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 (Z809-08). Changes to this plan reflect the 2008 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:
Thompson Okanagan Sustainable Forestry
