BE IT RESOLVED that the Ministry of Forests and Range revise its post-logging requirements for Crown land bordering, or within the response area of, local governments by: - Changing the re-stocking requirements to meet long-term fire interface protection goals; - Recognizing aspen and other fire-resistant species as counted regeneration species; - Utilizing low type grass treatments to reduce the fire hazard posed by longer wild grass species; - Controlling noxious weeds; and - Providing adequate funding to manage, on a long-term basis, these reduced stocking areas.
MINISTRY OF FORESTS AND RANGE We appreciate the interest and effort of communities to reduce the interface wildfire risks. Government is open to the use of less-flammable tree species in reforestation around communities. No rules or policies preclude this. It would be inappropriate to write requirements to plant specific species like aspen into legislation. These decisions should be made by professionals on a site specific basis. This will ensure species appropriate to the area and goals are selected. We are encouraging the use of appropriate grass species in their natural ecosystems. The Ministry launched a Provincial Ecosystem Restoration program in 2006, which aims to re-establish the role of fire in certain ecosystems and re-establish grasslands that have seen forest ingrowth. Pilot projects have begun in the East Kootenays and Central Cariboo, and a provincial strategy is being developed. The ecosystem restoration program will increase the extent of ecologically suitable grasslands. While the Ministry promotes the use of natural grasses in the interface, it is inappropriate to legislate this at this time as seed is not readily available. Management of noxious weeds is already covered in legislation. The Province of British Columbia is providing the funds necessary to fund fuel management activities, with the aim of reducing the risks of interface wildfire. Funds are administered through the Union of British Columbia Municipalities. Local governments are encouraged to be proactive when it comes to interface risk reduction.