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PENTICTON—Effective immediately, Diane Nicholls, British Columbia's chief forester, has set a new allowable annual cut (AAC) level for Tree Farm Licence (TFL) 8 in the Southern Interior. The new AAC for the TFL is 158,400 cubic metres with a maximum of 131,500 cubic metres harvested from terrain of less than 45% slope. This is to ensure sustainability in low slope areas. The new AAC is a reduction of approximately 14.8% from the previous AAC of 186,000 cubic metres, which was set in 2009. The new AAC accounts for management measures that address Indigenous interests and the accumulation of unharvested volume in the TFL. TFL 8 overlaps with the territorial boundaries of the Lower Similkameen Indian Band, Okanagan Indian Band, Okanagan Nation Alliance, Osoyoos Indian Band, Penticton Indian Band, Splatsin First Nation, Upper Nicola Band, Westbank First Nation and the Okanagan Nation Alliance (First Nations Tribal Council). Following initial consultation with First Nations in 2019, the chief forester postponed the AAC determination to provide the licence holder with additional time to collaborate with First Nations and revise their management plan to better reflect Indigenous interests. TFL 8 is held by the Interfor Corporation. It encompasses 77,189 hectares across two distinct blocks in the southern interior of British Columbia. The south block is north of Greenwood in the Boundary Creek area, and the north block is within the drainages of Trapping Creek and Carmi Creek north of Beaverdell. The forests within TFL 8 are primarily mixtures of Douglas fir, larch, lodgepole pine and ponderosa pine at lower and middle elevations, and lodgepole pine, spruce and balsam at higher elevations. The chief forester's AAC determination is an independent, professional judgment based on information ranging from technical forestry reports, First Nations and public input to the government's social and economic goals. Under the Forest Act, the chief forester must determine the AAC in each of the province's 37 timber supply areas and 34 tree farm licences at least once every 10 years.

For Immediate Release 2021FLNRO0096-002406 Dec. 16, 2021 Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development NEWS RELEASE Progress update on old growth, worker supports VICTORIA - The Province is making progress on the recommendations of the Old Growth Strategic Review Panel in partnership with First Nations, with the vast majority of First Nation rights and title holders having expressed that they want to engage on old-growth management in their territories. The Province is finalizing deferrals with those First Nations that indicated support for immediately deferring harvest of at-risk old growth forests, continuing discussions with those that requested more time before making a decision, and ensuring that comprehensive supports are in place for workers and communities that may be impacted. "Our forests are part of who we are as British Columbians. We're working in partnership with First Nations rights and title holders to implement additional deferrals of B.C.'s most at-risk old-growth forests and to develop a new approach to sustainable forest management," said Katrine Conroy, Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development. "We recognize there is a diversity of perspectives on this issue and some First Nations are more involved in forestry. In line with our new vision for forest care, the steps we are taking together today will ensure we can all share the benefits of our forests for generations to come." In November 2021, government announced its intention to work in partnership with First Nations rights and title holders to defer harvest of ancient, rare and priority large stands of old growth within 2.6 million hectares of B.C.'s most at-risk old-growth forests - equal to 6,400 Stanley Parks. During the past month, the Province contacted all 204 First Nations in British Columbia and asked them to indicate what steps they are interested in taking on the proposed deferrals, whether that is: * implementing immediate deferrals within their respective territories; * discussing deferrals through existing treaties, agreements, or other government-to-government arrangements; and/or * if they require further time and engagement, including to incorporate local and Indigenous knowledge into the maps. Despite many communities being impacted by recent extreme weather events, responses were received by 161 First Nations. Almost all First Nations that responded expressed interest in engaging with the Province on old-growth management. In addition, many expressed interest in managing forests in support of broader, related values, including wildlife habitat, cultural practices, clean water, healthy salmon populations and species at risk. The Province is working to finalize deferrals with First Nations that indicated support for immediate deferrals. Deferrals can be implemented in two ways: by licensees agreeing to voluntarily pause harvest; or by a minister's order under Part 13 of the Forest Act, rescinding approved permits and preventing new permits from being issued. Deferrals will be announced as soon as they are implemented. "The Huu-ay-aht First Nation will partner with the Province to defer 96% of the old growth recommended by the technical advisory panel within our Ḥahuułi (Traditional Territory) and Tree Farm Licence 44 while we work towards an Integrated Resource Management Plan for 2023," said Chief Robert J. Dennis Jr. of the Huu-ay-aht First Nation. "This will ensure sufficient old forest is protected, while we complete our resource-management planning process and make our long-term forest and resource stewardship decisions." To support the deferral process, BC Timber Sales has paused advertising and selling licences in areas that overlap with the 2.6 million hectares of B.C.'s most at-risk old-growth forests. This pause covers almost 570,000 hectares or roughly one-quarter of the deferral areas recommended by the Old Growth Technical Advisory Panel. Roughly half of the 2.6 million hecatres of at-risk old growth is outside the Timber Harvesting Land Base and not threatened by logging for the foreseeable future. There are only approximately 50,000 hectares that overlap with the priority deferral areas with previously approved cutting permits, or 1.9% of the total. A harvesting permit can take on average 12 to 18 months to conclude. Many forestry companies have indicated to the Province that they will not proceed with harvesting these areas while discussions with First Nations are ongoing. "These deferrals allow us to maintain options that could otherwise be irreversibly lost as we develop the new approach to sustainable forest management that prioritizes ecosystem health and community prosperity throughout B.C." said Garry Merkel, co-author Old Growth Strategic Review. "They are also being implemented in a way that respects input that Al Gorley and I heard from the overwhelming majority of those we spoke to - in partnership with Indigenous Nations." The vast majority of First Nations - nearly three-quarters of respondents - have expressed an interest in engaging further and indicated they require more time to review the shared technical information and/or to incorporate local and Indigenous knowledge on the proposed deferral areas prior to making a decision. Many First Nations with existing treaties, agreements or other government-to-government agreements have indicated these are the preferred avenues to continue this engagement. New capacity funding of up to $12.69 million over three years is available to support First Nations in these engagements and in developing a new approach to managing old-growth forests as described in the Old Growth Strategic Review. The Province is bringing together co-ordinated and comprehensive supports for workers, communities and First Nations to offset any economic impacts that may follow from new restrictions on harvesting old growth forests. "As a former pulp mill worker and someone who witnessed the forestry downturn in the early 2000s, I know how hard it can be for families and communities impacted by job losses," Conroy said. "Unlike the previous government, we will ensure comprehensive supports are in place for workers and communities as we work together to build a more sustainable forestry industry and shift to more value-added, made-in-B.C. manufacturing." The Province is making nearly $19 million in new funding available for the remainder of 2021-22 to provide enhanced supports to eligible workers, contractors and communities as deferrals are implemented. These include: * the Forestry Employment Program to provide short-term employment opportunities for impacted contractors and their employees; * Community Transition Rapid Response Teams to provide on-the-ground economic development and community support services; and. * Bridging to Retirement funds to support eligible workers and contractors 55 and older with up to $75,000 to transition to retirement, helping to open up jobs for younger workers. The Province is also developing new programs that will support forestry workers and communities over the next three years, to be announced in the new year. These programs will support workers in finding new jobs and careers, including through education and skills training. They will also help industry innovate and create jobs through value-added forestry and made-in-B.C. manufacturing, provide strategic advisory services to rural businesses, and support infrastructure and economic development projects in rural communities to create new jobs. Government will also establish an internal office to co-ordinate across ministries and drive forward rural economic opportunities and diversification. To provide advice on program development and implementation, the Province will be striking a forestry worker and community supports advisory council. The council will include industry, labour, Indigenous and municipal leaders, and will help ensure programs are targeted and providing supports where they are need most. The council will complement the engagement already underway. Quick Facts: * B.C. is home to 11.1 million hectares of old growth; 3.5 million hectares of old growth is protected. * As recommended by the Old Growth Strategic Review, deferrals are a temporary measure to prevent irreversible biodiversity loss while First Nations, the Province and other partners develop a new approach to sustainable forest management that prioritizes ecosystem health and community resiliency throughout B.C. * Since September 2020, in partnerships with First Nations, government has also made 11 temporary deferrals encompassing nearly 200,000 hectares of old-growth forest. * The Old Growth Technical Advisory Panel identified 2.6 million hectares (equivalent to 6,400 Stanley Parks) of B.C.'s most at-risk old-growth forests for deferral. This includes: * big-tree old growth: 1.7 million hectares; * ancient old growth: 400,000 hectares; and * rare old growth: 500,000 hectares. Learn More: B.C.'s new approach to old growth management: www.gov.bc.ca/oldgrowth B.C.'s vision to modernize forest policy: www.gov.bc.ca/modernforestpolicy Support for forestry workers and communities: https://forestryworkersupport.gov.bc.ca/ A backgrounder follows. Contact: Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development Media Relations 250 896-4320 BACKGROUNDER B.C. takes next step on new vision for forest care In June 2021, the B.C. government set out its vision for a forestry sector that is more diverse, competitive, focused on sustainability, and puts people and communities first, with the release of the Modernizing Forest Policy in B.C. intentions paper. Based on years of consultation with industry, communities, stakeholders and others, the paper outlines government's vision where workers and communities benefit from secure, innovative forestry jobs, Indigenous Peoples are full partners in sustainable forest management, and the oldest and most ancient trees are protected. This year B.C. moved forward on this vision by: * Making changes to the Forest and Range Practices Act that build on government's vision for forest care. This legislation complements ongoing work to preserve old growth and supports smarter management of forests, repositioning government as the land manager and reasserting the public interest in forests management. Key changes include replacing industry-developed forest stewardship plans with forest landscape plans that will better address ecological and cultural values in addition to timber values. First Nations, communities and the public will have more opportunities to view and comment on forest-sector harvesting plans, increasing trust and participation in forest-management decisions. * Making changes to the Forest Act that will help build a more diverse and inclusive forest sector. There is significant concentration of forest tenures in the province and almost all of the available forests are already under tenure. This makes it difficult to promote innovation and attract new entrants into the sector, including value-added operations and made-in-B.C. manufacturing. The legislation creates new tools that will allow government to reduce the timber harvesting rights of existing forest tenure holders, compensate them and then redistribute the timber harvesting rights to First Nations, communities and BC Timber Sales. Other changes will establish a clear and consistent compensation framework and increase transparency by requiring tenure holders to provide current information on forest inventory to the chief forester. * Making progress on a commitment to protect good jobs and workers when tenure and cutting rights are transferred. In November, government announced it had appointed an industrial inquiry commission (IIC) to recommend ways to protect workers when contract tendering and the transfer of cutting and timber-harvesting rights fall outside of section 35 of the Labour Relations Code. Section 35 ensures that the collective bargaining rights of employees are protected when a business or part of it is sold, leased, transferred or otherwise disposed of. * In 2021, the Province also continued its work to reduce the effects of climate change and make sure healthy forests are here for generations by planting 301 million trees. That makes more than 1.1 billion trees planted since 2018. About 5,000 silviculture workers throughout B.C. will be employed planting trees in 2022. Contact: Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development Media Relations 250 896-4320

Island Timberlands logging operation near McLaughlin Ridge on Vancouver Island (Photo by TJ Watt) ALL THE AVAILABLE RESEARCH INFORMATION AGREES that soil degradation associated with conventional forest harvesting is a major problem in British Columbia and elsewhere in the Pacific Northwest. The extent of the harvesting-caused disturbance is influenced by certain soil conditions at the time of the activity: (e.g., soil strength, moisture content, degree of frost, and snow cover) and by particular characteris- tics of the activity, (e.g., frequency that machinery and logs pass over a given site location, and the forces [pressure and vibration] exerted by the machinery and logs on the soil). Yarding and the construction and use of haulroads, skidroads and landings have been shown to cause disturbance levels ranging from 6 to 87% of the harvested area, with deep disturbance (>25 cm depth) being recorded in the range of 0-60%. Ground- skidding systems account for 60% of the total volume harvested provincially and are responsible for the highest disturbance levels recorded. Mineral soil exposure has been shown to range from 5% for some helicopter-or skyline-yarded areas to 70% for some tractor-yarded sites. Mineral soil exposure on ground-skidded sites generally ranges from 10 to 50% but can be reduced significantly (50%) by such practices as ensuring ample snow cover (>1 m) for skidding in winter and using planned, designated skid trails. Cable-yarding systems generally produce less mineral soil exposure, but can result in high levels of disturbance and exposure (56%). Harvesting causes dramatic microclimatic effects in forest sites, especially in those that have been clearcut. These changes can pose severe limitations to forest regeneration, particularly because of lethal air and soil surface temperatures, frost-heaving, snow press, desiccation and wind damage. Increases in surface soil layer (0-10 cm) bulk density have been reported in the range of 15 to 60% for skidroads and 25 to 88% for landings. These density increases generally do taper off with depth, but have often been observed to exist at depths of 30 cm or more. Although compaction effects may last for only 10 years or less at the soil surface, most evidence points to compaction effects persisting at all sampled depths for 30 years or more. Most compaction is produced during the first few passes of the equipment and logs. Subsequent passes have proportionately less effect, but may cause density levels which may alter root growth significantly. The compacting forces of operating machinery may cause soil puddling, the effects of which on soil productivity are similar to those caused by bulk density increases. It appears that a soil bulk density value in the range of 1200-1400 kg m3 is a critical threshold above which tree root growth will be reduced for the range of soil types and tree species in B. C. The evidence indicates that compaction-induced volume reductions over entire harvest areas in interior B. C. can be projected to average 10-15%. Moving skidding machinery over the soil and pulling mechanical site preparation (MSP) equipment (passive and powered), and dramatically altering site characteristics through the use of prescribed fire can result in soil degradation and loss of site productivity if these treatments are improperly selected or poorly applied. Of the MSP treatments frequently used in the B.C. Interior, the one with the most potential for serious, detrimental effects is windrowing. Other treatments, such as blade scarification, V-blading, and bunching can have similar influences, but generally affect a much smaller portion of the treated area. Prescribed fire can result in the substantial loss of site nutrient capital during the burn or by erosion after the burn. If a burned site is subsequently treated (and re-treated) to control competing vegetation, nutrient cycling, retention and availability may well be impaired. Almost all the research information available relates to the short-term effects of site preparation on seedling survival and growth. Very little information is available on long-term impacts of site preparation on soil properties and site productivity. There is some evidence, however, that various common MSP treatments can significantly harm soils and hinder tree growth. For example, whole treatment area reductions in productivity caused by windrowing, bunching, and blade scarification have been shown to amount to 20, 15 and 10%, respectively. While short-term prescribed-fire effects on tree growth are reasonably well-understood, long-term effects have been more difficult to identify. Evidence has shown that tree growth on burned sites may be better, poorer, or not different at all from that seen on unburned sites. There are few literature reports of improved stocking and/or tree growth in areas of disturbed soils (e.g., skidroads), and only some undocumented, anecdotal field observations of similar situations. There is not enough information to produce general conclusions and specific guidelines as to specific site conditions which might be improved through disturbance. The above is from the 1990 Ministry of Forests document Impacts of Forest Harvesting and Regeneration on Forest Sites.