In 2000, we collaborated with other licencees, local public groups and First Nation representatives (the SFM Advisory Group) to develop SFM Plans for the Merritt and Kamloops areas. In 2004, we underwent a similar process for the Lillooet TSA. This collection of local public groups and First Nations represented a broad cross-section of the many local interests in the areas, such as recreation, ranching, forestry, water, and education.

Our current SFM Plan, Nicola Thompson Fraser, combines the three SFM Plans into one large area plan with involvement from forest licencees, First Nations and public members from the broader area.

Our SFM Plan as outlined in the current Nicola Thompson Fraser Sustainable Forest Management Plan Document:

The SFM Plan includes a set of values, objectives, indicators and targets that address environmental, economic and social aspects of forest management in the Nicola Thompson Fraser area. The Plan is based on the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) Sustainable Forest Management Requirements and Guidance, which is one of the primary certification systems currently being used in British Columbia. An SFM Plan developed according to the CSA standard sets performance objectives and targets over a defined forest area to reflect local and regional interests. Consistent with most certifications, and as a minimum starting point, the CSA standard requires compliance with existing forest policies, laws and regulations. This SFM Plan has undergone substantive revisions with both the merging of SFM Plans and the rewriting of the CSA SFM Standard (Z809). Changes to this plan reflect the current standard requirements and the public meetings held to implement these changes.

Irrespective of changes occurring to the CSA SFM Standard, the SFM Plan is an evolving document that is reviewed and revised on an annual basis with the SFM Advisory Group to address changes in forest conditions and local community values. All participating forest licencees are committed to the achievement of the SFM Plan. Each year the SFM Advisory Group reviews an annual report prepared by the licencees to assess achievement of performance measures. This monitoring process provides the licencees, public and First Nations an opportunity to bring forward new information, and to provide input concerning new or changing public values that can be incorporated into future updates of the SFM Plan.

The Nicola Thompson Fraser Sustainable Forest Management Plan, annual reporting and other relevant information can be obtained at Nicola Thompson Fraser Certification website. Licensees encourage public participation in the public advisory process – for more information visit:

Thompson Okanagan Sustainable Forestry

The Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification

Many of our customers want to know that the products they buy are sourced from legal and sustainably managed forests. With the PEFC Chain of Custody certification, our customers are provided with third-party verified assurance.

The Chain of Custody is the documented process and procedure which tracks logs from the geographic location where they originated to the company scales and log yard to the milling processes and to their final destination with Aspen Planers customers. By tracking where our lumber originates, we can determine which logs are certifiable under the CSA SFM sources and which are deemed uncertifiable (companies not certified to SFM standards, private land and woodlots). By tracking our log deliveries, we can provide our customers with an accurate percentage of certified wood products.

Aspen Planers Ltd. Sustainable Forest Management and Environmental Policy

Aspen Planers Ltd. PEFC Certificate of Registration

Aspen Planers Ltd. CAN/CSA Certificate of Registration

Forest Stewardship Plan Amendment

NOTICE – Ainsworth Engineered Canada LP in the Kamloops Forest District intends to submit an amendment to their Forest Stewardship Plan (FSP) ID# 295. It will add non-replaceable forest licence A88772 held by Aspen Planers Ltd.

This plan is a requirement of the Forest and Range Practices Act. The FSP outlines the results or strategies that the holders of the plan intend to implement in order to meet the objectives set by the government along with other legal requirements including its area of application. This amendment to the FSP is publicly available for review and for written comment for 15 days. Those wishing to review this plan may do so by visiting our website, or by contacting Trevor Ball, RPF – Operations Forester at Aspen Planers Ltd at 250-378-9266 or in writing at Box 160, Merritt, BC, V1K 1B8 or faxed to (250) 315-4239.

This FSP amendment will be submitted for approval no sooner than March 20, 2013, fifteen days after this notice was published. While comments are encouraged to be within this 15-day time frame, discussions are welcome throughout the year.

Ainsworth Engineered Canada LP – Kamloops FSP – Feb 27, 2013