Changes in 1998 to the Forest Practices Code eliminated the requirement for licensees to have an approved logging plan prior to logging. The only site-specific operational plan required before logging is now a silviculture prescription. However, district managers have the authority to require certain permit holders to prepare logging plans in very limited circumstances. Where the district manager determines that a logging plan is necessary to adequately manage and conserve the forest resources of the area, he or she may request the holder of certain road permits, licences to cut, and certain cutting permits, to prepare and submit a plan. Most licensees are excluded.

Logging plans are documents that describe the harvesting methods and machinery to be used on a particular cutblock. They also describe non-timber forest resources such as riparian areas, wildlife habitat, and recreation, and they specify measures that will be taken to protect and conserve these resources.

Should a district manager require a logging plan, the plan must adhere to both the forest development plan and the silviculture prescription for that cutblock. As with those plans, logging plans are a contractual agreement under the Code, the contents of which are legally binding. A logging plan must be consistent with higher level plans that are in effect at the time it is submitted for approval.

 

3.6.1 WHAT INFORMATION IS REQUIRED IN A LOGGING PLAN

Logging plans describe the harvesting methods to be used in areas proposed for harvesting, including felling, yarding and debris management strategies. They also specify the type of machinery that will be used (for example, a low ground pressure skidder) and the season of logging. A plan may also impose constraints that effect the timing or method of harvesting, such as a requirement for a minimal snowpack.

Ecological and Environmental Information

A logging plan must identify the location of all cutblock boundaries. Any streams, wetlands or lakes identified in the corresponding silviculture prescription must be included, as well as any protection measures such as understory retention levels, riparian reserve zones and cross-stream yarding constraints. Additional reserve zones, such as wildlife tree patches or wildlife habitat areas must also be included. Any measures necessary to ensure soil conservation must be established in a silviculture prescription; however, a logging plan must make reference to hazard levels for soil compaction, erosion, mass wasting and forest floor displacement. Proposed harvest practices must ensure that soil conservation objectives can be met. Sections 31-36 of the Operational Planning Regulation provide more detail on the content requirements for logging plans.

Mapping Information

Logging plans must include a map illustrating the following:

• cutblock boundaries;
• permanent access structures;
• temporary access structures other than excavated and bladed trails;
• main skid trails, backspar trails, or corduroyed trails;
• known wildlife habitat areas;
• streams, wetlands and lakes;
• gullies;
• bridges, culverts and stream crossings;
• gravel pits;
• pipelines and power lines;
• known resource features other than domestic water supply intakes;
• known licensed domestic water supply intakes and related water supply infrastructures that are within or adjacent to the proposed cutblock;
• known community water supply intakes and related water supply infrastructures that are within or adjacent to the proposed cutblock;
• the approximate location of mappable reserves including wildlife trees and wildlife tree patches; and,
• the approximate location of excavated or bladed trails, main skid trails, backspar trails and corduroyed trails.

 

For Further Reference

Legislation: Forest Practices Code of British Columbia Act. ss.11, 21, 39-43.

Regulations: Operational Planning Regulation. BC Reg. 107/98, ss.2, 31-36.

Guidebook: Logging Plan Guidebook. December 1995.

11/19/03