Amendments to the Woodlot Licence Forest Management Regulation

1
Amendments to the Woodlot Licence Forest
Management Regulation

• February 26, 2001

2
Course Outline

• The course will go through the Woodlot Licence
  Forest Management Regulation and discuss the
  significant amendments that have been made in the
  order they appear in the regulation.
• Feel free to ask questions or provide comments at
  any time.

3
How to use the WLFMR

• A fast way to find the relevant sections of the
  WLFMR on a particular subject is to use the Edit
  / Find function in Microsoft Word to search the
  regulation.
• Although the WLFMR provides most of the WL
  requirements it is always important to look to
  the FPC Act for additional requirements.

4
WLFMR Definitions

• Definitions of words or terms that appear
  throughout the WLFMR are found in section 1.
• Additional definitions that appear in only one
  Part of the WLFMR are found in section 39 (Roads)
  and section 74 (Silviculture).
• Section 82 defines terms related to tree seed and
  vegetative material.

5
Amended WLFMR Definitions

• The following definitions in section 1(1) of the
  WLFMR have been amended
• fisheries sensitive zone
• free growing date
• greened-up
• intermediate cuttings
• minor harvesting operations
• stocking requirements
• terrain stability field assessment

6
Minor Harvesting Operations

• The definition of minor harvesting operations
  now makes reference to the term 5 year allowable
  cut as defined in the Forest Act.
• The 5 year allowable cut is the total of the
  AACs that are approved for a 5 year cut control
  period and does not consider undercut carry
  forwards or overcutting in the previous cut
  control period.

7
Minor Harvesting Operation Examples
AAC remains constant at 1200 m3/year during a 5
year cut control period, what volume of minor
harvesting operations can occur in the 5 year
cut control period?
Answer 10 of 6000m3 600m3

• If the WL holder was granted a 2000m3 undercut
  carry forward and the AAC remains constant at
  1200 m3/year during the 5 year cut control
  period, what volume of minor harvesting
  operations can occur in the 5 year cut control
  period?

Answer 600 m3
8
Qualified Registered Professional

• The term qualified registered professional is
  defined as a person who
• has appropriate education and experience to carry
  out duties that require a qualified registered
  professional,
• and is licensed by a regulatory body in BC (i.e.
  PEng, RPF, PAg, PGeo).

9
Functions Requiring a Qualified Registered
Professional

• terrain stability field assessments and soil
  erosion field assessments
• measures to maintain slope stability and
  statements in road layout and designs
• measures to maintain water quality and in road
  layout and designs
• deactivation prescriptions on sites with moderate
  or high likelihood of landslides
• statements that road construction, modification
  or deactivation was completed as planned

10
Amended Definitions that Apply in the FPC Act and
WLFMR

• The following definitions in section 1(2) of the
  WLFMR have been amended or added
• dispersed disturbance
• stocking requirements
• temporary access structure
• These definitions apply to the FPC Act and the
  WLFMR.

11
Dispersed Disturbance

• The definition of dispersed disturbance has been
  modified to confirm that ruts, gouges, scalps,
  and repeated machine traffic associated with
  temporary access structures are considered to
  be soil disturbance on areas covered by site
  plans, even if the temporary access structures
  have been rehabilitated.

12
Stocking Requirements

• The term stocking requirements is defined two
  different ways
• for areas covered by a silviculture prescription
  using the stocking specifications described in
  section 22.1(3)(e)and (f) of the WLFMR
• for areas where there is no silviculture
  prescription using the stocking specifications
  described in sections 77 and 78 of the WLFMR

13
Temporary Access Structures

• Silviculture prescriptions are required to
  indicate the maximum proportion of the net area
  to be reforested that may be occupied by
  temporary access structures.
• The term temporary access structure is used in
  the FPC Act and in the new WLFMR section 22.1
  that defines content requirements for
  silviculture prescriptions.

14
WLFMR Section 3 - Application

• WLFMR applies to WL holders and anyone working
  for them on the WL area or a road permit that is
  issued to the WL holder and provides access to
  the WL.
• The FRR, OPR, SPR, and THPR do not apply to WL
  holders.
• If a DM is responsible to prepare a backlog SP or
  SMP on a WL, the WLFMR requirements apply to the
  DM.

15
Additional FDP Exemptions

• WLFMR section 6.1 allows the DM to exempt a WL
  holder from preparing an FDP if harvesting is
  proposed by a person other than the WL holder,
  for
• a seismic line,
• a gravel or rock pit,
• mining or oil and gas exploration,
• constructing, modifying or widening a road,
• a utility right-of-way,
• clearing a fence line, or
• some similar purpose.

16
Requirements if the Term of FDP Approval is
Extended

• WLFMR section 9(2.1) states that if the term of
  approval of an FDP is extended, the FDP does not
  need to be updated to current Code requirements
  if the only CPs that the WL holder will apply for
  during the period of the extension are for areas
  of minor salvage operations or minor
  harvesting operations.

17
Comprehensive Plans for Wildlife Tree Retention
in the FDP

• WLFMR section 11(5) states that if the FDP
  contains a comprehensive plan for wildlife tree
  retention, general objectives for wildlife tree
  retention do not need to be included in the FDP.
• WLFMR section 11(6) allows the DM to request that
  an FDP contain a comprehensive plan for wildlife
  tree retention.

18
General Objectives in the FDP for Riparian
Management Zones

• WLFMR section 13(2) allows general objectives for
  riparian management zones to specify the
  species of trees to be retained and set minimum
  and maximum limits on the quantity of trees that
  will be retained using
• basal area / ha.
• trees / ha. ( gt a minimum diameter limit)
• trees / ha. (by diameter class)
• trees / length of RMZ (by diameter class)
• another similar indicator

19
WLFMR Section 12 - Road Modification Information
in FDP

• WLFMR section 12 requires the following road
  modification information in a new FDP
• the approximate location of where bridges or
  major culverts will be added or replaced by the
  WL holder on roads that provide access to
  cutblocks as well as roads within proposed
  cutblocks.

20
WLFMR Section 13.1 - Terrain Stability Field
Assessments

• Terrain stability field assessments are
  normally required prior to harvesting or
  constructing excavated or bladed trails on
  sensitive slopes
• WLFMR section 13.1 outlines situations where
  terrain stability field assessments are not
  required.
• This section does not apply to roads.

21
Terrain Stability Field Assessments Outside of
Community Watersheds

• A terrain stability field assessment is not
  required for a sensitive slope in the
  Interior that is outside of a community
  watershed if all of the following conditions are
  met
• terrain stability hazard maps indicate the area
  has a moderate likelihood of landslides, or
  reconnaissance terrain stability maps indicate
  the area is potentially unstable,
• the harvest method will be cable or aerial, and
• excavated or bladed trails wont be constructed.

22
Terrain Stability Field Assessments (TSFA) in
Community Watersheds

• A TSFA is not required for a sensitive slope in
  an Interior community watershed if all of the
  following conditions are met
• terrain stability hazard maps indicate the area
  has a moderate likelihood of landslides, or
  reconnaissance terrain stability maps indicate
  the area is potentially unstable,
• the harvest method will be cable or aerial,
• the silvicultural system for the area will not be
  clearcut or clearcut with reserves, and
• excavated or bladed trails wont be
  constructed.

23
Terrain Stability Field Assessments and Site Plans

• If a TSFA is required under WLFMR section 13.1,
  WLFMR section 14(1)(n) now requires the site plan
  to state that
• the TSFA has been carried out in accordance with
  the WLFMR,
• the proposed harvesting complies with sections
  60 and 61 of the WLFMR, and
• the plan is or isnt consistent with the TSFA
  (provide justification if inconsistent).

24
Site Plan Requirements if the FDP Includes a
Comprehensive Plan for Wildlife Tree Retention

• WLFMR section 14(2.1) states that if the FDP
  contains a comprehensive plan for wildlife tree
  retention, site plans do not need to specify the
  selection criteria and level of retention for
  wildlife trees and wildlife tree patches.

25
Site Plan Information for Riparian Management
Zones

• WLFMR section 14(6) allows site plans to describe
  tree retention for riparian management zones by
  specifying the characteristics, species and
  function of trees to be retained and setting a
  minimum quantity of trees that will be retained
  using
• basal area / ha.
• trees / ha. ( gt a minimum diameter limit)
• trees / ha. (by diameter class)
• trees / length of RMZ (by diameter class)
• trees (by diameter class) for the RMZ , or
• another similar indicator of tree retention

26
Site Plan Exemptions

• Amendments to WLFMR section 14(10) increase
  opportunities for site plan exemptions.
• Previously WLFMR section 14(10) only allowed an
  estimated volume of up to 500 m3 to be harvested
  under a site plan exemption.
• If the harvesting is to facilitate a use of
  land that is incompatible with the establishment
  of a free growing stand, there is no
  restriction on the volume or the area that could
  be harvested under a site plan exemption (i.e. a
  5 ha. clearcut to facilitate placer mining or a
  utility right of way).

27
Site Plan Exemptions For Intermediate Cuttings

• Up to 2000m3 can now be approved under a site
  plan exemption, if the harvest is an
  intermediate cutting for salvage or forest
  health reasons.
• WLFMR section 14(11) requires that if more than
  500 m3 is harvested as an intermediate cutting
  under a site plan exemption, the district manager
  must impose terms and conditions to ensure the
  retention of wildlife trees and wildlife tree
  patches, unless the FDP contains a comprehensive
  plan for wildlife tree retention.

28
Site Plan Exemptions For Volumes up to 500 m3

• The reasons that a district manager may grant a
  site plan exemption for up to 500 m3 of timber
  have been expanded.
• Previously WLFMR section 14(10) allowed the DM to
  grant site plan exemptions for the harvesting
  of up to 500 m3 of special forest products.
  The words special forest products have been
  replaced with a minor harvesting operation.
• Site plan exemptions can now be granted for
  harvesting trap trees.

29
Partial Site Plan Exemptions

• WLFMR section 14(10) allows partial site plan
  exemptions to be granted.
• In certain situations WL holders have requested a
  site plan exemption but would still like to
  establish a free growing stand on the area.
• In these situations a site plan may only need to
  specify the net area to be reforested,
  preferred and acceptable species, and stocking
  requirements for the free growing stand.

30
WLFMR Section 17 Protection of Issued Permits

• Where cutting permits and road permits have been
  issued the WL has been granted the legal right to
  harvest timber.
• Areas where these permits have been issued may
  show up as proposed cutblocks and roads in a
  new FDP that is submitted for review and comment
  or approval. Areas for which active cutting
  permits or road permits exist are not subject to
  re-negotiation with the approval of a new FDP.

31
WLFMR Section 19Additional Site Plan Information

• WLFMR section 19 now allows the DM to request
• a time frame for the WL holder to complete the
  rehabilitation of excavated or bladed trails
• a description or map of areas where excavated or
  bladed trails may be constructed
• the results of a forest health assessment, or
• measures that will be taken to reduce significant
  forest health risks.

32
WLFMR Section 22 - Site Plans Without RPF
Signature

• There has been a subtle amendment to WLFMR
  section 22 so that site plans prepared by
  non-professionals may now cover an area up to 1
  hectare in size.
• Previously site plans prepared by
  non-professionals had to cover an area of less
  than 1 hectare.

33
WLFMR Section 22.1 - Backlog Silviculture
Prescriptions

• WL holders are not required to prepare new
  silviculture prescriptions (SPs) except on
  backlog areas.
• Any backlog SPs that are required on a WL must be
  prepared in accordance with the FPC Act and
  WLFMR section 22.1.

34
WLFMR Section 22.1 (1) SPs Without RPF Signatures

• WLFMR section 22.1(1) allows persons who are not
  RPFs to prepare
• WL backlog SPs covering up to 1 hectare, or
• amendments to existing SPs or PHSPs involving
• an area of up to 1hectare
• an extension of time
• minor changes to the harvest method or related
  practices, or
• minor changes to the location of access
  structures.

35
WLFMR Section 22.1 - Existing Silviculture
Prescriptions

• WLFMR section 22.1 also applies to existing SPs
  and PHSPs approved under the WL by
• providing content requirements against which to
  judge amendments to existing SPs at time the SP
  amendment is submitted for approval, and
• defining stocking requirements as required by
  section 70(4)(d) and (e) of the FPC Act .

36
WLFMR Section 22.1 - SP Content Requirements

• Information requirements for WL SPs attempt to
  follow the information requirements for site
  plans.
• WL SPs now have mandatory information
  requirements and discretionary information
  requirements.
• The discretionary information that can be
  required for SPs is almost identical to what can
  be required under WLFMR section 19(2) for site
  plans.

37
Significant Differences Between SPs and Site Plans

• Woodlot licence SPs must not be amended to use
  the WLFMR default silviculture stocking
  specifications.
• Site plans have a single free growing date and
  SPs have a free growing assessment period with
  early and late dates.
• Under no circumstances should an SP amendment be
  approved that specifies a single free growing
  date.

38
WLFMR Section 22.2 Additional Backlog SP
Exemptions

• A backlog SP is not required on a WL as long as
  the silviculture treatment
• does not involve heavy ground based machinery,
• does not result in the cutting, damaging or
  destruction of any tree having a stem diameter
  (dbh) of 7.5 cm or greater, and
• does not reduce the size, quality or number of
  healthy, well spaced trees per hectare of a
  commercially acceptable species.

39
WLFMR Section 22.3 - Operational Plans for
Unauthorized Harvesting

• Unless the DM provides an exemption from the
  requirement to establish a free growing stand,
  WLFMR Section 22.3 requires a WL holder who
  harvests a Crown or private portion of the WL,
  without authorization to prepare either
• an amendment to a nearby site plan or SP to
  include the unauthorized harvest area, or
• a site plan for the unauthorized harvest area.

40
WLFMR Section 23.1 SMP Exemptions

• WLFMR Section 23.1(1) allows the DM to exempt a
  WL holder (in writing), from the requirement to
  prepare an SMP if the WL management plan contains
  information similar to a SMP.

41
WLFMR Section 36(b) Cutting or Damaging Trees in
a Community Watershed

• WLFMR section 36(b)(ii) now allows trees within
  100 meters upslope of a community water supply
  intake to be cut or damaged to facilitate the
  construction of a range fence, if
• there is no other practicable location, and
• the fence is compatible with the use of the
  community water supply intake.

42
WLFMR Section 39 - Surface Soil Erosion Hazard

• surface soil erosion hazard means the ranking
  of the potential for soil erosion as determined
  by a soil erosion field assessment.
• This is a new definition was added to WLFMR
  section 39 to provide consistency with a new
  section 60.1 of the FPC Act.

43
Road Permits Road Use Permits for Minor Salvage
Operations

• FPC Act section 54(3.1), (3.2) and (3.4) allow
  roads on Crown land to be used for minor salvage
  operations (under specified circumstances),
  without a road permit or road use permit.

44
Road Permits Road Use Permits for Minor
Harvesting Operations

• WLFMR section 41(3), (4) and (5) allow roads on
  Crown land to be used for minor harvesting
  operations under specified circumstances (that
  are virtually identical to section 54 (3.1),
  (3.2) and (3.4) of the FPC Act).
• The period of road use does not need to be less
  than 60 days.

45
Road Modification Defined

• The word modify is defined in the FPC Act to
  mean, when used in relation to the repair of a
  road or to a physical change to a road, to carry
  out any of the following activities
• replacing or adding a stream culvert
• replacing or adding a bridge, or providing
  structural repairs to a bridge or major
  culvert
• relocating an existing road
• re-establishing road subgrade stability
• re-establishing cut slope stability by
  re-sloping, buttressing or erecting a retaining
  structure along the cut slope.

46
Eliminating Road Layout and Design Requirements
for Minor Modification

• If road modification consists of
• replacing or adding a stream culvert or bridge,
  or
• providing structural repairs to a bridge or
  major culvert,
• an archaeological impact assessment and the
  requirement to demonstrate that visual quality
  objectives will be satisfied, do not apply. A
  terrain stability field assessment is also not
  required unless the road modification may
  contribute to slope instability.

47
FPC Act Section 60.2Road Layout and Design
Exemptions

• Section 60.2 of the FPC Act specifies conditions
  under which a stream culvert that is not a
  major culvert can be added or replaced without
  requiring the preparation of a road layout and
  design or its approval by the district manager.
• A cutting permit or road permit must still
  provide authority to modify any road on Crown
  land within the WL.

48
FPC Act Section 60.1 Road Layout and Design
Exemptions

• Section 60.1 of the FPC Act allows the
  construction of an on-block road that meets the
  criteria outlined in section 60.1 of the FPC Act,
  without requiring the WL holder to prepare a road
  layout and design and have it approved by the
  district manager.
• A cutting permit or road permit must still
  provide authority to construct any roads on Crown
  land within the WL.

49
Layout and Designs for Roads With Moderate or
High Likelihood of Landslides

• WLFMR section 44(3)(d) now requires a road layout
  and design for an area with a moderate or high
  likelihood of landslides to contain either
• a statement by a QRP that proposed measures to
  maintain slope stability are the least likely to
  result in a landslide, or
• an analysis by a QRP of the likelihood of a
  landslide, remedial actions and potential
  consequences.

50
Measures to maintain slope stability

• As an example, if a retaining wall was not the
  least likely measure to result in a landslide, an
  analysis would be required

51
Layout and Designs for Roads With Moderate or
High Likelihood of Landslides

• WLFMR section 44(3)(e) now requires a road layout
  and design for an area with a moderate or high
  likelihood of landslides to contain
• a statement signed and sealed by a QRP that the
  terrain stability field assessment was carried
  out and that proposed measures to maintain slope
  stability are included in the geometric road
  design.

52
Layout and Designs for Roads With Moderate or
High Likelihood of Landslides

• A road layout and design for an area with a
  moderate or high likelihood of landslides must
• contain measures to maintain slope stability
  prepared by a QRP, and
• indicate whether or not the resulting road work
  requires a signed and sealed statement from a QRP
  indicating that the measures to maintain slope
  stability has been carried out in general
  conformance with the road layout and design.

53
WLFMR Section 45 - Soil Erosion Field Assessments
Within Community Watersheds

• WLFMR section 45(1)(a) now requires a soil
  erosion field assessment unless
• soil erosion potential mapping indicates the area
  does not have high or very high soil erosion
  potential, and
• the DM is satisfied that the risk of sediment
  delivery to streams is low.

54
WLFMR Section 46 - Bridges and Other Specialized
Structures

• WLFMR section 46 (3) (3.1) have been amended to
  provide requirements for the design of bridges,
  cattle guards and other specialized structures
  that are identical to the requirements in section
  10 of the Forest Road Regulation.

55
Requirements for designs of bridges

• Site data collection is not regulated
• Design requirements vary depending on which of
  three situations apply
• Bridge span is less than 6m
• Bridge span between 6m and 12m
• Bridge span is greater than 12m or, exceeds FRR
  limitations placed on the above spans

56
WLFMR Section 46 - Bridges With Spans Between 6
and 12 Meters

• WLFMR section 46 (3)(b)(i) allows an RPF to
  design a bridge spanning 6 - 12 m. if
• the bridge is outside of the wetted perimeter at
  design high water,
• the channel is historically stable,
• the bridge superstructure is non-composite,
• the substructure bears on original ground, a
  shallow ballast layer or short cribs or sills,
  and
• the design is based on standard drawings, tables,
  charts, etc. that have been produced by a PEng.

57
WLFMR Section 46 - Bridges With Spans less than 6
Meters

• WLFMR section 46 (3)(b)(ii) allows a person
  other than an RPF or Peng. to design a bridge
  spanning lt 6 m. if
• the bridge is outside of the wetted perimeter at
  design high water,
• the channel is historically stable,
• the bridge superstructure is non-composite,
• the substructure bears on original ground, a
  shallow ballast layer or short cribs or sills,
  and
• the design is based on standard drawings, tables,
  charts, etc. that have been produced by a PEng.

58
WLFMR Section 46 - Bridges and Other Specialized
Structures

• WLFMR section 46 (3) requires a PEng. to take
  design responsibility for
• all bridges spanning more than 12 meters or
  shorter bridges that dont meet the criteria to
  allow others to take design responsibility,
• all major culverts,
• cattle guard fabrication,
• retaining walls gt 1.5 meters tall, and
• other specialized structures.

59
WLFMR Section 51(d)(e)(f) - Bridge Construction
- General Conformance

• WLFMR section 51 (d)(e) (f) requires the bridge
  designer to sign a statement that the bridge was
  built in general conformance with the design
  drawings and specifications.
• If the bridge was designed by a PEng or RPF the
  statement must also be sealed with the
  appropriate professional seal.

60
Removal of Gravel or Fill From Riparian Reserve
Zones

• WLFMR section 47 (b) states that a WL holder,
  when constructing or modifying a road, must not
  remove gravel or fill from riparian management
  zones or riparian reserve zones without the
  prior approval of the district manager.

61
Removal of Stumps, Roots and Embedded Logs

• WLFMR section 47.1 provides a general
  requirement that stumps, roots and embedded logs
  must not be left or placed in the road prism
  unless
• the road is a snow road or involves
  overlanding, or
• doing so is allowed under WLFMR sections 47.2 or
  48(1)

62
Snow Road

• Constructed entirely from snow and ice mixtures
• No ground disturbance required

63
Overlanding
64

• In stable terrain, stumps, roots and embedded
  logs may be left or placed in the road prism but,
  outside of the road subgrade width.

65

• In stable terrain, stumps, roots and embedded
  logs may be left or placed under the road
  subgrade width.

66
In stable terrain, allows inverted stumps,
corduroy or puncheon to be in the road subgrade
width.
67
Can use stumps and logs to retain the fill in
moderate to high hazard terrain if prescribed by
a QRP.
68
Removal of Stumps, Roots and Embedded Logs

• WLFMR section 47.2 (2) and 48(1) now provide the
  same deactivation requirements for roads where
  stumps, roots and embedded logs have been left or
  placed in the road prism as section 11(3) and
  (4) of the Forest Road Regulation

69
WLFMR Section 54 Road Closure Signs for
Deactivated Roads

• WLFMR section 54(3)(a) now states that signs at
  appropriate locations on deactivated roads can
  now advise that the road is closed to vehicle
  traffic if that is the case.
• Previously signs were required to advise road
  users of the hazards that may be expected due to
  deactivation.

70
WLFMR Section 57 Deactivation of Bridges and Log
Culverts

• WLFMR section 57
• no longer requires the removal of bridges that
  place the users of semi-permanently deactivated
  roads at risk, and
• now requires, (during permanent deactivation),
  the removal of all log culvert superstructures
  and those log culvert substructures that would
  affect downstream values.

71
WLFMR Section 62(1) Excavated or Bladed Trails

• Previously WLFMR section 62(1) allowed the DM to
  provide a written authorization to a WL holder
  for the construction of excavated or bladed
  trails outside of the operational planning
  process.
• Section 68 of the FPC Act was amended so that the
  district managers can provide written consent to
  construct excavated or bladed trails under
  specified conditions.

72
WLFMR Section 62(5) Excavated or Bladed Trail
Rehabilitation

• WLFMR Section 62(5) now requires excavated or
  bladed trails (that are not permanent access
  structures), and are constructed on or after
  Dec. 15, 1999, to be rehabilitated.
• Previous wording linked the rehabilitation
  requirement to the date when harvesting
  commenced on the cutblock and required the
  rehabilitation of excavated or bladed trails
  that were designated as permanent access
  structures.

73
WLFMR Section 62(6) Excavated or Bladed Trail
Rehabilitation

• WLFMR section 62(6) continues to provide default
  measure that can be followed to rehabilitate
  excavated or bladed trails.
• WLFMR section 62(6) now requires the
  rehabilitation to be completed before or
  immediately following the conclusion of
  harvesting, or within another time that is
  approved in an operational plan or is
  authorized in writing by the DM.

74
WLFMR Section 62.1 Temporary Road Rehabilitation

• WLFMR section 62.1 requires the WL holder to
  complete the rehabilitation of temporary roads
  before or immediately following the conclusion of
  harvesting, or within another time that is
  approved in the operational plan or is
  authorized in writing by the DM.
• WLFMR section 62.1(2) provides default measures
  that can be followed for temporary road
  rehabilitation.

75
WLFMR Section 67 - Old Growth Management Areas

• WLFMR section 67 previously required the
  agreement of the designated environment
  official before clearcutting could be authorized
  in an ungulate winter range or old growth
  management area (OGMA).
• This requirement has been eliminated for
  ungulate winter ranges and modified for OGMAs.

76
WLFMR Section 73 Rehabilitation of Compacted
Areas Corduroyed Trails

• WLFMR section 73 now requires rehabilitation of
  compacted areas and corduroyed trails before
  or immediately following the completion of
  harvesting, or within a time frame specified by
  the DM.
• Rehabilitation of compacted areas or
  corduroyed trails must
• allow a free growing stand to be established on
  the area,
• re-establish natural surface drainage, and
• minimize sediment delivery to streams.

77
WLFMR Sections 78 81Maximum Density Spacing

• Amendments to WLFMR sections 78 81 override
  operational plan requirements by not requiring
  maximum density spacing to be carried out unless
  the number of countable conifers exceeds 10,000
  /ha.
• These requirements are virtually identical to
  requirements in the Silviculture Practices
  Regulation for major licensees.

78
WLFMR Section 81(4) (5)Maximum Density Spacing

• For areas covered by an SP approved before April
  1, 1994, where there are more than 10,000
  countable lodgepole pine or drybelt Douglas-fir
  trees per hectare, the WL holder must reduce the
  number of trees to
• within a range of post spacing densities
  specified in the SP,
• within a range of post spacing densities
  specified by the DM (in writing), or
• a number that is less than the default number in
  WLFMR section 81(5).

79
WLFMR Section 82(2) Planting Trees on Backlog
Areas

• WLFMR section 82(2) specifies requirements that
  must be met by trees that are planted to
  establish a free growing stand on an area.
• Where the new section 22.2 of the WLFMR allows a
  WL holder to plant trees on a backlog area
  without an SP, any trees that are planted on the
  backlog area must meet the requirements of
  WLFMR section 82(2).

80
WLFMR Section 88(4.1) Exemption From Surveys on
Areas of Intermediate Cuttings

• WLFMR section 88(4.1) now allows the DM to exempt
  a WL holder from conducting a survey of an area
  where an intermediate cutting has removed a
  small portion of the stand volume in such a
  manner that the inventory label for the area is
  not significantly changed.

81
WLFMR Section 88(5) Revised Survey Report
Requirements

• WLFMR section 88(5) now requires copies of
  regeneration assessments and free growing surveys
  to be submitted with the woodlot licence annual
  report, unless the district manager requires a
  copy at a different time.

82
WLFMR Section 89 - Woodlot Licence Annual Report

• WLFMR section 89 has been amended to eliminate
  the requirement that WL activities must be
  reported on a calendar year basis.
• This amendment reflects the fact that some
  Interior licensees requested the ability to
  report activities based on years that end with
  the completion on the winter harvesting season.

83
WLFMR Sections 97.1 97.2 Definition of
Greened-up

• WLFMR sections 97.1 97.2 add the definition of
  greened-up from the Operational Planning
  Regulation that was last amended on December 18,
  1998.

84
WLFMR Section 97.3 Establishing Ungulate Winter
Ranges

• WLFMR section 97.3 now outlines the process from
  section 69 of the Operational Planning
  Regulation, for establishing and confirming
  ungulate winter ranges and establishing
  objectives for ungulate winter ranges.