Tree Farm Licence 37 Forest Landscape Planning Pilot Project

Last updated on December 3, 2024

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.

What is the TFL 37 FLP 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 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 FLP 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 following First Nations' territories:

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)

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.

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 WFP will jointly develop and recommend for establishment a draft FLP
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 FLP

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

To produce a draft FLP that includes early integration of ‘Namgis and WFP 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)
To produce recommendations that have been informed by the creation of the draft FLP
To guide and direct management and the parameters that can be monitored, audited, and tracked over time
To use the learning gained through this pilot to inform ongoing relations with First Nations in the development of FLPs

The scope of the TFL37 FLP Pilot is to:

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 TSR and other forestry-related decisions
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
Establish long-term management of natural resources to integrate biodiversity, ecosystem resilience, First Nations’ values, and the development of local communities
Create efficiency and predictability in the regulatory process supporting community stability and continued investments in timberlands and manufacturing
Inform and be consistent with the work to amend the FRPA, the associated regulatory changes and the Chief Forester’s guiding principles for developing FLPs

FLP public engagement process

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:

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The B.C. Public Service acknowledges the territories of First Nations around B.C. and is grateful to carry out our work on these lands. We acknowledge the rights, interests, priorities, and concerns of all Indigenous Peoples - First Nations, Métis, and Inuit - respecting and acknowledging their distinct cultures, histories, rights, laws, and governments.

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