Public involvement in implementing a Forest Management Plan

On this page Skip this page navigation

Annual work schedules

What is an annual work schedule?

An annual work schedule identifies forest operations from the approved FMP that are scheduled to be implemented during a specific year.

When is an annual work schedule prepared?

An annual work schedule is prepared every year and is normally submitted at least three months before the anticipated April 1^st start date. Annual work schedules always end on March 31^st of the next calendar year (see Figure 3).

Figure 3: Timeline for annual work schedules and mid-plan check

Enlarge Figure 3: Timeline for annual work schedules and mid-plan check

What is included in an annual work schedule?

Forest operations that will be identified in the annual work schedule include:

areas to be harvested, possibly including locations where fuelwood (firewood) can be obtained
areas to be site prepared, planted, seeded, naturally regenerated, or tended
road construction and decommissioning operations
locations for water crossing construction and removal
access controls (e.g. gates, berms, signage)
aggregates and temporary wood storage yards

Prescribed burn plans and aerial herbicide and insecticide programs are prepared annually as required and become part of the annual work schedule once they are approved.

Can I get involved with the preparation of an annual work schedule?

Generally, no. Interested people and organizations were invited to provide input on planned operations during the preparation of the FMP.

Where can I view an annual work schedule?

The annual work schedule will be available for one year (until March 31^st of the following year) at the office of the sustainable forest licensee and on the Natural Resources Information Portal.

When the annual work schedule is finalized and at least 15 days before operations begin, people and organizations on the mailing list will be notified. At the same time, there may also be notices posted in media (e.g. newspapers, digital media such as online news sources, social media) and on the Natural Resources Information Portal. If you are interested in discussing the annual work schedule, you can arrange an appointment at the local Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry work centre.

Prescribed burn plans

What is a prescribed burn?

A prescribed burn is the deliberate use of fire in a specific area, under certain conditions, to help manage the forest.

Prescribed burns can:

clear areas to prepare for planting
remove undesirable plants that compete with desired species for nutrients
remove undergrowth and allow sunlight to reach the forest floor, encouraging the growth and survival of selected tree species
control insect pests and diseases
make nutrients more readily available to the ecosystem

What is a prescribed burn plan?

Prescribed burn plans are prepared for a specific geographic area in accordance with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry policy and guidelines. The Prescribed Burn Manual describes the requirements for preparing prescribed burn plans. Once the plans are approved by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry they become part of the annual work schedule.

Will I be notified that a prescribed burn is to occur?

If you have identified an interest in a specific prescribed burn, you will receive a notice at least 30 days before the anticipated date of the burn. Notices may also be posted in media (e.g. newspapers, digital media such as online news sources, social media) at least 30 days before the anticipated date of the burn. This notice will include contact information if you have specific questions about the prescribed burn.

Signs will be posted at main roads that lead to the prescribed burn area indicating when the burn is to occur, and whom to contact if you have questions.

Where can I view the prescribed burn plan?

The approved prescribed burn plan will be available at the office of the sustainable forest licensee and on the Natural Resources Information Portal.

If you are interested in discussing the approved prescribed burn plan, you can arrange an appointment at the local Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry work centre.

Annual aerial herbicide and insecticide programs

What are aerial herbicide and insecticide programs?

Aerial herbicide programs involve the application of herbicides by aircraft to control vegetation that might compete with the trees growing on a site after it has been harvested.

Aerial insecticide programs involve the application of insecticides by aircraft to control unwanted insects within the forest such as the spruce budworm or the forest tent caterpillar.

Aerial herbicide and insecticide programs happen only in the management unit for which they are prepared.

Once these programs have been approved by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry they become part of the annual work schedule.

Can I get involved in the preparation of an aerial herbicide or insecticide program?

Generally, no. Interested and affected people and organizations were invited to provide input on planned operations during the preparation of the FMP or the insect pest management program.

Will I be notified that an aerial herbicide or insecticide program is to occur?

If you have identified an interest in aerial herbicide or insecticide programs on the management unit, you will receive notice of the operation at least 30 days before the anticipated date of the operation. If you live, or own land, within one kilometre of the operation you will receive notice of the operation at least 30 days before the anticipated date of the operation, and a notice will be placed in local newspapers at least 30 days before the anticipated date of the operation. Notices may also be posted in media (e.g. newspapers, digital media such as online news sources, social media) and on the Natural Resources Information Portal at least 30 days before the anticipated date of the operation. The notice will include contact information if you have questions.

Seven days before the operation is scheduled to begin, signs will be posted in areas where herbicide or insecticide applications are planned. These signs will include contact information if you have questions.

Where can I view aerial herbicide or insecticide programs?

The approved aerial herbicide and insecticide program plans will be available at the office of the sustainable forest licensee and on the Natural Resources Information Portal.

If you are interested in discussing the approved aerial herbicide and insecticide program plans, you can arrange an appointment at the local Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry work centre.

Insect pest management programs

What is an insect pest management program?

An insect pest management program is a planning process the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry completes to determine the types and locations of operations that are required to remove or control an insect pest.

When and where are insect pest management programs implemented?

An insect management program is only implemented when and where a major insect pest infestation occurs and usually where multiple management units are affected. On average this kind of program is implemented once every five years.

What happens during an insect pest management program?

The program identifies and maps areas that require some form of treatment. It also details treatment options to remove or control the insect pest (e.g. redirecting harvest areas to target the insect habitat).

The option selected may require an amendment to the FMP. These amendments are categorized as administrative to facilitate the expeditious planning and implementation of harvest operations to mitigate the spread of the insect.

What does the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry consider a major insect infestation?

Major insect infestations affect very large areas (multiple management units), have affected an area in the past, and/or are of provincial significance. The treatments need to be planned and implemented quickly to control the spread of the insect and the amount of area affected. The occurrence and extent of insect infestations are determined on an annual basis.

How can I become involved in the preparation of an insect pest management program?

A planning team, including representatives from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, the forest industry, First Nation and Métis communities and the local citizens’ committee(s) prepares the program. The planning team wants to hear from people and organizations that are interested in and affected by the operations proposed in the insect pest management program. If you have expressed an interest in insect pest management programs to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, you will receive a notice on the proposed insect pest management program and any potential proposals for specific aerial insecticide programs.

You can also visit an information forum to discuss your concerns and submit comments. At the information forum you can review:

infestation maps and population forecasts
areas eligible for insect pest management
values information for the area

After you review the insect pest management program you can provide input on:

the evaluation of management options
the selected course of action
draft project proposals for the specific aerial insecticide programs, and associated maps

You will have 15 days from the date of the information forum to submit comments to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry.

What if I have an unresolved issue?

If you raised a concern during the preparation of an insect pest management program and it has not been addressed to your satisfaction, you have the opportunity to request issue resolution with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry regional director during the 15 day period following the information forum.

Where can I view the approved insect pest management program?

The approved insect pest management program will be available at the appropriate Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry offices and on the Natural Resources Information Portal.

If you are interested in discussing the approved insect pest management program, you can arrange an appointment at the local Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry work centre.