Transcript SFI
SUPPORT RESPONSIBLE FORESTRY.
Development of the 2010-2014 SFI Standard
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Joe Lawson Director, Sustainable Forestry MWV Chair, Standard Review Task Force
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Rob Olszewski Vice President Corporate & Environmental Affairs Plum Creek Timber Company Chair, Resources Committee
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Resources Committee Perspective
• • • • RC involved in all phases Tough decisions on many issues Balance between environmental, social and economic goals Structured approach • • Review Task Force Review and Writing Teams
• • • • • •
SFI Standard Review Task Force
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Chair, Joe Lawson, MWV Lena Tucker, Oregon Department of Forestry Scott Williamson, Wildlife Management Institute Bob Emory, Weyerhaeuser Mike Branch, Smurfit-Stone Rik Aikman, Buchanan Forest Products (now with ForestEco Systems) • Review Task Force reported to SFI Resources Committee Equal representation from, environmental social and economic chambers
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1 Task force members are from SFI Resources Committee
Review and Writing Teams
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• • • • • • • Organizational, Principles, Definitions Land Management (1-7) Procurement (8) Auditing Objectives 9-13 Bioenergy and Carbon Biotechnology
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1 Members from Resources Committee and designees and SFI Implementation Committees
Comment Review Criteria
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• • • •
Improve the standard (practice of sustainable forestry) Use science and economics as guides Enhance credibility of the standard Consistent with national and international sustainable forest management assessment criteria
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1 All comments received and analysis of them by the SFI Standard Review Task Force and Resources Committee will be posted on the SFI Inc. website ( www.sfiprogram.org
) prior to final release of the SFI 2010-2014 Standard.
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Rick Cantrell Vice President & COO SFI Inc.
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Revisions process
• • • • The SFI Standard is revised every five years The SFI Standard was revised through a public comment and review process in 2001 and 2004 by the Sustainable Forestry Board Two public input periods and regional workshops for extended consultations Updated to reflect latest science, information, market needs
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SFI Standard Review
• • • • • Process approved by SFI Inc. Board in 2007 • Longer time frame for review • Included 2 open comment periods and regional stakeholder workshops External Review Panel integral to review • Independent oversight and transparency First open comment period (60 days) began on June 2, 2008 and ended August 4 th , 2008 Invitations to comment sent to over 2,000 individuals and organizations; also advertised by newsletter and press release Web based survey for written comments; all comments and analysis by the SFI Standard Review Task Force and Resources Committee are posted on the SFI Inc. website (www.sfiprogram.org)
11 SFI Standard Review
• Second open comment period (30 days) began January 30 th , 2009 and ended March 2, 2009 • Invitations to comment sent to over 2,000 individuals and organizations; also advertised by newsletter and press release • Seven regional workshops for extended consultation • Feb 18 Sacramento, CA • Feb 19 Vancouver, BC • March 3 Minneapolis, MN • March 26 Charleston, SC • April 2 Little Rock, AR • April 7 Portland, ME • April 16 Montreal, Quebec
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Standard Revision Process
• SFI Inc. Board of Directors is the decision making body • 45 day notice/review period for proposed changes to Standard before the Board can vote per bylaws • Balanced representation from social, environmental and economic chambers • Quorum requires 60% of members participating with a minimum of 2 from each chamber
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Standard Revision Process
• SFI Inc. Resources Committee (RC) is responsible for review process and for developing recommendations for revisions for Board review and consideration • RC members are appointed by their respective Board members • Balanced representation from social, environmental and economic chambers
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SFI 2010-2014 Standard
• • • • • • •
May 30 th . Final draft sent to Board of Directors for 45 day review period.
July 14 th . Board conference call to approve revised 2010-2014 Standard.
• Placeholder for ILO issue under review.
July – September
• • Continue work to resolve ILO issue.
Editorial review of the standard and related documents
Sept. SFI 2010-2014 Standard released at annual conference.
• Placeholder for ILO issue under review.
By Jan 1, 2010. Final SFI 2010-2014 Standard, and guidance document released.
Jan.1, 2010. Revised standard effective date.
Dec. 31, 2010. Program participants must be in conformance with all new elements of the 2010-2014 SFI Standard.
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Joe Lawson Director, Sustainable Forestry MWV Chair, Standard Review Task Force
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Organization and Principles
• • • • • Changes to ensure standard language reflects North America context (U.S. and Canada) Expanded preface Enhanced alignment of principles with Montreal Process and the SFI Standard Objectives New and revised principles • 14 versus 9 in 2005 - 2009 SFI Standard New and revised objectives • 20 versus 13 in 2005 – 2009 SFI Standard
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Principles
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Sustainable Forestry (ecosystem services & carbon) Forest Productivity and Health (combined 3,4, 5) Protection of Water Resources (BMP conformance) Protection of Biological Diversity (split from special sites) Aesthetics and Recreation (recreation) Protection of Special Sites (split from biological diversity) Responsible Procurement Practices in N.A. (revised 2, added procurement and NA) Avoidance of Controversial Sources Including Illegal Logging in Off-Shore Procurement (new)
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9. Legal Compliance 10. Research (new) 11. Training and Education (new) 12. Public Involvement (new) 13. Transparency (new) 14. Continual Improvement
Principles
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Objective 1. Forest Management Planning
• Enhanced focus on forest productivity and yield and forest management planning • Intent is for management plans to be documented —can be electronic
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Biotechnology
• Biotechnology provisions moved to Research (new Objective 15) and added new definitions: • • forest tree biotechnology varietal seedlings
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APQ
• • • • • •
Re-certification cycle:
revised cycle to 3 years (versus 5) to be consistent with PEFC and accreditation body standards.
Annual surveillance audits:
clarified that annual surveillance audits are 12 months.
First party verification:
removed all language related to first party verification.
Continuous certification:
removed this option from the APQ as it is not consistent with accreditation body standards.
Public Audit Report:
clarified it is the responsibility of certification body to prepare public audit report; evidence of conformity and description of nonconformities required
Prior notification:
eliminated requirement of prior notification to SFI Inc. before beginning an audit.
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Lena Tucker District Forester, Oregon Department of Forestry
23 Objective 5. Maintenance of Visual Quality and Recreational Benefits
• Moved recreation performance measure from 2005-2009 SFI Standard Objective 12 • Now applicable to landowners only
24 Objective 13. Avoidance of Controversial Sources including Fiber Sourced from Areas without Effective Social Laws
• • • Elevated to Objective level for added emphasis for this important issue New definition on controversial sources based on provisions in performance measure 8.6 in the 2005 2009 SFI Standard Fully consistent with new fiber sourcing, chain of custody and labeling requirements (Annexes 1 & 2)
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Objective 14. Legal and Regulatory Compliance
• • Added social to performance measure 14.1
Changed “Commitment to comply” to “Compliance with”
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Objective 17. Community Involvement in the Practice of
Sustainable Forestry
• • Expanded listing of stakeholders to engage • Conservation organizations, indigenous peoples and governments and community groups Moved recreation indicator to Objective 5
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Objective 15. Forestry, Research, Science and Technology
• • • Clarified that research funded from taxes specific to forestry can help program participants meet requirements.
Expanded the definition of relevant research to include environmental benefits and performance of forest products.
Expanded potential list of research topics to include social issues.
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Objective 19. Communications and Public Reporting
• • Brought public audit report requirements from the APQ into the Standard as a new Objective for added emphasis.
Nonconformities were required; added evidence of conformity.
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International Labor Organization Core Conventions (ILO)
• • • • US has not ratified all conventions PEFC requires endorsed schemes to address ILO core conventions if not ratified ILO Task Force, Resources Committee and Board of Directors continue work to develop consensus based approach Placeholder in standard
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Scott Williamson Vice President Wildlife Management Institute
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Objective 2. Forest Productivity
• • Afforestation • New indicator requiring consideration of potential ecological impacts of the selection of planting of tree species in non-forested landscapes.
New language, definition and requirements for invasive exotic plants and animals (Objectives 2,8,16 &17)
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Objective 3. Protection and Maintenance of Water Resources
• • Emphasis on ecological function and harvesting system considerations in developing and implementing riparian protection measures Revised protection of vernal pools language (of ecological significance vs. of significant size)
33 Objective 4. Conservation of Biological Diversity including Forests with Exceptional Conservation Value
• • • Clarified provisions for Forests with Exceptional Conservation Value Added best scientific information criteria and expanded list of wildlife habitat elements to include stumps Strengthened requirements for landscape assessments and consideration of findings in planning and management activities
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Objective 7. Efficient Use of Forest Resources
• Management of harvest residue must consider environmental factors
35 Objective 11. Promote Conservation of Biological Diversity, Biodiversity Hotspots and Major Tropical Wilderness Areas
• • • Elevated to Objective level for added emphasis for this important issue Added Alliance for Zero Extinction, WWF, WRI and CI as resources for development of programs to promote conservation of biological diversity when procuring raw material from areas outside the United States and Canada Updated guidance document will include additional information
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Mike Branch Manager Forest Sustainability Smurfit-Stone
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2010-2014 Fiber Sourcing Objectives
• • • Objective 8 from the 2005-2009 SFI Standard contained all fiber sourcing requirements New approach uses elements from the old Objective 8 and new Objectives for emphasis on key fiber sourcing issues New approach has 6 fiber sourcing Objectives (8-13) • Landowner outreach, use of harvesting and logging professionals, Best Management Practices, conservation of biological diversity, and avoidance of illegal logging and controversial sources
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Objective 8. Landowner Outreach
• • • New indicator for program to address FECVs in purchased stumpage Additions to information or services supplied to family forest owners • • • • • Forests with Exceptional Conservation Value Afforestation Residue management Invasive exotic plants and animals Special sites New indicator to encourage landowner participation in forest management certification programs
39 Objective 9. Use of Forest Management and Harvesting Professionals
• • Added new definition on certified logging professionals Added new provisions encouraging the use of certified logging professionals where they are available • • Program to promote the use Maintenance of lists
40 Objective 10. Adherence to Best Management Practices
• • • • Strengthened provisions for using qualified logging professionals (QLPs) • Program for purchase of raw material from QLPs Purchased stumpage harvests require conformance with BMPs New indicator requiring the use of BMPs to be included in contracts for raw materials purchases Removed requirement to evaluate the results of promoting reforestation
41 Objective 12. Avoidance of Controversial Sources including Illegal Logging
• • • • Elevated to Objective level for added emphasis for this important issue Provisions in Objective 12 were formerly in performance measure 8.5
Conservation of biological diversity for procurement outside the United States and Canada provisions were used to create the new Objective 11 Fully consistent with new fiber sourcing, chain of custody and labeling requirements (Annexes 1 & 2)
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New Definition
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certified logging professional
: A person with specialized skills in timber harvesting gained through experience or formal training who has successfully completed
wood producer
training programs recognized by
SFI Implementation Committees
and has successfully completed, and is a member in good standing, of a logger certification program.
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New Definition
•
controversial sources:
Use of
controversial sources
products.
Controversial sources
include
illegal logging
are not allowed in SFI-labeled and
fiber sourced from areas without effective social laws.
-illegal logging:
the theft of timber or logs and cutting in parks, reserves, or other similar areas where otherwise precluded by law. See Annex 1 (Appendix 2) and Annex 2 (Appendix 4) for SFI Inc.’s policy on
illegal logging
.
-fiber sourced from areas without effective social laws:
The United States and Canada have a strong legal framework. Fiber from countries without effective laws addressing the following will need a risk assessment: 1.
workers’ health and safety; 2.
3. 4.
5. 6.
fair labor practices; indigenous peoples’ rights; antidiscrimination and anti-harassment measures; prevailing wages; and workers’ right to organize.
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New Definition
qualified logging professional:
A person with specialized skills in timber harvesting gained through experience or formal training who has successfully completed
wood producer
training programs recognized by
SFI Implementation Committees
as meeting the spirit and intent of
performance measure
under Objective 8 of the
SFI Standard
. a. For a logging crew to be considered trained, each crew must operate under the direction of an individual, with on-site responsibility, who has completed the
SIC
approved state or provincial logger training program.
b. All of the components of a training program could take several years to carry out, determining the point at which a logger is considered a "
qualified logging professional
" should be based on an individual logger’s commitment to the program. That is, if a logger completes all the components or modules offered in a given year, that logger should be considered as a "
qualified logging professional
." If all available components or modules are not completed, then the logger is no longer considered trained until all available components are completed.
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Objective 16. Training and Education
• • • • Additions to wood producers training requirements • Forests with Exceptional Conservation Value Invasive exotic plants and animals Special Sites Awareness of emerging technologies and markets such as bioenergy feedstock removal and carbon offsets
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Brian Kernohan Manager, Wildlife and Forest Stewardship Forest Capital Partners, LLC
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Climate Change Carbon and Bioenergy
• • • • Context included in new preface Bioenergy harvesting not new • • Growing interest; renewable energy policies SFI Standard requires the same performance measures and indicators related to forest management, regardless of final product • Scope does not include short rotation woody crops Carbon sequestration is natural by-product of tree growth; important component of climate change mitigation Opportunity to monitor information on ecosystem adaptation as science and policies emerge
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Climate Change & Carbon
• • • • Climate change recognized as a potential agent for productivity changes in indicator 1.1.4
Role of forests in carbon storage recognized in Objective 2 Climate change research for both adaptation and mitigation added to list of research topics New performance (15.3) for broadening the awareness of climate change impacts on forests, wildlife and biological diversity
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Carbon & Bioenergy
• • • Bioenergy feedstock definition added Added “ecological impacts of bioenergy feedstock removals on productivity, wildlife habitat, water quality and other ecosystem functions” to list of potential research topics New language in Objective 7 regarding exploration of markets for underutilized species and low-grade wood and alternative markets such as bioenergy and carbon offsets
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New definition
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bioenergy feedstock
- Biomass used for the production of renewable energy. Biomass includes any organic products and by-products derived from trees, plants and other biological organic matter, including limbs, bark, and other cellulosic material, organic byproducts from wood pulping, and other biologically derived materials.
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Stephen Vinnedge Stewardship Forester West Fraser
• • • • •
General Forest Management Context
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Forest companies primarily operate on Crown land within provincial legal framework. Private holdings are limited.
Most companies holding timber harvesting rights on Crown land operate manufacturing facilities. In exchange for timber harvesting rights, companies pay stumpage to the Crown and provide a forest management service.
Multiple companies can hold timber harvesting rights on the same forested area.
Regulated ‘right to practice’ forestry by professional foresters in BC, AB, ON and QC.
1 Western Canada perspective (BC and AB)
Objective 1. Forest Management Planning
• • Clarification that management plans are required.
• Management plans are a legal requirement for operations on Crown lands. • Management plans are consistent with objectives developed under multi-stakeholder land use plans approved by Government.
Climate change and bioenergy feedstock production as considerations in determining sustainable harvest levels.
• Sustainable harvest levels on Crown Land are approved by government and take into account environmental, social and economic considerations.
Objective # 2 – Forest Productivity
• New indicator that requires consideration of ecological impacts of planting trees in non-forested landscapes. • • Afforestation has limited application on Crown lands in Western Canada. Where applicable, prescribing professionals will need to exercise the necessary level of due diligence to be in conformance with this indicator.
Objective 3. Protection and Maintenance of Water Resources
• • Ecological function when developing riparian protection measures. • Some key attributes to consider with respect to ecological function include, but are not limited to the presence or connectivity to fish habitat, temperature sensitivity, habitat dependence on continued Large Woody Debris input, and channel morphology and stability Vernal pools of ecological significance, not size require identification and protection.
• Some vernal pool habitat is significant by default due to habitat association with species at risk that already require protection under SFI Objective 4.
Objective 4. Conservation of Biological Diversity including FECV
• • Clarification that Forests with Exceptional Conservation Value (FECV) are defined as critically imperiled and imperiled species and communities (Ranked G1 or G2 by NatureServe).
SFI has fostered a greater awareness by forest managers of lower profile Species At Risk, • including some G1 and G2 species, for which management objectives and strategies have not already been established by Government or through public land use planning processes.
Objective 5. Maintenance of Visual Quality and Recreation Benefits
• Clarified language to make an exception to clearcut harvest size restrictions to ensure consistency with government legal requirements.
• • change was largely in response to comments made by Canadian forest managers that are required to manage to legal landscape patch and seral targets established by government.
cutblock size and appearance on Crown land is also typically moderated by legal visual quality objectives in areas of significant visual importance.
Objective 6. Protection of Special Sites
• New recognition of stakeholder consultation as a means of identifying special sites.
• • Special sites can be identified though stakeholder consultation during multi-stakeholder land use management planning processes or during development planning. British Columbia has a legislated requirement to conduct information sharing with aboriginal peoples for the purpose of identifying cultural heritage resources and sites.
Objective 7. Efficient Use of Forest Resources
• Revisions requiring that harvest residue management considers economic, environmental and social factors.
• • • use of roadside debris for bioenergy products on increase. on Crown land 3 rd parties can obtain permits to utilize logging waste generated by SFI certified companies. cooperation with the 3 rd party is often required to facilitate utilization of waste material.
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SFI Implementation Committees
• • • • SICs represented on review group by • • • Stephen Vinnedge, WCSIC Co-Chair Kevin Hoyt, TN SIC Chair Rik Aikman, Ontario SIC chair Removed indicator that required support for SICs to do broad public outreach (e.g. paid advertisements) Clarified that landowner education materials requirements can be met by a number of means, including websites, workshops, etc.
Clarified that SICs can play a role in meeting research requirements
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SFI Implementation Committees
• • Clarified that SIC support by program participants includes financial support.
New performance measure establishing the SICs as the local authority for recognition of credible logger certification programs.
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Pat McElroy Washington State Forester, retired Vice Chair, External Review Panel
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External Review Panel Observations
• • • 15 member volunteer scientific advisory panel to the SFI Inc. Board and Resources Committee Representatives from social, environmental, academic and public agencies Reviewed all comments, task force analysis, and proposed revisions to the SFI Standard
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External Review Panel Observations
The External Review Panel believes very strongly that one of the critical elements of success for SFI is the commitment to continual improvement. The commitment to a systematic review of the Standard on a regular schedule, in spite of economic conditions or market turmoil, is a singular feature of SFI.
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External Review Panel Observations
• • ERP perspective began with revision of current standard Review public involvement process • • • • Mechanisms for soliciting input Length of review process Transparency Treatment of comments received
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External Review Panel Observations
• • • All comments tallied and categorized to start • • • • One-general agreement to accept Two-significant discussion will be required Three-general, covered in other areas, or not acceptable Four-comments pending or being addressed elsewhere Comments from all sources treated equally “Evidence trail” on treatment of comments • First public comments on website; second round will be posted when the 2010-2014 Standard is published
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External Review Panel Observations
• • Confidence in process based on previous revision Focus on current revision was on the treatment of the comments • Analysis of how the comments were treated • Treatment of the comment was a product of the comment and not who made it.
External Review Panel Observations
“…the External Review Panel is impressed with the commitment of SFI participants to continual improvement. The lengthy review process that will result in a revised SFI 2010-2104 Standard this fall has made important changes and improvements in the standard.
That has been done in a process that has been a model of open, transparent and responsible consideration of public input, scientific and economic factors, and conflicting demands
” (emphasis added).
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Source: 2008 SFI Annual Progress Report letter from the External Review Panel