Aboriginal – “Aboriginal“
in the context of this plan includes all Indian, Inuit, and Metis
peoples of Canada (Constitution Act, 1982, Subsection 35(2)).
Adaptive Management –
a learning approach to management that recognizes substantial
uncertainties in managing forests and incorporates into decisions
experience gained from the results of previous actions.
Agreement-in-Principle
– Alberta's notice (not approval) to the organization
that what has been prepared is acceptable at that point. The component
is subject to review at a later date and may require revision
if supporting documentation is not provided.
Alberta Vegetation Inventory (AVI)
– a system for describing the quantity and quality of vegetation
present. It involves the stratification and mapping of the vegetation
to create digital data according to the AVI Standards Manual and
associated volume tables.
Annual Allowable Cut (AAC)
– The volume of wood which may be harvested, under management,
on an annual basis.
Annual Operating Plan (AOP)
– A plan prepared and submitted by the forest operator each
year, which provides the authorization to harvest as required
by the Timber Management Regulations.
Annual Performance Report
- An annual performance report is used to record results from
the previous year, in addition to tracking cumulative performance.
These reports are to be reviewed within the public involvement
plan to ensure public accountability in forest management.
Auditor – a person qualified to undertake audits
Biodiversity (biological diversity)
– “the variability among living organisms from all
sources, including inter alia, terrestrial, marine, and other
aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they
are part; this includes diversity within species between species
and of ecosystems”
(Environment Canada, Canadian Strategy).
Certificate of Registration (registration
certificate) – the official document issues by
a registrar to an organization upon successful completion of the
registration process, including the registration audit.
Certificate/Registration
– the result of a successful registration audit to a standard, whereby the registrar issues a certificate of registration
and adds the organization’s registration to a publicly available
list maintained by the registrar.Certifier (registrar) –
an independent third party that is accredited by the Standards
Council of Canada as being competent to register organizations
with respect to nationally and internationally recognized standards.
Compliance – the conduct
or results of activities in accordance with legal requirements.
Compartment – The
Forest Management Agreement (FMA) area of the DFA is divided into
12 Operating Areas for administrative purposes. These Operating
areas are divided further into a number of Compartments, which
are used in the development of Annual Operating Plans. These compartments,
like most of the Operating Areas, are divided by natural or anthropogenic
boundaries including watercourses, highways, and/or pipelines.
Component – an individual
section of the SFM system, e.g., policy, planning, implementation
and operation, checking and corrective action, or management review.
Conformance – meeting non-legal requirements such as policies, work instructions, or standards.
Continual Improvement –
the ongoing process of enhancing SFM performance, resulting from
experience and the incorporation of new knowledge in line with
the organization’s SFM policy and from the application of
the SFM requirements.
Contractor Manual - The Contractor
Manual is a document provided to all Woodlands Staff and Contractors
which includes the Woodlands Emergency Preparedness Plan (WEPP),
EMS documentation (including forms), and also outlines the responsibilities
and training requirements for staff and contractors.
Contractor Orientation Record (COR)
– The COR is a record what is completed as required in the
Companies’ EMS and indicates the following:
- that the contractor(s) have been made aware
of the Companies EMS and the related operational controls that
apply to their work;
- that the Contractor is made aware and understands
the expectations of the Companies with respect to their responsibility
to follow the Company procedures and will ensure that their
employees’ also have training in the awareness of the
Companies’ EMS and EMS procedures and understands the
main commitments in the respective environmental policy;
- that their suppliers understand & conform
to the EMS and any other certification commitments.
- understands and agrees to conform to these requirements.
Corrective action –
action to eliminate the cause of a detected nonconformity or other
undesirable situation.
Note: There can be more than on cause for a non-conformance. Corrective
action is taken to prevent recurrence, whereas preventive action
is taken to prevent occurrence.
Covertype(s) – The
stratification or grouping of areas into the categories of C (predominantly
coniferous), CD (predominantly coniferous mixedwood), DC (predominantly
deciduous mixedwood), and D (predominantly deciduous). Predominance
is based on crown closure as per the overstory inventory label
(Phase 3 inventory) or on an evaluation of all overstory labels
(AVI inventory).
Cut-Control Period –
A five-year harvest period also known as a quadrant.
Deciduous Timber Allocation (DTA)
– Deciduous quota allocation defined on an area
or volume basis for up to a 20-Year term under the Forests Act
(1).
Detailed Forest Management Plan (DFMP)
- A long-term plan used to outline higher-level management objectives,
sustainability and timber production assumptions for a Forest
Management Agreement (FMA).
DFA-related worker –
any individual employed by the organization to work for wages
or a salary who does not have a significant or substantial share
of the ownership in the employer’s organization and does
not function as a manager of the organization.
Ecosystem – a dynamic
complex of plants, animals, and micro-organisms and their non-living
environment, interacting as a functioning unit.
Note: “The term ‘ecosystem’ can describe
small-scale units, such as a drop of water as well as large-scale
units, such as the biosphere” (Environment Canada, Canadian
Biodiversity Strategy).
Environment – the
surroundings in which an organization operates, including air,
water, land, natural resources, flora, fauna, humans and the interrelations
of these elements.
Equivalent Clearcut Area (ECA)
– The ECA describes the “effective” area that
a recovering historic disturbance currently represents in terms
of its ecological effects.
Establishment Survey –
an establishment survey is completed 4 to 8 years after harvesting
in C, CD, and DC cutblocks and 3 to 5 years after harvesting of
D cutblocks.
Fiber Sourcing Standard - The SFI ® 2015-2019 Fiber Sourcing Standard promotes responsible forestry practices through 14 Principles, 13 Objectives, 21 Performance Measures and 55 Indicators. These fiber sourcing requirements include measures to broaden the practice of biodiversity, use forestry best management practices to protect water quality, provide outreach to landowners and use the services of forest management and harvesting professionals. The Fiber Sourcing Standard applies to organizations in the United States and Canada that procure wood domestically or globally.
Fire Control Agreement -
The Minister may, with a view to ensuring the prevention and control
of forest and prairie fires, enter into an agreement, known as
a fire control agreement,
(a) with any person carrying on an industrial
or commercial operation over, under, on or adjacent to public
land with respect to that operation;
(b) with the Government of Canada with respect
to land in or adjacent to Alberta that belongs to that Government
or that is under its administration and control;
(c) with the government of any province or territory
or;
(d) with the council of a municipal district
or urban municipality with respect to land within its boundaries
or under its control.
Forest – an ecosystem
dominated by trees and other woody vegetation growing more or
less closely together its related flora and fauna, and the values
attributed to it.
Forest Harvest Plan (FHP) - The
primary components of a Forest Harvest Plan (FHP) include a map
and report that clearly illustrates and documents the harvest
area boundaries, roads and watercourse crossings within an individual
compartment. Forest Harvest Plans (FHP's) are developed for each
compartment scheduled for harvest.
Forest Management Agreement (FMA)
– A contract between the province of Alberta and the FMA
holder whereby the province provides an area-based Crown timber
supply. In return, the FMA holder commits to the following:
- Managing the timber resource on a perpetual
sustained yield basis, taking into consideration a broad range
of forest values in determining forest management practices.
- Meeting defined economic objectives, including
capital investment and job creation, and seeking out new business
opportunities that provide measurable economic benefits for
both the province and FMA holder.
The FMA gives the FMA holder the right to access
Crown fibre. In return, the FMA holder commits to forest management
responsibilities, which may change from time to time.
Forest Management Standard - The SFI 2015-2019 Forest Management Standard promotes sustainable forestry practices based on 13 Principles, 15 Objectives, 37 Performance Measures and 101 Indicators. These requirements include measures to protect water quality, biodiversity, wildlife habitat, species at risk and forests with exceptional conservation value. The SFI 2015-2019 Forest Management Standard applies to any organization in the United States or Canada that owns or manages forestlands.
Forest Management Unit (FMU) – An administrative unit of forest land designated by the
Minister, as authorized under Section 14(1) of the Forests Act.
General Development Plans (GDP) –
Five-year plans. They provide a comprehensive description of the
proposed harvest strategy and the associated renewal activities
for all areas impacted by the plan.
Grazing License –
A Grazing License is a grazing disposition with tenure of 10 years.
Ground Rules/Upper Hay Regional Ground
Rules (UHRGR) – Ground rules provide direction
to industry and government for planning, implementing and monitoring
forestry operations on Crown lands in Alberta. They are negotiated
indicators of best forestry practices for a given FMU or FMA.
They highlight important management principles, define operating
and planning objectives, and present standards and guidelines
for timber harvest, road development, reclamation, reforestation
and integration of timber harvesting with other forest uses. They
are authorized by the Forests Act and The Timber Management Regulation.
As part of the approval of the Detailed Forest Management Plan
for the FMA, the Companies and Alberta developed
regional-specific ground rules (i.e. Upper Hay Regional Ground
Rules).
Harvest Sequence –
The order of harvest operations in time and space.
Indicator – a variable that measures or describes the state or condition of an objective
Local – Local in the
context that it is being used in this document includes residents
of High Level, Rainbow Lake, Assumption, Meander River, Zama City,
Fort Vermilion, John D’Or Prairie, Fox Lake, LaCrete, North/South
Tall Cree, Paddle Prairie, Rocky Lane, and/or residents of M.D.
23.
Mineral Surface Lease (MSL)
- A government surface activity label for an oil and gas wellsite.
A wellsite is usually the portion of the surface of land required
for the conduct of drilling or completion operations of a well
during the period next following the initial entry upon the land
until the well is abandoned or completed. Generally square or
rectangular in shape.
(Saskatchewan Surface Right Acquisition
and Compensation Act, 1968 (Stat. Sask. 1968, c.73)
Natural Range of Variability
– The historic range in age class and/or seral stages over
time as a result of natural disturbances.
NIVMA – Northern Interior
Vegetation Management Association.
Objective – a fundamental goal of sustainable forest management.
Older Age Classes –
Age classes which are considered >120 years of age.
Operational Controls –
Operational controls are developed and implemented to ensure that
potential for significant negative environmental impacts are minimized.
Operations Inspection Form
– A form completed by field supervisors to monitor and report
the status of activities on a block-by-block basis.
Performance Measure - In the SFI program, a means of judging whether an objective has been fulfilled.
Performance Survey –
a performance survey is completed 8 to 14 years after harvesting
in C, CD, and DC cutblocks and 10 to 14 years after harvesting
in conditionally stocked D cutblocks.
PPMS – Paddle Prairie Metis
Settlement.
Preferred Forest Management Strategy
(PFMS) – A set of compatible and integrated resource
management strategies that has been selected to guide plan implementation.
Productive Land –
Land primarily intended for growing, or currently supporting,
forest. Includes land not now forested. Forest land capable of
producing a merchantable stand within a reasonable length of time.
Program – An organized system, process or set of activities to achieve an objective or performance measure.
Program Participant - An organization certified by an accredited certification body to be in conformance with the SFI 2015-2019 Forest Management Standard, and/or SFI 2015-2019 Fiber Sourcing Standard and/or SFI 2015-2019 Chain-of-Custody Standard.
Protected area – an
area protected by legislation, regulation or land-use policy to
control the level of human occupancy or activities.
Note: “Categories or protected areas include protected
landscapes, national parks, multiple use management areas, and
nature wildlife reserves" (The State of Canada’s Forests
2001, 2002).
Residual Material –
Non-merchantable trees and shrubs (>2m), including understory,
standing dead, broken, or decaying trees, trees identified as
having dens or nests, or areas retained due to the presence of
unique flora.
Riparian Zone – Those
terrestrial areas where the vegetation complex and microclimate
conditions are products of the combined presence and influence
of perennial and/or intermittent water, associated high water
tables, and soils that exhibit some wetness characteristics.
Salvageable – Coniferous
and/or deciduous area capable of yielding volume of sufficient
quality and quantity to produce dimensional lumber and/or OSB,
while incorporating geographical location, other industrial operations,
as well as utilization standards as agreed to by Alberta Agriculture and Forestry.
SFI Certification - A systematic and documented verification process to obtain and evaluate evidence objectively to determine whether a Program Participant’s SFI program conforms to the requirements of SFI 2015-2019 Standards and Rules.
SFM Policy – a statement
by the organization of intentions and principles in relation to
SFM, which provides a framework for objectives, targets, practices
and actions.
SFM System – the structure,
responsibilities, practices, processes and time frames set by
a registrar for implementing, maintaining, and improving SFM.
Spatial Harvest Sequence (SHS)
- The spatial distribution of harvest areas as a result of the
implementation of the Preferred Forest Management Strategy (PFMS).
Stewardship Report –
A report that accounts for all activities, undertaken as steward
of a given article, resource, area or process, related to strategies
to achieve stated stewardship goals. Measures of performance are
included and linked to plans that express the desired goals.
Sustainable Forest Management (SFM)
– management “to maintain and enhance the
longterm health of forest ecosystems, while providing ecological,
economic, social and cultural opportunities for the benefit of
present and future generations” ( The State of Canada’s
Forests 2001/2002).
Sustainable Forestry Initiative Inc. ® (SFI) - SFI Inc. is a 501c(3) non-profit charitable organization, and is solely responsible for maintaining, overseeing and improving the Sustainable Forestry Initiative program. SFI Inc. directs all elements of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative program including the SFI Standard(s), including forest management, fiber sourcing, and chain-of-custody certifications, and labeling and marketing. SFI Inc. is overseen by a three-chamber Board of Directors representing social, environmental and economic sectors.
Tailgate Checklist –
Company staff utilize the Tailgate Checklist to introduce the
contractor to the management objectives for a particular project.
Tenure – the terms
under which a forest manager or owner possesses the rights and
assumes the responsibilities, to use, harvest, or manage one or
more forest resources in a specified forest area for a specified
period of time.
Note: private ownership of forestland is the
strongest form of tenure, as the rights and obligations rest solely
with the forest owner. Forest tenures of public land in Canada
fall into two main categories: area-based and volume-based. Area-based
tenures not only confer timberharvest rights out also usually
oblige the tenure holder to assume forest management responsibilities.
Volume-based tenures normally give the holder the right to harvest
specific volumes of timber in areas specified by the landowner
or manager but can also oblige holders to assume forest management
responsibilities.
