Forest Management Certification Assessment Report for - Rainforest ...

The First Nations assessor (TL) wrote separately to each of the Chiefs and Councils of the fourbands affiliated with the Ktunaxa Nation Council (KNC), the administrator of the KNC, staff andmanagers in varying departments of the KNC, and Ktunaxa businesses including the KtunaxaNation Development Corporation (KNDC). These groups also put the First Nations assessor incontact with forestry co-ordinators from the bands. The assessment process was explained toeach party and a request was made to meet with their representatives.Ads were placed in four local newspapers (Cranbrook Daily Townsman, Kootenay Advertiser,Creston Advance, Fernie Free Press) in the beginning of September 2005 to announce theassessment and the opportunity to comment on Tembec’s operations. Contact with the team wasencouraged by providing the e-mail addresses, fax numbers and phone numbers of the teamleader and social assessor.Notices of the assessment were e-mailed to 9 provincial government agencies and theircomments and assistance requested. A notice was e-mailed to FSC Canada for distribution andnotice was posted on the SmartWood and FSC Canada websites.Two weeks prior to the opening meeting of the assessment, Tembec delivered evidence bindersto each assessor providing documents and information related to each of the indicators in the BCstandard. A complete set of six 3-inch Evidence Binders was given to the team leader. Otherteam members received binders with evidence related to their areas of responsibility. Tembecalso provided a CD with copies of the most important documents (SFMP, Annual Reports,Sustainability Reports, draft HCV assessments). Additional material was provided throughoutthe assessment period.Immediately prior to the assessment, three team members, but particularly the social assessor,made phone calls to confirm interviews with persons identified on the Consultation Plan. Callswere returned to 8 individuals or organizations who responded to the newspaper ads or returnedthe survey form and requested an interview prior to October 7. The team leader developed adaily schedule for all the assessors.The active field and interview portion of the assessment began on October 12, 2005. All fourassessors were present on site from then until October 20. During this period, two assessors (KMand JG) visited 49 different cutblocks from this sample throughout both operating areas andreviewed specific aspects in detail over 6 days of fieldwork. Observations were made alongmany other roads and cutblocks and locations as the assessment team members traveled from siteto site. In addition, team members made two extended helicopter reconnaissance flights over alarge area within both operating areas. A complete list of cutblocks visited and reconnaissanceflights and the aspects of management examined in each is provided in Appendix VI.List of management aspects reviewed by assessment team:Type of siteSitesSitesType of sitevisitedvisitedRoad construction Yes Illegal settlement N/ASoil drainage Yes Bridges/stream crossing YesPage 11 of 89