = spv + [sp6_3_cov] * [crown3_cl] End If End If ElseIf [crown1_cl] > 10 Then ‘ the first layer’s crown closure > 10% If [crown1_cl] > 0 Then crowncl = crowncl + [crown1_cl] * [height1] If [sp1_1] = “wS” Then spv = spv + [sp1_1_cov] * [crown1_cl] * [height1] ‘ additional tree factor ElseIf [sp2_1] = “wS” Then spv = spv + [sp2_1_cov] * [crown1_cl] * [height1] ElseIf [sp3_1] = “wS” Then spv = spv + [sp3_1_cov] * [crown1_cl] * [height1] ElseIf [sp4_1] = “wS” Then spv = spv + [sp4_1_cov] * [crown1_cl] * [height1] ElseIf [sp5_1] = “wS” Then spv = spv + [sp5_1_cov] * [crown1_cl] * [height1] ElseIf [sp6_1] = “wS” Then spv = spv + [sp6_1_cov] * [crown1_cl] * [height1] End If End If If [crown2_cl] > 0 Then crowncl = crowncl + [crown2_cl] * [height2] If [sp1_2] = “wS” Then spv = spv + [sp1_2_cov] * [crown2_cl] * [height2] ElseIf [sp2_2] = “wS” Then spv = spv + [sp2_2_cov] * [crown2_cl] * [height2] ElseIf [sp3_2] = “wS” Then spv = spv + [sp3_2_cov] * [crown2_cl] * [height2] ElseIf [sp4_2] = “wS” Then



spv = spv + [sp4_2_cov] * [crown2_cl] * [height2] ElseIf [sp5_2] = “wS” Then spv = spv + [sp5_2_cov] * [crown2_cl] * [height2] ElseIf [sp6_2] = “wS” Then spv = spv + [sp6_2_cov] * [crown2_cl] * [height2] End If End If If [crown3_cl] > 0 Then crowncl = crowncl + [crown3_cl] * [height3] If [sp1_3] = “wS” Then spv = spv + [sp1_3_cov] * [crown3_cl] * [height3] ElseIf [sp2_3] = “wS” Then spv = spv + [sp2_3_cov] * [crown3_cl] * [height3] ElseIf [sp3_3] = “wS” Then spv = spv + [sp3_3_cov] * [crown3_cl] * [height3] ElseIf [sp4_3] = “wS” Then spv = spv + [sp4_3_cov] * [crown3_cl] * [height3] ElseIf [sp5_3] = “wS” Then spv = spv + [sp5_3_cov] * [crown3_cl] * [height3] ElseIf [sp6_3] = “wS” Then spv = spv + [sp6_3_cov] * [crown3_cl] * [height3] End If End If End If End If End If If crowncl > 0 And [wS] > 0 Then ‘calculate projected value [wS] = spv / crowncl End If

12.5.3 CSG Classification Based on the projected species composition value and the rules in Table 5A-4, the following VB script can be used for the CSG classification. Dim SWD ‘for storing softwood species composition values If [Type] = “FOR” Then SWD = [wS] + [bF] + [bS] + [tL] + [jP] + [lP] + [rP] + [sP] + [sL] ‘Total softwood species value If SWD >= 7.5 Then [CSG] = ‘S’ ElseIf SWD >= 4.5 and SWD < 7.5 Then [CSG] = ‘SH’ ElseIf SWD >= 2.0 and SWD < 4.5 Then [CSG] = ‘HS’ ElseIf SWD < 2.0 Then [CSG] = ‘H’ End If End If

12.5.4 PFT Classification.



Create provincial forest type attributes in the SFVI, i.e. PFT, and then classify forested stands into PFTs based on the CSGs and the projected species composition values of each stand. The following VB script can be used for such a classification. Dim Total As Long 'for storing total conifer value If [CSG] = "S" Then Total = [jP] + [lP] + [rP] + [sP] + [wS] + [bF] + [Bs] + [tL] + [sL] If ([wS] + [bF]) / Total >= 0.5 Then [PFT] = "WSF"

ElseIf (([Bs] + [tL] + [sL]) / Total >= 0.80) Or (([Bs] + [tL] + [sL]) / Total >= 0.70 And _ [jP] < 1.5) Then

[PFT] = "BSL" ElseIf (([jP] + [lP] + [sP] + [rP]) / Total >= 0.80) Or (([jP] + [lP] + [sP] + [rP]) / Total >= 0.70 And _ [Bs] < 1.5) Or (([jP] + [lP] + [sP] + [rP]) / Total >= 0.60 And [Bs] = 0) Then

[PFT] = "JLP" ElseIf [jP] > 0 Then [PFT] = "BSJ" Else [PFT] = "BSL" End If ElseIf [CSG] = "SH" Then If [wS] + [bF] + [Bs] + [tL] + [sL] >= [jP] + [lP] + [rP] + [sP] Then [PFT] = "SMW" Else [PFT] = "PMW" End If ElseIf [CSG] = "HS" Then If [wS] + [bF] + [Bs] + [tL] + [sL] >= [jP] + [lP] + [rP] + [sP] Then [PFT] = "HSM" Else [PFT] = "HPM" End If ElseIf [CSG] = "H" Then If [tA] + [wB] >= [bP] + [gA] + [mM] + [wE] + [bO] + [pC] Then [PFT] = "TAB" Else [PFT] = "AOH" End If End If 12.6 Seral Stage Assignments Seral stages consist of young, immature, mature, old, and very old forests (Table 5A-7). The seral stage designation depends on the age of a forest stand and its CSG. A single stand age is provided in the UTM inventory and seral stage can be readily classified. A single stand within the SFVI may have multiple layers involving separate ages for each layer. For the purpose of classifying seral stage, the age of the oldest layer of a stand in the SFVI is to be used, providing that layer has a crown cover greater than 10%. If the oldest layer has a crown closure of 10% or less, then the next oldest layer is to be used for classifying seral stage. If no layer has a crown closure greater than 10%, then the age of the first layer is to be used for designating seral stage. CSGs and seral stages will be used



for setting and monitoring natural disturbance patterns. Seral stages and PFTs will also be used to describe the forest condition and management activities. Table 5A - 8 Seral stages

Seral Stage Cover Species Group Young Immature Mature Old Very Old H and HS 0 – 20 21 – 70 71 – 90 91 – 120 > 120 S and SH 0 – 20 21 – 80 81 – 100 101 – 120 > 120

12.7 Relationship between PFT and Development Types The licensee may designate development types according to their own requirements (see Section 3.2, Development Types). Development types must be created in such a way that they can be rolled-up into PFTs. Each PFT may have one or more associated development types. However, a single development type may be applied to more than one provincial forest type. In such cases, the licensee will need to divide the development type information when reporting on provincial forest types. There may be more development types (see FMP-Table-3-1) than provincial forest types. 12.8 Conclusion PFT is a broad classification system used for collecting and analyzing the information about the sustainable forest resource management at regional or provincial scales. Tree species composition in a stand is the basic element for the PFT classification. Either the UTM inventory or the SFVI can be used for the PFT classification. Multiple tree layers in the SFVI are considered in the PFT classification by projecting species composition values of all tree layers into that of one layer. The licence holders will use PFTs as the basis for development type classifications.



13 Appendix 6 - Data Requirements for Development of FMPs 13.1 Introduction The geographic datasets required by the Forest Service can be classified into the following three categories:

1. The planning inventory; 2. The selected management strategy from forest estate modelling; and, 3. Planned harvest and road construction.

The data format and content of each category is described below. The generation of datasets should follow a standard naming convention. The procedure for generating the planning inventory is described below, followed by the description of the format and structure of the remaining datasets. 13.2 The Planning Inventory The planning inventory is used as the basis for preparing and monitoring the development of a FMP. The planning inventory is created as a starting point for generating a new FMP and provides the basic information for forest estate modelling and decision making, as described in Section 3.5 and Section 4.7 of the FMPD, respectively. The licensee must preserve and maintain the planning inventory unless FMP amendments require modifications. The planning inventory is a geographic dataset and is generated by the licensee following the SFVI standards defined in the Forest Planning Manual. As indicated in Section 3.5.1 of the FMPD, a licensee is required to present the procedures of generating their planning inventory to the planning team prior to commencing the generation. A planning inventory dataset is named as: pln_inv “yyyy” (where “yyyy” denotes the year in which the FMP will be implemented). For example, a planning inventory being implemented in 2005 would be named “pln_inv2005”. Starting from the SFVI inventory, the licensee must follow the steps below to generate the planning inventory using the GIS tools:

1. Updating; 2. Adding forecasted changes for the remaining three years; 3. Formatting attributes; and 4. Updating and coding attribute values.

13.2.1 Updating In order to generate a planning inventory, the licensee must spatially update the SFVI inventory with the following GIS datasets:

1. Basic features The most current basic features provided by the Forest Service, such as water, wetland, ownership, management unit, parks, and centre-line features (i.e., road buffer).




236

2. Disturbances Both harvest and natural disturbances (fire, insect, disease, wind, snow, etc.) that occurred up to three years prior to the scheduled FMP submission date.

3. Reforestation Regenerated area that meets sufficiently regenerated status as of three years prior to the scheduled FMP submission date.

4. Values Non-timber values that can be spatially identified and which impact the FMP within the licence area, such as riparian area, visual quality, seasonal access restriction, wildlife habitat, inoperable limits, etc.

5. Others Any other spatial datasets listed in FMP – Table- Appendix - 1.

An update for a given layer may not be necessary if the current SFVI already contains the most current information for that layer. For example, it may not be necessary to update the new SFVI with disturbances, if the SFVI includes these changes.

13.2.2 Adding Forecasted Changes for the Remaining Three Years The licensee must add the planned harvest area for the remaining three years of the current FMP to the planning inventory. Where no tactical plan exists for the current FMP, licensee will generate the spatial predicted harvest for the remaining three years.

13.2.3 Formatting Attributes The licensee must format the attributes of the planning inventory according to the structure standard described in Table 13 - 1.

Table 13 - 1: Attributes of the Planning Inventory Field name Field

width

Field type

Definition Contents Comments

<default arcinfo coverage fields>

Default Arcinfo coverage fields, i.e. area, perimeter, <cover-name>#, <cover-name>-id. Not required if the planning inventory is not in Arcinfo coverage format.

AREA 12 float Polygon area Area in square meters Not required for a Arcinfo coverage as this field is the default field for a polygon coverage This field must be defined and updated for a shape file or personal geodatabase. Use four decimal places.

FEATUREID 15 character The unique polygon identification

• User-defined • Must be unique for each polygon Notes: There are several ways to generate unique polygon ids. One way is to combine base map number and polygon serial number, i.e. base map number + serial number; another way is: base map number + polygon’s georeferenced number.

Primary key for linking the selected strategy to the planning inventory

MAPSHEETNUM 7 integer Base map number • Base map number • Standard SFVI inventory attribute

HECTARES 9 floating Polygon area in hectares

• Polygon area in hectares • Standard SFVI inventory attribute

Use four decimal places.

MU 15 character Management unit Management unit number or name ECOSITE 6 character Ecosite • User-defined

• Standard SFVI inventory attribute

YOO 4 integer Year of origin The year when the trees of a stand start to germinate. Note: Refer to Section 13.2.4 below for how to update the year of origin for the disturbed area and planned harvest areas.

Saskatchewan Environment – Forest Service Approved Version 1.0 Forest Management Planning – Forest Planning Manual

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August 2007

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Field name Field width

Field type


AGE 4 integer Age of a productive stand

Stand age in years Notes: Refer to Section 12.6, Appendix 5 – Procedures of Provincial Forest Type Classification for determining a stand age based on multiple layers. Refer to Section 13.2.4 below for how to calculate the age of a stand

AGECLASS 3 integer Age class • 10-year age classes • Must be consistent with the age class classification for yield

curves

Code Range (years) 0 <= 5 10 6 – 15 20 16 – 25 30 26 - 35 40 36 - 45 50 46 - 55 60 56 – 65

PFT 3 character Provincial forest type

See Appendix 5 for the defined values of the provincial forest type

DEVTYPE 15 character Development type used as a variable for generating yield curves

User-defined Must be consistent with the development type classification for generating yield curves

SGR 15 character Silvicultural ground rule code

User defined

PRODUCTIVITY 8 character Site productivity Site productivity, as it is used to define development type ELIGIBILITY 50 character Status of

eligibility Binary code for recording exclusion status of a stand Refer to Section 13.2.4 below for how to code each polygon’s status.

EXCLUSION 14 character Exclusion type Code Definition PERMANENT Permanent exclusion PARTIAL Partial exclusion NET_AREA Net land area

August 2007


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Field name Field width

Field type


Notes: Refer to Section 13.2.4 below for the definition of the exclusion codes

DISTURBANCE 2 character Disturbance category

SFVI standard classification

YOD 4 integer Year of disturbance

Numeric value

ECOREGION 25 character Ecoregion Using the Canadian Soil Information System coding or other the Forest Service approved coding system

ECODISTRICT 15 character Ecodistrict (landscape)

Using the Canadian Soil Information System coding or other Forest Service approved coding system

VISUALVALUE 1 integer Visual sensitive area

Code Definition 1 Visual sensitive 0 Otherwise

ACCESS 10 character Seasonal accessibility

Code Definition WINTER Winter access only ALL_SEASON All season access

POLY_ID 12 integer Polygon ID of SFVI inventory

• User-defined • Must be the same polygon ID of SFVI inventory


13.2.4 Updating and Coding Attribute Values

After the licensee creates the planning inventory by spatially updating the SFVI with all layers, they need to assign or update values for some attributes. More detailed explanation is provided below. Attribute: YOO This field is coded with the year of origin necessary for the calculation of stand age. In the planning inventory, the value of this attribute must be updated to reflect recent harvest or natural disturbance, and harvest activities planned during the remaining three years of the current FMP. The year of disturbance is assigned to the YOO field for a polygon regenerated by harvesting or natural factor. The anticipated year of FMP implementation is assigned to the YOO field for a polygon planned for harvest in the remaining three years of the current FMP. Attribute: Age A productive stand (polygon) age in the planning inventory should be calculated according to the base year in which the FMP will be implemented and its year of origin –YOO. For example, if the base year is 2007 and the YOO value of a stand is 1907, the age of this stand is 100 years. Attribute: ELIGIBILITY Field describing polygon’s harvest eligibility status and reasons for exclusion. This will be coded using a binary exclusion code. For example, “000000” would indicate the polygon is completely eligible for harvest, where a “1” in place of a zero would indicate that the polygon is excluded from harvest; the position indicating the reason. Attribute: EXCLUSION Generally, exclusions are areas not considered for the provision of some forest value. Accurate identification is necessary to produce reasonable forecasts. While an exclusion may provide many benefits to non-licensees, since the licensee cannot exert management control over them, it is essential that they be excluded from consideration in the FMP for the provision of timber, habitat, or other value, as far as the licensee is concerned. Each polygon in the planning inventory must be coded with one of the following codes: PERMANENT, PARTIAL, and Net_Area. Code: PERMANENT – Permanent exclusion This code must be assigned to permanent exclusions identified in the planning inventory. Permanent exclusions will never contribute to the production of forest values with respect to the licensee, and are excluded from modelling. However, their inclusion in digital or paper map submissions is essential for review and approval. Permanent exclusions are to include the following land designations: Saskatchewan Environment – Forest Service Approved Version 1.0


1. Non-Crown lands; 2. Crown land committed to other land uses or under other dispositions; 3. Parks, ecological reserves, representative areas, wilderness and conservation areas; 4. Non-forested land, meaning areas incapable of maintaining productive forest

cover; such as water, muskeg, grass, agricultural or industrial land, or other areas identified by the Forest Service;

5. Permanent roads, utility lines, pipelines, trails, right-of-ways, and associated corridors; and

6. Treaty land entitlements. Code: PARTIAL - Partial exclusions This code should be assigned to partial exclusions identified in the planning inventory. Partial exclusions are excluded from use for some resource values, but not all; or, their exclusion may be temporary. The following areas are treated as partial exclusions: 1. Inoperable limits

Exclusions must include a definition of inoperable limits. Permanent geographic features preventing harvest operations shall be identified and classified as partial exclusions. Licensees shall ensure that the definition of inoperable area includes criteria for steep slopes and excessive rock or thin soils. The steep slope threshold shall not be less than 30%, classified using an accepted digital elevation model.

2. Non-merchantability Areas are excluded from harvesting due to non-merchantability, such as low site productivity.

3. Seasonal accessibility Where a licensee includes areas with restricted accessibility based on the season of harvest, they must identify these areas in their planning inventory.

4. Habitat provision

Areas are excluded from harvesting over a period of the forecast for providing temporary wildlife habitat.

5. Riparian zone protection

Licensees shall implement riparian strategies in accordance with approved standards. Where this involves the definition of a zone about a water body and altered harvesting practices within that zone, it shall be defined and included in the planning inventory. Where the Forest Service requirements specify site-specific buffer width variation, an appropriate average will be calculated and applied to relevant features. Where the Forest Service requirements require buffering of unmapped riparian features, an estimate of their length and associated area in the landscape shall be calculated and deducted proportionally from all development types.

6. Visual landscape management

Licensees shall implement visual landscape management in accordance with the Forest Service requirements. As indicated by either provincial or FMA standards, licensees shall define visually sensitive areas and identify them in the planning inventory.





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7. Isolated stands Stands defined as isolated must reflect reasonable expectations of economic operability on the part of the licensee. Licensees must conduct an analysis to specify isolation criteria and derive associated threshold values for each criterion based on objective evidence of historical practice or economic viability, to the satisfaction of the Forest Service. Isolation criteria will take the following factors into account:

a. Temporal isolation resulting from differences in operability between adjacent stands, based on a fragmentation analysis. Stands shall be identified as inoperable in the forest estate model for those periods identified in this analysis;

b. Absolute isolation based on the proximity of a stand or stands to other operable stands sufficient to achieve a minimum block size; and

c. Access-based isolation based on the proximity of a stand or group of stands to road access. Licensees shall indicate if this isolation is absolute or temporal. If it is temporal, the forest estate model will incorporate appropriate temporal restrictions on operability of these stands.

Code: Net_Area – Eligible area for harvest This code should be assigned to productive polygons that are eligible to be harvested without any restriction throughout the planning horizon within the licence area. 13.3 The Selected Management Strategy from Forest Estate Modeling The selected management strategy forms the basis for the FMP. The licensee shall report the selected management strategy in a tabular form. The naming convention for the table is SMS “yyyy”, where “yyyy” stands for the year that the FMP is to be implemented. For example, Table SMS2005 indicates the selected management strategy based on the forest estate modelling for the FMP to be implemented in 2005. This table can also have a file extension (e.g. SMS2005.dbf) for defining the file format. Table 13 - 2 shows the standard structure for the tabular format of the selected management strategy.


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Table 13 - 2: Attributes of the Table for the Selected Management Strategy. Field name Field

width Field type Number

of decimal places


<theme name> 15 character First theme code User-defined

The theme as used in the forest estate model.

<theme name> 15 character Second theme code User-defined The theme as used in the forest estate model.

<continue> .

15 character User-defined List all themes as used in the forest estate model.

ageclass 3 integer Age class of harvested area

Numeric value defining age class

area 16 double 2 Area harvested Numeric value in hectares The value is the result of summary by themes and ageclass

period 2 integer The planning period a stand could have been scheduled for harvest.

Numeric value defining a period in the planning horizon.

This value is based on the period that the unique combination of themes and age class was strategically scheduled for harvest

SHADOWPRICE

8 double 2 The marginal contribution of a stand to the objective function solution of the forest estate model.

A numeric value.


This value provides useful information about the relative contribution of a stand to the FMP, supporting enhanced fire protection planning.

13.4 Planned Harvest and Road Construction The datasets, which show planned harvest and road construction must also follow a standard format.

13.4.1 The Planned Harvest The planned harvest is a geographic data layer and provides the data source for the tactical plan in the licence area. The planned harvest dataset is a subset of the planning inventory and contains only the stands scheduled for harvest in the 20-year tactical plan of the new FMP. The dataset must be named as PLNHARV“yyyy”, where “PLNHARV” denotes planned harvest and “yyyy” denotes the year in which the FMP will be implemented. The planned harvest dataset will copy all the attributes of the planning inventory, with an additional attribute coding the planned harvest period as shown in Table 13 - 3. Table 13 - 3: Attributes of the planned harvest. Fieldname Field

width Field type


.

.

.

attributes of the planning inventory

Block_id 25 character Block ID of the tactical plan

user defined

Future_DT 25 character future development type

User defined following SGR transition

Period 2 integer Planned

Harvest Period

Codes: CODE Definition1 1 - 5 years 2 6 – 10 years 3 11 – 15 years 4 16 – 20 years

BIOPERIOD 2 integer Period in which a stand is spatially blocked for biodiversity considerations

Numeric value for a period along planning horizon



13.4.2 The Planned Road Corridor

The planned road is a geographic data layer specifying planned road construction corridors in the 20-year tactical plan. The dataset contains polygon features generated by buffering the centre lines by 100 meters on each side; therefore, the width of the corridors is 200 meters. Table 13 - 4 shows the required attributes of the planned road corridor. The planned road corridor dataset should be named as PLNCORR“yyyy”. PLNCORR stands for planned road corridor and “yyyy” stands for the year in which a new FMP starts to be implemented.




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13.5 Data Standards All the GIS datasets submitted to the Forest Service must meet the following standards:

1. Datasets can be any format in terms of Arcinfo coverage, Arcview shape file, or Arcgis personal geodatabase;

2. All layers must be in the correct map projection with the coordinate system listed for each data format:

Data Format Coordinate system

Coverage: NAD_1983_UTM_Zone_13N or NAD_1983_UTM_Zone_12N Shape file or geodatabase: NAD_1983_CSRS98_UTM_Zone_13N or NAD_1983_CSRS98_UTM_Zone_12N

When projecting a dataset (shape file, coverage, or personal geodatabase) between Nad27 to Nad83 reference systems, the Canadian National Transformation Version 2 (NTV2) system must be used. A projection definition file must be attached to a dataset.

3. Arcinfo coverages must be stored in double precision and without any label

(multiple or missing label) or node (dangling arc) errors; 4. When spatially overlaying datasets, licensees must ensure that shifting errors are

minimized and the area of polygons assigned to a spatial condition in the output does not vary from the area of polygons in the original input layer by more than 0.01 percent. For instance, if the total harvest area of an input dataset is 10,000 ha, the total harvest area queried from the output dataset should be 10,000 ± 1 ha;

4. Datasets must be properly coded; for instance, disturbance datasets must be coded by disturbed year and type;

5. If datasets are in Arcview shape file format, all polygon layers must have an area field called “area” (with at least 2 decimal places), in which a polygon area in square meters is correctly stored and updated;

6. All unnecessary fields of any GIS dataset submitted to the Forest Service must be dropped;

7. When the SFVI inventory is updated with disturbance layers (natural factor or harvest), only productive forest polygons are updated, leaving the original boundaries of non-productive polygons (swamp, water etc.) unchanged;

8. Any processing affecting geography of the planning inventory, including dissolving of polygon boundaries or elimination of sliver polygons, must be approved in the FMP work plan; and

9. When datasets are submitted in a shape file or personal geodatabase format, there must be no topology errors, e.g., overlapping features, multipart features. A multipart feature is composed of more than one physical part but references only one set of attributes.

a Refer to Appendix 7 for general data submission requirements.


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Table 13 - 4: Attributes of the Planned Road. Fieldname Field

width Field type

Number of decimal places


<coverage default field names>

Default Arcinfo coverage fields, i.e. area, perimeter, <cover-name>#, <cover-name>-id

Area 8 floating 2 Area of road corridor

Area in square meters Not required for a Arcinfo coverage as this is the default field for a polygon coverage


This field must be defined and updated for a shape file or personal geodatabase

CtlLength 8 float 2 Corridor centre line length in meters

Value: area / 200

Calculated based on the area of the polygon

Class 3 character Road class Codes: CODE Definition RTA RTA road 1 class 1 road 2 class 2 road 3 class 3 inter- block

road

Planroadterm

2 integer Planned road construction Period

Codes: CODE Definition1 1 – 5 years 2 6 – 10 years 3 11 – 15 years 4 16 – 20 years

14 Appendix 7 –Submission Requirements for FMPs 14.1 General Requirements All submissions must meet requirements established by the Forest Service, including:

1. Software, models or analysis systems used in a submission must be approved by the Forest Service;

2. All digitals should be compressed into a zipped submission file, in which naming convention and structure is described in this section;

3. All submissions must be in formats and on media specified by the Forest Service. A submission is considered to be the physical item submitted: the digital medium (e.g., CD-ROM/DVD), paper report, paper map, etc.;

4. All raw and derived data used in preparing the wood supply analysis must be provided to the Forest Service in an approved format on request;

5. All submissions must be documented in sufficient detail to allow the Forest Service to understand the submission without additional clarification. The Forest Service may reject submissions that it feels in any way violates this criterion;

6. With any submission, only one single digital copy of work shall be provided to the Forest Service. This will allow the Forest Service to ensure correct distribution and versioning during internal processing and review. However, duplicate hardcopy submissions may be requested;

7. All submissions shall be labeled accurately, including the name of the licensee, the name of the licence area, and the submission date. For reference purposes, a unique version number shall be assigned based on the submission date (e.g., a submission made for the Weyerhaeuser Prince Albert FMA area on July 16, 2008, will be coded “WPA2008-07-16”). Licensees will be responsible for maintaining a log of submissions, indicating the differences between versions and the Forest Service representative to whom the submission was made;

8. When changes to submissions are made, the entire work shall be modified to reflect the change and resubmitted, labeled with a new submission date;

9. Data sharing agreements shall not supersede this standard but shall provide technical direction for data standards and provide guidance for collaboration between the Forest Service and licensees for conducting the wood supply analysis; and

10. All submissions shall be made in stages as described throughout the document, and licensees shall receive approval at each stage through review and discussion with the Forest Service.

a The Forest Service will not proceed with review of a submission until all information it deems necessary has been submitted. Nonetheless, licensees are advised that unnecessary information included with a submission will prolong the review process. 14.2 Submission File

14.2.1 Standardized File Name Licensees should submit two digital parts of an FMP; digital data as described in Appendix 6; and digital information as described in Section 3.5 of the FMPD for forest estate modelling.


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The standard naming convention for the zipped FMP submission file is based on the information product, the name of FMA, and the year the FMP starting to be implemented. The format for the zip fie name is:

1. The letters FMP (for Forest Management Planning); 2. Followed by the name of an FMA ( e.g. PA - Prince Albert; PP - Pasquia

Porcupine; MK – Mistik; LM - L & M); and 3. Followed by the year in which the FMP starts to be implemented.

There must be no blank spaces within the filename. For example, if the FMA name is Mistik and the FMP implemented year is 2007, then the submission file name would be: FMPMK2007.zip

14.2.2 Submission File Structure The FMP digital submission file must follow the standard directory structure (i.e. subdirectory names). As submissions shall be made in stages, the submitted part must be placed in the corresponding subdirectories, and empty subdirectories (folders), i.e. data not available at a certain submission stage, are not required. The submission file contains the following subdirectories and files:

1. FEM (with the following files): a. Forest development report; b. Forest estate modeling report; c. Model formulation

2. Data (with the following subdirectories): a. Plndatasets (for datasets used for generating planning inventory); b. Planning (for planning inventory); c. SMS (for selected management strategy from forest estate modelling);

and, d. Tactical (for the tactical plan of both harvesting and road construction).

3. Head file; and 4. Metadata file.

Refer to Section 3.5 and Appendix 6 for the contents of each subdirectory. Figure 14-1 shows the example of the submission file structure.



Figure 14 - 1: Example of Submission File Structure. [C:]

FEM forest development report

forest estate modeling report

model formulation

Data

plndatasets

planning

SMS

tactical

metadata.txt (or .doc)

readme.txt (or .doc)

14.2.3 Head File A head file called “readme” with proper extension (e.g. readme.doc, readme.txt etc.) must be included in the main directory of the submission file and contain the following,

1. The name of forest management agreement; 2. Forest management plan term (e.g. 2005 – 2015); 3. Contact person for the submission (i.e. name, phone number, FAX number and e-

mail address); 4. Date of submission; and 5. Contents or packaging list for the .ZIP file.

14.3 Metadata File The metadata file must be attached to the main directory of the submission file. If the data to be submitted is in a personal geodatabase format, it is also possible to create the metadata file for each feature class within the database with ArcCatalog, but doing so must be noted in the head file. Metadata included in the file can be treated in the following ways: Saskatchewan Environment – Forest Service Approved Version 1.0


1. For datasets provided by the government, simply copy original metadata from the

government; 2. For SFVI inventory dataset, the metadata must include date of creation, accuracy,

data capture information, e.g., aerial GPS, ground GPS, aerial photos (scale), satellite images (resolution) and etc.;

3. For datasets of planning inventory, selected strategy, planned harvest and road construction as described in Appendix 6 the metadata must include date of creation, contact information for the person(s) who created the data; and,

4. For datasets created by licensees, the metadata must include the following: a. Any tables provided digitally will include a data dictionary with the

following described for each field: i. Field name;

ii. Field length; iii. Number of decimal places; iv. Description/definition of field; v. Valid codes;

vi. Description/definition of each valid code; and vii. A description of any queries or calculations used to create derived data. b. Any geographic datasets must include metadata completed as specified by the

Forest Service. As data storage hardware and media change continuously, the actual media type, data format, and metadata standard to be used will be specified in the FMP work plan.



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