FSP – Mainland Coast 2018 – 2025

Campbell River, North Island Central Coast, and Coast Mountains

The Mainland Coast Forest Operations 2018 – 2025 Forest Stewardship Plan (FSP) encompasses forest tenures located within the Campbell River, North Island Central Coast, and Coast Mountains Natural Resource Districts.

This FSP applies to the licensees and tenures identified in Section 2.1 of the FSP. This FSP incorporates the Great Bear Rainforest Order (GBRO) dated January 28, 2016, which contains elements of ecosystem-based management.

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Information & Context

Context

FSPs are a key operational plan under the Forest and Range Practices Act (FRPA). FSPs identify broad areas called Forest Development Units (FDUs) where timber harvesting and road construction may occur, are subject to public review and comment, and must be approved by the government before taking effect.

FSPs do not show cut blocks and roads for approval and are generally in effect for a 5-year term. Two 2 year extensions have been granted for the purpose of implementing a Forest Landscape Plan pilot.

For each of the 11 FRPA values and their objectives set by the government, such as wildlife and biodiversity, the FSP identifies legally binding results and strategies, forest practices, measures, and standards, which will be required to be implemented by the Holder of the FSP in the forest development units.

Results and strategies must be consistent with government Objectives and must be measurable and verifiable. The FSP also must be consistent with government Objectives set out in Land-Use Plans, such as the Vancouver Island Land Use Plan, and sub-unit plans such as approved Landscape Unit Plans.

More information on FSPs and the public and First Nations input process is available here.

Forest Development Units (FDUs)

This FSP has been divided into two FDUs as shown on the overview map in this FSP. Forest Development Units form the basis for the future development of roads and cut blocks, leading to the issuance of cutting permits, which provide authority to harvest. FDU A includes landscape units, or portions thereof, that are covered by the GBRO South Central Coast Order. FDU B covers the remaining areas that are subject to the GBRO Central and North Coast Orders.

Stewardship

Forest Stewardship initiatives by Western do not end at the FSP. The FSP forms only one part of the overall forest stewardship and due diligence process.

Examples of other sustainability initiatives by Western include The Western Forest Strategy, Standard Operating Procedures, Forest Investment Account administration, and TFL Management Plans.

In addition to the legal framework in the FSP, other regulatory requirements are outside the FSP, such as the Heritage Conservation Act, Wildlife Act, Foresters Act, Land Act, Federal Species at Risk Act, Federal Fisheries Act, and First Nations case law.