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"Vision Process"

Let's Make Use of the Forest Policy Review Process (Vision Process) to Create Models of Sustainability!

A message from the FLOW 99 Steering Committee on the upcoming Vision Process:

The Forest Policy Review process (Vision process) announced by the provincial government for this fall 99 could be an important venue and opportunity for pursuing sustainable forestry issues and some of the resolutions and recommendations that came out of the recent FLOW 99 conference in New Denver in the Slocan Valley.

A few quotes on the process:
"The knowledge and expertise that exists within B.C.'s forest communities must be reflected in future policy development," says Forests Minister David Zirnhelt. "These workshops...will help to create a renewed diversified and internationally competitive forest sector."

Let's make sure that at the very least it is renewed and diversified!

"Though many details of the planned process remain troublesome, it appears that government is going ahead with the 'Forest Policy Review Process'. This presents enormous opportunities and risks. What is clear is we need to come out in mass and push our visions aggressively both inside and outside the process. IT IS EACH AND EVERYONE OF OUR JOBS TO ENSURE OUR VISIONS ARE HEARD. PLEASE get involved." Will Horter - Forest Futures

Environmental groups and delegates holding visions of ecosystem-based long-term solutions should get involved in this process that will take place regardless of whether we show up or not. We from the FLOW 99 steering committee join the call to get as many people involved as possible. If we can also attend this process with a synergistic common goal - chances of being heard and creating the necessary momentum for transition are that much greater. We therefore propose certain key points to bring forth at this process. Following is our suggestion:

One of the most important outcomes of FLOW 99 was a commitment by the over 330 speakers and delegates to work together to establish more models of sustainable forestry in BC with recognition that the Slocan Valley may be the perfect place for setting up a large-watershed example.

Speaker after speaker, including political economist Michael M'Gonigle from UVic, Cheri Burda from the David Suzuki Foundation, Lisa Matthaus from the Sierra Club of and eco-forester Herb Hammond cited the need to get on with a provincial transition strategy and to begin creating models in order to demonstrate that sustainable forestry can work and to allay people's fears of change.

There are already some small-scale examples like Merve Wilkinson's Vancouver Island woodlot and the recently-approved 10,500 ha. Harrop-Procter Community Forest Pilot Project which will be managed according to an ecosystem-based plan developed by Herb Hammond and Silva Forest Foundation.

What is notably lacking, however, are models which encompass large watersheds where biodiversity issues such as representation across the landscape and connectivity can be addressed, models that are closer to the scale of TSAs (Timber Supply Areas) and TFLs (Timber Forest Licences).

"Transition is tough," said Lisa Matthaus, "People need to see examples and benefits from new directions."

Cheri Burda cited the upcoming Forest Policy Review as an important opportunity to push for tenure reform and redistribution. She pledged to work on having the Slocan Valley become a model for the province - a model where healthy, vibrant communities and economies would exist within the means and natural limits of the ecosystem.

FLOW 99 delegates agreed that the 340,000 ha. Slocan Valley is the perfect candidate for a larger scale model especially given that much of the necessary work has already been done.

During the Slocan Valley CORE pilot project in the early 1990s, the Silva Forest Foundation, with support from the Slocan Valley Watershed Alliance and others, developed an Ecosystem-based Landscape Plan for the Slocan River Watershed. The project involved several steps: assembling a data base of ecosystem descriptions and of past and proposed human uses; performing a landscape ecology analysis to identify sensitive ecosystems, analyse impacts of past and present human use, and identify a protected area network; establishing a range of forest use zones for human needs and for fish and wildlife protection; carrying out a total cost-benefit analysis to compare the economics of proposed uses; and finally estsblishing a land use plan that provides for ecologically-responsible and balanced use across the landscape, ensures sustainable local economies, and provides clear standards for various uses.

The Silva plan was very well received in the Slocan Valley and elsewhere, and similar plans have now been developed for other areas of BC including Cortez Island and Harrop-Procter. A follow-up Angus Reid poll showed that an overwhelming majority of Slocan Valley residents (73% - 97% of the population) supported Silva's ecosystem-based principles.

The provincial government, however, has responded that it has serious problems with the reduced AAC and tenure re-allocation called for in the plan. What came out of FLOW 99 was a renewed resolve to work toward reducing the AAC and re-allocating forest tenure as vitally important steps on the path toward sustainability.

The Ministry of Forests estimates that the current provincial Allowable Annual Cut is nearly 30% above the long-term sustainable cut level. Others estimate that the cut needs to be reduced even more. FLOW 99 delegates agreed that the longer overcutting continues, the more drastic will be the impact on the future.

Control of BC public forests rests with remote government and corporate decision-making centres. These forests are the ecological and economic mainstays of many BC communities. FLOW 99 delegates pledged to work to return control of those forests, based upon principles of ecological responsibility and balanced use, to those who live close-by. It is important to remember that the implementation of a model of transition in one region will benefit all other regions. We need to start somewhere.

Please consider participating in the Forest Policy Review and join us in calling for these following resolutions/recommendations that the FLOW 99 delegates came up with:

• The implementation of the Silva model of ecosystem-based planning in the Slocan Valley and in other communities around the province
• An immediate 50% reduction in the Annual Allowable Cut
• Forest Tenure Redistribution to communities
• Full disclosure of the subsidies to the logging industry and the real costs to tax payers
• A strong endangered species legislation from the provincial and federal governments
• Legislative changes to support small-scale businesses
• Inclusion of First Nations People with a recognition that no work or decision excluding them is complete
• Changes to the Forest Act and other legislation to move away from a timber bias and toward increased consideration of ecosystem-based values like water
• World-class government policy to protect consumptive-use watersheds, recognizing the global importance of clean drinking water
• Changes to the provincial Health Act to remove chlorination as a method of water treatment
• Provincial support to provide a supply of Forest Stewardship Council certified wood on the market in response to the growing demand

All of the above are huge steps ... but for real change to come about, this is what must happen ... let's do it!

What is the Forest Policy Review Process?

The Forest Policy Review process includes:

• a series of community workshops across the province to draw on local expertise and knowledge regarding forestry activity,
• consultation with forest sector stakeholders, and
• community and stakeholder discussions focused on a series of short papers on key topics including tenure, land use, pricing and community and social considerations.

How can I attend / Who should attend? / I cannot attend...what can I do?

To attend - contact your local government or Ministry of Forests office and request an invite. Also send a list of delegates who you feel should be present - adding which environmental group they will be representing and include location of the closest workshop. Submit this list to the Forest Caucus Steering Committee, who will pass it on. If you cannot attend, ensure that someone else from your group, organization will be attending.

When and where is the process taking place in my area?

Chilliwack - Sept. 24
Creston - Oct. 4
Kelowna - Oct. 7
Williams Lake - Oct. 8
Kamloops - Oct. 14
Terrace - Oct. 15
Vancouver - Oct. 18 (tentative)
Date and location for Vancouver Island, Port Hardy, Courtenay and Ladysmith workshops have not yet been confirmed. Dates of workshops in Fort St. John and Prince George still to be announced.

What are the loop holes? I

nvitation: At this point you need to invited in order to attend and the Forest Sectors invites are well above the others. This is another reason to make sure your organization is invited. Process: There is an obvious attempt to make this process yet another pro-industry process. Let's make sure our voices are heard - loud and clear.

We need to work together - this is a one day effort! Thanks for all the continuous efforts you are all making across this province to come up with models of sustainability!

Please see other Landwatch postings for discussion of this process in more detail.

For more information on participation, contact the BCEN Forest Caucus, Enquiry B.C at 1-800-663-7867, or call a local government agent or Ministry of Forests office.

For more information on the Slocan Valley, on the Silva plan for the valley, and on FLOW 99, and for contact information see the following websites: www.watertalk.org, www.silvafor.org, www.tinmen.org. or write the Slocan Valley Watershed Alliance, Box 139, Winlaw BC V0G 2J0.

Bill Henderson:
"I do hope that many of you will take this process seriously! The final result could well be a major blueprint for forest policy in B.C., beyond party lines. So let's make sure that this time around, we have something positive to offer, something that the ministry has to take seriously." "...participation, while necessary, is not nearly enough, innovative strategies to open up the process are needed."