Presentation to: Deh Cho Land Use Planning

CommitteeTom Lakusta

Forest Management Division, March 29-31st, 2005Hay River Reserve

Presentation Outline

• Forestry Assessments (1)

• Specific Comments (4)

• Follow-Up (2)

Forestry Assessments1. Information Provided

Forest Vegetation Inventory provided to the Committee

2. Forest Volumes and Timber Yield Timber Volume Estimates

and Long Term Yield Expectations provided to the Committee

3. Communication and Review Acted as technical Review

in 2004

Specific Comments (1)

• Page ii: Definition of Forestry– The definition of Forestry is not standard. The

boreal forest is most commonly renewed through fire. Selective cutting may not result in the best conditions for natural forest renewal or long term forest health.

– It would not be appropriate to consider only the selective harvest of sawlogs as forestry or for forest management purposes.

Specific Comments (2) • Page 19: Salvage Logging

– Minimizing impacts to the forest resource from non forestry related development is an excellent principle, one also followed by the GNWT. Salvaging of wood where feasible is also supported.

• Page 19: Revegetation– Re-vegetating cleared areas with native species is consistent with

GNWT recommendations. A northern Canadian seed mix would help ensure revegetation minimizes contamination by southern species.

• Page 20: Digital Post-Operation Mapping– Obtaining the footprint of development impacts in a timely manner

is important in forest stewardship.

Specific Comments (3)• Page 20: Deh Cho Wide Forest Management

– Working cooperatively with the Deh Cho First Nations on silvicultural practices and industrial initiatives is a goal of the GNWT.

• Page 21: Community Based Forest Management– This concept is key to a community based approach to forest

development. The support of First Nations in issuing authorizations is consistent with the Interim Measures Agreement.

– Setting silvicultural practice, season of harvest, and utilization level is more appropriately done related to specific development projects and not defined in the Plan itself.

Specific Comments (4)

• Page 34: Forestry Map Zonation – Forestry zonation maps are clear and include the

important aspect of resource potentials.

• Page 38: Forestry Revisions– The volumes presented are fully consistent with GNWT

technical inputs in the DCLUPC process. – The stepped approach for volume harvest is consistent

with a prudent approach to forestry development. This will allow adaptive management, knowledge and resources to grow during the crucial early phases of industrial development.

Follow-Up (1)

• Overall Comments:– From a technical forestry perspective the information

package for the forum generally supports a sustainable pathway to forestry developments that respect forest stewardship monitoring needs.

• Cooperation– The GNWT will continue to share baseline information

and standards of operation as they are available. We are willing and able to act as technical advisors whenever possible.

Follow-Up (2)

• GNWT Forest Industry Development Planning– A Workshop on Industrial Forest Planning led by the

GNWT is tentatively scheduled for September 2005. This workshop will be community based and include discussion of harvest, processing, and marketing.

– The First Nations Forestry Program is presently leading an assessment of interest and needs from forested communities about this Workshop.

– We would like to invite the DCLUPC to be a participant in this Workshop.

Thank You

With any questions or comments please contact:

Tom Lakusta

Forest Resources, Forest Management Division

Box 4354, #173 Hay River Dene Reserve.

Phone: 867-874-2009

Fax: 867-874-6236

E-mail: tom_lakusta@gov.nt.ca