1

Writing Landscape Unit Objectives

2

Planning for Old Growth Retention

Data Preparation

Delineate OGMAs

Develop WTR Targets

Write LU Objectives

Establish LU Boundaries and Objectives

Develop OGMA Targets

3

Writing LU objectives

Based on Guide to Writing Resource Objectives and Strategies

• what are LU objectives

• what are LU strategies

4

Writing LU Objectives

What is a Landscape Unit objective?

• outlines end results to achieve broader goal

• describes desired future conditions for individual resources or resource uses

• measurable

• time specific

• geographically specific(whole plan area or specified parts)

5

Writing LU Objectives - legal significance

• formally established as a higher level plan by district manager with approval by the designated environment official

• operational plans must be consistent with legally established objectives

6

Writing LU Objectives - structure

• typical structure of a landscape unit objective is:

– “Active verb” a “resource or resource use” within a “geographic location” for a “specific time.”

Example

Maintain old growth attributes throughout each rotation within the old growth management areas, hereby established, as shown on map 3.

7

Writing LU Objectives - strategies

• What are landscape unit strategies?

– strategies describe approaches (preferred forestry practices) for achieving landscape unit objectives

• Example strategies for OGMAs

– Commercial harvesting not normally permitted in OGMAs.

– Avoid road construction within OGMAs. Main haul roads should not be permitted unless other reasonable and cost effective options do not exist.

8

Writing LU Objectives - legal significance of strategies

• strategies are not legally binding

• if a specific strategy is vital, it should be incorporated into the landscape unit objective

9

Writing LU Objectives - strategiesIncorporating strategies into objectives:

Original objective

Maintain old growth attributes throughout each rotation within the old growth management areas, hereby established, as shown on map 3.

Original strategy

Commercial harvesting not normally permitted in OGMAs.

More prescriptive objective

Maintain old growth attributes throughout each rotation by not permitting commercial harvesting within the old growth management areas, hereby established, as shown on map 3.

10

Writing LU Objectives - exercise

• worksheet is in your workbook

• write an objective(s) and associated strategies for the OGMAs that you designed in the case study

• work in same groups as you did in the case study

• time - 3/4 hour plus discussion

• finished early - test your understanding with the T/F questions on LU objectives

11

Establishing Landscape Unit Objectives

12

Landscape Unit Plan - outline and contents

• Introduction

– copy of order

– DEO approval letter

– introduction / how to use the plan

• Objectives and Supporting Strategies

– relevant maps

– draft objectives where appropriate

13

Landscape Unit Plan - outline and contents

• Information supporting the plan

– implementation and monitoring strategies

– review and amendment procedures

– summary of other higher level plan direction

• Appendices

– description of resources and uses; biophysical description of unit; social/cultural/economic history; summary of analysis and assessments including derivation of targets; description of public involvement and summary of input; etc.

14

Establishing LUs and Objectives - approval formats

• legally established LU objectives

• draft LU objectives

• strategies and other information as advice or guidance

15

Establishing LUs and Objectives - legal objectives

• DM can establish, change or cancel LU objective - consistentwith regulatory requirements and chief forester direction,and with DEO approval

• chief forester direction is mostly in HLP:PP

• these purposes:

– timber; forage and grazing; recreation, scenery and wilderness; water, fisheries, wildlife, biodiversity, cultural heritage

• Short -term priority is old growth retention and wildlife tree retention

16

Establishing LUs and Objectives - draft objectives

• used to test implications before establishing

• licensee cooperation is voluntary

• cannot have any impact on timber supply

• intent must be to establish the objective at end of time period or when precondition is met

• can be used for “other” biodiversity elements

• must describe cooperative arrangements to test, and process for final decision to establish or abandon this draft objective

17

Establishing LUs and Objectives - plan content

• includes strategies and background info

• may be used at licensee’s discretion

• can convey DM/DEO policy to be considered in determining if operational plans are consistent with LU strategies

18

Establishing LUs and Objectives - when

• best to batch for efficiency

• establish when:

– the objectives have sufficient, suitable content to guide operational plans and practices

– the objective is consistent with legal requirements in the Act and SPR, chief forester direction and this Guide

– the timing and content are consistent with RLUPSs

19

Establishing LUs and Objectives - when

• establish as soon as possible if...

– limited options for retention of OG site series,

– licensees have active operations in unit,

– high degree of conflict between uses is expected, or

– high risk to biodiversity and low risk to timber harvesting opportunities

20

Establishing LUs and Objectives - Steps for legal establishment

Step 1. develop proposed LU objectives

Step 2. prepare an order

– determine when unit and objectives will take effect

– prepare order establishing the landscape unit and objectives

– refer order for agency review

Step 3. Conduct public review (if required)

Step 4. file order and map with RM

Step 5. prepare notice of impending order

21

Establishing LUs and Objectives - Figure 3

22

Establishing Objectives - exercise

• enhance your familiarity with the establishment process

• last exercise in workbook

• review Act and Regs provided in the workbook

• work groups of 2 or 3

• take about 1/2 hour

23

Table 8.1. Public Involvement - roles and responsibilities

Key individuals and groups who may be involved in landscape unit planning

Non-government LRMP participants, Regional Planning Tables and Follow-up

Committees local forest resource users (tenured) local forest resource users (non-tenured) local users of other resources (e.g. mineral tenure holders) environmental and community groups members of the general public

Local government and First nation local Government (regional and municipal) First Nations