Operational plans are area specific plans that detail objectives and strategies for the development of forest resources. The Ministry of Forests defines the role of operational plans as "[detailing] the logistics for development. Methods, schedules and responsibilities for accessing, harvesting, renewing and protecting the resource are set out to enable site-specific operations to proceed."

Certain operational plans, such as forest development plans, may be considered landscape level planning tools, meaning they encompass relatively large areas of land within a management area, such as a tree farm licence. Other plans, such as silviculture prescriptions, are stand level planning tools: they provide management direction and operational standards for site specific areas such as individual cutblocks.

Operational plans are legally required to comply with the objectives set out in higher level plans, where they exist. Even if there is no higher level plan for an area, those who approve an operational plan must be satisfied that it will “adequately manage and conserve the forest resources of the area.” The term “adequately” is not explicitly defined. It is left to the discretion of decision-makers to use “any available technical and professional documents” to make a decision regarding what constitutes adequate for a specific area. Direction may be taken from a Ministry of Forests Bulletin, dated July 14, 2000, which discusses risk management in the context of “adequate” management of forest resources.

For Further Reference

Legislation: Forest Practices Code of British Columbia Act. ss.17-44.

Regulations: Operational Planning Regulation. BC Reg. 107/98.

Policy: Ministry Policy Manual, Volume 1: Resource Management Policies.

Bulletin: R. Reader, Director, Compliance and Enforcement Branch, Bulletin No. 4. Application of Section 41(1)(b) of the Forest Practices Code of British Columbia Act, July 14, 2000.

 

11.19.2003