"Forestry, Faculty of"@en . "DSpace"@en . "UBCV"@en . "Smith, Richard"@en . "2016-11-22T09:38:00"@en . "2008-04-14"@en . "In order to maintain a sustainable forest industry in British Columbia (BC) that meets the requirements of social, environmental and economic values, responsible forest stewardship needs to be applied. Today forest stewardship is encouraged in the forest industry through the legislation in the Forests and Range Practices Act, as well as through multiple forest products certification organizations and programs. However, the forest industry is not the only stakeholder in BC extracting natural resources from the land. In fact, there is an array of different industries, such as the agriculture, mining, and oil and gas industries, that all share the use of the same publicly owned crown forestland. Of importance to this report is the dominance of the oil and gas industry in northeastern BC. The oil and gas industry, governed by the BC Oil and Gas Commission (OGC), has a huge impact on the land, clearing hectare upon hectare of forestland each year for oil and gas exploration, and development. The oil and Gas Commission Act was created in 1998 as a single piece of legislation for oil and gas contractors to follow in order to streamline the activities of the industry. Due to this policy change, the oil and gas industry pulled away from many of its obligations to forest industry policy as well as to various other industries\u00E2\u0080\u0099 policies that surround the proper management of BC\u00E2\u0080\u0099s forest, and hence responsible forest stewardship. Through thorough research, weaknesses were discovered in oil and gas policy to practice responsible forest stewardship in such activities as riparian management, road construction and maintenance, timber harvesting for exploration, and land reclamation. In general, these weaknesses were found to include poor communication skills on behalf of the OGC with contractors and other industries, a lack of monitoring and enforcement of proper practices by the OGC, and a lack of diligence on behalf of the OGC in maintaining records of all oil and gas activities, which in turn has led to uncertainties regarding the sustainability of timber harvesting in northeastern BC."@en . "https://circle.library.ubc.ca/rest/handle/2429/28611?expand=metadata"@en . "i 2009 Author: Richard Smith 4/14/2009 The Impact of Oil and Gas Industry Policy on Responsible Forest Stewardship in North-eastern BC FRST 497 Grad Paper Primary Advisor: Dr. George Hoberg Secondary Advisor: Dr. Valerie M. Lemay (MEM, 2003) ii Abstract In order to maintain a sustainable forest industry in British Columbia (BC) that meets the requirements of social, environmental and economic values, responsible forest stewardship needs to be applied. Today forest stewardship is encouraged in the forest industry through the legislation in the Forests and Range Practices Act, as well as through multiple forest products certification organizations and programs. However, the forest industry is not the only stakeholder in BC extracting natural resources from the land. In fact, there is an array of different industries, such as the agriculture, mining, and oil and gas industries, that all share the use of the same publicly owned crown forestland. Of importance to this report is the dominance of the oil and gas industry in northeastern BC. The oil and gas industry, governed by the BC Oil and Gas Commission (OGC), has a huge impact on the land, clearing hectare upon hectare of forestland each year for oil and gas exploration, and development. The oil and Gas Commission Act was created in 1998 as a single piece of legislation for oil and gas contractors to follow in order to streamline the activities of the industry. Due to this policy change, the oil and gas industry pulled away from many of its obligations to forest industry policy as well as to various other industries\u00E2\u0080\u0099 policies that surround the proper management of BC\u00E2\u0080\u0099s forest, and hence responsible forest stewardship. Through thorough research, weaknesses were discovered in oil and gas policy to practice responsible forest stewardship in such activities as riparian management, road construction and maintenance, timber harvesting for exploration, and land reclamation. In general, these weaknesses were found to include poor communication skills on behalf of the OGC with contractors and other industries, a lack of monitoring and enforcement of proper practices by the OGC, and a lack of diligence on behalf of the OGC in maintaining records of all oil and gas activities, which in turn has led to uncertainties regarding the sustainability of timber harvesting in northeastern BC. List of Key Words \u00EF\u0083\u0098 Ecosystem; \u00EF\u0083\u0098 Pipeline; \u00EF\u0083\u0098 Riparian; \u00EF\u0083\u0098 Seismic; and, \u00EF\u0083\u0098 Sustainability iii Table of Contents Abstract ............................................................................................................................... ii List of Key Words ............................................................................................................... ii Tables and Figures List ...................................................................................................... iv Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 1 Background ......................................................................................................................... 2 The Oil and Gas Commission ......................................................................................... 2 The Forest and Range Act............................................................................................... 3 Fort Saint John\u00E2\u0080\u0099s Pilot Project ........................................................................................ 4 Key Components of Oil and Gas Industry Policy and How they Affect Responsible Forest Stewardship .............................................................................................................. 5 I. Riparian Management Policy ................................................................................... 5 The Little Hay River Case Study ................................................................................ 7 II. OGC Road Construction and Deactivation Policy ............................................... 9 III. Timber Harvesting Policy .................................................................................. 10 Obtaining a Licence to Cut ....................................................................................... 10 Harvest Design .......................................................................................................... 10 Annual Allowable Cut: How Much is Really Being Cut? ......................................... 13 IV. Policy Surrounding the Reclamation of Abandoned Sites ................................. 14 Conclusion/Recommendations ......................................................................................... 16 References Cited ............................................................................................................... 17 Appendix I ........................................................................................................................ 19 Appendix II ....................................................................................................................... 21 Appendix III ...................................................................................................................... 25 iv Tables and Figures List Table 1: FPC stream classification and reserve/management zone chart. .......................... 5 Table 2: FPC specified minimum slope distances for buffers around wetland riperian management areas. .............................................................................................................. 6 Figure 1: (MOFR, 2007) Note the LIS avoidance line on the right and a regular straight seismic line on the left of the photo. ................................................................................. 11 Figure 2: (MOFR, 2007): An array of Pipe, 3D, and Seismic Lines in the Fort Nelson Forest District.................................................................................................................... 12 1 Introduction The forest industry of BC has undergone numerous policy changes over the years that have shaped the industry into what it is today. Yet it has only been in the last few decades that there has been significant progress made towards forest practices that promote sustainable forest management1 that in turn integrate environmental, social and economical values. Today the Ministry of Forests and Range (MOFR) as well as various forest certification organizations such as the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), use the concept of responsible forest stewardship to accomplish the sustainable forest management goal. The definition of forest stewardship, according to the Association of BC Forest Professionals (ABCFP), \u00E2\u0080\u009Cis the care of natural resources taking into consideration the values of landowners and society\u00E2\u0080\u009D (ABCFP, 2002). As an attempt to encourage this concept in the forest industry, the MOFR has made forest stewardship a key component of the Forests and Range Practices Act (FRPA). In fact, \u00E2\u0080\u009CFRPA legislation requires that licensees prepare forest stewardship plans (FSP) that show how operations will be consistent with objectives set by government for soils, timber, wildlife, water, fish, biodiversity and cultural heritage resources\u00E2\u0080\u009D (BCMON, 2007). In addition to licensees having to prepare FSPs, forest stewardship is also enforced at a higher level of forest management. For example, ABCFP encourages forest stewardship through various obligations that its members (professional foresters) must abide by under the organizations Code of Ethics bylaw2. Hence, forest stewardship is directly applied to the practice of professional forestry. However, in spite of the heavy influence of forest stewardship on the practice of forest management, the majority of BC\u00E2\u0080\u0099s forested landscape belongs to the public as crown land. Therefore, other stakeholders can legally lease the same productive forested landscape for the extraction of other natural resources, such as oil and natural gas. The problem is that other stakeholders such as the oil and gas industry abide by their own policies and regulations that do not necessarily match those of the forest industry, therefore creating concerns as to whether responsible forest stewardship is actually occurring or not. An example of the policy diversity between that of the forest industry and that of the oil and gas industry involves the rate of timber harvest. In the forest industry, a cap on how much an individual licensee can legally cut on an annual basis, known as an Annual Allowable Cut (AAC), is enforced. However, in the oil and gas industry, there is no cap on how much timber can be harvested on an annual basis, or even under any specified time interval. Although policies may differ between the forest and oil and gas industries, the oil and gas industry promotes itself as a leader in environmental stewardship. In fact, \u00E2\u0080\u009Coil and gas companies are working through programs such as the Canadian Association of Petroleum Products Stewardship initiative to continuously improve environmental, health, safety and social performance\u00E2\u0080\u009D (CAPP, 2005). However in spite of good environmental stewardship initiatives, numerous complaints concerning responsible forest stewardship have been made since the creation of the Oil and Gas Commission (OGC) that leads one to question their effectiveness. 1 Sustainable Forest Management \u00E2\u0080\u009Cis the stewardship and use of forests and forest lands in a way, and at a rate, that maintains their biological diversity, productivity, regeneration capacity, vitality and their potential to fulfil, now and in the future, relevant ecological economic and social functions, at local, national and global levels, and that does not cause damage on other ecosystems\u00E2\u0080\u009D (FAO, 2009). 2 ABCFP Code of Ethics Bylaw can be viewed at: http://www.abcfp.ca/regulating_the_profession/bylaws/code_of_ethics.asp, accessed March 3, 2009. 2 In this paper, I argue that the oil and gas industry\u00E2\u0080\u0099s current policy framework has weak points that are having negative affects on the responsible forest stewardship of northeastern BC\u00E2\u0080\u0099s forested landscape. This will be accomplished by first presenting background information as to how the OGC first came about and what it represents, as well as a further description of what the FRPA is. The background section of this report also introduces the Fort Saint John Pilot Project (FSJPP), which governs the sustainable management of the western portion of the Fort Saint John Timber Supply Area (TSA). Next the policies surrounding four major activities of the oil and gas industry are discussed including, riparian management, road construction and usage, timber harvesting, and rehabilitation of abandoned well sites as well as that of pipe and seismic lines. In addition to this, these four categories are compared to the standards of the FRPA to show how they meet up to responsible forest management. Finally, a conclusion reemphasizes the general findings of the report and provides recommendations as how to improve oil and gas industry policy. Background The Oil and Gas Commission Prior to the creation of the OGC in 1998, the oil and gas industry had to gain approval from various other authorities such as the Ministry of Forests (now known as the MOFR) in order to go ahead with its activities3. During February 1998, the consultant, Golder Associates Ltd was hired by the Ministry of Energy and Mines (MOEM) to research the efficiency of the industries\u00E2\u0080\u0099 legislative and regulatory framework. The key findings of Golder Associates Ltd were that \u00E2\u0080\u009Cthere was overlapping legislation, inconsistent legislative application, an overly complex approval process, lack of departmental cooperation, and a shortage of human resources, particularly at peak times\u00E2\u0080\u009D (Golder Associates Ltd, 1998). Golder Associates Ltd also stated at the time that \u00E2\u0080\u009Cif regulatory reform did not occur quickly, several companies in the Peace River region planned to withdraw their investment in BC entirely\u00E2\u0080\u009D (Golder Associates Ltd., 1998). Due to the findings of Golder Associates Ltd and to the overall slump in the BC natural resource sector at the time, the MOEM decided that action had to be taken right away to improve the economic status of the province. However, while the provincial government was eager to increase the efficiency of the oil and gas industry regulatory framework to increase productivity in the sector, \u00E2\u0080\u009Cit also wanted to ensure that the expansion of the BC oil patch would not be at the expense of environmental standards or the government\u00E2\u0080\u0099s obligations in respect of First Nations\u00E2\u0080\u009D (Rankin, 2000). To meet these objectives, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed in February 1998, by both the oil and gas industry, and the government. \u00E2\u0080\u009CThe MOU provided for an \u00E2\u0080\u0098Oil and Gas Initiative\u00E2\u0080\u0099, the goal of which was to \u00E2\u0080\u009Cmake BC one of the most attractive places in North America for oil and gas investment\u00E2\u0080\u0099\u00E2\u0080\u0099 (Rankin, 2000). After the signing of the MOU, several important decisions were made right away including that \u00E2\u0080\u009Cthe OGC would be an agency of government with staff seconded from existing ministries, issuing the same permits as required under existing legislation but through a single wicket\u00E2\u0080\u009D (BC 3 A table displaying the affect of forest industry policies in the petroleum industry prior to the implementation of the OGC can be observed under Appendix I, page 24 -25. 3 Gov't, 1998). \u00E2\u0080\u009CThe signing of the MOU also presented the beginning of an intensive consultation process that included First Nation(s), the oil and gas industry, the environmental community and the government that for the most part went rather smoothly without any hitches\u00E2\u0080\u009D (Rankin, 2000). Finally, just six months later during July 1998, a new legislative framework known as the Oil and Gas Commission Act was completed. Within the Oil and Commission Act, it is stated that the OGC\u00E2\u0080\u0099s mandate is to \u00E2\u0080\u009Cstreamline the process of obtaining approval for upstream activities by providing a single window for necessary permits and approvals, thereby assimilating the essential permits and licenses that were at the time being granted by various ministries\u00E2\u0080\u009D (OGC, 1998). The OGC Act also requires \u00E2\u0080\u009Cthe Commission to promote the sound development of the oil and gas industry, inter alia, by fostering a healthy environment, a sound economy and social well being\u00E2\u0080\u009D. Today, due to the enactment of the OGC, oil and gas companies no longer are required to answer to, or gain the authorization of a vast array of other ministries, and as a result, the industry is thriving. The Forest and Range Act Much like the oil and gas industry, back in the late 1990\u00E2\u0080\u0099s, \u00E2\u0080\u009Cthe provincial government sought out new legislation to streamline the forest industry\u00E2\u0080\u0099s activities\u00E2\u0080\u009D (MOFR, 2003). It was thought at the time that the amount of planning and paperwork involved with keeping in compliance with the Forest Practices Code (FPC) was inefficient and cumbersome. Hence, a results-based system was proposed by the BC Liberal Government, as part of its \u00E2\u0080\u009CNew Era\u00E2\u0080\u009D campaign in 2001. The result was a new forest and range planning and practices framework, know today as the FRPA, which was put into action January 31, 2004. One of the most important features of the FRPA that pertains to this paper is that it requires forest licensees to complete forest stewardship plans (FSP). \u00E2\u0080\u009CFSPs are envisioned to replace three requirements under previous legislation: the Forest [aka Five-year] Development Plans, Silviculture Prescriptions and Road Layout and Design *aka Road Permits+ requirements\u00E2\u0080\u009D (MOFR, 2007a). In addition to this, \u00E2\u0080\u009CFSPs set out results that forest companies must achieve to meet the standards for forest values like forest inventory data, water quality, fish and wildlife, and biodiversity. Government is responsible for establishing these standards\u00E2\u0080\u009D (MOFR, 2007). Under section 2: division 1, of the FRPA, it is outlined who must complete FSPs, the contents that FSPs must contain, as well as the length of FSP terms under several different circumstances4. Of particular concern are the two FSPs that have been completed and are currently being implemented in the Fort Nelson Forest District. These two FSPs include: In March 2007, Canfor's Fort Nelson operations had their FSP approved; and, In May 2008, BCTS Peace Liard TSO (Timber Sales Office) had theirs approved. (MOFR, 2007a) 4 Section 2: division 1 can be viewed in appendix II, page 26 -29. 4 Fort Saint John\u00E2\u0080\u0099s Pilot Project During the 1990\u00E2\u0080\u0099s when the government was planning ways to create a results based framework for the forest industry, it attempted to initiate pilot projects to test the different approaches to results-based management. \u00E2\u0080\u009COf several initiated, two pilot projects were fully implemented; the Stillwater pilot project, covering an area of about 180,000 hectares near Powell River, and the Fort St. John pilot project, covering about 4.1 million hectares in the Fort St. John TSA\u00E2\u0080\u009D (FSJPPB, 2008). Of particular interest is the Fort Saint John Pilot Project. Along with the Fort Nelson Forest District, the Dawson Creek Forest District, and the Chetwynd Forest District, the majority of Oil and Gas activity occurs in these areas of BC. Instead of switching to the FRPA, the FSJPP is expected to carry on under its own regulations into the future\u00E2\u0080\u009D (FSJPPB, 2008). Therefore, the FSJPP has its own regulations to ensure that responsible forest stewardship occurs within its jurisdiction. Forest Stewardship is accomplished by the FSJPP through following criteria and indicators5 associated with the Canadian Standards Association, Sustainable Forest Management division that are listed in detail under a Sustainable Forest Management Plan (SFMP). These standards are used to compare oil and gas industry policies within the pilot project area in this report. Figure 1, displays the Fort Saint John TSA and the FSJPP. Figure 1: The Fort Saint John TSA in which the FSJPP takes up 87% of. This map was extracted from: ( (FAIB, 2007). 5 The FSJPP/CSA-SFM, criteria and indicators can be viewed at: http://fsjpilotproject.com/csa.html, accessed March 6, 2009. FSJPP AREA Private Land Protected Land 5 Key Components of Oil and Gas Industry Policy and How they Affect Responsible Forest Stewardship I. Riparian Management Policy A major component of responsible forest stewardship is the maintenance of riparian areas6 in which drainage form forestland(s) collects. In particular, creating as little disturbance as possible to fish bearing steams and wetland habitat where vegetative biodiversity is high is of great importance under the FSJPP and the rest of northeastern BC. To minimize disturbance to non- fish bearing streams as well as to fish bearing streams, the FSJPP SFMP requires the implementation of reserve and management zone buffers that very in width in relationship to a particular streams characteristics. In addition to streams, wetland areas also require buffers based on their characteristics. Tables 1 and 2 show the various buffer widths for different classes of streams and wetlands, which come form the FPC riparian management guidebook. Table 1: FPC stream classification and reserve/management zone chart extracted from: (FPC, 1995). \u00EF\u0083\u0098 S1 \u00E2\u0080\u0093 S6 refer to stream class level, which is defined by the average channel width of the stream. \u00EF\u0083\u0098 Reserve Zone width is the buffer width in which harvesting activity cannot occur within. \u00EF\u0083\u0098 Management Zone width is the buffer width in which harvesting can occur in, but at a certain level of retention depending on the stream class. \u00EF\u0083\u0098 RMA stands for Riparian Management Area, which is the sum of the Reserve Zone width and the Management Zone width. 6 \u00E2\u0080\u009CA riparian Area is the banks and adjacent areas of a stream, river, lake or wetland. It contains vegetation that, due to the presence of water, is distinctly different from the vegetation of adjacent upland areas\u00E2\u0080\u009D (FPB, 2008). 6 Table 2: FPC specified minimum slope distances for buffers around wetland riperian management areas extracted from: (FPC, 1995). \u00EF\u0083\u0098 W1 \u00E2\u0080\u0093 W5 refer to wetland/riparian class level, which is defined by \u00E2\u0080\u009Cwhether the wetland is a simple wetland or wetland complex, the wetland size, and the biogeoclimatic unit in which the wetland occurs\u00E2\u0080\u009D (FPC, 1995). \u00EF\u0083\u0098 Reserve Zone width is the buffer width in which harvesting activity cannot occur within. \u00EF\u0083\u0098 Management Zone width is the buffer width in which harvesting can occur in, but at a certain level of retention depending on the wetland class. \u00EF\u0083\u0098 RMA stands for Riparian Management Area, which is the sum of the Reserve Zone width and the Management Zone width. The oil and gas industry bases riparian management on the same FPC stream and wetland classification systems. In 2007, the OGC specifically mentions in its, Environmental Practices Summary for Pipelines (EPSP) document, that its objective is \u00E2\u0080\u009Cto ensure oil and gas activities do not harm fish habitat, reduce water quality or adversely reduce quantity\u00E2\u0080\u009D (OGC, 2007a). The report then goes on to say that: \u00E2\u0080\u009CThe principal objective of the management zones of S1, S2, and S3 streams is to maintain the integrity of the reserve zone. A second objective is to protect important wildlife values in the management zone. Activity in the management zone adjacent to S4, S5, and S6 streams should be planned and implemented to meet riparian objectives that include wildlife habitat, fish habitat, channel stability, and downstream water quality\u00E2\u0080\u009D (OGC, 2007a). It is also important to note that in 2004, five years after the implementation of the OGC Act, the OGC came out with a Stream Crossing Planning Guide7, specifically for northeastern BC. It is arguable that the publishing of this guide was the result of several issues surrounding oil and gas 7 The OGC Stream Crossing Planning Guide can be viewed at http://209.85.173.132/search?q=cache:52zK- bJTxNcJ:www.ogc.gov.bc.ca/documents/guidelines/Stream%2520Crossing%2520Planning%2520Guide.doc+OGC+Stre am+Crossing+Planning+Guide&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=ca, accessed February 18, 2009. 7 activities in riparian areas that were brought to the attention of the OGC as well as the Forest Practices Board (FPB) between 1998 and 2004. These issues were documented in the FPB (2001) audit report on the oil and gas industry, titled: Seismic Line Crossings of Streams, East of Fort Nelson, BC: A Special Investigation Report8 . The Little Hay River Case Study Of the issues presented in the FPB (2001) audit report on the oil and gas industry, one of particular interest is that which entails an investigation on the licensee, Impact Exploration Ltd. The investigation is of particular importance to this report in that it shows how riparian ecosystem stability was disregarded by the contractor due to a lack of on site monitoring by the OGC. The events, which occurred before the FPB commencement of an investigation, where as follows: \u00E2\u0080\u009COn October 21, 1999 Impact Exploration Ltd. submitted a proposal to develop the Little Hay seismic line project for the approval of the commission. On November 18, 1999 the OGC issued a cutting permit to the licensee under the authority of a master agreement 9 . During December 1999, Impact Exploration Ltd began the clearing of the 52km long seismic line entailing 21 stream crossings. On January 28, 2000, the licensee contacted the OGC stating that the project would soon be complete, and therefore requested an inspection of the operation. The OGC declined this request and stated that it would look at the project at a later date. On April 5, 2000, the OGC accused the licensee of failing to remove snowfill within some of the stream crossings. On April 25, 2000, the licensee requested the OGC to go out and inspect five of the crossings, however once again the OGC declined this request due to it being the Easter long weekend. On May 19, 2000, the licensee submitted a report to the OGC, along with photos that were voluntarily taken to prove that they were being falsely accused. On March 5, 2001, the MELP stated that despite the report and the photos presented by the licensee that snowfall crossings were not removed and contained dirty snow and therefore, the licensee had failed to respect the guidelines of the Water Act, the FPC, and the Fisheries Act of Canada\u00E2\u0080\u009D (FPB, 2001). It was not until 2001 that the FPB decided to initiate an investigation on the feud between Impact Exploration Ltd and the OGC. Based on their investigation, the FPB drew several important conclusions that can be directly linked to responsible forest stewardship. Firstly, the licensee created several steam crossings contrary to where the crossings were planned to go without notifying the OGC and gaining written permission. \u00E2\u0080\u009CIn some cases, the crossings were found to be several hundred metres from where they were originally planned to go\u00E2\u0080\u009D (FPB, 2001). In addition to this contradiction to what was originally planned, the licensee also created several mechanical cuts10instead of the planned hand cuts11at a few of the stream crossings. 8 Seismic Line Crossings of Streams, East of Fort Nelson, BC: A Special Investigation Report, can be viewed at http://www.fpb.gov.bc.ca/publications.aspx?id=3094, accessed February 18, 2009. 9 Master Agreement refers to a Master Licence to Cut which must be approved of before an oil and gas licensee can commence harvesting timber. 10 Mechanical Cuts are oil and gas exploration right of ways that are usually 3m wide. 11 Hand cut lines are oil and gas exploration right of ways that are usually 1.5m in width. 8 According to the Timber Harvesting Practices Regulation, under section 21, \u00E2\u0080\u009Cusing alternate methods for stream crossings must be authorized\u00E2\u0080\u009D (MOFR, 1995). Therefore, the licensee under this regulation is clearly in the wrong; however, it should be noted that these unauthorized activities could have been avoided through proper regulation and monitoring on behalf of the OGC, which denied to do so during construction as noted in the FPB investigation report. A second issue raised by the FPB\u00E2\u0080\u0099s (2001) audit report was the confusion surrounding the conflicting guidelines of multiple government entities on the construction and deactivation of snowfill stream crossings12. According to the sequence of events that were outlined in the report, the OGC claimed that the licensee did not remove all of the snowfill stream crossings. On top of this, in the various photographs taken of the snowfill crossings, it was noted that there was debris in the snow. \u00E2\u0080\u009CThe licensee stated that any debris that was left in the stream crossings could not have been removed without disturbing the channel banks or breaking the ice, thereby introducing more debris into the streams\u00E2\u0080\u009D (FPB, 2001). According to the FPC, Fish Stream Crossing Guidebook, \u00E2\u0080\u009CSnowfills are constructed by filling the channel with compacted clean snow (i.e., free of dirt and debris)\u00E2\u0080\u009D (MOFR, 2002); hence, dirty snow should not have been placed in the streams in the first place. However, before 2002, the MOFR district manager stated, \u00E2\u0080\u009Cthe MOFR does not approve the use of dirty fill in any stream, but acknowledges that snowfill crossings may end up containing some soil and debris\u00E2\u0080\u009D (FPB, 2001). On the other hand, the MELP and the Federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans stated, \u00E2\u0080\u009Cthe best management practices require stream crossings to be constructed with clean snow only\u00E2\u0080\u009D (FPB, 2001). To solve this problem of conflicting codes and guidelines on the proper establishment and deactivation of snowfill stream crossings, the FPB made several recommendations under section 185 of the Forest Practices Code of BC Act. One of these recommendations was as follows: \u00E2\u0080\u009CPrior to 2001-2002 winter seismic operations, MOF, MWLAP and the OGC should meet, discuss and agree on the expectations for snowfill crossings. The agencies should also agree on an approach for enforcement of the Code, in the absence of a formal, structured enforcement system. The intent is to ensure that all enforcement direction and enforcement regarding stream crossings. Staff from Fort Nelson, Fort St. John and Dawson Creek should participate in the meeting. At the conclusion of the meeting, the OGC should consider the need for further communications to licensees regarding government\u00E2\u0080\u0099s expectations for stream crossings\u00E2\u0080\u009D (FPB, 2001). For both issues brought up by the FPB\u00E2\u0080\u0099s (2001) audit report on the Little Hay River seismic line project, responsible forest stewardship was put at risk. This was partially due to a lack of communication between the licensee, the OGC and the MOFR, as well as due to a lack of enforcement by the OGC. However, it is important to note that upon the creation of the OGC in 1998, \u00E2\u0080\u009Cit was not empowered to enforce provisions related to oil and gas activities covered by the FPC and its regulations\u00E2\u0080\u009D (FPB, 2001). This point therefore emphasizes the significance of the FPB recommendation presented above, as well as explains the commission\u00E2\u0080\u0099s lack of monitoring 12 Snowfill is used for temporary stream crossings during the winter. 9 of the Little Hay River seismic line project. Despite any progress that has been made over the last few years in improving the level of communication between the OGC and oil and gas licensees, it is has been stated, that \u00E2\u0080\u009Cwith the passing of Bill 20 \u00E2\u0080\u0093 2008, Oil and Gas Activities Act, and hence an independent company self-policing framework, companies will cut corners, dodge responsibility, and prefer to pay penalties if they are ever caught\u00E2\u0080\u009D (Stuck, 2008). II. OGC Road Construction and Deactivation Policy Access to BC\u00E2\u0080\u0099s valuable natural resources often requires the construction of new temporary or permanent resource roads. \u00E2\u0080\u009CAcross BC there are approximately 650,000 km of resource roads \u00E2\u0080\u0093 over 14 times the 45,000 km of public roads and this number is expected to increase by up to 30,000 km per year over the next 5 -10years\u00E2\u0080\u009D (The Forestry \u00E2\u0080\u0093 Oil & Gas Task Force, 2006). Although the enhancement of the BC resource road network has many advantages, such as new access to previously inaccessible valuable resource areas, it should be recognized that, \u00E2\u0080\u009Cthe highest environmental risks related to forest practices are associated with pipelines, roads, and seismic lines, because of frequent stream crossings\u00E2\u0080\u009D (FPB, 2002). As a side note, it is also important to note that, \u00E2\u0080\u009Cwell sites are usually the lowest-risk areas because of their small size\u00E2\u0080\u009D (FPB, 2002). Hence, the proper construction, maintenance, and deactivation of roads by the oil and gas industry, acts as an important component of responsible forest stewardship. However, current administrative complexity is found to not adequately promote the reduction of such risk. In fact, multiple issues exist around resource road policies that do not promote responsible forest stewardship at all. Of primary concern, is the fact that \u00E2\u0080\u009Ccurrently resource road tenure and management is administered by separate government organizations which include the MOFR, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, the MOE, Mines and Petroleum Resources, the OGC, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands\u00E2\u0080\u009D (BC Gov't, 2007). The problem with having multiple entities, which can all authorize the construction of roads, is that they all contain different rules and regulations. For example, in the past \u00E2\u0080\u009Cunder the Land Act, roads were not subject to the guidelines of the FPC\u00E2\u0080\u009D (FPB, 2002). Today, according to the FPRA, under section 22 \u00E2\u0080\u009Croad application\u00E2\u0080\u009D, if an oil and gas company pursues road construction authorization under the Land Act, that company is still not bounded by the regulations of the FRPA. In light of this issue, it has been found during past audits of the oil and gas industry by the FPB that companies generally only abide by the regulations of the Land Act for the construction of permanent access roads, while temporary roads were typically built under the rules and regulations of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Act and hence in accordance to the FRPA. On top of different industries applying for road construction authorization under an array of different BC Acts, it has also been found that there has been a lack of proper communication between different industries as to what their current and future road construction plans and activities are. As a consequence, \u00E2\u0080\u009Cthis has led to multiple roads being built by different resource extraction industries to access the same geographical areas\u00E2\u0080\u009D (ABCFP, 2007). Poor communication resulting in multiple roads going to the same geographical locations clearly goes against responsible forest stewardship. It is also important to note that this lack of communication also leads to infractions of responsible forest stewardship during other oil and gas activities besides road construction, such as cutting seismic lines through Wild Life Tree Patches (WTP) 10 III. Timber Harvesting Policy Obtaining a Licence to Cut Under section 52.3 of the FRPA, \u00E2\u0080\u009Ca person must not remove Crown timber unless authorized to do so under the Forest Act or an agreement under the Forest Act; under a grant of Crown land made under the Land Act; or under the Park Act\u00E2\u0080\u009D (FRPA, 2007). Under the Forest Act, oil and gas licensees are required to apply for a Master Licences to Cut (MLTC) in order to harvest timber. The components of a MLTC licence are as follows: \u00E2\u0080\u009C(2) A master licence to cut (a) must be for a term not exceeding 5 years, (b) must require its holder to pay to the government, in addition to other amounts payable under this Act, (i) stumpage under Part 7, and (ii) waste assessments for merchantable Crown timber, whether standing or felled, that could have been cut and removed under the master licence to cut, but, at its holder's discretion, is not cut and removed, (c) must provide for cutting permits to be issued by the district manager, or a forest officer authorized by the district manager, within the limits provided in the master licence to cut and subject to this Act and the Forest and Range Practices Act, to authorize its holder to harvest Crown timber from specified areas within the area or areas of Crown land specified in the licence to cut, and (d) may include other terms and conditions that (i) are determined by the regional manager or district manager or by a forest officer authorized by either of them, and (ii) are consistent with this Act, the Forest and Range Practices Act, the Wildfire Act and any regulations or standards made under those Acts. (3) The district manager or the forest officer authorized by the district manager must not issue to the holder of a master licence to cut a cutting permit for an area described in subsection (2) (c) unless (a) the holder (i) has written authority from the government, or (ii) is authorized under an enactment to occupy that area, or (b) the cutting permit will facilitate harvesting for the purposes or circumstances referred to in section 47.4 (2) (b) (ii)\u00E2\u0080\u009D (MOFR, 1996). The implementation of MLTC licence process occurred back in 1998 along with the creation of the OGC. \u00E2\u0080\u009CThe drive for the master agreement was the need to reduce administrative workload associated with the petroleum industry\u00E2\u0080\u0099s operations in the Fort Nelson, Dawson Creek and Fort St. John Forest Districts\u00E2\u0080\u009D (MEM, 1998). Since, a MLTC falls under the regulations of the Forest Act and hence the standards of the FRPA, oil and gas licensees promote responsible forest stewardship through applying for and abiding by them. However, a MLTC\u00E2\u0080\u0099s power over what an oil and gas licensee cuts is very limited which will become obvious in the section of this essay titled, Annual Allowable Cut/How Much is Really Being Cut? Harvest Design In most cases, Oil and Gas exploration involves the creation of seismic, 3D, and hand cut lines, that all vary in clearing width, but all can stretch for kilometres on end to potential resource 11 extraction points. The maximum widths and dimensions of such lines can be viewed under the OGC \u00E2\u0080\u009CMaximum Disturbance Review Criteria\u00E2\u0080\u009D, appendix III, page 30-33. The impacts that clearing exploration lines may have on wildlife and the environment are given as: \u00E2\u0080\u009CClearing activity may: \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 disturb wildlife during sensitive breeding, nesting or over-wintering periods; \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 displace wildlife temporarily or permanently from adjacent lands; \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 fragment and alter the habitat on or along the right-of-way; \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 improve hunter or predator access to previously remote wildlife populations; and, \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 introduce noxious weed species to the area. (Disrupting the surface cover (i.e., organic mat) in discontinuous permafrost areas may result in thawing of the permafrost and subsequent erosion). While excessive clearing of vegetation can: \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 increase the potential for erosion; \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 contribute to timber blow-down damage; \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 result in fragmentation of wildlife habitat and reduce biodiversity; and, \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 limit the area\u00E2\u0080\u0099s ability to regenerate naturally\u00E2\u0080\u009D (CAPP, 2001). The practice of developing 3D lines, also known as Low-Impact Seismic (LIS) avoidance lines, became a common practice at the beginning of this millennium. Today, the OGC requires all oil and gas exploration companies to use LIS avoidance lines to replace regular seismic lines whenever possible to limit the impact of oil and gas exploration on the environment. LIS avoidance lines differ from ordinary seismic lines in that they curve or rather deviate back and forth across the straight path line to their endpoints. Figure 5 demonstrates this difference in the Fort Nelson Forest District. Figure 2: (MOFR, 2007b) Note the LIS avoidance line on the right and a regular straight seismic line on the left of the photo. 12 The specific characteristics of LIS avoidance lines are as follows: \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u009CLIS avoidance creates a narrow line. The width depends upon the cutting method, timber type, density, and snow cover depths. Note: The Workers\u00E2\u0080\u0099 Compensation Board requires a minimum width of 1.5 m to allow six workers to carry a loaded basket stretcher. \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 Lines are typically created using hand cuts. \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 The line of the cut meanders, following the path of least resistance, avoiding merchantable timber and dense softwood stands, and providing line-of-sight blockage for wildlife. \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 In heavily treed stands, or in wetlands where meandering may create a fire hazard, straight lines are cut with deliberate line-of-sight blockages every 400 m. A 200 m line-of-sight blockage is preferred in important wildlife areas (e.g., ungulate wintering habitat). \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 Wheeled, low-ground-pressure track vehicles are used on these lines\u00E2\u0080\u009D (CAPP, 2001). Despite the increased practice of LIS avoidance, many exploration lines are still cut in the straight-regular seismic line fashion. In some cases, exploration companies will go to extremes in order to keep a seismic line straight, including cutting through or removing entire Wildlife Tree Patches. In addition to this, \u00E2\u0080\u009Cthere have been occurrences in which WTPs were removed for oil gas pads for extraction\u00E2\u0080\u009D (ABCFP, 2007). In reference to this, the OGC states in the Operational Guidance for Oil and Gas Exploration and Development document that: \u00E2\u0080\u009CAlthough it is not considered best management to remove trees from a WTP, if the selection process can find no other suitable site, we need to recognize that WTPs can be moved both spatially and temporally in order to meet industry needs and still meet biodiversity goals\u00E2\u0080\u009D(OGC, 2005). Figure 6, is an example of the heavy use of streight seismics lines still used today in northeastern BC. Figure 3: (MOFR, 2007): An array of Pipe, 3D, and Seismic Lines in the Fort Nelson Forest District. 13 Although LIS avoidance may be advancement in reducing the environmental impact of harvesting for oil and gas exploration and development, it does not alone constitute as responsible forest stewardship under forested landscape settings. Removing Wets temporally and/or spatially is a contradiction to responsible forest stewardship. WTPs cannot be simply moved, for \u00E2\u0080\u009Cthey must represent the natural timber seral stage of the particular cutblock prior to harvest\u00E2\u0080\u009D (MOFR, 2007b). Therefore, oil and gas industry policy does not fulfill the requirements of responsible forest stewardship in regards to harvesting design. Annual Allowable Cut: How Much is Really Being Cut? Annual allowable cut (AAC) is the amount of volume of timber that a forest licensee may harvest on a specific tenure on an annual basis. Provincial forest district AACs are determined by the chief forester of BC and are put into place as a means to regulate the amount of timber harvested from the Total Harvestable Land Base (THLB) of the province and to ensure sustainable forest management occurs. The process, which the Chief Forester employs to come up with the AAC for each forest districts is one that involves considering many different aspects that can be broadly categorized under three headings: social considerations (including First Nation\u00E2\u0080\u0099s values), economic considerations and environmental considerations. \u00E2\u0080\u009CThe overall concept of volume control or even in contrast an area control AAC to promote forest sustainability is not practiced or enforced by the OGC upon oil and gas licensees\u00E2\u0080\u009D (BCOGTF, 2006). However, to compensate for the forest harvesting activities of the oil and gas industry, the Chief Forester tries to take such activities into account when developing AACs for the forest districts of northeastern BC. For example in the Fort Nelson TSA, \u00E2\u0080\u009Cnet losses to the THLB included such disturbances to the land such as seismic lines and pipelines\u00E2\u0080\u009D (MOFR, 2006). \u00E2\u0080\u009CHowever, access roads and well sites, were not included in this calculation, therefore the Chief Forester came up with a proportional estimate to come up with total net loss of the THLB due to oil and gas activities\u00E2\u0080\u009D (BCOGTF, 2006). This information was also missing from the Fort St. John TSA, and therefore the Chief Forester made a similar proportional estimate to that of the Forest Nelson Forest District. In light of the Chief Forester making deductions to the THLB to compensate for oil and gas activities in both Fort Nelson and Fort St. John Forest Districts, it remains unknown as to how much oil and gas licensees have and continue to harvest. \u00E2\u0080\u009CThere are also critics of the Chief Forester that claim that the Chief Foresters estimation is to high\u00E2\u0080\u009D (BCOGTF, 2006). Due to this uncertainty, it is impossible to determine if the harvest rates of provincial forest districts that share the land with oil and gas activities are sustainable or not. 14 IV. Policy Surrounding the Reclamation of Abandoned Sites The use of seismic lines, pipelines, and even well sites can be short lived and eventually require a reclamation process to rehabilitate the landscape to its former self. However, \u00E2\u0080\u009Calthough most of the area disturbed by oil and gas development originally supported productive forests, reclamation of such sites seldom involves reforestation as a primary goal\u00E2\u0080\u009D (Bulmer et. al, 2002). There are four main reasons why oil and gas sites may not be reforested once abandoned which are as follows: 1. The shear costs associated with doing so (seismic and pielines typically are km\u00E2\u0080\u0099s in length in remote areas); and 2. The chance that an orphaned site13 may be reclamed for further use in the near future. 3. An assumption that oil and gas sites cannot be successfully revegitated, especially with regards to abandond well sites. 4. A lack of legislative enforcement that is present in the forest industry under the FRPA. In addition to the four factors listed above, even though the FSJPP has specific creteria and indicators for reforestation, the OGC is not obligated to follow these as they are not an officaial participant of the pilot progect. Despite a lack of enforcement and the associated costs of land restoration, evidence from studies such as that performed by the Technical and Research Committee on Reclimation (TRCR) in 2002, show that some oil and gas companies are practicing reforestation. However the same study also found that \u00E2\u0080\u009C15% of the sample sites in the Dawson Creek area that were rehabilitated, had been reused within eight years\u00E2\u0080\u009D (Bulmer et. al, 2002). This sort of statistic only increases the perseption amongnst oil and gas licensees that reforestation is a waste of time. The TRCR study also found that \u00E2\u0080\u009Cin reclamation work involving soil decompaction, fertilization, grass seeding, and tree planting operations, the cost associated with tree planting ranges approximatly 35-40% of the total cost for reclimation, or $1500 - $2000 per hectare\u00E2\u0080\u009D (Bulmer et. al, 2002). When an oil and gas licensee does attempt to rehabilitate an orphaned site, they are obligated to follow the OGC\u00E2\u0080\u0099s evironmental practice standards. Under these standards, \u00E2\u0080\u009Can oil and gas licensee must restore vegetation on an abandoned well or test hole-site by either replanting native vegetation or by applying a suitable seed mixture\u00E2\u0080\u009D (OGC, 2007b). The specific criteria that apply to this standard are: 13 Orphaned Site: a well site lease that is abandoned either for good or temporarily. 15 \u00E2\u0080\u009CCriteria Specific Requirement: a. Species \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 Seed mixtures must not increase the frequency or distribution of any weed species on the surface lease or on adjacent undisturbed ground. \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 Seed mixtures must include species that are adapted to the climate and soil conditions of the Peace River region of British Columbia. (contact your local Ministry of Agriculture office if you require information or assistance) \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 Native species must be similar to vegetation, which would occur naturally on undisturbed ground. b. Density \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 80% of the density on adjacent undisturbed ground. b. Height \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 80% of height on adjacent undisturbed ground. c. Health \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 Plants should be healthy based on a visual inspection of their vigour, height, and colour. d. Cover \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 The vegetation must cover > 80% of the soil surface if the species on the reclaimed site are similar to the vegetation on the adjacent undisturbed ground. \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 Where the species composition on the reclaimed site is different from the vegetation on the undisturbed ground, or the undisturbed ground has been cultivated, vegetation on the reclaimed site must cover > 80% of the soil surface. \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 Vegetation on the reclaimed site must be evenly distributed, or be similar to the distribution on the undisturbed ground\u00E2\u0080\u009D (OGC, 2007b). In addition to the OGC environmental practices summary document that is available for well sites and test holes, there is also an environmental practices summary document for pipelines. However the pipeline document makes no reference to standards that should be followed once a pipline is no longer in use, and its rightaway no longer needs to be kept clear of vegetation. In addition to this, there is no OGC document that describes any reforestation actions for seismic or 3D cutlines. The lack of reforestation standards for pipe, seismic, and cutlines as well as the lack of enforcemet surrounding the reforestation of wellsites is quite concerning from a responsible forest stewardship point of view. Under the FRPA, forest licensees, are obligated to revegatate harvest areas, with strict penalties envolved for non compliance. These same regulations should be applied as well to the oil and gas industry, to aid in suistanble forest management. This is important due to the fact that \u00E2\u0080\u009Ctypically if harvested sites are not restocked either naturally or by planting right away, the ecology of northeastern BC allows for native grass species to quickly takeover, therefore insuring a reduction in future timber supply\u00E2\u0080\u009D (MOFR, 1991). 16 Conclusion/Recommendations The findings of this essay show that there are weak points in current oil and gas industry policy that prevent and discourage responsible forest stewardship in northeastern BC. \u00E2\u0080\u009CForest stewardship is the care of natural resources taking into consideration the values of landowners and society\u00E2\u0080\u009D (ABCFP, 2002), yet oil and gas practices continue to disregard these values and in doing so, put sustainable forest management at risk. The greatest forest stewardship issues related to oil and gas industry policy include: a lack of monitoring and enforcement of oil and gas industry policy on behalf of the OGC; a lack of proper communication between the oil and gas industry and other industries sharing the same land base; a low level of diligence on the part of the OGC in keeping records of all resource roads being used, constructed, maintained, and deactivated by its employees; the industry follows road construction, maintenance, and deactivation regulations of Acts that are different from those used by other industries; a lack of dilligence on behalf of the oil and gas industry in keeping records of the total area of land alteration it causes through the construction of seismic and pipelines, wellsites, 3D and hand cut exploraition lines, and other land leases; and a lack of a cap on the volume or area of the timber harvested on an annual bases. As the oil and gas industry continues to progress in its extraction of natural gas and oil in the province of BC, these issues must be dealt with as soon as possible. The following is a list of recommendations as to how oil and gas industry policy could be improved to further promote responsible forest stewardship in northeastern BC: 1. The OGC Act should be ammended to insure that a BC Professional Forester and/or Professional Engineer is alsways present during oil and gas industry construction and planning phases to ensure responsible forest stewardship is always a top priority. 2. A single set of winter stream crossing guidelines amoungst all ministries should be established, that is both clear and easy to understand. 3. A single set of minimum road construction and planning standards should be created that all ministries should abide by. 4. The OGC sould keep records of all harvest activities so that, that information can be passed onto the Chief Forester on an Annual Basis, for Timber Supply Analysis. 5. Since it is unpratical to revegetate a pipeline, seismic line, 3D line, or well site directly after abandonment due to possible use again in the near future, such disturbances to the land should be spaced out as far as possible from each other to avoid serious forest fragmentation issues. 17 References Cited ABCFP. (2002). Standards of Professional Practice: Guidelines for Interpretation. Vancouver: Association of BC Forest Professionals. ABCFP. (2007). ABCFP Response to the Forestry \u00E2\u0080\u0093 Oil & Gas Task Force Report. Vancouver: The Association of BC Proffesional Foresters. BC Gov't. (1998). Debates of the Legislative Assembly. (p. 11:7). BC Gov't. (2007). Resource Road Legislation. Retrieved March 2, 2009, from British Columbia: The Best Place on Earth: www.for.gov.bc.ca/mof/rra/ BCMON. (2007). British Columbia's Suistainable Forest Mnagement: BC Forest Facts. Vancouver: BC Market Outreach Network. BCOGTF. (2006). \u00E2\u0080\u009CForest Stewardship in Areas with Forestry and Oil & Gas Development in Northeast BC \u00E2\u0080\u0093 The Forest Professionals\u00E2\u0080\u0099 Perspective\u00E2\u0080\u009D. Vancouver: The BC Oil and Gas Task Force. CAPP. (2001). Environmental Operating Practices for the Upstream Petroleum Industry: British Columbia - Geophysics. Calgary: The Canadian Association of Petroleum Procedures. CAPP. (2005). British Columbia's Oil and Natural Gas Industry. Calgary: Canadian Association of Petroleum Products. Bulmer, M. K., et al. (2002). Soil Productivity and Forest Regeneration Success on Reclaimed Oil and Gas Sites in the Dawson Creek Forest District. Vernon: The Technical and Research Commitee on Reclimation. FAIB. (2007). Forest Analysis and Inventory Branch. Retrieved April 11, 2009, from Ministry of Forests and Range: http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hts/tsa/tsa40/maps.htm FAO. (2009, March 18). Annex 6: Deffinitions and Basic Principles of Sustainable Forest Management in Relation to Criteria and Indicators. Retrieved March 18, 2009, from FAO Corporate Document Repository: http://www.fao.org/docrep/003/x6896e/x6896e0e.htm FPB. (2001). Seismic Line Crossings of Streams, East of Fort Nelson, BC: A Special Investigation Report. Victoria: Forest Practices Board. FPB. (2002). FPB/ARC/50: Audit of Forest Planning and Practices, and Forest Practices Code Enforcement in the Fort Nelson Forest District. Victoria: Forest Practices Board. FPB. (2008). Glossary of Board Terms. Retrieved March 19, 2009, from The Forest Practices Board: http://www.fpb.gov.bc.ca/content.aspx?id=1202 FPC. (1995). Riperian Management Guidebook. Victoria: Ministry of Forests and Range. FRPA. (2007). The Forest and Range Practices Act. Victoria: BC Gov't. FSJPPB. (2008). Fort St. John Pilot Project \u00E2\u0080\u0093 results-based legislation that works, Board Bulletin, Volume # 8. Fort Saint John: Fort Saint John Pilot Project Board. Golder Associates Ltd. (1998). Report on the Regulation of the Oil and Gas Industry in British Columbia . unpublished. MEM. (1998). Energy and Minerals Division: Information Letter. BC, Canada: The Ministry of Energy and Mines. MEM. (2003). Oil and Gas in British Columbia. Fort Saint John: The Ministry of Energy and Mines. 18 MOFR. (1991). Ecosystems of BC. Victoria: The Research Branch of the Ministry of Forests. MOFR. (1995). Timber Harvesting Practices Regulation. Victoria: Ministry of Forests and Range. MOFR. (1996). The Forest Act. Victoria: The Queen's Printer. MOFR. (2002). Fish Stream Crossing Guidebook. Victoria: Forest Practices Code. MOFR. (2003, February 4). Overview of the Transition. Retrieved February 27, 2009, from Ministry of Forests and Range: http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/code/training/fpc/overview.html MOFR. (2006). AAC Rationale for the Fort Nelson TSA. Victoria: Ministry of Forests and Range. MOFR. (2007a). Fort Nelson Forest District: Stewardship - Forest Stewardship Plans. Retrieved February 27, 2009, from Ministry of Forests and Range: http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/dfn/Stewardship/fsp.htm MOFR. (2007b). Stand Level Biodiversity Management - Module 3-B, Wildlife tree patches (WTP). Retrieved March 20, 2009, from Ministry of Forests and Range: http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfp/training/00001/module03/tree-patches.htm OGC. (1998). Oil and Gas Commision Act . Fort Saint John: BC Gov't. OGC. (2005). Operational Guidance for Oil and Gas Exploration and Development for Northeast BC. Fort Saint John: The Oil and Gas Commission. OGC. (2007a). Environmental Practices Summary for Pipeline Projects. Fort Saint John: Oil and Gas Commission. OGC. (2007b). Environmental Practices Summary for Wells and Test Holes. Fort Saint John: Oil and Gas Commission. Rankin, M. e. (2000). Regulatory Reform in the British Columbia Petroleum Industry: The Oil and Gas Comission. Calgary: Facualty of Law: University of Alberta. Stuck, W. (2008, April 9). B.C. makes it easier for companies to exploit natural gas reserves. Retrieved March 11, 2009, from Globe and Mail: http://www.sqwalk.com/bc2008/001267.html#stueck_globe The Forestry \u00E2\u0080\u0093 Oil & Gas Task Force. (2006). \u00E2\u0080\u009CForest Stewardship in Areas with Forestry and Oil & Gas Development in Northeast BC \u00E2\u0080\u0093 The Forest Professionals\u00E2\u0080\u0099 Perspective\u00E2\u0080\u009D. Vancouver: ABCPF. 19 Appendix I Forest Practices Code of British Columbia Act (\u00C2\u00A9 1995) Regulations and Their Impact on the Petroleum Industry Regulation Name Main Provisions Anticipated Impact on Oil and Gas Operations Strategic Planning Rules to be followed by the chief forester in establishing resource management zones, landscape units for biological diversity, interpretative forest sites, and sensitive areas. Sensitive areas may be defined and could affect permitting 1 and allocation 2 processes. Standards 3 publication is also authorized. Although \"standards\" are not currently in force, they may be issued in the future and may affect future oil and gas operations. Operational Planning Part 2 Submission requirements for forest development, 5 year silviculture, and access management plans. Relevant particularly for access management plans. Referral requirements. May be necessary for logging plans. Operational Planning Part 3 Forest development plans. Not applicable to oil and gas industry. Operational Planning Part 4 Logging plans. Mandatory for oil and gas operations. Operational Planning Part 5-7 Silviculture prescriptions, stand management prescriptions and 5 year silviculture plans. May apply in certain cases. Operational Planning Part 8 Access management plans. Not applicable to oil and gas industry. Operational Planning Part 9 Range management. Not applicable to oil and gas industry. Operational Planning Part 10 Riparian management zones. Restrictions to operations within designated riparian zones apply to oil and gas operations. Forest Road Generic regulations for road layout, design, construction, maintenance, and de-activation. Access roads authorized under the P&NG Act or the Land Act MEMPR requirements will be consistent with the Code. Timber Harvesting Marking of features prior to commencing harvesting, yarding, skidding landings, special harvesting practices. Relevant to all work sanctioned under license to cut provisions. Forest Service Road Use Speed restriction, traffic control. Applicable where use is made of a forest road. Administrative Remedies Penalties for non-compliance, ranging from withholding logging plan approvals, to fines. All parties including oil and gas operators conducting forest practices will be affected. Administrative Review and Appeal Procedures for requesting reviews of operational plans. Procedures for filing an appeal against administrative determinations. Applicable to oil and gas companies which become involved in reviews or wish to appeal decisions. Silviculture Practices Reforestation, pesticides, survey requirements, soil rehabilitation. Selective provisions will apply to oil and gas operations. Provincial Forest Use Primary and ancillary uses under the Land Act, Wildlife Act, and the need Section 6 exempts oil and gas activities from this regulation. 20 for \"special use permits\". Treecone and Vegetative Material Regulations covering the collection of seeds. Not applicable to oil and gas industry. Performance-Based Harvesting Provisions allowing the forest district manager to refuse to issue a license to cut because of failure to comply with the Code provisions. Important provision which applies to oil and gas operations. Forest Recreation Provisions to regulate recreational activities in forested lands. Not applicable to oil and gas industry. Range Practices Range practices, developments. Not applicable to oil and gas industry. Cutblock and Road Review Restrictions on the clearcut operations of \"major license holders\". Some road-related provisions may be applicable to oil and gas operations. Forest Fire Prevention and Suppression Fire fighting equipment, and fire risk assessments related to industrial activities. Fire prevention provisions are applicable. 21 Appendix II FOREST AND RANGE PRACTICES ACT SBC 2002, c. 69 Part 2 \u00E2\u0080\u0093 Forest Stewardship Plan, Site Plan and Woodlot Licence Plan Division 1 \u00E2\u0080\u0093 Forest Stewardship Plan Forest stewardship plan required 3 (1) Before the holder of (a) a major licence, (b) a timber sale licence that requires its holder to prepare a forest stewardship plan, (c) a community forest agreement, (c.1) a community salvage licence, or (d) a pulpwood agreement harvests timber or constructs a road on land to which the agreement or licence applies, then, subject to section 4, the holder must prepare, and obtain the minister's approval of, a forest stewardship plan that includes a forest development unit that entirely contains the area on which (e) the timber is to be harvested, and (f) the roads are to be constructed. (2) Before the timber sales manager (a) invites applications for, or enters into, a timber sale licence to which subsection (1) does not apply, (b) grants a road permit to the holder of a timber sale licence referred to in paragraph (a), or (c) constructs an access road to an area to be harvested under a timber sale licence referred to in paragraph (a), then, subject to section 4, the timber sales manager must prepare and obtain the minister's approval of a forest stewardship plan that includes a forest development unit that entirely contains the area (d) that will be the subject of the activities described in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this subsection , and (e) on which timber is to be harvested and roads are to be constructed. (3) Repealed. [2008-4-15(b) (B.C. Reg. 390/2008)] (4) A forest stewardship plan may apply to one or more of each of the following: (a) holders of agreements under the Forest Act; (b) agreements under the Forest Act; (c) areas of land that are, or will be, subject to an agreement under the Forest Act. Exemption from forest stewardship plans 4 (1) If a forest stewardship plan held by the holder of a licence or an agreement referred to in section 3 (1) or by the timber sales manager referred to in section 3 (2) does not apply to an area outside the forest development unit to 22 which the plan pertains, in which area the holder or timber sales manager will harvest timber or construct a road, the holder or timber sales manager, as the case may be, is exempt in respect of the outside area from the requirement for a forest stewardship plan, but only for the following purposes: (a) harvesting timber to eliminate a safety hazard; (b) harvesting timber to facilitate the collection of seed, leaving an opening not greater than 1 ha; (c) removing felled trees from landings and road rights of way; (d) harvesting timber not exceeding a volume of 500 m3 that, in the opinion of the minister, (i) is in danger of being significantly reduced in value, lost or destroyed, by insect infestation, fire or disease, or (ii) has been treated or will be treated by the holder or timber sales manager to facilitate the entrapment or elimination of pests; (e) other prescribed purposes. (2) A person is not required to prepare a forest stewardship plan under section 3 (1) or (2) for timber to be harvested or roads to be constructed if the timber harvesting or the road construction (a) is only for one or more of the purposes referred to in subsection (1) (a) to (e) of this section, or (b) is to be carried out in prescribed circumstances or under prescribed conditions. Content of forest stewardship plan 5 (1) A forest stewardship plan must (a) include a map that (i) uses a scale and format satisfactory to the minister, and (ii) shows the boundaries of all forest development units, (b) specify intended results or strategies, each in relation to (i) objectives set by government, and (ii) other objectives that are established under this Act and that pertain to all or part of the area subject to the plan, and (c) conform to prescribed requirements. (1.1) The results and strategies referred to in subsection (1) (b) must be consistent to the prescribed extent with objectives set by government and with the other objectives referred to in subsection (1) (b) (ii). (2) A forest stewardship plan must be consistent with timber harvesting rights granted by the government for any of the following to which the plan applies: (a) the timber supply area; (b) the community forest agreement area; (c) the tree farm licence area; (d) the pulpwood area. (3) A forest stewardship plan or an amendment to a forest stewardship plan must be signed by the person required to prepare the plan, if an individual or, if a corporation, by an individual or the individuals authorized to sign on behalf of the corporation. Term of forest stewardship plan 6 (1) The term of a forest stewardship plan (a) is the period, not exceeding 5 years, that the person submitting the plan for approval specifies at the time of submission, and (b) begins on the date specified in writing by the minister in approving the 23 plan. (2) The minister by written notice given to the holder may extend the term of a forest stewardship plan, before or after it expires for an additional period not exceeding 5 years in the circumstances specified by regulation. (3) The extended forest stewardship plan may include changes to the extent authorized by regulation. Limited protection for forest development units 7 (1) A proposed forest stewardship plan must be considered to have received the minister's approval under section 16 (1) for the parts, if any, of the forest stewardship plan that pertain to (a) a cutting permit, road permit or timber sale licence if the permit or licence is in effect on the date of the submission of the forest stewardship plan to the minister, or (b) an area that conforms to the prescribed requirements. (1.1) A proposed forest stewardship plan must be considered to have received the minister's approval under section 16 (1) for the parts, if any, of the plan, including but not limited to results and strategies described in it, that pertain to a forest development unit that is in effect on the date of the submission of the forest stewardship plan to the minister unless (a) one or more of the following events occur during the period specified in subsection (2): (i) an enactment applicable to the forest development unit is made or amended; (ii) an objective set by government applicable to the forest development unit is established, varied or cancelled; (iii) if specified by regulation, another objective applicable to the forest development unit is established, varied or cancelled by order under this Act; (iv) an area of land in or adjacent to the forest development unit is designated by order under the regulations as a community watershed; (v) a community watershed in or adjacent to the forest development unit is varied or cancelled by order under the regulations; (vi) timber in the vicinity of the forest development unit has suffered catastrophic damage, and (b) the minister considers that the forest development unit is inconsistent with the events described in paragraph (a) that occur. (2) The specified period under subsection (1.1) begins 4 months before the date the existing plan was submitted for approval and ends 4 months before the date the proposed plan was submitted for approval. Mandatory amendments 8 (1) Subject to subsection (2), the holder of a forest stewardship plan, within the applicable period under subsection (1.1), must propose and submit for approval by the minister, amendments to the plan that take into account an event described in section 7 (1.1) (a) (i), (ii) or (iii) that affects an area under the plan. (1.1) The applicable period under subsection (1) is (a) 2 years, or (b) a longer period specified (i) in an enactment referred to in section 7 (1.1) (a) (i), (ii) in an objective set by government referred to in section 7 (1.1) (a) (ii), or 24 (iii) in an order referred to in section 7 (1.1) (a) (iii). (2) If a different period than that described in subsection (1) is specified in relation to a forest stewardship plan for the purposes of this section in any (a) objective for a wildlife habitat area established under the regulations, or (b) objectives set by government referred to in paragraph (b) of the definition of that term in section 1 (1), that different period applies to the forest stewardship plan instead of the period mentioned in subsection (1). Proportional objectives 9 In prescribed circumstances, the minister may establish targets, in specified proportions between or among the holders of forest stewardship plans, for sharing the responsibility to obtain results consistent with objectives set by government. 25 Appendix III OGC Maximum Disturbance Review Criteria (\u00C2\u00A92003) 26 27 28 "@en . "Graduating Project"@en . "10.14288/1.0103514"@en . "eng"@en . "Unreviewed"@en . "Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library"@en . "Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International"@en . "http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/"@en . "Undergraduate"@en . "University of British Columbia. FRST 497"@en . "Ecosystem"@en . "Pipeline"@en . "Riparian"@en . "Seismic"@en . "Sustainability"@en . "The impact of oil and gas industry policy on responsible forest stewardship in North-eastern BC"@en . "Text"@en . "http://hdl.handle.net/2429/28611"@en .