Tree Farm Licence 37 Forest Landscape Planning Pilot Project

The Tree Farm Licence (TFL) 37 Forest Landscape Plan Pilot Project is one of four provincial pilot projects shaping a new framework for sustainable forest management in B.C. 

On this page

• What is the TFL 37 Forest Landscape Planning Pilot Project?
• The TFL 37 Forest Landscape Plan Pilot Project planning area
• Pilot project goals, objectives and scope
• Who is involved in the TFL 37 pilot project?

What is the TFL 37 Forest Landscape Planning Pilot Project?

Forest landscape planning is the process of establishing clear outcomes for the management of forest resource values over a defined area. A new forest landscape plan document is proposed to replace the current forest stewardship plan as part of changes to British Columbia’s forest management regime.

The new forest management strategy will be a consolidated approach to forest planning and management at the landscape-level (e.g. timber supply area, tree farm licence or large area-based forest tenure) and facilitate collaboration between government, First Nations and licensees, with input from interest groups, communities and the public.  

The TFL 37 Forest Landscape Plan Pilot Project is the only pilot involving an area-based tree farm licence tenure.  The development of this made-in-the-North-Island plan is underway and is expected to conclude in 2023. Once prepared, the draft plan will be available on this webpage for the public to review and provide comments.

TFL 37 Forest Landscape Plan Pilot Project planning area

TFL 37 is located in the Nimpkish Valley on northern Vancouver Island.  Communities located within the vicinity of the TFL include Woss, Port McNeill, and Alert Bay.  

The Nimpkish Valley is the territory of the ‘Namgis First Nation and the name Nimpkish is an anglicized version of ‘Namgis.   

TFL 37 also includes portions of the territories of the following First Nations:

• Kwakiutl
• Mowachaht/Muchalaht
• K’ómoks
• Tlowitsis
• We Wai Kum

The total TFL area is nearly 160,000 hectares with approximately 132,200 hectares considered productive forest land.  Of this, 86,195 hectares is currently available for timber harvesting.  TFL 37 is comprised of both ‘Schedule A’ lands (timber licences and private land) and ‘Schedule B’ (Crown) land.

Adjacent provincial parks include:

• Lower Nimpkish River (200 ha)
• Nimpkish Lake (3,950 ha)
• Claud Elliot (328 ha)
• Schoen Lake (8,775 ha)
• Woss Lake (6,634 ha)

TFL 37 Pilot project goals, objectives and scope

Through collaboration and cooperative decision-making, the TFL 37 FLP will produce the following benefits:

• Cooperation – a value focused process to collaboratively inform management practices
• Accountability – ‘Namgis and Western will jointly develop and recommend for establishment a draft Forest Landscape Plan
• Efficiency – early and cooperative forest planning will help ensure the shared values and interests of both parties are reflected in the forest management regime, providing for long-term stewardship and economic predictability
• Integration - mapping and modelling will ensure all values are integrated enabling informed balancing of environmental, economic, and social criteria
• Adaptation – continuous monitoring will support both the implementation of the plan and the ability to respond to uncertainty over time
• Learning – cooperative decision making and Forest and Range Practices Act (FRPA) improvements will be informed by development of the Forest Landscape Plan

The pilot project has the following objectives (from the Project Charter):

1. To produce a draft Forest Landscape Plan (FLP) that includes early integration of ‘Namgis and Western values and interests in the forest management and development planning process. Those values and interests are to be reflected in management practices, in a manner that informs other forestry-related decisions in TFL 37 and associated licenses and a future Timber Supply Review (TSR)
2. To produce recommendations that have been informed by the creation of the draft FLP
3. To guide and direct management and the parameters that can be monitored, audited, and tracked over time
4. To use the learning gained through this pilot to be able to inform ongoing relations with First Nations in the development of FLPs

The scope of the ‘Namgis First Nation and WFP Forest Landscape Planning Pilot is to:

1. Align First Nations and Provincial values early in the forest management and development planning process so those values are reflected in management practices that inform the Timber Supply Review and other forestry-related decisions
2. Partner through consultation and co-operation with First Nations consistent with the Province's commitment to implement the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and incorporate First Nations’ values in forest management planning
3. Establish long-term management of natural resources to integrate biodiversity, ecosystem resilience, First Nations’ values, and the development of local communities
4. Create efficiency and predictability in the regulatory process supporting community stability and continued investments in timberlands and manufacturing
5. Inform and be consistent with the work to amend the Forest and Range Practices Act, the associated regulatory changes and the Chief Forester’s guiding principles for developing forest landscape plans

Who is involved in the TFL 37 forest landscape plan?

‘Namgis and Western have established a technical team to bring together local First Nations knowledge and experienced forest professionals to collaboratively lead the planning process. Subject matter experts including staff from the Province are also assisting the technical team. The plan's development will be informed through engagement with the ‘Namgis community, and through information sessions with employees, contractors, local, and regional government and the Nimpkish Woodlands Advisory Committee.  The Province, in conjunction with Western, has provided the necessary financial and in-kind support.