British Columbia forest management leaders and concerned citizens contributing to the Healthy Forests-Healthy Communities: A conversation on BC forests (HFHC) have identified the importance and need for local influence on forestry plans and practices affecting communities ( HYPERLINK "http://www.bcforestconversation.com" www.bcforestconversation.com).
Clearly, communities want more say in how B.C. forests are managed to ensure sustainability of the resources and contributions to local economic development.
A frequent comment from communities over the years has been they have little influence on forest planning and operations of local forests. The view is the decisions are made in Victoria through legislation, regulation and policy and influenced by the major forest companies.
Although some of this is true, communities can have an influence, if organized, persistent and focused.
A mechanism available to communities is third-party forest certification. Most major forest companies subscribe to one of three certification systems used in B.C. (Canadian Standards Association-CSA, Sustainable Forestry Initiative-SFI, or Forest Stewardship Council-FSC).
Each of these requires companies to either demonstrate they are meeting the needs of local communities or have community involvement. Companies have used the certifications to show their customers they are managing sustainably.
If a community is to have influence on local forestry through forest certification, there has to be clarity regarding what is expected from the local forests and formally communicate this to forest managers and certification auditors.
This requires a vision for local forest lands that includes maintaining conservation values, contributing to community diversification and integrating First Nations views and needs over the long term.
The HFHC has provided the following draft vision statement that can be modified to fit the local conditions.
British Columbia's forests are managed to:
* Ensure the health and protection of all forest values;
* Support healthy, diverse and resilient communities; and
* Support a sustainable and globally competitive forest products economy.
Modification of this vision statement and identification of performance measures to incorporate specifics relative to local community needs is encouraged.
A community forest lands vision provides the basis for evaluating land-use plans and forest management decisions made by local forest managers (government and industry), and providing guidance to the managers in preparing plans and conducting operations.
If communities are to influence forest lands activities to meet their needs, active participation of residents in the development of a local forest lands vision, performance measures and on-going guidance and evaluation of plans is essential.
Third-party certification audits are required periodically with public notifications usually advertised in local newspapers. It is critical the communities inform the auditors of the vision and their desire to contribute to the process.
Some companies have created a local Community Advisory Committee or Group to provide input into their plans and practices. These groups can be a conduit to bringing the community vision and issues to the company.
However, the community should evaluate whether the local group is constructed and willing to reflect their needs and whether it is the desired mechanism.
Forest plans and practices are ongoing. Adequate input from the community requires a mechanism to obtain information from the community, inform the forest manager and report to the community at large.
The forest lands vision could become the cornerstone in influencing forest lands decisions and ensuring delivery of community needs.
Bill Bourgeois is the HFHC co-ordinator.
