Professional Documents
Culture Documents
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BRITISH
COTUUBIA
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Reference: 214602
JUN 0 1
2015
Thank you for your letter of April 15,2015, requesting increased public consultation with
respect to forestry planning and management of the Mount Macphersonarea near Revelstoke.
I appreciate the continued engagement and support from the City of Revelstoke on this
important matter.
The Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations (FLNR), BC Timber Sales
(BCTS) and the forest industry are govemed by standards for forest management that includes
public consultation as required under the Forest and Range Practices Act. ln addition, BCTS
and forest licensees are bound by an approved Forest Stewardship Plan and these plans
require a public consultation process. Proposed harvesting plans are also referred to affected
parties such as local government, other licenced resource users, recreation groups, landowners
and First Nations. Qualified professionals who are governed by professional licencing bodies
must also complete harvsting plans and assessments.
The Revelstoke area has successfully completed an extensive land-use planning process,
which has resulted in an approved consensus based, land-use plan (Revelstoke Higher Level
Plan Order) that specifies govemment objectives for forest resource values. Part of this plan
Page
Ministry of Forests, Lands and
Natual Resource Operations
Mailing Address:
PO BOX 9049 Stn Prov Govt
Victoria, BC V8W 9E2
Telephone:
Fax
Website:
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Qso) 387-6240
Qso) 387-1040
www.gov.bc.ca/for
This ministry, through the CSRD office, BCTS and the Recreation Sites and Trails BC
program have had a long history of managing the Mount Macpherson area for both timber
harvesting and recreation dating back to the 1970's. FLNR has been an integral part of
developing and funding the recreation trail network, including much of the associated
infrastructure. At the same time, by working together, BCTS has also been successful in
conducting timber-harvesting operations while maintaining and enhancing recreationai
opporhrnities. The most recent BCTS timber harvest in the Mornt Macpherson trail network
was successfully completed in 2008. I also acknowledge the community volunteers that
dedicate their time and effort on the trail network, and I am very pleased that so many people
enjoy the recreation trails.
As part of the planning process, BCTS has been actively meeting with the Revelstoke Cycling
Association;the Revelstoke Nordic Ski Club; the City of Revelstoke; CSRD and others.
BCTS provided a community presentation at the Revelstoke Community Center on
January 13,2015, and a two-day open house on March l1 and 12,2015, at the local FLNR
office. BCTS has included a representative from the City of Revelstoke in stakeholder
meetings to ensure the community and non-tenured parties are an integral part of the planning
process. BCTS remains committed to preparing harvest plans that continue to incorporate the
important values and concems they have heard from the community and other stakeholders. I
am confident that BCTS will continue to demonstrate that timber harvesting, recreation and
other values can be successfully integrated in the working forest for the benefTt of all British
Columbians.
BCTS will continue the important dialogue with the community and stakeholders in preparing
and adapting harvest plans for the Mount Macpherson area. When the proposed plan is
revised, BCTS staff will arrange a meeting with the City of Revelstoke to review the plan and
receive further input and comment. I am confident that by working together we can continue
the success at Mount Macpherson.
Please contact Jeff Fukumoto, Timber Sales Manager, Okanagan-Columbia Business Area,
BC Timber Sales, by phone at250 558-1706 or by email at Jeff.Fukumoto@gov.bc.ca, if you
wish to further discuss this important matter.
Sincerely,
t
Steve Thomson
Minister
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