Province looks beyond timber

The province announced $25 million on February 15 to support the creation of eight additional Forest Landscape Planning tables (FLPs).

“This is a positive step towards improved consideration of non-timber forest values,” says Werner Stump, vice-president of the BC Cattlemen’s Association. “Equally important will be the realization that how we have been managing the landscape hasn’t been working and that we need a fresh approach.”

Part of a package of measures addressing old growth forests, innovation and forest stewardship, the additional FLPs are touted as “a more comprehensive and inclusive approach that will replace existing industry developed plans.”

The new FLPs follow four pilot plans enabled by 2021 amendments to the Forest and Range Practices Act (FRPA). The first was in the Lakes District and a second in Quesnel.

Stump says that local participation in the plans is key to their success.

“Without engagement of the folks in the communities and rural areas that are connected to the land, the FLPs will just be another top-down driven plan that doesn’t work for the people with the boots on the ground,” he says.

The government has also committed to further changes to FRPA, promising to repeal “outdated wording in the Forest and Range Practices Act regulations that prioritizes timber supply over all other forest objectives like water quality, wildlife habitat and biodiversity.”

BCCA supports the changes to FRPA.

“Repealing the outdated FRPA regulations that prioritize timber supply over all other forest objectives was also a necessary step to promote balance,” Stump says.