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About the Sustainable Forest Management

Advisory Committee (SFMAC)

  
 

A Brief History of the Committee

 

The SFMAC was established in 1997 to meet Tembec's licensing requirement under the Manitoba Environment Act. The requirement came after the Manitoba Clean Environment Commission had made a recommendation regarding Tembec's, formerly Abitibi-Price Inc.'s FML 01 Forest Resource Management Plan 1991-1998. Manitoba Conservation, formerly Manitoba Environment, turned the recommendation into a license requirement. The committee formed with the purpose to "provide organized and regular output into the company's forest management planning and operations", as stated in the Terms of Reference, available in full below this text.

 

The first SMFAC meetings was held on November 18, 1997 and was briefly chaired by a representative from Manitoba Conservation before the company took responsibility and a division forester held the position. The committee later decided that an independent facilitator was needed to chair the meetings, which began in November 1999.

 

The committee meets 4-6 time per year and at least one meeting takes place in the field, as an on-site visit.

 

 

Revised Terms of Reference (Draft)

 

Scope

The SFMAC will serve as one level of public involvement in PFPC's forest management activities on Forest Management Licence 01 (FML01). Other levels of public consultation may include broad general public consultation, individual consultation with First Nations communities and individual consultation with affected forest users on a site specific basis. The SFMAC will advise in the preparation of Annual Operating and renewal Plans and the Ten Year Development Plans. They will also advise in the implementation of a Sustainable forest management system and an Ecosystem Based Management approach or any other relevant philosophy which may develop in the future.

 

Purpose

The SFMAC is established, as per the PFPC Environmental Act Licence for their forestry operations, to provide organized and regular public input and advice into PFPC's forest management planning and operations. The SFMAC is established to select issues, consider and recommend actions and policies to PFPC. It acts in an advisory capacity only and PFPC is not obligated to accept the recommendations, however PFPC will formally respond to every issue raised with documented reasons for acceptance, modification or rejection. PFPC expects to hold open and meaningful consultation with the SFMAC during the preparation of annual and long term forest management plans and in any other relevant areas or emerging philosophies of forest management, including all of the aspects of the forest. The SMFAC is expected to share their knowledge of the forest and to provide advice to PFPC.

 

Objectives

  1. To provide an opportunity for the sharing of interest, values and concerns of all Committee members as they pertain to forestry activities in the FML01.
  2. To provide a forum representing a broad cross section of interests to discuss and provide input to PFPC's forestry activities, environmental practices and public involvement initiatives.
  3. To advise PFPC in the development of forestry plans that implement the principles of Ecosystem Based Management
  4. To identify individuals who may be impacted by proposed forestry activities to allow for father consultation by PFPC on a site specific basis.
  5. To communicate community activities to interested individuals, groups, organizations or communities.

 

Operation of the SFMAC

Members of the SFMAC must be committed to participate in a fair and honest sharing of views and at all times demonstrate respect for all committee members and guests. The Committee will work towards reaching a consensus realizing that, with the divergent nature of the groups. Compromise rather than consensus may be required. The committee will remain flexible and adaptive as dictated by societal and scientific changes and discoveries.

 

  • The SFMAC will be chaired by PFPC; however the committee may request an independent facilitator to chair identified sessions or meetings
 
  • PFPC will pay mileage, meal and accommodation (if required) expenses of members who are not covered by their employers
 
  • Individual SFMAC members will not be requested to represent any position advanced by the Committee or other individuals. However, they must be prepared to consider opinions and differing positions advanced by others.
 
  • In the interest of continuity, a commitment by SFMAC members to attend all meetings is expected. An alternate should be identified for each member organization to ensure representation at meetings. Alternate will be encouraged to attend certain meetings/field trips that are deemed by the chairman to be a prerequisite to committee functions.
 
  • The SFMAC will beet at least 4 times per year with the frequency of meetings decided by the SFMAC or at the request of the chairman.
 
  • Minutes of the meetings will be taken by a local person hired by PFPC and will be distributed within two weeks of each meeting to each member.
 
  • Consensus will be strived for in the operation of the committee. Any dissension will be recorded in the minutes. A committee vote will be used if the committee feels it is desirable and necessary.
 
  • Information required by the committee will be provided in a timely manner. Information made available by individuals or organizations must be forwarded to the Chairman for distribution.
  • Information of a confidential nature should be presented as such, with any use by PFPC respecting this confidentiality. Information or opinions should be substantiated by acceptable references wherever possible.
 
  • Some areas of discussion may require assistance of outside experts or resource persons. As these areas become apparent, PFPC will arrange to have these individuals present as a subsequent meeting.
 
  • Individuals wishing to make a formal presentation will be required to notify the chair in advance that they wish to make a presentation to the SFMAC.
 
  • SFMAC members will decide if open public meetings are required to solicit opinions or suggestions on forest management activities on the FML01.
  • Identified issues will be recorded and maintained on a continuously updated list and will not be removed until resolved. The status of resolved issues will be reported back to the committee if applicable.