Forest Management Certification Assessment Report for - Rainforest ...

FSC PrincipleP5: Benefits fromthe ForestComments from InterestedParties• Current level of clearcut harvestingis not acceptable in the Elkford/Sparwood area, Moyie Lake area andSt. Mary’s Lake area because ofimpacts on viewscapes, local qualityof life, tourism potential and thepotential long-term harvest level.Assessment Team Response• The harvesting in the St. Mary’s Lakearea occurred more than two years ago.The team found that more consultationis needed with concerned individuals inthe Elkford/Sparwood and Moyie Lakeareas where harvesting is concentratedto address the mountain pine beetleoutbreak. Tembec has already met withthe Elk Valley Task Force and iswilling to meet with the Moyieresidents. The team decided no nonconformanceexists but madeObservation 4.4.3 to recognize thatTembec needs to develop steps thatprotect the range of interests in theseareas to avoid disputes or grievances inthe future. Pre-condition 1/06 addressesthe need for complete up-to-dateinformation about the level of harvest inindividual watersheds where Tembechas current operations or plans tooperate in 2007. CAR 18/06 requiresup to date ECA summaries in otherwatersheds.P5: Benefits fromthe Forest• Large debris piles left on landings,with some useable wood, and deepdebris left throughout somecutblocks. Burning of piles lowers airquality.• Concerns about Tembec’s record ofadjusting forest managementpractices to accommodate interestsrelated to the local economy,including tourism, range and qualityof life.• The team agrees that Tembec does notmeet the BC Standard requirement to“minimize waste”. CAR 11/06 isimposed. The team considered smoketo be an inevitable consequence ofburning. Tembec does implementmeasures to reduce the amount ofmaterial in piles and does conductburning in ways to minimize smokerelatedissues.• While Tembec is working toaccommodate other interests, more canbe done, as described more fully in P4above. No non-conformance was foundbut Observation 5.4.1 encouragesTembec to develop and implementcommunication and consultationprocesses to address the concernsexpressed about whether its forestmanagement practices strengthen anddiversify the local economies.Page 25 of 89