The Tree Farm Licence (TFL) 37 Forest Landscape Plan (FLP) Pilot Project is one of four provincial pilot projects shaping a new framework for sustainable forest management in B.C.
Forest landscape planning is the process of establishing clear outcomes for the management of forest resource values over a defined area. A new FLP document is proposed to replace the current Forest Stewardship Plan (FSP) 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 FLP Pilot Project is the only pilot involving an area-based tree farm licence tenure.
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 following First Nations' territories:
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:
‘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.
Through collaboration and cooperative decision-making, the TFL 37 FLP will produce the following benefits:
The pilot project has the following objectives (from the Project Charter):
The scope of the TFL37 FLP Pilot is to:
The draft FLP and FOP have been developed jointly by 'Namgis First Nation and WFP as part of a pilot project supported by the Ministry of Forests. This area is one of four pilot projects and is the first to bring forward a draft plan for public review.
Public review period closed May 14, 2024.
View the drafts: