Protection of old growth forests in British Columbia has become the most polarizing issue in forest management. It has pitted environmentalists against the logging industry, local communities dependent on forest jobs against local activists and even elected Indigenous band members against hereditary chiefs.
The proposal by the government to defer logging on over a third of the remaining old growth forests subject to approval from affected First Nations provides a unique opportunity for all these diverse communities to sit down and work out a consensus on how to manage the future of these old growth forests. It will provide a two year window without the pressure of logging on some 26,000 square kilometers to understand the science; balance nature based forest management with a new approach to logging and ensue that Indigenous values are fully included in final decision on how to manage this area.
A similar consultative opportunity also occurred 30 years ago when the arrests of hundreds of protestors in Clayoquot Sound on the West Coast of British Columbia led to the end of large scale clear cut logging; creation of planning tables representing all public, private and Indigenous interests to gain consensus on doubling the amount of protected areas across the province and implement more ecologically based practices for forests and range practices grounded in legislation.
The arrest of over a thousand protestors at Fairy Creek, plus the preparation of a Strategic Report on Old Growth which recommended informed consent with Indigenous peoples and a shift to managing forests for biodiversity and conservation, has spurred the government to create a similar opportunity for constructive dialogue as occurred 30 years ago.
A lot is at stake. The climate emergency and accompanying loss of biodiversity clearly calls for a New Forest Management Framework supported by Creatively United for the Planet to retain standing timber; pursue nature- based solutions and practice carbon stewardship.
Old growth provides a quarter of all forest jobs in the province and half to jobs on Vancouver Island. The transition to a more nature based approach will require both sensitive transition of these jobs to protect community values and ensure Indigenous peoples have a role in forest management. There will have to be new forms of financing to protect permanently old growth forests following the three- year consultative process. Some of these funds will come from the philanthropic conservation sector and some from carbon credits.
The Provincial government has also introduced sweeping changes to forest practices legislation to ensure that both Indigenous and non -Indigenous values are incorporated into forest plans prior to operational approval for logging and road building.
Until now, operational decisions were based on forest stewardship plans developed entirely by industry with very little public input. These plans will be replaced by forest landscape plans on a broader geographical basis, prepared by government, which must be assured of meaningful input from Indigenous and local communities before they can be approved.
The new plans will take a longer perspective, will ensure that biodiversity and conservation values take priority over logging and will be fully transparent. The plans also enable the government to adapt to the changing climate by considering wildfire potential, the effects of extreme floods, drought and windstorms on forest health and that restocking is based on new climate conditions to ensure their long term sustainability.
Successful outcomes of these two dialogues will depend on all affected parties to participate; listen to conflicting values; ensure there is a common data base on old growth and create innovative solutions that build trust and respect.
British Columbia achieved some initial creative solutions 30 years ago. Now is the time to finish this journey and develop a new forest management framework which will be the envy of the world.
Submitted by Jon O'Riordan, retired Deputy Minister of Sustainable Resource Management.
