Application. Proposal to Protect the Ancient Forests
PROTECTED AREAS CASE STUDY
Assigned Task
In December, 2013, a small group of people representing hikers, academia, environmental groups, and the Lheidli T’enneh submitted a request (see below) to create a protected area for the ancient forests of the upper Fraser River watershed. In response to this proposal, BC Parks is currently assessing the feasibility of different levels of protection for the land base west of Slim Creek. The options considered are a combination of (a) type of protected area and (b) geographic scope of the protected area. All types of protected areas, in any combination, are being considered. Regarding the geographic scope, BC Parks is considering the three options prepared by Coxson, Goward, and Connell[1].
For discussion purposes, BC Parks prepared a consultation paper[2]. The values, key issues, and opportunities outlined in this land use planning application are presented below.
BC Parks has invited you, as an expert in land use planning for protected areas, to a meeting among interestholders during which the various options for protected area status will be discussed. Your task is to present an argument for a solution that considers the preservation of natural environments, use and enjoyment of the public, and the socio-economic interests of area residents.
To participate in this meeting, you have been asked to review all options available and come prepared to present and discuss what you believe to be the best option. Discuss how your option will provide more protection than what currently exists. As part of your deliberation, consider the following acts and regulations that govern British Columbia’s provincial parks and protected, including the following: Park Act; Ecological Reserve Act; Protected Areas of British Columbia Act; Park, Environment and Land Use Act; Conservancy and Recreation Area Regulation; Forest and Range Practices Act.
For legislation, refer to http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/about/legislation.html
Learning Modules
Supporting documents
- Letter from local group to Ministers [below]
- Briefing document for Ministers (prepared by local group) [below]
- Summary of BC Parks Consultation Paper [below]
- Coxson, Darwyn, Trevor Goward, and David J. Connell (2012). “Analysis of ancient western redcedar stands in the Upper Fraser watershed and scenarios for protection.” British Columbia Journal of Ecosystems and Management 13(3):88-106.
Letter to Ministers
December 11th, 2014.
The Honourable Steven Thomson M.L.A. &
The Honourable Mary Polak M.L.A.
Parliament Buildings
Victoria, B.C.
V8V 1X2
Re: Ancient Forest Park Proposal
Dear Honourable Ministers:
Thank you for meeting with us regarding the designation of the Ancient Forest Trail area as a provincial park. In our discussions you had asked us to confirm the widespread support for the proposal to confer this designation upon the Ancient Forest Trail area. We are pleased to advise that major stakeholders remain highly supportive of these recommendations. The Lheidli T’enneh, forest tenure holders and community groups strongly support previous peer-reviewed scientific studies recommending greater protection and recognition for this unique ecosystem. There is also a workable agreement on the boundaries of what could be included in the provincial park designation. What now remains is a need to protect this globally recognized area, where ancient western redcedar stands provide an outstanding opportunity for the conservation of biological diversity and economic diversification in First Nation and regional communities.
Please accept this letter as a request for you to partner with us in submitting a formal proposal to the Government of British Columbia to designate the Ancient Forest area as a Provincial Park and develop a Park Management Plan between the Lheidli T’enneh and the Province of British Columbia. Once Provincial Park designation is conferred, we anticipate jointly moving forward with a nomination towards a UNESCO World Heritage Site designation.
We would be delighted to have a brief meeting with you both, either together or separately, at your earliest convenience to discuss the next steps in this journey.
Yours very truly,
Signatures on original
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dominic Frederick Chief, Lheidli T’enneh
|
|
Darwyn Coxson PhD Professor, Ecosystem Science and Management , UNBC
|
|
Dave Connell PhD, Associate Professor, Environmental Planning, UNBC
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dave King, Director Caledonia Ramblers Hiking Club
|
|
Nowell Senior, President Caledonia Ramblers Hiking Club
|
|
Sarah Boyd, Executive Director PG Public Interest Research Group
|
cc: the Honourable Shirley Bond MLA
Briefing document for Ministers
December 11th, 2014.
MEMORANDUM TO: THE HONOURABLE STEVEN THOMSON MLA, MINISTER OF FORESTS, LANDS, AND NATURAL RESOURCE OPERATIONS & THE HONOURABLE MARY POLAK MLA, MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT.
SUBJECT: Proposed Ancient Forest Trail Area Provincial Park Proposal
Recent research has identified a set of Ancient Cedar stands east of Prince George as a unique ecosystem in British Columbia, and indeed an area with globally significant conservation values. At present, these Ancient Cedar stands are managed as Old Growth Management Areas (OGMAs) in both formal and guidance OGMAs. Given the international significance of these stands we would propose that the Province extend provincial park designation to this area. This designation would allow nomination of the newly created park as a World Heritage site based on criteria identified by recent scientific review. Designation as a World Heritage site would further provide significant economic benefits to the region and province.
RECAP: THE ANCIENT FOREST – A GEM ON OUR DOORSTEP
The Ancient Forest Trail area represents a rare ecosystem within British Columbia’s inland wet temperate rain forest. This area is characterized by a unique combination of topography and microclimate which supports the development of large stature ancient Western redcedars, many of which are estimated at 1000 years in age or more. This area represents one of the best remaining examples of the inland temperate rain forest ecosystem in B.C. There is no other inland temperate rain forest on the planet that is so far (800 km) from the ocean. There are several reasons for conveying park status on the Ancient Forest Trail area. Extensive scientific research, including publications in peer-reviewed journals and books, confirms the globally significant nature of canopy biodiversity in the Ancient Cedar stands. With development of the Ancient Forest trail by community volunteers and with increasing visitor use has come broad-based recognition of the value of this site from stakeholder groups. Based on our feedback from these groups and the public we anticipate that the Province will have broad support for this proposal, whether from forestry, First Nations or community groups. This proposal, as articulated in the 2012 B.C. Journal of Ecosystems and Management publication (attached), has been assessed by staff from the B.C. Ministry of Forests, Lands, and Natural Resource Operations office in Prince George. We have been told that there were no significant concerns raised with reference to the park proposal in their review. In our discussions with BC MFLNRO staff they suggested that a modified park proposal boundary be developed, one that would be intermediate between the scenario 2 and 3 boundaries in the BC JEM article. We agreed that this modified boundary would satisfy scientific criteria while recognizing existing tenure inholdings such as Ministry of Transportation sites. We understand that this internal BC MFLNRO report is available to the Ministers.
WIDESPREAD SUPPORT FOR ANCIENT FOREST PROVINCIAL PARK PROPOSAL
As requested, we have confirmed support from all major stakeholders for the Ancient Forest Trail’s designation as a Provincial Park. We have held meetings with Lheidli T’enneh, Canfor, the Regional District of Fraser Fort George, Timber Supply Area and your ministries. All meetings have garnered widespread support for the park proposal. We feel confident that we have done our due diligence in meeting with stakeholders. We are now requesting that you partner with us by submitting a formal proposal to the Government of BC to designate the Ancient Forest Trail area as a Provincial Park.
OPPORTUNITIES TO BE REALIZED THROUGH PROVINCIAL PARK DESIGNATION
- These stands of cedars contain many rare species, including some only recently discovered by science. The ecological merits of the Ancient Forest, based on the opinions of experts in the field, are sufficiently compelling to warrant permanent and comprehensive protection through the creation of a provincial park.
- There are significant economic benefits to the Robson Valley and the Prince George region that are not yet available given the Ancient Forest’s current level of protection. The Ancient Forest had an estimated 15,000 visitors in 2014, 50% local and 50% foreign from 38 countries, with an estimated $200,000+ boost to the local economy. The Ancient Forest is not only a summer destination; many people are heading there to snowshoe in the winter months.
- There has also been tremendous community support for the Ancient Forest Trail, Driscoll Trail and the Universal Boardwalk opened in 2013. Approximately $340,000 worth of materials, in kind contributions and volunteer labour were donated by 72 sponsors between 2005 and 2014.
- Any negative impacts on industry can be mitigated i.e. the Ancient Forest’s designation as a park would not cause a real reduction in the timber supply available to tenure holders.
WORKING TOWARDS WORLD HERITAGE SITE STATUS
The Ancient Forest Trail area is currently protected under provincial recreation and old growth management area designations. Although these designations have their merits, comparable sites around the world have a much higher level of protection. In order to protect the Ancient Forest in the long term, we would like to propose that this area be designated as a provincial park co-managed with the Lheidli T’enneh, with the future goal of it being nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Ancient Forest is a gem in this geographical region, one that has the potential to provide significant educational, scientific and regional development legacies for all British Columbians. Designation would result in much higher visitor use and be a huge boost to the local economy.
ASSISTANCE REQUESTED:
We are requesting that you partner with us in submitting a formal proposal to the Government of British Columbia to designate the Ancient Forest area as a Provincial Park. We would welcome your leadership within government to work towards protecting this unique area that will benefit communities in the Robson Valley and Prince George region. As such, we would like to request that a brief meeting be arranged to meet with Minister Thomson and Minister Polak, either together or separately, to discuss next steps in working towards provincial park designation.
In developing the park proposal for the Ancient Forest, discussions were held with (besides your ministries and representatives of the organizations listed in the contact section below):
- Marc van der Gonna, Executive Director, McBride Community Forest
- Peter Baird, Strategic Planning Manager and Sara Cotter, Planning Coordinator, Canfor
- Art Kaehn, Chair and 14 Directors, Regional District of Fraser Fort George
- Several Licensees and RPFs who manage Licensees, Timber Supply Area
- Chief Dominic Frederick and others of the Lheidli T’enneh
Attachments:
- Coxson et al. article Coxson, D., T. Goward, & D.J. Connell (2012). “Analysis of Ancient Western Redcedar Stands in the Upper Fraser River Watershed and Scenarios for Protection.” Journal of Ecosystems and Management 13 (3): 1-20.
BC Parks Consultation Paper
As part of its decision-making process, BC Parks conducted public meetings in the City of Prince George and the Village of McBride about the proposed protected area. The information below highlights important details included in the Consultation Paper2 that supported the consultation process.
Selected details from
BC PARKS CONSULTATION PAPER
Ancient Forest/Chun T’oh Whudujut
Purpose and Scope of Consultation
- To ensure the Ancient Forest/Chun T’oh Whudujut is preserved and, in the long term, established as an official protected area under provincial legislation.
- To set aside up to 12,000 hectares as a specially designated area.
- To answer the following questions:
- How much of the up to 12,000-hectare area should be protected?
- What activities should be allowed on the site?
- What is the public’s role in ensuring the long-term conservation of the Ancient Forest?
- Should the Province continue to support efforts to have the Ancient Forest designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site?
Current Protection
- Almost one-third of the forest (about 4,600 hectares) is designated as old growth management areas (OGMA) under the existing regional Land and Resource Management Plan (LRMP).
- The Ancient Forest Interpretive Site and Trails and Driscoll Ridge Trail are designated recreation trails in the area.
Key Issues
First Nations
- The Chun T’oh Whudujut is within the traditional territory of the Lheidli T’enneh and is an important part of the First Nation’s cultural heritage.
- The Lheidli T’enneh First Nation are partners in the public engagement process and have been supportive of the initiative to protect the area.
- The Province and the Lheidli T’enneh will work together to develop a long-term management plan for the site.
Ecological Values
- The Ancient Forest is globally unique and provides for rare habitats and very old western redcedar trees.
- The area contains high biological diversity including diversity of lichens.
Resource Industry
- Existing tenures: one guide outfitter; one range tenure; five trap lines; three gravel reserves held by the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (there are no other mineral extraction or mining activities in the area).
- Commercial timber resource interests are low due to limited markets for cedar and high operating costs.
- Removing the proposed protected area from the timber harvesting land base in the Prince George Timber Supply Area will reduce the volume of timber by less than 1% and is not expected to affect existing jobs or mills.
Recreational Activities
- In 2015, about 15,000 visitors hike the Ancient Forest trails.
- In 2015, visitors contributed an estimated $217,000 to the local economy.
- Coxson, Darwyn, Trevor Goward, and David J. Connell (2013). “Analysis of ancient western redcedar stands in the Upper Fraser watershed and scenarios for protection.” British Columbia Journal of Ecosystems and Management 13(3):88-106. ↵
- BC Parks (2015). “Public Consultation Paper: Ancient Forest/Chun Toh Whud U Jud.” Victoria, BC, Government of British Columbia. ↵
Feedback/Errata