Forest Management Certification Assessment Report for - Rainforest ...

Finalized complete CAR List (Total of 23 CARs):CAR #: 4/06 Reference Standard #: 2.1.4Non-conformance: Description of non-conformance: There is excessive cattle grazing withinMajor Minor riparian reserve zones, in streams, and on the margins of wetlands atseveral locations in the Kootenay Central and Kootenay Columbiaoperating areas. Cattle in these areas cause damage to habitats fornesting birds and affect water quality. They also reduce the ground coverof native vegetation and lead to invasion of non-native plant species intoriparian areas. Impacts of cows were noted in or close to streams indomestic watersheds. The grazing undermines the protection of theseimportant values.There are also mineral exploration roads in high elevation forest and nonforestareas with high value, access-sensitive, wildlife species,particularly caribou, grizzly bears and mountain goats. These roadscould undermine the achievement of the objective of the highconservation value forest and need to be addressed.Corrective Action Request:Tembec shall have taken steps, either alone or with other parties, to prevent the impacts andmitigate the damages associated with cattle grazing in riparian areas and mineral explorationroads in designated High Conservation Value Forests.Timeline for Conformance: By the end of Year 1 of certification.CAR #: 5/06 Reference Standard #: 3.1.4, 3.2, 3.3Non-conformance: Description of non-conformance: Tembec is in non-conformance withMajor Minor these indicators because an adequate level of consultation or joint plandevelopment with the bands has not taken place. Tembec understandsthere is a need to re-engage consultation with the bands but there is notyet clarity about which issues the KNC or bands will ultimately handle.Corrective Action Request:Tembec shall demonstrate that they have made progress towards re-establishing regularconsultation with the bands of the Ktunaxa Nation Council (including when harvesting is takingplace in areas of interest to the bands), and shall have established satisfactory processes withthose bands that articulate specific interests related to resource uses and special sites.Timeline for Conformance: By the end of Year 1 of certificationPage 81 of 89