Forestry Branch
Forest Practice Initiative
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The forest practice initiative will assist resource managers,
timber operators, Manitoba Resource Officers and auditors with
planning, conducting or assessing forestry activities. It is an
initiative led by the Forestry Branch of Manitoba Conservation.
The intent is to promote best practices by presenting guidelines and standards for sustainable forest management in Manitoba. These guidelines will be included in forest practice guidebooks that ensure all forest resource values are considered during forestry activities in Manitoba. They will present alternative procedures and standards. Specific guidelines are enforceable when included on Work Permits.
Manitoba Conservation has begun developing and discussing forest practice guidelines in regular meetings held throughout the province.
Participants include representatives from Manitoba Conservation,
the Operations Division, Manitoba Water Stewardship, Fisheries
and
Water Quality branches, and the forest industries who co-operate in a consensus-seeking manner
to develop forest practice guidebooks. Proposed forest practices
will be discussed with First Nations by the proponents. Manitoba
Conservation will consult with First Nations on activities that
may infringe on First Nation treaty rights.
The following branches of Manitoba Conservation participating in the initiative:
- Forestry, Wildlife and Ecosystem Protection
- Crown Lands, Parks and Natural Areas
- Environmental Assessment and Licensing
- Sustainable Resource Management
Forest industry representatives are Tembec Industries Inc., LP
Canada Ltd. and Tolko Industries Ltd., the three major forest
management licensees in Manitoba. The Forest Industry Association
of Manitoba represents timber quota holders.
Regional specialists are invited when meetings are held in their respective regions. Other resource management specialists may be invited to attend periodically. Discussions will affect current planning, forestry operations and reporting. They will also provide new recommendations for publication in guidebooks. Each specific forest practice will be covered by a single guidebook containing guidelines that have been developed, reviewed and consolidated. Each guidebook will feature recommended procedures and acceptable alternatives. References to legislation, policy, agreements and licenses will also be included. The guidebooks will be valuable references for all aspects of the specific forest practices they cover.
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Recommendations within each guidebook will:
- be based on scientific evidence
- contain practical advice and measurable outcomes
- be flexible and applicable in a variety of ecological conditions
- contain clear and concise information
- use accepted terminology and definitions
- be reviewed and amended as required
Periodic updates will document improvements in the understanding of forest ecosystems and reflect changes in forestry operations.
It is fundamental that forest practice guidelines are communicated consistently to forest management licensees, quota holders, non-government organizations, government agencies and other concerned parties. Published guidebooks may be supplemented with presentations, field discussions and training courses.
Manitoba Conservation staff will be available to conduct joint inspections of forest operations with regional integrated resource management teams, forest industry representatives, and Resource Officers to evaluate forest practices, prevent conflicts and discuss issues.
Guidebooks can be found on the Manitoba Conservation Forestry Branch web site. The public is encouraged to submit comments and recommendations.
Definitions:
Forest practices -activities conducted during all stages of forest management. Examples are surveys, harvesting, road construction and silviculture.
Guidebook -a collection of policies, guidelines, procedures and standards related to a specific forest practice.
Guideline-alternative procedures or standards that can be applied to satisfy the principles upon which the guidelines are based. Specific guidelines are enforceable when identified on Work Permits.
Procedure-a step or series of steps taken to put into practice a policy or guideline.
Standards-descriptions of targets or goals used to measure the success of procedures. They may be general or specific.
For more information contact:
Manitoba Conservation
Forestry Branch
200 Saulteaux Crescent
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3J 3W3
Phone: 204-945-7989
Fax: 204-948-2671
