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Cut Control Administration in the Southern Interior Forest Region

Cut Control Administration in the Southern Interior Forest Region. Gerald Reichenback. Changes in Cut Control Administration. Merger of districts from 4 Regions into the new Southern Interior Region Major changes to cut control legislation and regulations

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Cut Control Administration in the Southern Interior Forest Region

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  1. Cut Control Administration in the Southern Interior Forest Region Gerald Reichenback

  2. Changes in Cut Control Administration • Merger of districts from 4 Regions into the new Southern Interior Region • Major changes to cut control legislation and regulations • Consolidation of all cut control administration in the Regional Office

  3. Legislative Changes • Removal of annual cut control requirements • Elimination of undercut carry forward • Variable cut control periods for larger (>10,000 m3) and longer term (>5 years) Forest Licences and TFLs • NRFL cut control removed from licence document and replaced by statutory requirements

  4. Cut Control Administration Issues • Consistent approach required • Fairness to all licence holders • Enforceability of penalties requires consistency

  5. Cut Control Administration Issues • Defining Volume of Timber Harvested • Grades for cut control • Endemic Credit • NRFL transition from contract to statute • Deciduous species included in cut control • Tracking of AAC changes (esp. WL) • Data Accuracy (Information Systems)

  6. Defining Volume of Timber Harvested • Volume of Timber Harvested defined in legislation • Based on volumes billed • IF IT’S BILLED, IT COUNTS • Waste and Residue counts towards cut control if it is billed • Waste is a Revenue function, not Tenures

  7. Grades for Cut Control • Grades counted for cut control vary between licences • Based on policy and licence conditions • Will become explicit part of all licence documents as they are replaced • All new licences include cut control specifications

  8. Grades for Cut Control • Replaceable licences: Sawlog + Grade 4 + Catastrophic Grade 3 • New NRFLs: Sawlog + Grade 3 + Grade 4 + Grade 5 • Older NRFLs: Sawlog + Grade 3 + Grade 4 • Older NRFLs: some were treated the same as replaceable licences • Some specialized licences included Grades 5/6

  9. Endemic Credit • Varied from 3-5% (Regional recommendations), 0-12% (District practices) • Regional decision was to make the endemic credit a consistent 4% across the SIFR • Some concern from industry (COFI) • General acceptance, however reluctant

  10. NRFL Transition • Many licences granted under assumption that entire AAC could be harvested over licence term-de facto carry forward of both under and over cuts • New legislation eliminates under cut carry forwards • May result in problems for licensees that do not reach 100% of AAC in first CCP

  11. NRFL Transition • Maximum cut of 100% of AAC in the final CCP • May result in undercutting to avoid penalties • May result in inadvertent overcutting and penalties once waste and residue are added

  12. Deciduous Species • Inclusion of deciduous volume varied between regions, districts and even between licences. • Most variation in woodlot program • Regional decision was to include deciduous volume for cut control purposes • Based on a review of legislation, policy, and discussions with other regions

  13. Deciduous Species • AAC determinations do not drive forest management decisions; they are not prescriptive • The removal of deciduous from TSR does not mean that the volume is not counted • Note that coniferous volumes in deciduous licences is charged to AAC

  14. Deciduous Species • Definition of “volume of timber harvested” in legislation includes all timber • Commercial species, including deciduous, that meet grade requirements are therefore included • Some licence holders expressed concern, especially by perceived retroactive nature of the decision

  15. Data Accuracy • Cut Control only possible through use of computerized systems (>600 licences) • Need accurate data in FTA and Client • Biggest issue is proper linking of associated tenures (e.g. RP, private land) to main tenures • Associated tenure linked to only 1 main tenure • orphan CPs • Correct quota types

  16. Data Accuracy-AAC Changes • Frequent AAC changes on woodlots, especially for beetles • With transition Region was not always aware of changes • Regional WL contacts now have tracking system in place for 2004 cut control year

  17. The Future • Region will continue to administer cut control for all licences • Victoria is planning to create a cut control application to allow “real time” access to licence cut control status • May be some years before complete

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