Strategic Forest Management Plan - yukon.ca€¦ · The purpose of the Teslin Strategic Forest Management Plan (SFMP) is to provide a sustainable development strategy for the forests

Strategic Forest Management Plan

for the Teslin Tlingit Traditional Territory

Strategic Direction for Sustainable Forest Resource Development

Teslin Strategic Forest Management Plan

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.0 INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11.1 Purpose. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11.2 The Need and the Challenge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11.3 Planning Region and Time Frame . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21.4 Planning Region Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

1.4.1 Land . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21.4.2 Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31.4.3 Climate, Soil and Vegetation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31.4.4 Forests. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31.4.5 Forest Disturbances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51.4.6 Fish and Wildlife . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61.4.7 The People . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81.4.8 The Economy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91.4.9 Special Places . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

2.0 PRINCIPLES FOR FOREST MANAGEMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12Vision Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

3.0 FOREST PLANNING PROCESS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133.1 Legislative Context . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133.2 Planning Framework . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133.3 Planning Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

3.3.1 Chronology of Key Steps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173.3.2 Participation in Strategic Forest Management Planning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

4.0 STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS FROM PLANNING AND LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184.1 Teslin Tlingit Council Final Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184.2 Land Use Planning in the Teslin Tlingit Traditional Territory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194.3 Nisutlin River Delta National Wildlife Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194.4 Priorities of the Teslin Tlingit Council . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204.5 Priorities of the Yukon Government in regards to Forest Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204.6 Teslin Tlingit Council Settlement Land and Resources Act . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214.7 Teslin Tlingit Council Fish and Wildlife Act . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214.8 Teslin Regional Tourism Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214.9 Teslin Integrated Fish and Wildlife Management Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224.10 Yukon Salmon Committee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224.11 Species at Risk, Special Concern or Listed Under the Yukon Wildlife Act. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234.12 Community Core Values . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244.13 Draft Teslin Forest Management Plan, Volumes 1 and 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

5.0 FOREST MANAGEMENT GOALS, OBJECTIVES AND INDICATORS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255.1 Goal A: Conserve Biological Diversity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

5.1.1 Objective 1.1 – Conserve Ecosystem Diversity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265.1.2 Objective 1.2 – Conserve Species Diversity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315.1.3 Objective 1.3 – Conserve Genetic Diversity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

5.2 Goal B: Maintain Forest Ecosystem Health and Productivity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315.2.1 Objective 2.1 – Maintain and Enhance Ecosystem Condition and Productivity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315.2.2 Objective 2.2 – Support the Ecosystem’s Ability to Maintain Natural Processes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 325.2.3 Objective 2.3 – Maintain and Enhance Ecosystem Resilience . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

5.3 Goal C: Conserve and Maintain Soil and Water Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 335.3.1 Objective 3.1 – Conserve and Maintain Soil Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 335.3.2 Objective 3.2 – Conserve and Maintain Water Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

5.4 Goal D: Maintain and Enhance Multiple Socio-Economic Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 345.4.1 Objective 4.1 – Maintain & Enhance Sustainable Social & Economic Benefits from Timber Resources . . . . . 345.4.2 Objective 4.2 – Maintain & Enhance Social, Cultural & Economic Benefits from Non-Timber Resources . . . 34

TESLIN STRATEGIC FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN i

5.5 Goal E: Maintain and Enhance Community Sustainability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 355.5.1 Objective 5.1 – Respect the Rights and Strengthen the Traditional

Use of Forest Resources by Teslin Tlingit Citizens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 355.5.2 Objective 5.2 – Forest Community . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

6.0 FOREST PLANNING AREAS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 376.1 Landscape Units . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

7.0 STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS FROM KEY ISSUES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 427.1 Diversify Local Economy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

7.1.1 Forest Sector Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 427.2 Biodiversity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

7.2.1 Natural Disturbance Pattern . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 427.2.2 Seral Stage Distribution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 427.2.3 Timing and Distribution of Harvesting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 427.2.4 Landscape Connectivity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 437.2.5 Riparian Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

7.3 Wildlife of Concern . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 437.3.1 Woodland Caribou . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 447.3.2 Moose . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 447.3.3 Grizzly Bear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 457.3.4 Marten . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 457.3.5 Beaver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 457.3.6 Salmon and Squanga Whitefish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 467.3.7 Forest Birds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

7.4 Visual Quality Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 477.5 Yukon Heritage and Archaeological Sites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 477.6 Uncommon Vegetation Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 477.7 Teslin Local Planning Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 487.8 Potential for Conflict and Integration Between Forest Management and Other Land Uses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 487.9 Access and Access Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 497.10 Large Linear Disturbances and Other Land-Related Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

8.0 STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS AND PLAN IMPLEMENTATION, MONITORING AND REVIEW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 508.1 Roles and Responsibilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

8.1.1 . . Planning Team . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 508.1.2 Forest Management Branch and TTC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 508.1.3 Teslin Renewable Resource Council . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 518.1.4 Yukon Public . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

8.2 Direction for Planning Area Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 518.3 Further Aspects of Implementation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 528.4 Adaptive Management Strategy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

8.4.1 Adapting to Large Land Base Changes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 528.5 Integration with Regional Land Use Planning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 538.6 Strategic Direction and Priorities for Plan Implementation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

REFERENCES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

GLOSSARY OF FOREST TERMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

LIST OF ACRONYMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

LIST OF MAPSMap 1 Planning Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . inside front coverMap 2 Teslin Area Fire History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27Map 3 Teslin Area Forest Cover by Leading Species . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28-29Map 4 Teslin Area Forest Cover by Seral Stage Distribution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30Map 5 Strategic Land Use Designation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . inside back cover

ii TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 PURPOSE

The purpose of the Teslin Strategic ForestManagement Plan (SFMP) is to provide a sustainabledevelopment strategy for the forests of the TeslinTlingit Traditional Territory. It is a first step indefining a forest land base to which the plan wouldapply. This plan is intended to contribute to asustainable forest-based economy, a key component ofregional economic stability, while protecting andintegrating ecological, traditional, resource, heritageand other community values. It is also intended toprovide a clear framework and practical guidance forforest managers and planners. The SFMP establisheswhat issues and concerns, values and interests must beaddressed as forest resource development movesforward in the region.

In developing the plan, the values and views of theregion’s residents, the Teslin Tlingit Council (TTC),the Teslin Renewable Resources Council (TRRC), andthe Yukon Government (YG), as well as those ofstakeholders and Yukon non-governmentalorganizations, have been considered. Their views andvalues about forest management, particularly forestharvesting, have been expressed in consultation,community surveys and public meetings over the pastseveral years.

The plan is also intended to identify and addressmajor forest resource-related issues and to developgoals, objectives and indicators regarding these issues.It is also intended to meet and address the definitionof “forest resources management plans” in Section17.5.0 and sub-sections of Section 17.5.0 the TTCFinal Agreement.

1.2 THE NEED AND THE CHALLENGE

The plan is a response to an on-going need for forestmanagement in the region. The Teslin area residentsurvey that resulted in the report entitled Talking tothe People (Yukon Government, 2000) identified thecore values of the people of the region.

In the TRRC resident survey the concept of ‘good’ wasused to establish not only the starting point for the

analysis but also a base-point for determining corevalues within the population residing in the TeslinTlingit Traditional Territory. Four concepts form theconsensus core values for residents of the TeslinTlingit Traditional Territory. These concepts are:

• water

• the land

• the bush, and

• wildlife.

This document also indicated that logging initiativesin the traditional territory generated both strongsupport and opposition. Residents who viewed‘logging’ as close to ‘jobs’ and ‘future generations’ alsotended to see it as closer to the four core values. Of thesurvey results, the grouping ‘small scale’ and‘commercial’ indicated that ‘logging’ is viewed as acommercial activity and a source of employment, butwith a preference for controlled and small-scaleoperations.

There has been some tension in the region aboutforest harvesting (logging) that this strategic forestmanagement plan can help resolve, so long as the corevalues are well managed.

TESLIN STRATEGIC FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN 1

Forest management planning has been recognized asboth a need and a challenge in the Yukon for sometime, as indicated in the report by George Tough(former Deputy Minister of Natural Resources inOntario) to the Federal Minister of Indian andNorthern Affairs in 2002:

“The lack of regional forest management plans[in the Yukon] is particularly troublesome, andthose plans must be a priority for forestmanagers.”

Currently, the Yukon has a limited forest policy andforest legislation base, relying on the Lands Act andthe associated Yukon Timber Regulations to issue thenecessary authorizations for fuelwood and timberharvest. The Department of Energy, Mines andResources is committed to developing new forestlegislation and regulations for the Yukon, and expectto complete this work sometime in 2006 or 2007. Afirst step in this process was the collaborativediscussion paper entitled A Discussion Paper Towards aForest Policy Framework for the Yukon, which wasproduced by representatives of Government of Yukon,Yukon First Nations and Resource Councils. Thisdocument reflects discussions and consultationcomparing past forest policy initiatives to the currentday situation and is a strong step forward towards amodern made in the Yukon forest legislation.

Once such forest policy, legislation and regulations arein place, the forms of forest tenure will be determined.Tenure is the legal mechanism by which the annualallowable cut (AAC) is formally allocated. Annualallowable cut may be defined as the volume of timberthat may be cut yearly. An AAC is an essentialconsideration in helping to achieve future economicstability in the region. Once an AAC is determined,the types of tenure and timber supply options wouldbe determined. This is normally followed by policydirectives that establish the procedures, timeframesand criteria used for eligibility and selection. Tenuresystems are usually area or volume-based and issuedby either contract or legislation. The SFMP will alsohelp provide direction for the regional land use planand the timing of its implementation.

1.3 PLANNING REGION AND TIME FRAME

The Teslin SFMP planning region covers those Yukonportions of the Teslin Tlingit (TT) TraditionalTerritory that do not overlap other First Nations’traditional territories. The planning region is locatedin the south-central Yukon Territory. It includes allpublic lands (territorial) and TTC First Nationsettlement lands in the TT Traditional Territory,excluding overlap lands (Map 1).

The planning region covers approximately 19,330square kilometres of land, including forested areas,lakes, rivers, wetlands, rock, and humandevelopments. The SFMP has been developed for allforestland in the study area including settlementlands. This area includes most of the Y04 forestmanagement unit and portions of the Y03, Y05 andY08 management units. The planning boundary mayhave to be adjusted and expanded, as TraditionalTerritory overlap issues are resolved. However, nosignificant changes to the plan area are expected.

The SFMP is being developed with a 20-year lifeexpectancy. It should be reviewed and updatedwhenever necessary to accommodate major andunforeseen changes in the forested landscape.Revisions may also be necessary based on the resultsof monitoring. In order to provide for the long-termsustainability of the region’s forests and the needs offuture generations, the planning timeline for somevalues, such as timber resources, is two forestrotations (200 to 300 years). A forest rotation isdefined as one cycle of the predicted number of yearsbetween the start of a forest stand and the harvestingof that stand at a specified stage of maturity.

1.4 PLANNING REGION DESCRIPTION

1.4.1 Land

Within the planning region, the bulk of the area(1,000,770 ha) lies within the Yukon Southern LakesEcoregion, while a slightly smaller portion (923,250 ha)lies within the Pelly Mountains Ecoregion. A small part(8,900 ha) lies in the Boreal Mountains and PlateausEcoregion. The village of Teslin is located within thisarea, north of the Yukon-British Columbia borderalong Teslin Lake and adjacent to the Alaska Highway,approximately 184 km southeast of Whitehorse, Y.T.

2 1.0 INTRODUCTION

Figure 1LAND CLASSIFICATION, TESLIN PLANNING REGION

The region falls entirely within the Yukon Riverwatershed. The three key navigable rivers in the regionare the Teslin, Nisutlin and Wolf rivers. There aremore than 5,000 lakes, the largest of which is TeslinLake. Wetlands are common landscape features andcover more area than the lakes and major riverscombined.

1.4.2 Environment

Long narrow lakes, rounded hills and plateaus, andhigher mountain ranges characterize the topographyof the region. The landforms, surficial geology andsoils formed in the region are largely a result ofglaciation under the Cordilleran ice sheet over 10,000years ago. The major lakes and rivers follow the widevalleys carved by the glaciers.

The lowest elevations (650 m) are in the Teslin Riverand Nisutlin River valleys, in the western portion ofthe region, and higher elevations (over 2,100 m) arefound in the Big Salmon and Sawtooth Ranges of thePelly Mountains. Glacial deposits at higher elevationsconsist of a thin layer of broken stone over bedrock;mid-elevations consist of drift incised by surface run-off. Large meltwater lakes formed during deglaciationcreated beach lines and silt and clay lake bottomsediments, which were overlain by subsequent glacialriver deposits of sand and gravel in valley bottoms.Teslin Lake and the Nisutlin River occupy valleyspreviously containing glacial lakes.

1.4.3 Climate, Soil and Vegetation

The climate is subarctic continental: cold dry wintersand warm dry summers. South-easterly winds andhighly variable daily and seasonal temperaturescharacterize the climate of Teslin. Averagetemperatures in the region vary from -19°C inJanuary to +14°C in July. Teslin is frost-free forapproximately 60 days per year, from the end of Juneto the end of August. Teslin Lake freezes in Novemberor December and is commonly ice-free by mid-June.Average annual precipitation in Teslin, lying in theheart of the St. Elias-Coast Mountains rain shadow, is343 mm; about two thirds falls as rain, the other thirdas snow.

Soils in the region are typically composed of silt andclay. Permafrost is rare, because soils are warmer inthe dry summer rain shadow of the Coast Mountains.

The vegetation of the region is predominantly openconiferous and mixed woodland, reflecting the climateand pattern of forest fires. Shrub birch is commonaround treeline and in other cool, moist areas.Willows and other shrubs often grow in the region’swetlands or along its streams. Forested and non-forested areas throughout the region provide goodsites for cranberries, blueberries, raspberries andstrawberries, as well as an abundance of grasses andwildflowers.

At this time it is unclear how climate change willaffect Teslin or Yukon forests; across Canada it isthought boreal forest species may shift northward 300to 500 km and portions of the boreal forest may bereplaced by a temperate forest characteristic ofsouthern Ontario or northern United States.

1.4.4 Forests

Lodgepole pine and white spruce are the dominanttree species in the region (Figure 2 and Map 2).Trembling aspen and white spruce are typical onupland sites. Poorly drained sites are frequentlyvegetated with black spruce, particularly along theNisutlin River. Balsam poplar and white sprucedominate the alluvial sites. Paper birch is less frequentand does not exist in pure stands.


Figure 2LEADING SPECIES, TESLIN PLANNING REGION

Forest fires are the major influence on forestcomposition in the region. The relatively smallamount of old forest results from the frequent standreplacing wildfires that occur naturally in the area,particularly in the upland, mature conifer forest.

During a forest reconnaissance survey by theCanadian Military, H. L. Holman (1943) noted:

“Because of its climate being drier, this [TeslinLake and Nisutlin River Watershed] has sufferedmore from fire than the Liard watershed. The fireof 1870-73 burned even more territory within thiswatershed than it did on the Liard and inaddition a fire in 1917 took a heavy toll of timberstocks. Of the forested land below an elevation of3500 feet, which would include all stands ofmerchantable quality, it is estimated thatapproximately 25% bears timber 25 years old,60% bears timber 75 years old and 15% bearstimber of older age classes, the most important ofwhich would be the 125 to 130 year class. Abouthalf of the latter class is of saw timber quality.”

The fire history is reflected in the current age classdistribution, with a large proportion of the forest agedbetween 110 and 150 years (Figure 3).

Figure 3AGE CLASS DISTRIBUTION, TESLIN PLANNING REGION

The forest productivity in the region is for the mostpart classified as poor and medium (Figure 4). Poor sites are expected to attainheights of 10 to 14 m at 100 years of age and can befound primarily on upland areas. These sites areusually limited by either too much or too littlemoisture. Medium sites achieve 15 to 19 m at 100years of age, and are widely distributed in the region.Sites classed as low have limited capability for forestgrowth, either due to drainage or elevation. The goodsites are found along the major rivers on alluvial floodplains. In these areas, nutrients and moisture areabundant and forest growth can reach 30 m.

Figure 4FOREST PRODUCTIVITY, TESLIN PLANNING REGION

4 1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.4.5 Forest Disturbances

1.4.5.1 Wildfire

Wildland fire (forest fire) is a critical and dominantforest-renewing disturbance process in the Yukonboreal forest. It safeguards the landscape mosaic thatin turn constitutes the basis for flora and faunabiodiversity.

The fire regime of the SFMP area is characterized byrelatively infrequent, high intensity, forest-renewingcrown fires that burn large areas. A 1943 forestreconnaissance survey referenced two major fireevents, the first occurring between 1870 and 1873 plusanother in 1917 (Holman, 1943). An abundance ofmature pine and spruce forest fuels and cyclic eventsof extreme fire weather drive this pattern of episodicfires.

Characteristic of the boreal forest fire regime, thereare many small fires, with the majority of area burnedbeing accounted for by relatively few fires. In theSFMP area, less than 7% of the total number of firesaccounts for over 97% of the total area burned.

While high intensity, forest-renewing fires appear todominate the landscape, there is evidence thatportions of the lodgepole pine forest may supportmore frequent, low intensity, stand maintaining fires.This could be evidence of traditional use of fire byFirst Nations peoples. Such fires clean up the lowbrush and dead surface fuels, but are unable togenerate sufficient intensity and duration to kill themature lodgepole pine trees. This is evident in theTeslin Lake Cottage Subdivision. This anomaly to theboreal forest fire regime should be considered in fireand forest management planning.

For the period of 1946 to 2004 there have been 208fires in the SFMP area that have accounted forapproximately 230,960 hectares burned (Table 1 andMap 3). The average number of fires for the SFMParea from 1946 to 2004 is 3.5 per year, with amaximum of 12 fires in 1984 and no recorded fires infour of the last 59 years.

Of the three forested natural disturbance zones in theSFMP area (lowland, upland and subalpine) wildlandfire targets the upland, mature conifer forest to thegreatest extent, followed by the subalpine. Thelowland area is the least impacted by fire.

Table 1SUMMARY OF FOREST FIRE HISTORY (1946-2004)

Over all, the distribution of human-caused fires tolightning-caused fires is 64% to 34% (Table 2).However, while the fires caused by lightning representonly 34% of the total number of fires, they accountfor almost 82% of the total area burned. The largestsingle fire recorded in this area was human-caused.This fire, which occurred in 1950, also remains thelargest human-caused fire ever recorded in the Yukon,burning a total of 143,238 ha.

Table 2SUMMARY OF FOREST FIRE HISTORY BY CAUSE (1946-2004)

Missing from the fire history of this area is any FirstNation traditional knowledge of the use of fire as alandscape management tool. The deliberate setting offires was a powerful land management instrumentused by First Nation people, but to what extent thiswas done in this region of the Yukon is unknown.Abnormally high fire cycles are possible evidence ofthis activity in an area.

Seasonality is an important factor in defining an area’sfire regime. The SFMP area can experience forest firedanger rating in the spring in the high to extremerange. Ignitions at this time of year would most likelybe human caused. The principal lightning season forthis area runs from approximately mid-June to mid-July. It is the lightning caused ignitions in this timeperiod that account for the majority of area burned.


Total AreaBurned

Average AreaBurned perYear

Average FireSize

MaximumFire Size

230,860 ha 3,913 ha 1,110 ha 143,237 ha(1950)

Fire Cause Numberof Fires

% of Total AreaBurned(ha)

% of Total

Human 133 64% 42,254 18%

Lightning 75 36% 188,606 82%

Total 208 100% 230,860 100%

An important measure for examining an area’s fireregime is the concept of fire cycle. A fire cyclerepresents the number of years it would take to burnover the vegetated portion of the SFMP area. At itscurrent rate of fire disturbance, as calculated for therecord period of 59 years, it would take 290 years forthe total vegetated area of 1,134,001 hectares of theSFMP to be completely recycled. This is considerablyless fire disturbance than the projected fire cycle ofapproximately 100 years for the Central YukonPlateau Ecoregion to the north.

A general rule of disturbance ecology states that thelonger the interval between disturbance events, thegreat the magnitude of those events. The firedisturbance history of the SFMP area supports thisrule. A projected fire cycle of 290 years translates to anabundance of high fire hazard, mature conifer forestacross the landscape. Of great significance to firemanagement programs is that modern firesuppression technology alone is limited to fires ofmoderate intensities. It is incapable of excluding thelarge, high intensity fires from the landscape. Thereneeds to be a clear understanding that it is impossiblefor fire suppression technology alone to maintain afire cycle of 290 years.

Fire is a critical ecosystem process and will continueto be a major influence of forest characteristics andfunction. In areas where fire is excluded from theforest ecosystem, other disturbance processes (e.g.timber harvesting, fire smart, prescribed burning) areuseful substitute tools. Timber harvesting is not areplication of forest fires, however timber harvestingpractices can strive to emulate fire through patch size,stand structure and seral stage.

1.4.5.2 Other Disturbance Agents

Although no large-scale events have occurred withinthe planning region other than fire, small disturbanceby insect, disease, flooding and windthrow occurthroughout. Evidence of seasonal flooding can be seenalong the Teslin River, and endemic levels of barkbeetle provide large snags along the Nisutlin River.

1.4.5.3 Human Disturbances

Linear disturbances include major highways, secondaryroads, two-wheel and four-wheel drive roads, old high-ways, seismic exploration and cutlines. There are previ-ous cutblocks in the Strawberry Creek and SidneyCreek harvesting areas. There are also many cleared lotsand gravel pits. A demonstration forest was establishedeast of Nisutlin Bay and north of the Alaska Highway,in an area that has had some harvesting. During the1950’s and early 1960’s, there was a sawmill on the westshore of Nisutlin Bay, a mile or two north of the AlaskaHighway. Harvesting was carried out from the 1900’s tothe 1950’s in the Johnson’s Crossing area to providefuelwood for the steamboats. Further information canbe found in A History of Logging in the Yukon Territory1896-1970 (Northern Design Consultants, 1993).

1.4.6 Fish and Wildlife

1.4.6.1 Mammals

There are at least 13 species of large mammal and over30 species of small mammals that occupy this region.While there is a broad range of species representedwithin the region, the Canadian Parks and WildernessSociety (CPAWS) (1999) identifies that the region con-tains representative populations of at least 47 mammalspecies, including possibly the only Yukon populationof the western jumping mouse.

The region is inhabited by at least five woodland cari-bou herds although only the Wolf Lake herd is whollywithin the planning region. The other herds include theCarcross and Pelly (Quiet Lake) herds and the Atlinherd to the south. A new herd, recently identified as theSwan Lake herd, ranges along the Alaska Highwayapproximately 70 km east of Teslin. There is currentlyno data for number and distribution, but they may beincluded in an inventory in the near future.

The Wolf Lake and Atlin herds of woodland caribou(Rangifer tarandus caribou) have estimated populations

6 1.0 INTRODUCTION

of 1,400 and 800, respectively. These herds are of par-ticular interest to the community of Teslin. The winterrange of the much-studied Wolf Lake herd is located inthe north-central portion of the planning region. Itextends from the Nisutlin River valley in the westacross the Yukon Plateau and Englishman’s Range intothe northern Cassiar Mountains east of Wolf Lake. Themajority of the winter range of the Atlin herd is inBritish Columbia. Winter range mapping and monitor-ing of these herds is ongoing. Human harvest isrestricted on the Atlin herd as it is included in theSouthern Lakes Caribou Recovery Program. Woodlandcaribou movements and winter range use are a com-plex relationship related to snow cover, lichen abun-dance, predation, direct and indirect disturbances, andforest succession (MacLean, 2004).

The rich riparian river valleys and adjacent subalpineshrub zones support moose populations near the aver-age density for the Yukon of about 180 moose per1,000 km2. Local areas, such as the Teslin Burn, maysupport higher numbers of moose either seasonally oryear round. While recent inventory work in the TeslinBurn indicates that this area no longer supports theabundant moose populations it was once known for, itis still a productive moose range. This change in pro-ductivity is partially because succession has movedbeyond the early seral stages. In general terms, moosepopulations often benefit from early seral habitatswhere a mixture of small openings, aquatic forms andcover provides the most productive moose habitat.Recent discussion and review of the Community Fishand Wildlife Management Plan reaffirmed the commu-nity’s concerns over moose and the status of moosepopulations in the traditional territory. Nisutlin, SouthCanol and Teslin Burn areas will likely continue asimportant areas to consider over the next few years and iterations of the Fish and Wildlife Plans (R. Florkiewicz, pers. comm.).

Stone sheep and mountain goats are among a numberof other wildlife species of concern within the tradi-tional territory.

1.4.6.2 Birds

There are 198 different species of birds reported withinthe planning region (Sinclair et al., 2003). Of these 166species are migratory birds, as defined by theCanada/US Migratory Birds Convention. Ninety-sevenof these species have been confirmed as breeding with-

in the planning region, and another 61 may possiblybreed within the region. Thirty-one of the 198 speciesare year-round residents, though not in all years, or forall individuals of the species. The year-round inhabi-tants include woodpeckers, spruce grouse, gray jays,ravens, chickadees, magpies, crossbills, redpolls, pinegrosbeaks and Bohemian waxwings. The Nisutlin Riverdelta is of importance for southern bird migrations,especially swans, geese, ducks and shorebirds.

Important wetlands and bird habitats have been identi-fied within the planning region. The Nisutlin RiverDelta National Wildlife Area (NRDNWA) was estab-lished for this reason in 1995 (5,488 ha), as part of theTeslin Tlingit Council Final Agreement. There are alsoimportant wetlands located along the lower NisutlinRiver, Morley Bay and Teslin Lake outlet.


1.4.6.3 Fish

Freshwater fish species found in the region are Arcticgrayling, burbot, whitefish, northern pike, least cisco,lake trout, inconnu, Dolly Varden char, slimy sculpin,and longnose sucker. These species are important to thearea and to the people of the area. Squanga whitefishand bull trout, the latter found in Shilsky andDaughney Lakes, are listed as threatened under theSpecies at Risk legislation. The presence of chinook andchum salmon in the region, important to local people,is described in more detail below.

Chinook salmon are relatively abundant and are widelydistributed in the Teslin watershed. Chinook spawningtakes place in the main stems of large rivers, down-stream of lakes, in small tributaries, or in watercoursesthat combine two of these attributes (i.e. in a mainstem downstream of a lake). Although spawning hasbeen documented in 24 watercourses, some tributarieshave not been adequately investigated. Several addi-tional spawning streams will almost certainly be addedin the future. The upstream extent of spawning in mosttributaries is not known. Juvenile chinook salmon rearin their spawning streams and in non-natal (nonspawning) tributaries. All streams located downstreamof spawning watercourses may be expected to be non-natal rearing streams. The delayed release of surfaceand ground water in the Teslin watershed allows andmaintains the relatively high abundance and wide dis-tribution of both returning adult chinook, and rearingand over-wintering juveniles. A negative effect of theextensive fine-grained glaciolacustrine deposits is thatthey tend to be unstable and are more susceptible to

erosion. This may result in heavy loadings of sands andsilts in chinook salmon spawning and rearing habitatsdownstream.

Chum salmon are present in the Teslin watershed butare less abundant and have a more constrained distri-bution. A small concentration of chum spawn everyyear at Dog Salmon Slough in the Lower Teslin River,and a smaller concentration was once observed nearthe mouth of the Mary River. Chum have been cap-tured in nets in Teslin Lake and there could be a spawn-ing population located upstream of the lake in eitherthe Nisutlin or the Upper Teslin River. If so, the stockwould represent one of the furthest upstream migrat-ing populations of chum salmon in the world. YukonRiver fall spawning chum spawn only in areas of dis-charging groundwater. The groundwater must be lowin toxic materials and high in dissolved oxygen to besuitable. The juveniles emerge from the gravel and veryquickly start their migration to the ocean. There is noextended freshwater rearing period.

1.4.7 The People

Today, the village of Teslin is the centre of the regionwith a population of about 450 people. Tourism andtraditional subsistence hunting and gathering areimportant aspects of Teslin life. The citizens of Teslin,both first nation and non-first nation, are linked tothe land and water which surrounds them and avidlyparticipate in managing the resources for the benefitof the community. The people are committed tomaintaining and developing a healthy communitythrough sustainable development.

8 1.0 INTRODUCTION

The history of Teslin starts during the 18th century, theCoastal Tlingit migrated inland from the southernAlaskan Pacific coast toward the Teslin Lake area totrap for furs, which they used to trade for Russian andEuropean merchandise. The combination of being anomadic people, and the development of trade and atravel route between the coast and the interior, allowedthe Tlingit to continue meeting fur demands when theharvesting of furs became scarce on the coast. With thewealth of other natural resources in the Teslin Lakearea, the Tlingit determined that the region was suit-able for settlement. The excellent travel routes alongwater bodies such as Teslin Lake and the Yukon Riverlead to the establishment of trading posts in the TeslinLake area. Teslin became a permanent settlement in1942 with the construction of the Alaska Highway. TheTeslin Tlingit Council signed their final land claimagreement on May 29, 1993. The values of the Tlingitculture in combination with the Teslin citizens contin-ue to play a major role in the economic developmentand identity of the community.

1.4.8 The Economy

There are few commercial resource developments with-in the region. The key commercial resource activitiesinclude two big game outfitting businesses, a fishinglodge on Wolf Lake and seasonal fish guiding opera-tions, trapping, forestry and mining activities. Potentialexists for future oil and gas exploration activities.

1.4.8.1 Traditional Activities

Historically, the economy of the region has beenresource based. The abundance of fur-bearing animalsaround the Teslin Lake area was conducive to the devel-opment of a prosperous trading enterprise.

The Inland Tlingit have always hunted big game suchas moose, caribou, sheep and goat for food purposes, aswell as smaller game such as gophers (ground squir-rels), rabbit, groundhog (hoary marmot), grouse andptarmigan. Caribou, a major food source, is hunted inthe vicinity of Quiet Lake and Canol Road (McClellan,2001). Groundhog is another favorite and can be foundin abundance on Groundhog Mountain, located up theNisutlin River valley (McClellan, 2001). The fur tradeled to a market for pelts such as grizzly and black bear,beaver, lynx, marten, muskrat, mink, wolf and wolver-ine. Beaver, whose pelts were used as the standardmeasure of goods during the peak of the fur trade, are

still found in abundance and trapped with great fre-quency by the Tlingit and other residents. Other ani-mals, such as porcupines and swans, are killed infre-quently, primarily for cultural and ceremonial reasons.

The Teslin Tlingit also rely heavily on the food pro-vided by the fish they catch in Teslin Lake in the winterand summer: trout, inconnu, northern pike, severalspecies of whitefish, Arctic grayling, and lingcod (bur-bot). Many Tlingit also fish for salmon.

The following berries, still common in the Tlingit diet,are listed in order of consumption frequency: mossber-ries, high-bush cranberries, low-bush cranberries,soapberries and red currants. Berries are also commonmedicinal ingredients for Teslin Tlingits. Medicinalberries include soapberry bush (used as a purge, or anemetic), bunchberry (used for tuberculosis), crowberryor juniper berry (used for tuberculosis) and mossber-ries. The mossberries are used in combination withpine and beaver castors for bad coughing fits, or thestems can be boiled for diarrhea. (McClellan, 2001).

The TTC development arm has acquired businessesrelated to the natural environment, such as Yukon RiverTimber Ltd. and Teslin Outfitters Ltd. The latter com-pany’s outfitting bookings have been increasing annu-ally due to increased marketing.

Teslin Outfitters Ltd. and Lone Wolf Outfitting are thetwo primary big game outfitters in the region, but manyother wilderness adventure guides operate in the areaincluding some from Whitehorse. The Nisutlin, Teslinand Wolf rivers are particularly important to river tripoutfitters. Trapping is also an important activity.

1.4.8.2 Mining, Oil and Gas

Current to 2005, almost all of the placer mining claimsare located within the Sidney Creek valley along the BigSalmon Range of the Pelly Mountains. Quartz claims,on the other hand, are distributed throughout theregion, with large groupings of claims located along theWolf River valley, Sidney Creek valley, upper elevationsof the Big Salmon Range and the Cassiar Mountains(Dorsey Range), and along the Morley River valley.

A portion of the region has potential for Oil and Gasexploration, however very little oil and gas explorationactivities have occurred to date. The Alaska Highwaypipeline easement parallels the Alaska Highwaythrough the planning region.


1.4.8.3 Tourism

For the last 50 years, the tourism industry in the Yukonhas been based largely along the access created by theAlaska Highway. More recently, however, there havebeen more non-highway tourism activities in theYukon, particularly wilderness and adventure tourism.Within the Teslin Lake region, tourism is an importantactivity in the local economy. The Teslin River valleyhas become an important venue for internationaltourists, while the Wolf and Teslin rivers provide astrong tourism base for both local and national visitors.The Nisutlin, Wolf and Teslin rivers are identified asespecially important, since these places are wherefuture tourism may occur. A few small resorts are locat-ed on the Alaska Highway both north and south ofTeslin.

Most of the planning region land base has not had anysignificant commercial development. Rather, a largeproportion of the region is used exclusively for non-commercial resource activities, which include fishing,hunting, snowmobiling, boating, rafting and camping.There are also a few small farms in the region.

1.4.8.4 Commercial Forest Sector

A small amount of logging occurred during World WarII when areas across from the Demonstration Forestarea were logged. In addition, small patches of harvest-ing occurred up the Nisutlin near the old Tote Road bythe abandoned sawmill. The first round of sizeable for-est harvesting in the region took place within theSidney Creek area during the early to mid 1990’s. TheSidney Creek harvest area is located in the northwestportion of the region, west of the South Canol highway.Patch systems were used exclusively in this harvest area.Since harvesting occurred, each cutblock in the SidneyCreek region has been planted with spruce and pine.Closer to the Village of Teslin, harvesting has takenplace within or near the Demonstration Forest area. Avariety of silvicultural systems have been employed.Many of the cutblocks in the Demonstration Foresthave been regenerated with white spruce seedlings.

Yukon River Timber Ltd. has been in operation since1999. This company produces a variety of value-addedlumber products from trees harvested in the region.Products include milled house logs, tongue and grooveflooring, paneling, and handcrafted log homes. Thereare also a number of small locally owned wood shops.

The forest sector in Yukon and Teslin is in its infancy.The large hurdle facing investment is the uncertainty inaccessing the forest resource. It is hoped the SFMP willcontribute to the investment climate and expansion ofthe forest sector.

1.4.8.5 Other Economic Sectors

The economic activity generated by government andservice businesses in Teslin is not insignificant.Increasingly, as public infrastructure improves, oppor-tunities for the people of Teslin to work in their com-munity will increase. This will add to economic, socialand cultural stability. Younger generations will be ableto find long-term employment in resource and servicesectors.

1.4.9 Special Places

There are several land designations in the region thatrequire individual attention in terms of forest manage-ment planning. Specifically, government land disposi-tions, settlement lands, a National Wildlife Area andimportant wetlands have been flagged for considera-tion in the SFMP. Ongoing work under the Teslin Fishand Wildlife Management Plan and the Land Use Planmay result in other special places being identified.These may require consideration under the SFMP.

1.4.9.1 Nisutlin River Delta National Wildlife Area

Located on the Nisutlin River delta and bay, this is theonly National Wildlife Area in the entire YukonTerritory. It was established in accordance with theTTC Final Agreement. Management coordination isconducted by the TRRC in full consultation with theCanadian Wildlife Service (CWS), Yukon Governmentand TTC, following a management plan preparedjointly by TRRC and CWS.

The Nisutlin Delta was designated as a NationalWildlife Area because it is a major waterfowl stagingarea on the Pacific flyway. It annually attracts approxi-mately 2,000 trumpeter and tundra swans, 2,000Canada geese and 6,000 ducks, as well as hundreds ofshorebirds, on migration. In addition to waterfowl, thedelta provides a key food source for fish and importanthabitat for moose and other fur-bearing species.

10 1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.4.9.2 Important Wetlands

The Yukon Wetlands Technical Committee has identi-fied three important wetlands in the region: LowerNisutlin River and Delta, Teslin Lake Outlet, andMorley Bay.

1.4.9.3 Yukon Heritage and Archaeological Sites

The history of human occupation in the Teslin regionlikely began soon after the end of the last glaciation,approximately 9,000 years ago. Knowledge of thearchaeological record is based on only limited surveyswhich have focused principally on the major waterbodies of the region: Teslin Lake, Nisutlin River, LittleTeslin Lake, Fat Lake and Morley River.

Based on these surveys, about 200 archaeological sitesare documented in the Teslin region to date. Habitationsites of the early prehistoric period may be associatedwith meltwater channels or abandoned terraces andshorelines related to the more elevated lake and riverlevels, which were a feature of the early post-glaciallandscape. The prehistoric cultures identified in thearchaeological record are similar to those identifiedthroughout southern and central Yukon.

Land use patterns of this Middle Prehistoric periodbegin to resemble those known from the ethnographicrecord. Certainly by this time, and very likely earlier,the extensive networks of regional trade and exchange,which are well documented in the ethnographic andearly historic records, were established. In the archaeo-logical record, exotic stone was an important item oftrade. Obsidian from Mount Edziza in the Stikine Riverarea, and from Hoodoo Mountain in the southwestYukon, can be found in sites in the Teslin area.

About 1,250 years ago, a massive volcanic eruptionblanketed much of southern and central Yukon involcanic ash. The ash is still visible in the modern dayground surface, and marks the beginning of the LatePrehistoric period in the archaeological record.Considerable environmental impact and movementsof human populations appear associated with thisevent. A number of technological innovations occurin the material culture of the post-ash cultures,including adoption of bow and arrow (andabandonment of spear throwing technology), simplemetallurgy in the working of native copper, afluorescence of bone and antler work, and stoneboiling as a new culinary technique.

One of the most significant events in early historicperiod in the Teslin region was the intensification ofthe coast-interior trade in the early 19th century. Thiswas in response to the virtual extinction of the seaotter and increasing demand for furs to supplyRussian and European markets. Economic rewardswere sufficient to induce another populationmovement, which saw a number of Coast Tlingitfamily groups move into the interior, to obtain thefurs directly. At this time, the Inland Tlingit in theTeslin region were ideally positioned to act asmiddlemen in the profitable trade with the UpperPelly River, Kaska, Tagish, and other interior groups.

The heavily used Taku River and the Stikine-Teslinaboriginal trading trails, which converged at the southend of Teslin Lake, subsequently became routes usedby stampeders traveling to the Cassiar (1870) andKlondike (1898) gold rushes. Semi-permanent campsor villages appear on the maps of this period andinclude a camp at the mouth of Nisutlin Bay, wherethe community of Teslin stands today. This is thelocation of the first trading post in the Teslin region,established between 1903 and 1910.

The construction of the Alaska Highway and CanolRoad and pipeline by the American military duringthe World War II, heralded the beginning of themodern era in the Teslin region. Historic sites andfeatures relating to this event can still be seen in placesalong the Alaska Highway and the Canol Road.


2.0 PRINCIPLES FOR FORESTMANAGEMENT

This plan recognizes and supports the following visionas a guide to forest management in the planning region:

“Our vision is for a fully functioning forest ecosys-tem that benefits all living things, while providingenvironmental, economic, social and cultural bene-fits for present and future generations.”

VISION STATEMENTS

A set of vision statements were developed for thisSFMP that encompass the dominant values and goalsof the people in the region. These vision statementsguide the strategic directions for the plan.

• The SFMP will recommend resource developmentand incorporate the protection of traditional, ecologi-cal, resource, heritage, and other important valuesassociated with the forested land base.

• The SFMP will be developed based on the principlesof sustainable forest management and ecosystemmanagement.

• The SFMP will contribute to security, reliability andsustainability of forest-based investment and develop-ment.

• The SFMP will provide the strategies and guidelines

for the management and conservation of the forestecosystem while providing economic benefits andopportunities for present and future generations.

• The decision-making process used to develop theSFMP is driven by the values and the goals obtainedduring previous and current community consultations.

• First Nation traditional knowledge and values will beutilized and incorporated with other baseline data setsin the planning process.

Ecosystem refers to the web of life. It is a dynamicweb of people, plants, animals and otherorganisms, together with the non-living elementsof the environment, functioning as aninterdependent system.

There are three basic tests for forest managementplans, if they are to succeed. The tests use theexample of a three-legged stool: if one leg is miss-ing, the stool falls over. The three tests are: is theforest use ecologically sustainable? Are the range offorest uses and actions socially acceptable? Are theforest uses economically viable – can they be finan-cially supported? If the answer to all three ques-tions is “yes” – the possible forest managementactions probably meet the test of sustainability.

12 2.0 PRINCIPLES FOR FOREST MANAGEMENT

3.0 FOREST PLANNING PROCESS

3.1 LEGISLATIVE CONTEXT

The TTC Final Agreement, in addition to establishingthe basis for forest management planning in theregion, establishes the rights and lands that TTcitizens retain throughout the traditional territory.

Effective May 29, 1993, the authority andresponsibility for forest planning and management,including the approval of forest management plansrests with the First Nation on settlement lands(pursuant to Section 17.5.2 of the TTC FinalAgreement). The same responsibility for public landsrests with the Forest Management Branch of theYukon Government (pursuant to Section 17.5.1 of theTTC Final Agreement, the Devolution TransferAgreement and the Territorial Lands (Yukon) Act).

The TRRC under the TTC Final Agreement (Section17.4.0) is also assigned responsibilities for forestmanagement planning in the traditional territory.

Key legislation, regulations and policies affectingforest management and planning in the TTTraditional Territory include:

• Territorial Lands (Yukon) Act

• Yukon Timber Regulation

• Yukon Wildlife Act and Regulations

• Fisheries Act

• Environment Act

• (INAC) Timber Harvest Planning and OperatingGuidebook (1999)

• Yukon Historic Resources Act

• TTC Settlement Land and Resources Act

• TTC Fish and Wildlife Act

• TTC Strategic Plan

• Teslin Fish and Wildlife Management Plan

• Regional Land Use Planning Commission

• Yukon Salmon Committee recommendation,guidelines, and regulations

• Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Act

• Species At Risk Act

In the spring of 2003 the Yukon Government beganthe preparation of a forest policy framework to guidethe development of the Yukon’s first comprehensiveforest legislation.

3.2 PLANNING FRAMEWORK

Setting up sustainable forest management in theplanning region will take time. It will require severaldistinct planning stages that gradually narrow thedecisions and direction from the general goalsthrough basic landscape level arrangements down tospecific harvest block location and design.


Stage 1– Strategic Forest Management Planning is afirst and important step that sets out what issues andconcerns, values and interests must be addressed, asforest planning moves forward through subsequentstages to more integrated and detailed planning for for-est resource development in the planning region. Itrepresents a set of directions, based on a general con-sensus between governments (Yukon and TTC) andpeople within the Traditional Territory. That in turnwill guide forest planners and managers with respect tohow they should approach future resource develop-ment and subsequent planning. It establishes the publicbenchmarks against which forest planning and man-agement in the planning region should be evaluated inthe years to come.

The SFMP is being developed jointly for both publicand TT settlement lands, which are each managed withtheir own specific resource objectives. The resourceobjectives for settlement lands are different than forpublic lands. The objective is to manage R-blocks withthe intent of maintaining and protecting traditionalvalues, sites and land uses. This will influence the typeof silvicultural application and may require additionalmeasures, such as creating reserve or exclusion zonesaround important traditional sites. The next closelylinked stages following the SFMP are:

Stage 2 – Integrated Landscape Planning that willinclude the identification of broad areas available ornot for forest development, and strategies for reducingor eliminating significant negative effects on otherresources and values. A Timber Supply Analysis (TSA)is done at this time. TSA inputs such as forest invento-ry, growth and yield data, regeneration, and other for-est management assumptions and design criteria, typi-cally form the primary technical information used inthe analysis. This is followed by a determination of theAnnual Allowable Cut (AAC) for the planning region.

Stage 3 – Harvest Development Planning that designsthe general harvest activities consistent with the out-comes of landscape planning (e.g. main road location,harvest block location).

Stage 4 – Site Planning that field checks and engineersharvest block boundaries, landings, volumes and exactroad locations, consistent with the higher level plans.

These are shown in sequence in the diagram anddescribed in detail in the tables that follow (Figure 5and Table 3).

Figure 5FOREST MANAGEMENT PLANNING STAGES

14 3.0 FOREST PLANNING PROCESS

Strategic Forest Management Plan

Integrated Landscape Planning

Harvest Development Planning

Site Planning

Table 3FOREST MANAGEMENT PLANNING CONTENTS


STAGE OF PLANNING CONTENTS PREPARED BY

1. STRATEGIC FORESTMANAGEMENTPLANNING:

Regional Application

• Statement of social, economic, environmental andcultural community values and related strategicdirections.

• General principles, goals and objectives for forestmanagement in the TT Traditional Territory planningregion and strategic directions.

• Delineates 15 landscape units (or planning areas) inthe planning region.

• Incorporates strategic directions from other plansaffecting forest resources (e.g. wildlife managementplans, etc.).

TRRC and forest managementplanning team in consultation withgovernment agencies, thecommunity and other affectedpublic interests.

Recommended by TRRC to TTCand YG.

2. INTEGRATEDLANDSCAPEPLANNING:

Watershed/ PlanningUnit Application

• Comparative evaluations of resource and resourceuse assessments (e.g. fish and wildlife habitat,wildlife movement corridors, traditional camps,trapping, outfitting, agricultural, recreational andtimber harvest areas, etc.).

• Detailed technical analysis of the resources andresource values within the planning region.

• Incorporation of other land and resource plans andguidelines (e.g. wildlife, habitat, special areas,agriculture, etc.).

• Zoning of landscape units (Regional Land UseDesignation), includes potential areas for forestdevelopment planning areas.

• Consistent with Teslin Strategic Forest ManagementPlan.

• Creation of the Timber Supply Analysis• Determination of the Annual Allowable Cut

TTC, territorial and federalgovernment resource managers,technicians and planners andcontracted technical assistance.Consultation with TRRC, stakeholdergroups and general public.

Reviewed and recommendationsprovided by TRRC to TTC and YG.

Table 3 continuedFOREST MANAGEMENT PLANNING CONTENTS

16 3.0 FOREST PLANNING PROCESS

STAGE OF PLANNING CONTENTS PREPARED BY

3. HARVESTDEVELOPMENTPLANNING:

Sub-watershed/ Core-Zone Application

• Forest engineering to identify main access locationand general harvest design.

• Mitigation within identified timber harvest areasconsistent with criteria and principles of landscapeand strategic planning.

• Location of proposed cutblocks with a harvestschedule and volumes.

• Location and class of roads with stream crossings.• Strategies to address engineering development,

riparian areas, wildlife areas, viewscapes, silvicultureand protection issues and areas.

• Strategies to address cultural values, traditionalusers, trappers, outfitters and other resources users.

• Access management• Review and reporting criteria.• Previous harvesting history.• Consistent with Teslin Strategic Forest Management

Plan and Integrated Landscape Plan.• Heritage potential mapping.

Depending on the size and form ofthe permit or tenure: responsiblefederal, territorial and TTC agenciesand/or permit or tenure holder inconsultation with other forest users.

Plan review by public and TRRC andrecommendations provided by TRRCto TTC and YG.

Plan monitoring and review by TTCand territorial forest managers.

4. SITE PLANNING:

Harvest AreaApplication

• Identifies specific proposed harvesting andoperational design and activities for the coming year(e.g. exact road/landing/ harvest area location,refined volume estimates, equipment, streamcrossing methods).

• Description of project activities must be consistentwith harvest development plan.

• Plan is used by regulators to set terms and conditionsof individual permits and for compliance andenforcement purposes.

• Heritage impact assessment may be required.

Operator or client in consultationwith territorial and TTC forestmanagers and regulators.

Plan monitoring and review by TTCand YG forest managers.

3.3 PLANNING PROCESS

3.3.1 Chronology of Key StepsJuly, 1998 Teslin RRC consideration of

DIAND’s Nisutlin Timber SupplyAnalysis

October, 1998 Establishment of ForestManagement Steering Group

November, 1998 Forestry Steering Group makesrecommendations to TRRC

January, 1999 TRRC and TTC meet to discussTimber Supply Analysis

January, 1999 DIAND draft Forest MOUdiscussed with TRRC

March, 1999 to Meetings to discuss values TeslinJanuary, 2000 area people hold in relation to

land and resources

April, 1999 Meeting between DIAND andTRRC to discuss Y-05 ResourceReport

August, 1999 Public meeting on THA document

March, 2000 MOU signatories’ meeting tocreate a SFMP for the TTTraditional Territory

March, 2000 Publication of Talking to the People

October, 2000 Open House on the Teslin ForestManagement Plan

July, 2002 Workshop on SFMP

August, 2002 Workshop on SFMP

December, 2002 Workshop on SFMP

June, 2003 Public review of SFMP documents

Early, 2004 Workshop on SFMP

Fall, 2004 Discussion by Planning Team of acomprehensive SFMP document

April, 2005 Discussion by Planning Team ofcomprehensive SFMP document

Oct, 2005 Publication of draftcomprehensive SFMP document

Nov, 2005 Public open house andpresentation of plan in Teslin

April, 2006 TRRC Recommended plan toGovernments

3.3.2 Participation in Strategic ForestManagement Planning

Approval Bodies

The approval bodies for the SFMP are the YukonGovernment on public lands and the TTC onsettlement lands. They make final decisions toapprove and implement the plan on their respectivelands that is recommended by the TRRC (Chapter17.5 of the TTC Final Agreement).

Planning Team

The Planning Team consists of representatives of theTRRC, the Yukon Government’s Department ofEnergy Mines and Resources, and the TTC. Theserepresentatives coordinate their respective agency’sparticipation in the development of the plan. TheTRRC performs the lead coordinating role in thedevelopment of the plan.

Community Participation

The TRRC facilitates public participation in theplanning process by sponsoring open houses andinformation meetings, developing informationmaterials, carrying out community surveys, andproviding formal opportunities for publicconsultation on forest management planning and theplan.


4.0 STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS FROMPLANNING AND LEGISLATIVEINITIATIVES

Strategic directions are found in this section as well asin Section 7.0 Strategic Directions from Key Issues,and Section 8.0 Strategic Directions and PlanImplementation, Monitoring and Review.

Following the signing of the TTC Final Agreement in1993, a number of planning activities related towildlife, land and resources management took place,including passage of resource legislation by the TTC.All of these will have a bearing on forest managementplanning in the region. Principles, goals andrecommendations set out or derived from theseactivities and pieces of legislation will help guide anddirect the development of forest management plans inthe planning region.

The strategic considerations and directions for forestmanagement in the planning region that are outlinedin this section come from these planning andlegislative initiatives.

4.1 TESLIN TLINGIT COUNCIL FINALAGREEMENT

Strategic Considerations:

Through this land claims agreement, the TTC retainsaboriginal rights, titles, and its interests with respect tosettlement lands. The objectives of the agreement were:

• To recognize the importance of protecting a way oflife based on economic and spiritual relationshipwith the land;

• To encourage and protect cultural distinctivenessand social well-being; and

• To enhance the ability of the Teslin Tlingit toparticipate in all aspects of the Yukon economy.

Section 17.5.0 of the TTC Final Agreement providesfor development of a forest resources managementplan for the TT Traditional Territory. The SFMP hasconsidered the following sections during itsdevelopment:

17.5.5 When developing Forest ResourcesManagement plans, the Minister and the YukonFirst Nations shall take into account thefollowing:

17.5.5.1 The principle of sustainable use ofForest Resources;

17.5.5.2 The principle of an integrated andbalanced approach to the managementand protection of interest in and usesof Forest Resources in a watershed;

17.5.5.3 The principle of integrated ForestResources Management on SettlementLand and non-Settlement Land;

17.5.5.4 The Forest Resource harvesting andmanagement customs of Yukon IndianPeople;

17.5.5.5 Fish and Wildlife Harvesting rights andmanagement plans as set out inChapter 16 Fish and Wildlife;

17.5.5.6 The knowledge and experience both ofthe Yukon Indian People and scientificcommunities in Forest ResourcesManagement and use; and

17.5.5.7 The principle of implementing theplan on a watershed basis.

Strategic Directions:

1. Future forest management plans will be consistentwith the terms of the TTC Final Agreement.

18 4.0 STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS FROM PLANNING AND LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVES

4.2 LAND USE PLANNING IN THE TESLINTLINGIT TRADITIONAL TERRITORY


Under Chapter 11 of the TTC Final Agreement, theFirst Nation and the federal and Yukon governmentsare committed to creating a Regional Land Use Planfor the Teslin Planning Region. The mandate of thiscommission is to develop a recommended Land UsePlan for the region. This plan is directed by Chapter11 of the TTC Final Agreement.

Section 11.2.1.2 of the TTC Final Agreement speaks toplanning processes.

Any regional land use planning process in the Yukonshall be linked to all other land and water planningand management process established by governmentsminimizing where practical any overlap orredundancy between the land use planning processand those other planning processes.

Strategic Direction:

2. The principles, goals, objectives and directions ofthe SFMP shall provide the basic guidelines for for-est management and forest resources developmentin the region (Sections 11.4.5.8 and 17.6.1, TTCFinal Agreement) consistent with the general goalsand principles of the Teslin Regional Land Use Plan(when it is completed and accepted).

4.3 NISUTLIN RIVER DELTA NATIONALWILDLIFE AREA


The TTC Final Agreement established a NationalWildlife Area (NWA) under the Canada Wildlife Act inthe Nisutlin River bay and delta.

Section 7.8 of the NRDNWA Management Planspeaks to the issue of transboundary impacts ofactivities outside the Wildlife Area on species thatcross the border of the Wildlife Area. Section 7.9 ofthe plan addresses the issue of a “no-developmentbuffer extending outward for 1 km from theNRDNWA boundary.”

Appendix A: Schedule A – Nisutlin River DeltaNational Wildlife Area provides in Section 5.0 ForestResources that the Teslin Tlingit shall have the right toharvest forest resources in the Area for traditionalpurposes.

The NWA is the only Special Management Area in theTT Traditional Territory. Under the Teslin Fish andWildlife Management Plan ongoing work may, resultin other Special Management Areas being identifiedthat may require consideration under the SFMP.



3. The goals and objectives of the management planfor the Nisutlin River Delta National Wildlife Areaand areas in the region that require specialmanagement will be considered in implementingthe SFMP. Of particular note are the following:

• The provision for Teslin Tlingit to continuetraditional practices with respect to forestresource use must be respected.

• The provision in the Wildlife AreaManagement Plan for management oftransboundary fish and wildlife species mustbe considered with respect to forest habitatoutside of the Wildlife Area that is used bycross-border species.

4.4 PRIORITIES OF THE TESLIN TLINGITCOUNCIL


The 25-year Strategic Plan (1995) developed by theTTC to implement their final land claims and self-government agreements includes the followingpriorities that are particularly relevant to the SFMP:

• Achieving economic self-sufficiency by creating aviable economic base;

• Conserving the wildlife and habitat in the traditionalterritory for the well-being of our futuregenerations; and

• To cooperatively continue to preserve and developthe social, economic, political and cultural well-being of the Teslin Tlingit citizens.

The TTC supports sustainable development of theirtraditional territory resources to promote thecontinuation of traditional land-based activities, whileat the same time supporting non-traditionaleconomic activity through the careful use of non-renewable resources. Resources are the key toimproving the TT citizen’s traditional, social andeconomic way-of-life.


4. Future forest management planning shallincorporate the principle of sustainability and theimperative of balancing traditional use and forestdevelopment activities.

5. Future forest management planning shall considerapproaches to forest management planning, anddevelopment that contribute to the self-reliance ofthe Teslin Tlingit citizens.

4.5 PRIORITIES OF THE YUKONGOVERNMENT IN REGARDS TOFOREST MANAGEMENT

Responsibility for management of natural resourceswas devolved to Department of Energy Mines andResources on April 1, 2003. Some of the department’sinitiatives provide guidance to forest management andare designed to contribute to a better quality of life forYukoners by:

• Responsible management of Yukon’s naturalresources.

• Promoting investment in and responsibledevelopment of natural resources.

• Providing strategic leadership on natural resourcepolicy and planning to benefit Yukoners.

The Forest Management Branch of EMR is theregulatory agency responsible for management offorest resources on public land.

Strategic Direction

6. Secure a forest land base, to be managed in aresponsible fashion, from which we can expect asustainable supply of wood in order to fosterdevelopment of a local forest-based economy thatwill return positive benefits to the people of Teslin,and the Yukon.


4.6 TESLIN TLINGIT COUNCIL SETTLEMENTLAND AND RESOURCES ACT


The Teslin Tlingit Council Settlement Land andResources Act governs the uses of lands and resourceson Settlement Lands. The key purposes of the act are:

• To manage all Settlement Lands and associatedresources for all Teslin Tlingit citizens, includingfuture generations;

• To establish a comprehensive and integrated decisionmaking process that considers the importance ofenvironmental, social, cultural and heritage valuesthat protect and conserve Settlement Lands andassociated resources;

• To utilize the knowledge and experience of the TeslinTlingit citizens in decision-making; and

• To protect and maintain the culture, tradition,health, and lifestyle of Teslin Tlingit citizens.


7. Forest management planning shall be based on anintegrated and sustainable approach to forestresource use and development.

8. Forest management planning shall pursuestrategies to enhance the objective of the TeslinTlingit Council Settlement Land and Resources Acton settlement lands.

9. Access and use provisions of the Teslin TlingitCouncil Settlement Land and Resources Act shall berespected by the forest management planningprocess.

4.7 TESLIN TLINGIT COUNCILFISH AND WILDLIFE ACT


The TTC Fish and Wildlife Act was enacted to ensurecomprehensive conservation and management of fish,wildlife and habitat on settlement lands within the TTTraditional Territory. The act deals with habitatprotection, as well as resource utilization and accessissues. Furthermore, the TRRC is responsible formaking recommendations on all matters relating tothe conservation of renewable resources and thequality of the environment, including all issuesregarding fish and wildlife.


10. Future forest management planning on settlementlands shall respect the provisions of the TTC Fishand Wildlife Act, with particular attention beingpaid to habitat management.

4.8 TESLIN REGIONAL TOURISM PLAN


The Teslin Regional Tourism Plan (Yukon TerritorialGovernment, 1993) identified that the tourism sectorin the Teslin region was still in early development. Forthe most part, tourism activities in the Teslin regionare based on summer opportunities and are carriedout in the river valleys of the Teslin, Nisutlin, Wolfand Big Salmon rivers. No formal winter tourismevents or packages are presently being marketed toattract visitors to the region. Need for support toenhance the current tourism developments wasidentified during community consultations.


11. Forest management planning shall considerapproaches and measures to enhance thedevelopment of the region’s tourism industry,related local benefits, and seek compatiblesolutions to overlapping forest land uses.


4.9 TESLIN INTEGRATED FISH ANDWILDLIFE MANAGEMENT PLAN


Integrated Fish and Wildlife Management Planning is acommunity-based cooperative system in which con-cerns are addressed through a partnership between theYukon Government, TTC and TRRC. It was formalizedthrough a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)which sets out the responsibilities of each partner(Yukon Government, 2002).

Integrated Fish and Wildlife Management Plans addressissues presented by the community. The plan presentsscientific and community (local and traditional) knowl-edge about the issues. It addresses the issues through alogical reduction from “Concerns” to “Solutions” to“Action.” Actions are assigned to partners in the plan onan annual basis for a four-year term. The informationgathered regarding fish and wildlife, in and around theTT Traditional Territory, assists in providing a greaterunderstanding of the local issues and community con-cerns. This understanding acts as a guiding tool fordesigns for, and implementation of, land uses.


12. Where possible, seek to integrate concerns, solutionsand actions of the Teslin Fish and WildlifeManagement Plan into forest management planning.

Other strategic directions with respect to fish andwildlife are addressed in Section 7.0 StrategicDirections from Key Issues.

4.10 YUKON SALMON COMMITTEE


The Yukon Salmon Committee (YSC) is a publicadvisory body that is established under Chapter 16 ofthe UFA. The YSC works towards the preservation andenhancement of the Yukon’s salmon stocks. The YSCis responsible for making recommendations to theMinister of Fisheries and Oceans and to Yukon FirstNations on all matters that are related to salmon inthe Yukon.

The main goal of the YSC is to preserve salmon stocksin the Yukon, and therefore maintain the role ofsalmon within the Yukon’s ecosystems, economies andlifestyles. Specific principles and regulations have beenidentified to help ensure the conservation of salmonstocks in the Yukon.


13. The regulations established to ensure theconservation of salmon stocks will be respected.


4.11 SPECIES AT RISK, SPECIAL CONCERNOR LISTED UNDER THEYUKON WILDLIFE ACT

The following species, found in the Teslin region, areeither listed by Committee on the Status ofEndangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC), theSpecies at Risk Act (SARA) or protected by the YukonWildlife Act.

Species considered by COSEWIC are grouped intothree categories:

Endangered: A species facing imminent extirpation orextinction.

Threatened: A species likely to become endangered iflimiting factors are not reversed.

Special Concern: A species with characteristics thatmake it particularly sensitive to human activitiesor natural events.

Table 4WILDLIFE IN THE TESLIN FOREST MANAGEMENTPLANNING REGION IDENTIFIED UNDER FEDERAL SPECIESAT RISK ACT (SARA), COSEWIC LISTED, OR THE YUKONWILDLIFE ACT


14. Forest management planning shall review recoveryand action plans for SARA listed species forguidance on management in the TT TraditionalTerritory.

15. Forest management planning shall reviewCOSEWIC status reports and species assessmentsfor guidance on management of species of specialconcern in the TT Traditional Territory.

16. Forest Management planning shall review YukonWildlife Act for rational and guidance onmanagement of species with Specially ProtectedStatus in the TT Traditional Territory.


SPECIES STATUS SOURCE

Peregrine falconanatum subspecies

Threatened (few in number) — Specially Protected SARA (2000), COSEWIC (2004)Yukon Wildlife Act

Grizzly bear Special Concern in Canada — Stable population in SFMP Region COSEWIC (2004)

Short-eared owl Special Concern in Canada COSEWIC (2004)

Peregrine falcontundrias subspecies

Special Concern in Canada COSEWIC (2004)

Wolverine Special Concern — Stable population in SFMP Region COSEWIC (2004)

Squanga whitefish Special Concern COSEWIC (2004)

Woodland caribou Special Concern — Stable population in SFMP region. SpeciesManagement

SARA (2000)COSEWIC (2004)

Mule deer Specially Protected Yukon Wildlife Act

Cougar Specially Protected (rare) Yukon Wildlife Act

Trumpeter swan Specially Protected Yukon Wildlife Act

4.12 COMMUNITY CORE VALUES


Forestry operations have the potential to createtension between the desire for economic developmentand the concern for the maintenance of traditionalculture and values. The SFMP emphasizes thepreservation of cultural values and traditions. It is forthis reason that over recent years the TTC, with theTRRC, Yukon Government, and private industry haveconducted various workshops and surveys to gain aclearer understanding of the environmental, culturaland traditional concerns of the Teslin community.

Residents’ perspectives on the issues of concernrevealed the core values of the Teslin Tlingit peopleand the community. The values identified are:

• Water (maintenance of watershed and waterquality),

• The land (maintenance of ecosystems functions),

• The bush (management and harvesting of the forestin a sustainable manner),

• Wildlife, and

• Traditional activities, including:

- Cultural

- Hunting

- Fishing

- Gathering, and

- Future generations and its relationship withemployment.

The surveys not only identified the community’s corevalues, but also helped to find out the community’spreferences of harvest sites and methods.


17. Manage the bush, the water, the land and wildlifein order to ensure traditional values and activitiesincluding culture, hunting fishing and gatheringremain available for future generations.

18. Ensure information about impacted areas isavailable to the community following forestmanagement activities. This includes informationon the status of access roads after harvest,restoration programs of harvested sites, and pre-and post-harvesting activities.

4.13 DRAFT TESLIN FOREST MANAGEMENTPLAN, VOLUMES 1 AND 2

The draft documents, Teslin Forest Management PlanVolume 1 (Strategic Direction for Forest ResourceDevelopment) and Volume 2 (Regional ForestLandscape Plan) were prepared by OLSON + OLSONPlanning and Design Consultants Inc. (2002), undercontract to the TTC. These draft documents go a longway in addressing the issues that will need to beresolved next, during the Integrated LandscapePlanning stage.

During this next stage, a number of timber supply sce-narios will be analyzed. The OLSON + OLSON workincluded a preliminary timber supply analysis whichindicated a timber supply of 118,000 m3 per year (fol-lowing the preferred harvesting approach). After netdowns for uncertainty and risk, the timber supply wasreduced to 36,000 m3 per year with potential to beraised to 45,000 m3 per year once uncertainties due toactivity levels in the landscape units are resolved.

The current harvest ceiling on public lands for ForestManagement Unit Y04 (which includes the majorityof the SFMP planning region) is 25,000 m3 per year.The harvest ceiling will remain until another harvestceiling or AAC is determined.


19. The OLSON +OLSON draft documents should beused as an information source for IntegratedLandscape Planning and Harvest DevelopmentPlanning.


5.0 FOREST MANAGEMENT GOALS,OBJECTIVES AND INDICATORS

Goals of Forest Management in the TT TraditionalTerritory

The Forest Management goals in this SFMP addressthe fundamental areas of sustainable forestmanagement in the TT Traditional Territory. Thereare five:

A. Conserve biological diversity

B. Maintain forest ecosystem health andproductivity

C. Conserve and maintain soil and waterresources

D. Maintain and enhance multiple socio-economic benefits

E. Maintain and enhance communitysustainability

The order of the list of goals is not meant to reflecttheir relative values. This plan accepts the broad rangeof values that have been expressed and attempts tobalance the sometimes-competing views of how theforest should be managed and used.

This challenge is not unique to this plan. There is adesire within the region to use forest managementactivities to maintain or enhance, where possible, thevalue and benefits of forest resources and uses, such aswatersheds and fisheries, wilderness tourism andsmall-scale commercial timber operations in whichlocal people can participate. This plan, according to itsprinciples and through each of the goals, objectivesand indicators, establishes a direction and conditionsfor regional forest management to meet thesechallenges.

Together, these goals are consistent with the criteria(goals) of sustainable forest management definednationally – by the Canadian Council of ForestMinisters – and internationally through the MontrealProcess. The goals of the SFMP differ somewhat fromnational and international criteria of sustainableforest management in that they have been refined toreflect local circumstances, values and needs.

Objectives of Forest Management in the TTTraditional Territory

A number of objectives are given for each of the sixgoals. Objectives are specific and attainable achieve-ments that describe how the SFMP will accomplish itsgoals. Objectives are also measurable in that theprogress that is made in implementing the plan can becompared against the plan objectives. Indicators are“signs” or “markers” that determine whether progress isbeing made or not on achieving an objective.

Indicators of Sustainable Forest Management in theTT Traditional Territory

The Canadian Council of Forest Ministers (CCFM)Framework of Criteria and Indicators document(2004) says this about criteria (expressed as goals inthis SFMP) and indicators:

“[they] provide a science-based framework todefine and measure Canada’s [or a region’s]progress in the sustainable management of itsforests. The criteria [goals] represent forest valuesthat Canadians [Teslin region residents, in thiscase] want to enhance or sustain, while theindicators identify potential scientific factors toassess the state of the forests and measure progressover time.”

Indicators are another means of demonstrating what acommunity values and the “signs” it checks todetermine the health of its economy, forests, wildlife,culture and so on. Indicators are commonly used toanswer the question, “are we achieving the goals andobjectives of our plan?” They provide a practicalmeans for testing progress towards forestmanagement goals and objectives against specific localexpectations and a broad range of values. Indicatorsgenerally apply at the strategic level – in other words,across the entire TT Traditional Territory.

Local indicators allow forest managers and the generalpublic in a region to see more clearly, albeit selectively,where progress is being made and where improvementsare necessary. Importantly, they tell managers how theirefforts will be judged, and how impacts from forestryand other activities will be evaluated. In this way, they


are a critical part of monitoring programs and, if sup-ported by good information – both scientific observa-tions and traditional and local descriptive observations– can provide an early indication of where changes maybe required in forest management. In this way, they area key tool in adaptive forest management.

Indicators should be:

• Meaningful – they should relate clearly to a particularobjective, and provide significant information aboutthe values embodied by the objective.

• Measurable – they should be based on available oreasily obtainable measurements that can be consis-tently repeated over time to observe trends.

• Cost effective – it should be financially and practicallyfeasible to collect data to report on the indicator.

• Understandable – not only to forest managers butalso to the public, especially since public interests areintegral to this plan.

• Connected to forestry – they should be responsible toforest management actions and practices.

• Attributable – ideally, it should be possible to attrib-ute (show cause and effect) trends that may beobserved in the indicator over time and explain whytrends are being observed.

The following indicators are proposed at this time, andwill be put in place over the next few years as the plan isimplemented. Those indicators with an asterisk (*)beside them may be easier to develop in the near-termbecause they have established methodologies and/ordata is readily available.

The first step in reporting on the indicators will be tocompile an Initial Status Report. The purpose of thisdocument will be to report on the status of the indica-

tors prior to implementation of the forest managementplan. This report will serve as the baseline againstwhich all future monitoring reports will be compared.Indicator reporting will be guided by adaptive manage-ment, but will also depend on financial and personnelresources.

The indicators of sustainable forest management inthe TT Traditional Territory are essentially shapedby the goals and objectives that reflect the valuesand concerns of the people living in the region.They are selective and can be added to or changedas needed.

5.1 GOAL A: CONSERVE BIOLOGICALDIVERSITY

The first goal of the SFMP is the conservation of bio-logical diversity. The Canadian Council of ForestMinisters (CCFM, 2000) defines biological diversity asthe “variability among living organisms and the ecolog-ical complexes of which they are a part.” Conservationof biological diversity commonly includes manage-ment, protection or preservation of ecosystems byensuring their viability, resiliency and sustainability.This SFMP identifies three objectives for biodiversityconservation: conserve ecosystem diversity, speciesdiversity, and genetic diversity.

5.1.1 Objective 1.1 – Conserve EcosystemDiversity

Ecosystem diversity is the relative amounts and propor-tions of different ecosystems, and is one aspect of bio-logical diversity. Ecosystem diversity is measured byexamining forest habitat, including wetlands, and forestdynamics. Habitat quantity and diversity is oftendirectly related to species diversity, although habitatquantity is not always a good indicator of the status ofindividual species.

Indicators:

• Area of forest, by type and age class, and wetlands ineach ecoregion*

• Area of forest, by type and age class, and wetlands inprotected areas in each ecoregion*

• Extent and diversity of key ecosystem features

• Level of protection of unique places

• Status of unique or distinctive habitats

26 5.0 FOREST MANAGEMENT GOALS, OBJECTIVES AND INDICATORS

WOLF LAKE

TESLIN

BIG SALMON

ICE LAKE

SIDNEY LAKE

MORLEY LAKE

FAT LAKE PINE LAKE

WOLF RIVER

SOUTH NISUTLIN RIVER

EAST TESLIN RIVERNORTH NISUTLIN RIVERWEST TESLIN RIVER

LITTLE TESLIN LAKE

WEST WOLF LAKE

National Topographic Data Base (NTDB) compiled by Natural Resources Canada at1:50,000. Reproduced under license from Her Majesty the Queen in Right ofCanada, with permission of Natural Resources Canada.

First Nations Settlement Lands obtained from Natural Resources Canada 1:30,000maps; recompiled by Yukon Environment against 1:250,000 NTDB.

Forest Management Branch is not responsible for the accuracy of data obtained fromother agencies

Fire History compiled by YG and the Canadian Forest Service from a variety ofsources. Fire History represents fires reported and mapped by Community Servicesdistrict officers in support of the fire suppression program and not total fireoccurrence.

British Columbia

Teslin Forest Management PlanFire History (1946 to 2005)

TeslinLake

Alaska Highway

Village of Teslin

Fire History (1946 to 2005)Map Scale 1 : 900 0000 10 20 30 405

Kilometers

Road

TTC Settlement Land

Waterbody

Landscape Unit

Forest Fires - 1946 - 2005

Decade

1946 - 1949

1950 - 1959

1960 - 1969

1970 - 1979

1980 - 1989

1990 - 1999

2000 - 2005

Nisutlin River Delta NWA

MAP 2 – TESLIN AREA FIRE HISTORY


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WOLF LAKE

TESLIN

BIG SALMON

ICE LAKE

SIDNEY LAKE

MORLEY LAKE

FAT LAKEPINE LAKE

SOUTH NISUTLIN RIVER

EAST TESLIN RIVER

WOLF RIVER

NORTH NISUTLIN RIVERWEST TESLIN RIVER

LITTLE TESLIN LAKE

WEST WOLF LAKE

National Topographic Data Base (NTDB) compiled by Natural Resources Canada at1:50,000. Reproduced under license from Her Majesty the Queen in Right ofCanada, with permission of Natural Resources Canada.

First Nations Settlement Lands obtained from Natural Resources Canada 1:30,000maps; recompiled by Yukon Environment against 1:250,000 NTDB.

Forest Management Branch is not responsible for the accuracy of data obtained fromother agencies

Fire History compiled by YG and the Canadian Forest Service from a variety ofsources. Fire History represents fires reported and mapped by Community Servicesdistrict officers in support of the fire suppression program and not total fireoccurrence.

British Columbia

Teslin Forest Management PlanSeral Stage Distribution

TeslinLake

Alaska Highway

Village of Teslin

Seral StageMap Scale 1 : 900 0000 10 20 30 405

Kilometers Yukon Teslin ForestManagement Plan

Road

Landscape Unit

TTC Settlement Land

Nisutlin River Delta NWA

Waterbody

Early Seral ( 10 to 50 yrs)

Mid Seral (50 to 90 yrs)

Mature Seral (90 to 130yrs)

Old Seral ( 130 yrs +)

MAP 4 – TESLIN AREA FOREST COVER BY SERAL STAGE DISTRIBUTION

30 MAPS

5.1.2 Objective 1.2 — Conserve SpeciesDiversity

Species diversity is defined as the number, variety,population and distribution of species found withinan ecosystem. Population levels are used to directlymeasure the status of a species. In addition to species-at-risk, there are many species whose populations andhabitats we monitor because they are of economic orcultural importance or they are perceived to fill keyecological role or indicate conditions for otherspecies. The current range of species in relation tohistoric range is measured because it providesimportant information about possible conservationthreat or recovery.

Indicators:

• Level of abundance and diversity of selected forest-associated species*

• Distribution of selected forest-associated species

• The status of forest-associated species at risk*

• Status of suitable habitats for forest-associatedspecies at risk

5.1.3 Objective 1.3 — Conserve GeneticDiversity

Genetic diversity is the variation in genetic make-upamong organisms and within specific species types. Areservoir of genetic diversity within and among treespecies should be maintained to help ensure that thespecies retain the capacity to adapt to change, therebysustaining their productive capacity and level ofresilience.

Indicators:

• Genetic diversity of reforestation seed lots

• Status of in situ and ex situ conservation programsfor native tree species within each ecozone

• Regeneration method*

5.2 GOAL B: MAINTAIN FORESTECOSYSTEM HEALTH ANDPRODUCTIVITY

Maintaining forest ecosystem health and productivityin the TT Traditional Territory is the second goal ofthis SFMP. This goal is important since the sustainabledevelopment of forest resources is dependent upon

normal functioning, or health and productivity, of theecosystem over the long term (CCFM, 20003).Healthy forests are more resilient to change anddisturbance, and are more likely to providecontinuous new growth. The health and productivityof a forest is also an indication of the overallcondition of the ecosystem. This SFMP identifiesthree objectives for meeting this goal: to maintain andenhance ecosystem condition and productivity, tosupport the ecosystem’s ability to maintain naturalprocesses, and to maintain and enhance ecosystemresilience.

5.2.1 Objective 2.1 — Maintain and EnhanceEcosystem Condition and Productivity

Ecosystem condition and productivity relate to thehealth, vitality and rates of biological production inforest ecosystems. While most disturbance and stressevents are essential to the normal functioning ofboreal forest ecosystems, some may overwhelm theresilience of an ecosystem, altering ecosystemprocesses or affecting forest health. Long-term forestland conversion, biotic and abiotic factors that affectforest health is monitored to give an indication ofdisturbance and stress, which may negatively orpositively affect forest condition over time. Totalgrowing stock is monitored to give an indication ofthe balance of forest productivity and disturbances.Successful regeneration post-harvest is monitored toassess the effect of human efforts to assist the forest torecover from disturbance.

Indicators:

• Amount of change in area of forest, by type and ageclass*

• Total growing stock of merchantable and non-merchantable tree species*

• Incidence of forest health concerns, including biotic(e.g. insect and disease outbreaks) and abiotic (e.g.windthrow, drought stress)

• Proportion of timber harvest area successfullyregenerated*


5.2.2 Objective 2.2 — Support the Ecosystem’sAbility to Maintain Natural Processes

Natural processes involve the natural cycles of deathand renewal. Guarding natural processes is important,as they are essential to the long-term function offorest ecosystem processes. To support the ecosystem’sability to maintain natural processes it is necessary toaccommodate natural disturbance events within theNatural Range of Variation (NRV) while accountingfor other values and implementing managementstrategies that maintain natural processes. Invasivespecies are monitored because they provide anindication of the risk of ecosystem dysfunction fornative species, because some invasive species competewith, interbreed with, or displace native species.Woody debris in harvested areas is monitored becauseof the important ecological role it plays in sustaininglong-term soil productivity and providing wildlifehabitat. Forest ecosystem carbon is monitored becauseof its important relationship to climate change.

Indicators:

• Area and severity of disturbance by disturbance typeas compared to NRV

• Distribution of forest fire patch size, age classdistribution, and area and severity of forest fires

• Number of invasive, exotic forest-associated species

• Woody debris in harvested areas

• Net change in forest ecosystem carbon

5.2.3 Objective 2.3 — Maintain and EnhanceEcosystem Resilience

Ecosystem resilience is defined as the ability of anecosystem to recover from a disturbance event andmaintain its integrity and production levels. Thechange in the productive forest land base, the extentand diversity of key ecosystem features, road density,and the level of landscape fragmentation andconnectedness and the status of areas of suitablehabitat for wildlife movement corridors aremonitored to ensure that a landscape remainsproductive over time and provides a continuous cycleof resources.

Indicators:

• Change in productive forest land base over time*

• Extent and diversity of key ecosystem features(wetlands, permafrost and floodplains)

• Road density*

• Level of landscape fragmentation andconnectedness*

• Status of areas of suitable habitat for existing andpotential wildlife movement corridors, consideringfactors such as connectivity, fragmentation andhabitat quality


5.3 GOAL C: CONSERVE AND MAINTAINSOIL AND WATER RESOURCES

Conserving and maintaining soil and water resourcesis the third goal of this SFMP. This goal is essential tosustain the functioning and productive capacity offorest ecosystems. The construction of roads andother forestry practices have the potential to impactsoil and water resources in a number of ways, includ-ing soil erosion and compaction, siltation of aquatichabitats, flooding, and increased water temperatures.Successful regeneration of harvested areas is impor-tant to maintain soil moisture and nutrient levels,minimize soil erosion and potential stream siltation,and to minimize disruption in stream flow rates. ThisSFMP identifies two objectives for meeting this goal:to conserve and maintain soil resources, and to con-serve and maintain water resources.

5.3.1 Objective 3.1 — Conserve and MaintainSoil Resources

Soil conservation is important because soils are theliving substrate that supports forest growth. They arealso essential to providing for a continuously resilientecosystem. It is therefore necessary to protect sensitivesoils, and maintain soil productivity. The amount ofharvested area with significant soil disturbance, therate of compliance with soil disturbance standards,the percentage of forest area having permanent roadconstruction, the percentage of forest developmentthat takes place in unstable terrain, and the percent-age of harvesting operations that take place in thewinter vs. summer is monitored to assess the impactof harvesting activities on the soil resource. Thechange in productive forest land base over time pro-vides an indication of the cumulative impact of forestdisturbances on soil resources.

Indicators:

• Amount of harvested area with significant soil dis-turbance, including compaction, displacement, ero-sion, loss of organic matter, etc.

• Rate of compliance with locally applicable soil dis-turbance standards

• Percentage of forested area having permanent roadconstruction*

• Percentage of forest development that takes place instable, potentially unstable and unstable terrain

• Percentage of winter vs. summer harvesting opera-tions

• Change in productive forest land base over time*

5.3.2 Objective 3.2 — Conserve and MaintainWater Resources

Water conservation is important to sustain potablewater supplies for humans and wildlife, to sustainimportant ecosystem features such as wetlands, andto provide suitable aquatic environments for manyplant and animal species. The percentage of forestmanaged primarily for water protection, the rate ofcompliance with locally applicable road construction,stream crossing and riparian zone management stan-dards, current water quality/quantity conditions com-pared with stream-specific historic information andvalues, and the proportion of watersheds with sub-stantial stand-replacing disturbance in the last 20years is monitored to assess the impact of forest dis-turbances on water resources.

Indicators:

• Percentage of forest managed primarily for waterprotection (e.g. riparian buffers)*

• Rate of compliance with locally applicable road con-struction, stream crossing and riparian zone man-agement standards

• Current water quality/quantity conditions (flow,temperature, turbidity etc.) compared with stream-specific historic information and values

• Proportion of watersheds with substantial stand-replacing disturbance in the last 20 years*


5.4 GOAL D: MAINTAIN AND ENHANCEMULTIPLE SOCIO-ECONOMIC BENEFITS

Maintaining and enhancing multiple economic andsocial benefits from the forest is the fourth goal of thisSFMP. Forest ecosystems provide commercial benefits –including timber and non-timber forest products,water, and tourism – and non-commercial benefits –including wildlife, recreation, aesthetics, wilderness values, environmental functions, and spiritual benefits.This goal encompasses the wide range of goods andservices provided by forest ecosystems that benefitsocial and economic systems. This SFMP identifies twoobjectives for meeting this goal: to enable and encour-age sustainable economic benefits from timberresources and to maintain and enhance social and economic benefits from non-timber resources.

5.4.1 Objective 4.1 – Maintain and EnhanceSustainable Social and Economic Benefitsfrom Timber Resources

The SFMP will work to enhance the forest’s contribu-tion to the local economy by enabling and encouragingsustainable economic benefits from the region’s forestresources. Forestry can contribute to the local econo-

my, and opportunities exist for the creation of numer-ous commercial ventures that could potentially increaseemployment levels the level of investment in local busi-nesses which in turn has benefits to local society. Whilethe plan encourages the extraction of timber for com-mercial purposes, the intent is to harvest within theforest’s productive capacity. Productive capacity is theability of the forest to provide timber benefits to socie-ty, while conserving the resource to ensure a similarlevel of benefits in the future, and can be used to definean annual allowable harvest level.

The number of people employed in forest-based activi-ties, job satisfaction of forest-based workers the pro-portion of area commercially harvested relative to theland base available for timber production, and thenumber of locally owned operations monitored to pro-vide an indication of the social and economic benefitsderived from timber resources. Forest area by timbertenure is monitored to provide an indication of the dis-tribution of economic benefits from the forest. Theannual harvest of timber forest products relative to thelevel of harvest deemed to be sustainable is monitoredto provide an indication of the sustainability of theeconomic benefits derived from the forest.

Indicators:

• Number of people employed in forest-based activities*

• Job satisfaction of forest-based workers

• Proportion of area commercially harvested relative tothe land base available for timber production*

• Number of locally owned operations*

• Forest area by timber tenure*

• Annual harvest of timber products relative to the levelof harvest deemed to be sustainable*

5.4.2 Objective 4.2 — Maintain and EnhanceSocial, Cultural and Economic Benefitsfrom Non-Timber Resources

This SFMP will also work to sustain social and eco-nomic benefits from non-timber forest resources. Non-timber resources include non-timber forest productssuch as meat, fish, fur products, berries and medicinalproducts; tourism; recreation; hunting and fishing; andvisual quality.

The value of timber and non-timber forest products,volume of fur harvested, number of active concessions,


total revenue generated by tourism businesses in theregion, and hunter/angling effort are monitored to pro-vide an indication of the economic benefits of non-tim-ber forest resources. The annual harvest non-timber for-est products relative to the level of harvest deemed to besustainable, and the availability of certain non-commer-cial forest products close to the Village of Teslin is moni-tored to provide an indication of the sustainability of theeconomic benefits derived from the forest. The status ofimportant traditional use areas, the level of participationin traditional use activities, land and resource base avail-able for selected recreational activities, the level of par-ticipation in selected recreational activities, the status ofidentified cultural and historic sites, and the percentageof valued viewscapes that have been cut or significantlyaffected by natural disturbances are monitored to pro-vide an indication of social and cultural benefits derivedfrom non-timber resources

Indicators:

• Value of timber and non-timber forest productsincluding fuelwood, wood for snowshoe frames,meat, fish, fur, berries, medicinal products, etc.

• Volume of fur harvested*

• Number of active concessions*

• Total revenue generated by tourism businesses in the region*

• Hunter/angling effort surveys*

• Annual harvest of non-timber forest products includ-ing fuelwood, wood for snowshoe frames, meat, fish,fur, berries, medicinal products, etc. relative to thelevel of harvest deemed to be sustainable

• Availability of certain non-commercial forest prod-ucts, such as fuelwood, wood for snowshoe frames,berries etc., close to the Village of Teslin

• Status of important traditional use areas

• Level of participation in traditional use activities

• Land and resource base available for selected recre-ational activities (e.g. hunting, fishing, angling, back-country travel, etc.)

• Level of activity (participation) in selected recreationalactivities

• Status of identified cultural and historic sites*

• Percentage of valued viewscapes that have been cut orsignificantly affected by natural disturbances (fire,insects, storms)*

5.5 GOAL E: MAINTAIN AND ENHANCECOMMUNITY SUSTAINABILITY

The goal of developing forest resources to meet societalneeds was deemed fundamental to the development ofthe SFMP since the best interests of the present andfuture society need to be accounted for in the develop-ment of a regional planning strategy. The specific ele-ments and their components are those shared in theregion. The two key elements associated with Goal 5.0are First Nations and Forest Community.

5.5.1 Objective 5.1 – Respect the Rights andStrengthen the Traditional Use of ForestResources by Teslin Tlingit Citizens

The SFMP will recognize and protect the TeslinTlingit way of life based on their economic andspiritual relationship with the land as provided for inthe TTC Final Agreement. In addition, it encouragesand protects the cultural distinctiveness and socialwell-being of the Teslin Tlingit. The majority of thecomponents of this element were developed inprevious public consultations, workshops andinterviews held with the Teslin Tlingit people. Theyare: traditional value, economic development,capacity building, and commercial fish and wildlife.

Traditional value is included for the protection andpreservation of the First Nation peoples’ rights and tra-ditional ways, providing a strong platform for a pros-perous and continued cultural way of life. Traditionalknowledge gained by the Aboriginal people provides aunique perspective on the use, protection and conser-vation of natural resources. To accomplish this, theSFMP will provide for protection of cultural resources;protect the core traditional values (water, land, bush,and wildlife) for future generations while balancing theneed for economic development; integrate traditionalknowledge in planning and implementation; anddevelop cross-culture knowledge and understanding.

Economic development is similar to that described inObjective 4.1. However, in this case, attention has beenexclusively directed towards First Nations people in theTT Traditional Territory. The intent of First Nationseconomic development is to provide a land base tosupport local forest products manufacturing facilities.

Capacity building is a key area of concern for presentand future generations of Teslin Tlingit people. TheSFMP will lead to enhanced involvement of First


Nations members in economic developmentopportunities; and provide a framework thatidentifies the core components of a First Nationsforest management program for Settlement Lands.

Commercial fish and wildlife, while similar to thatcomponent of Objective 4.2, is specifically directedtowards the First Nations’ populations in the TTTraditional Territory. The SFMP is intended to main-tain habitat for commercial fish and wildlife species.

Indicators:

• Status of known heritage sites and number of knownarchaeological sites*

• Status of known traditional use sites, area with poten-tial traditional use values, and area of land availablefor traditional and commercial use (hunting trapping,gathering, fishing, berry picking, etc.)

• Satisfaction of review bodies

• Degree of participation in the decision-makingprocess

• Degree of participation in the implementation ofdecisions

• Education and training programs, extent ofparticipation in cross-cultural activities

• Degree of participation in the SFMP decision-making process via the TRRC

• Extent of First Nations participation in the forest

products manufacturing sector

• Degree of involvement of First Nations members inthe work force, and education, training and humanresources programs

• Information about the developed framework for aFirst Nations forest management program

• Availability of habitat for economically importantfish and wildlife species

5.5.2 Objective 5.2 — Forest Community

Forest community includes First Nation and non-FirstNation populations who live within the Teslin commu-nity and throughout the entire traditional territory.The key component of this element is community val-ues, which requires both social and economic sustain-ability. During public workshops and interviews theexpressed desire was for the SFMP to incorporate thecommunity’s use of the natural environment; ensurethat the forest ecosystem provides for multiple uses;and enhance contribution to local economy.

Indicators:

• Diversity of use of the natural environment by localcommunity;

• Amount and extent of the land base that provides formultiple uses; and

• Employment opportunities related to forest-basedactivities, and sales and markets.


6.0 FOREST PLANNING AREAS

Forest planning areas are necessary to provide for man-ageable units, reflecting the different landscape features,forest cover types, and values associated with them. Forthe purposes of this SFMP the term Landscape Unit hasbeen applied to such forest planning areas.

6.1 LANDSCAPE UNITS

Landscape Units (LUs) have been selected to providerelatively homogeneous areas in terms of underlyingphysiographic conditions, common issues, as well as alikely response to management. The region was strati-fied into 15 different LUs using physiographic bound-aries, such as watershed sub-basin boundaries and for-est productivity, existing access routes and overall man-agement concerns that varied throughout the region.Map 1 identifies the 15 LUs that were created in theplanning region. These units will be fundamental tomore detailed planning and analysis as developmentand operational plans are prepared.

The Teslin community ranked each individual LU forwhat was perceived to be the acceptable level of forestryactivity/development within the unit (Table 6). Threerankings were provided — low, medium and high lev-els of forestry activity. These rankings were derivedfrom community-identified resource values for eachLU and the corresponding potential for resource con-flict within the unit. For example, LUs with sensitivelandscapes were considered to have a high potential forbeing adversely affected by timber harvesting andtherefore were assigned a low activity level ranking.These low-ranked LUs will require a higher level ofmitigation to protect resource values than LUs with

higher activity rankings. It should be noted that suchmitigation required to protect these values have notbeen identified through the SFMP, but will be deter-mined during the next phases of planning.

Key concerns for each LU were identified during theSFMP public consultations and Planning Team meet-ings. The Teslin, Morley, West Teslin River, SouthNisutlin River, East Teslin River, Wolf River and WolfLake LUs were identified as the most important forFirst Nation cultural values. These have the same highrating for traditional values. While the major resourceconcerns for each LU have been recorded in Table 6, itis the intention that integrated landscape planning willmore specifically locate areas of important values andconcerns. The Teslin LU accounts for the large majorityof heritage and archaeological sites with 69 sites. TheNorth Nisutlin River and South Nisutlin River LUs alsocontain a significant number of heritage and archaeo-logical sites.

A strategic designation system is considered a funda-mental component of any sustainable regional eco-nomic development or conservation strategy, and is akey component of an integrated resource managementframework. For the SFMP a Forest Resource UseDesignation (FRUD) system was developed to beapplied to the LUs.

Map 4 and Table 6 display summaries of FRUD for theTeslin planning region.

While the Landscape Units identified in this SFMPwere developed before the preparation of the zoning,the three strategic forest land use zones can be appliedto and within the LUs. These recommended strategic


forest use zones are:

1) Non-Contributing Forest Zone (NCFZ),

2) Forest Resource Management Zone (FRMZ), and,

3) Community Forest Development Zone (CFDZ).

Zoning is required to identify the forest landbasewhich contributes to long term forest use. Forexample, the Forest Resource Management Zone maybe further divided into General, Conservation andForest Resource Management Areas. Forest ResourceManagement Areas would be used to identify

Table 5.DESCRIPTION OF STRATEGIC FOREST LAND USE ZONE

locations within the FRMZ that have forest resourcepotential and forest development interests. Theproposed FRUD system provides direct guidance toforest management planning activities.

The strategic forest use zonation designations aredescribed in Table 5. The following designations arenot to be interpreted with regard to other sectors, orland uses. The following zonations are based uponcommunity meetings pertaining to forestrymanagement ONLY. These zonations provide strategicdirection to forest managers on how the communityenvisions the development of the LUs with respect toforest values, potential activity and development.

38 6.0 FOREST PLANNING AREAS

STRATEGIC FOREST USEZONE

REGIONAL FOREST USEDESIGNATION

STRATEGIC OVERVIEW

Non-Contributing ForestZone (NCFZ)

Temporary Deferred Area(10 years)

• Forest Management areas with a high conservation focus.• Large amount of uncertainty in regards to forest economics and

regional land use planning.• Conservation of identified wildlife, habitat or cultural values.• More detailed planning would be required. These LU’s contain

numerous forest resource values of high importance. • Contributes to coarse filter and fine filter objectives. • Temporary deferral, no commercial forest activity, only in

circumstance for insect or fire mitigation, or as habitattreatment. Access through LUs maybe necessary. Personal useharvesting would be acceptable forest land use.

Forest ResourceManagement Zone(FRMZ)

Forest ConservationManagement Area

• Forest management areas with a higher conservation focus• General forest management activities with area specific/special

management guidelines for identified wildlife, habitat and cultural-recreational values, contributes to forest land base. An example would be wildlife key habitat.

General ForestManagement Area

• Areas without an identified forest resource development orforest resource development focus.

• General forest management uses regulated by applicable agencies• Specific management objectives for bio-diversity, wildlife.• Contributes to forest land base. An example would be zones

not scheduled for development.

Forest ResourceManagement Area

• Areas with forest resource management focus. • Areas with high forest economic value.• Priority areas for harvest development planning.

Community ForestDevelopment Zone(CFDZ)

Local Forest Planning Area(may contain FRM Zone)

• Community development areas (e.g. Teslin Cottage Lots,agriculture development, rural residential).

• Considered as local forest use/community forest.

Municipal Area • Municipal boundaries, under municipal planning. Notcontributing to forest use.

Table 6.SUMMARY OF LANDSCAPE UNITS


LU NAME COMMUNITYRANKEDACTIVITYLEVELS

RECOMMENDEDTIME FRAMEFOR ACTIVITYSEQUENCING

LU KEY CONCERNS FRUD

Little Teslin Medium Short-term • Slopes on the west side of Teslin Lake are highly visible from thehighway, lake and residential areas.

• Mule deer habitat; eastern edge of Carcross caribou herd range.• A visual landscape harvest layout will be required that blends

into the natural landscape.

FRMZ

Fat Lake Medium Medium-term • Core caribou winter range for the Atlin herd is highly likely.• Important moose winter and seasonal range.• Habitat inventory, analysis and modeling are required in the

short-term to develop guidelines for harvesting beforecommencement of operation.

FRMZ

Teslin Medium Short-term • Harvest layout shall address the range of multiple values thatoccur in the area.

• Multiple values include highly visual areas and moose andsheep habitat.

• Traditional sites are important and must be identified andbuffered prior to harvesting.

• Nisutlin River Delta NWA in planning area.• Strawberry Creek harvest area and Demonstration Forest area

within this zone.

FRMZandCDZ

Morley Medium Short-term • High recreational use and protection of scenic values require anaesthetic layout that blends into the surrounding topography.

• Moose summer and late winter habitat; aquatic and terrestrialfurbearers (beaver and marten).

• Numerous traditional sites must also be protected.

FRMZ

Pine Lake High Medium-term • This contains specific ecologically sensitive areas.• Substantial lichen resources in Daughney Lake area.• Conservation management area will be identified within

the zone. • High value public recreation area.• These areas require identification and minimal disturbance from

harvesting activities followed by prompt reclamation.

FRMZ

West TeslinRiver

Medium Medium-term • Traditional sites and recreational use of the Teslin River areimportant.

• Traditional sites must be identified and buffered before harvest.• Riparian zone is high quality moose range in summer, possibly

in winter.• A visual landscape harvest layout will be required that blends

into the natural landscape.

FRMZ

Table 6, continuedSUMMARY OF LANDSCAPE UNITS

40 6.0 FOREST PLANNING AREAS




Sidney Lake High Short-term • Contains sensitive areas that have unstable slopes.• Require identification of sensitive areas before harvesting and

mitigation by avoidance or by the careful application of harvestpractices.

FRMZ

Ice Lake Low Long-term • Limited merchantable timber and difficult access in this area.• An evaluation of the economics of harvesting of this area is

necessary along with consideration of sensitive terrain features.

FRMZ

Wolf River Low Long-term • Contains some of the most important wildlife habitat values inthe area.

• Very high concentrations of moose are located along Wolf River.• Very high value area for moose calving• Caribou are also important in the river valley.• High value recreation area.

FRMZ

South

Nisutlin

River

Low Long-term • This area contains high value moose habitat and is alsoimportant for traditional values.

• High value recreation area.

ECPZ

East Teslin

River

High Short-term • This area is currently accessible and is important for recreationactivity.

• Riparian zone is high quality moose range in summer, possiblyin winter.

• Standard harvesting practises that account for aesthetics arerequired.

• The area also contains important traditional sites that willrequire identification, location and mitigation beforeharvesting.

FRMZ

West WolfLake

Low Medium-term • Core caribou winter range for the Wolf Lake herd is not welldefined.

• Habitat inventory, analysis and modeling are required todevelop guidelines for harvesting before commencement ofoperations.

• The timber in this area has high value.

FRMZ

Wolf Lake Low Medium-term • This area contains the bulk of the core caribou winter range forthe Wolf Lake herd.

• Habitat inventory, analysis and modeling are required todevelop guidelines for harvesting before commencement ofoperations.

• The area also contains important traditional sites.

ECPZ

Table 6, continuedSUMMARY OF LANDSCAPE UNITS

Table 6 Legend

LU: Landscape Units

FRUD: Forest Resource Use Designation

FRMZ: Forest Resource Management Zone

NCFZ: Non-Contributing Forest Zone

CFDZ: Community Forest Development Zone





Big Salmon N/A N/A • This area contains no significant timber resources and istherefore excluded from the commercial timberland base.

FRMZ

NorthNisutlinRiver

High Short-term • This area is accessible from Canol Road.• It is important for tourism and recreation activity.• Visual management will be required that blends harvest design

into the natural environment. • The area also contains important traditional sites that will

require identification, location and mitigation beforeharvesting.

FRMZ

7.0 STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS FROMKEY ISSUES

7.1 DIVERSIFY LOCAL ECONOMY

Establish investment climate through sustainabledevelopment of forest resources.

7.1.1 Forest Sector Development

Establishing a sustainable forest-based economy is astrategic component to regional economic stability. Aforest sector will not appear over night in the Teslinplanning region, however investment is likely to occurif several factors are considered. These factors are theidentification of a forest land base, communitysupport, and long-term access to forest resources.


20. The SFMP shall help establish certainty forinvestment in the forest sector.

21. The plan supports stable and secure access toforest resources as a foundation to a healthy forestindustry.

22. The plan supports diversity as a communityeconomic strategy, and supports tenure allocationprocedures that provide opportunity to a varietyof industry applications.

7.2 BIODIVERSITY

Coarse filter management of biodiversity assumesmost species will be addressed by managing forestactivity in a way that reflects the natural disturbancepattern, seral stage, timing and distribution of harvest,landscape connectivity and riparian managementunder which indigenous species have persisted. Bio-diversity on the landscape can be managed byfollowing landscape biodiversity elements andstrategies. The following sections draw from Dease-Liard Sustainable Resource Management Plan(Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management, BCGovernment, 2004).

7.2.1 Natural Disturbance Pattern

The fundamental philosophy behind this approach isthat within ecosystems, organisms are well suited to

surviving, and even thriving, within the bounds ofnaturally occurring disturbance variability. In theYukon, for example, this means that forest ecosystemsthat are characterized by frequent, stand replacingfires are also characterized by plant and animal speciesthat have adapted to this regime. The philosophy isthat if human use is shaped within the pattern ofnatural disturbance, potential impacts and risk onbiodiversity and forest ecosystem integrity will beminimized.


23. Management should try to reflect naturaldisturbance regimes or, understand theconsequences of deviating from the patternscreated by natural disturbances.

7.2.2 Seral Stage Distribution

Setting seral stage objectives provides limits ofacceptable change to forest age distribution on thelandscape. Identifying strategies for seral stageobjectives will help ensure adequate amount ofmature and old forest remains within the planningregion. Targets for early, mature and old seral stagesare based on natural seral stage distributions orlandscape unit objectives. It is important to rememberthat areas not available for harvest contribute toachieving these targets.


24. Manage seral stage targets for early seral andmature-old forest.

25. Manage seral stage targets separately for alluvialsites, in order that the age classes are notdisproportionately altered.

7.2.3 Timing and Distribution of Harvesting

The planning region forest landscape has evidence oflarge and small fire events. The large events occur lessfrequently but account for the majority of forest renew-al. This type of disturbance fosters large contiguousstands where interior forest conditions occur.Replicating larger disturbances minimizes the need forentering other landscape units. The philosophy is basi-

42 7.0 STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS FROM KEY ISSUES

cally aggregate the disturbance. The use of natural sys-tems as a model for creating disturbance, reduces frag-mentation, land use conflict, access issues, and in timecreates large interior forest similar to the previous for-est. There are numerous reasons to create larger distur-bances instead of a checkerboard of smaller ones.


26. Utilize a variety of opening sizes consistent withthe principle of ecosystem-based management.

27. Consider concentrating logging in some areas, andleaving other areas undeveloped (reduces land useconflict caused by road access and human causeddisturbance).

7.2.4 Landscape Connectivity

Landscape connectivity refers to the ability of a land-scape to facilitate or impede movement. Differentspecies utilize habitat in different ways throughout thelandscape, depending on their habitat preference andability to adapt to disturbance, either human or natu-ral. Some species require continuous forest for move-ment, while others travel through large openings creat-ed by disturbance more easily. Landscapes are oftenbroken by natural features such as fires, mountains,and riparian features. Often riparian features provideuseful landscape and site level corridors.


28. Utilize natural disturbance pattern and landscapefeatures to manage connectivity across the landscape.

7.2.5 Riparian Management

The planning region has abundant water features andsystems that provide habitat for fish, wildlife andbiodiversity. These features are important formovement of nutrients, water, plant and animals. Ofspecial interest in the planning region are three mainnavigable river systems and two lakes that requiremanagement to conserve riparian habitat, traditionaluses, and visual quality. Where harvesting occurs nearthese rivers and lakes, it needs to be well planned andintegrated with the many other uses and processeswhich the rivers and lakes support.


29. Access management strategies should minimizeenvironmental impacts to riparian habitats,wetlands and wetland complexes, lakes, rivers andriver floodplains.

30. Currently the THPOG (DIAND 1999) riparianbuffers are suggested, however deviation can andshould occur when stand and site characteristicsprescribe alternative management.

7.3 WILDLIFE OF CONCERN

The wise management of wildlife and wildlife habitatsis among the most important issues in the region. Thefollowing are not a comprehensive list of wildlife, but isintended to provide objectives for the focal or priorityspecies. However, these coarse filter approaches com-


bined with biodiversity objectives will manage habitatfor many species not identified within these sections.Future planning (development and site planning) willidentify more specific habitat and management consid-erations for other forest species whose habitat needs arenot addressed at the coarse filter scale.

Natural Disturbance Emulation and HabitatManagement

“ Habitats created through forest harvestinginstead of natural processes such as wildfire cannever completely duplicate those that occur natu-rally, and we have no assurances that they are opti-mal for any species. Nevertheless, we know thatnatural habitats prevailing until the modern erawere at least adequate for all the species left for usto manage today, so maintaining the closest possi-ble similarity between wild and managed land-scapes is an inherently conservative approach.”(Philip J. Burton Sustainable Forest ManagementNetwork 2003)

7.3.1 Woodland Caribou

For woodland caribou, particularly the Wolf Lake andthe Atlin herds, the identification and protection ofcore winter range are primary concerns of wildlifemanagers. These ranges in the planning region arelargely without roads and receive only small amountsof human activity. Northern woodland caribou herds,now classified as a species of special concern, have notdone well as human activity levels in the winter range

have increased. The emerging forest management chal-lenge is to maintain the integrity of the key winterhabitat and thus ensure the long-term survival of theseherds. Core winter range is the area of highest densityuse by caribou during the late winter period. Habitatfeatures include concentrations of lower elevationlodgepole pine with high terrestrial lichen concentra-tion and glaciofluvial soils in association with blackspruce sedge fen bogs or wetlands. Core areas in com-bination with other variables are most critical to wintersurvival and long-term population persistence.


31. Maintain the quality of core caribou winter rangehabitats by deferring harvesting timber within thecritical core caribou winter range for the period ofthis plan. Harvesting may be necessary for access oressential control of insect infestations, wildfire ordiseases.

32. Maintain the structural and functional integrity ofcritical caribou habitats within the extended cari-bou winter range. Defer harvesting in selected habi-tats (lichen concentrations, glaciofluvial soils withblack spruce sedge fen bogs or wetlands), for theperiod of this plan. Harvesting may be necessary foraccess or essential control of insect infestations,wildfire or diseases.

7.3.2 Moose

Moose are associated with riparian habitats, especiallyfloodplains and large wetlands. Generally, areas with amosaic of habitat types are best for moose, includingopenings for browse and forested cover that providessecurity and snow interception in winter. Critical habi-tats are late winter and calving ranges. In general,logged landscapes see increases in moose populations.

For moose, the most significant risks are increasedaccess within moose ranges that may either change thenatural balance between local populations and preda-tors or increase the rate of adult mortality throughhunting pressure. Key winter ranges for moose in theregion are largely without roads and have only fewhuman created linear corridors.

Winter range and calving areas are a matrix of:

• Open canopied mixed coniferous/cottonwood, pineor spruce leading stands

• A mixture of early and mature seral forest classes


• Lakes, wetlands and riparian features

• Burns and young seral forest

• Primarily lower elevations


Major shifts in forest cover and landscape connectivitycan result in loss of snow interception or security cover,increasing energy required to move through wintersnows. Carefully planned logging of winter habitatareas can help manage early seral forest, providing for-est renewal, and increasing habitat diversity and forage.

Increase in roads can increase direct mortality fromconcentrated hunting efforts, increased predator/preyinteractions, vehicle collisions etc.


33. Manage timber harvesting in critical moose winterand calving areas to provide important attributes ofmoose key winter and calving habitat (forage, snowinterception, visual screening.

34. Aggregate timber harvesting in time and space.

35. Harvest of critical key winter habitat of cover andforage should be avoided in winter. Developmentplanning should be used to identify these importantareas.

7.3.3 Grizzly Bear

Habitat fragmentation by human activity is perhaps thegreatest threat to grizzly bear populations. The densityof roads has been demonstrated to be one of the keyfactors that reduces the suitability of habitats for grizzlybears. Access can influence bear populations througheither increasing bear mortality or displacement ofbears from important habitats into lower quality butsafer habitats. This can in turn influence the productiv-ity and recruitment of bears.


36. Access management is needed in development ofplanning areas. Harvest blocks should be aggregatedand widely distributed forest activities should bediscouraged. The maintenance of habitat and land-scape connectivity will help maintain grizzly bearmovement. Areas without roads should be pre-served in critical key grizzly bear habitats (refer tostrategic directions 26 and 27).

7.3.4 Marten

Marten are likely the single-most economically impor-tant furbearer in the Teslin area. They are also impor-tant forest carnivores. Numerous factors influencemarten abundance, such as local and landscape popu-lation trends, small mammal abundance, forest habitat,natural and unnatural mortality, etc. Combinations ofseveral factors usually influence marten populations.Generally, management of forests to favour martenrequires that structurally diverse forest stands remainavailable to marten or are harvested in a way thatallows prey species to return quickly. There has beenwide representation of what is good marten habitat,including old forest, burns and marshes.


37. In high marten value areas forest managementshould focus on maintaining important characteris-tics of marten habitat such as forest structuralattributes and mature and old forest. Characteristicsof older, more structurally complex forests shouldbe maintained in these areas, using natural distur-bance patterns to minimize fragmentation and pro-vide forest interior conditions.

7.3.5 Beaver

Beaver are generally abundant in wetland and ripariancommunities. Management for beaver must ensure thehabitats used for denning, and shrub communities usedas forage, remain intact. Practices that may alter wetlandcommunities or create new access for trapping into wet-land communities can result in increased mortality.


38. Appropriate buffers on wetlands will help protectbeaver habitat.


7.3.6 Salmon and Squanga Whitefish

The Big Salmon, Teslin, Nisutlin, Wolf and Morleyrivers provide important fish habitat, and support arange of freshwater fish and salmon species. Chinooksalmon are relatively abundant and are widelydistributed in the Teslin watershed. It is the mostcommon salmon species recorded in the region andrepresents an important traditional food source forthe First Nation people. Chum salmon are present inthe Teslin watershed but are less abundant and have amore constrained distribution.

The Squanga whitefish, found in the planning region,has been designated a species of special concern(COSEWIC, 2004).


39. Maintain riparian habitat through buffers.

40. Ensure road construction and harvesting activitiesdo not impact water bodies.

7.3.7 Forest Birds

Forest birds can be divided into three broad cate-gories; those that prefer interior forest, those that pre-fer early seral forest, and edge specialist. Forest man-agement often increases the amount of edge, and

early seral forest habitat. Therefore bird species thatprefer edge and early seral forest within managedforests often do well. Alternatively, interior forestspecies require more detailed management.Biodiversity objectives will provide coarse filter man-agement of interior forest species, however nestingand home range use require site level planning.

Note: There is currently legal uncertainty surround-ing incidental take of migratory birds and their nestsunder the Migratory Birds Convention Act (MBCA).Although the development and implementation of aStrategic Forest Management Plan is an importantstep in conserving populations of migratory birds,operators and proponents should practice due dili-gence in order to protect themselves from enforce-ment under the MBCA and Migratory BirdsRegulations (MBR).


41. Development planning should use a variety of cutblock sizes and retention to provide habitat forinterior forest, early seral and edge specialist.

42. Manage seral stage, forest connectivity and timingof harvest to minimize conflict with breeding andnesting times. (operating windows, seasonal shut-downs).


7.4 VISUAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT

The Teslin visual landscape consists of large vistas ofmountains, hills, forested valleys, lakes and rivers. Thevisual landscape is considered a major issue forresource development in the region. Seekingunderstanding and cooperation with tourismoperators and outfitters to manage the visual resourcewill require compromise. Constructive dialogue toidentify visual values and areas of compatibility willhelp reduce conflict.

The visual landscape has the capability of providingeconomic return and social benefits, and, in certainlocations, outweighs the benefits of timber harvest.The land base has unique visual characteristicsproviding opportunity to manage visual quality andtimber harvest by utilizing natural breaks in the forestcanopy, vegetation changes, and natural disturbances.Visual management requires identification offoreground, middleground and background views.


43. Integrate visual resource management intoplanning along major rivers and lakes, highwaycorridors (Alaska Highway), community and areasthat are undisturbed. The Teslin, Wolf and Nisutlinriver corridors and Teslin and Quiet lakes requirevisual management and integration of other landuses and wildlife values.

7.5 YUKON HERITAGE ANDARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES

The preservation and maintenance of Teslin Tlingitartifacts is important to the Teslin community andYukon whether the artifacts are stored in a museum orare remnants now part of the natural environment.Respect for tradition and culture is reflected throughthe preservation of the land where ancestors oncewalked, hunted and camped. Management andprotection of archaeological and historic resources onnon-settlement land under the Historic Resources Actis the responsibility of Yukon Government.

Pressures on historical and archaeological sitescausing destruction or deterioration are naturalcauses and human activities. Natural causes can be theeffects of aging, climate stress, decay and erosion.Human activities such as timber harvesting are also acause for concern. Failure to identify cultural heritagesites or to recognize their significance is a majorlimiting factor in their conservation.


44. Future forest management plans will adhere to theregulations in the Yukon Historic Resources Act.

45. Archeological potential mapping is required fordevelopment planning areas. In areas where forestdevelopment overlaps with archeological resources,an archeological impact assessment may be needed.

7.6 UNCOMMON VEGETATION TYPES

An analysis of the forest inventory demonstrated thatpure deciduous and deciduous-dominated stands arenot represented across the landscape. These standswhich are in low abundance in the planning region,are not a unique forest ecosystem component in theYukon. Deciduous species (aspen and birch) areadapted to disturbance, and are primary successionalspecies that establish aggressively after disturbance.The low deciduous composition in the forest isattributed to an aging forest; aspen and birch are not along-lived species and have died out before the pineand spruce. Forest management and naturaldisturbances will establish early seral forests on thelandscape, and the composition of deciduous specieswill increase. Old forests represent characteristics ofolder seral stages which will require management toensure continued representation.


There are no known plant species of special concernin the region, nor unique areas of vegetation otherthan as indicated above.


46. Wherever possible, forest management should notsubstantially modify vegetation patterns.Management should ensure that regenerationtechniques and harvest patch sizes are consistentwith natural conditions in the various disturbancezones. In some instances, deciduous species shouldbe considered suitable for regeneration, to adddiversity.

7.7 TESLIN LOCAL PLANNING AREA

A Teslin Local Planning Area is envisioned asproviding a local timber supply within a 20 to 30 kmradius of the community. The goals are as follows:

1. To provide a domestic, non-commercial timbersupply for residential users

2. To provide for operation research and education inforestry as required for implementing the ForestManagement Plan

3. To assist with fire prevention around thecommunity

4. To provide for small-scale commercial timberoperations that are compatible with the goalsnoted above.


47. It is recommended that a Local Planning Area bedeveloped under the guidance of TTC and YukonGovernment, with input from TRRC, for use byTeslin community residents (identification ofpotential area within Integrated LandscapePlanning).

48. That a quantity of timber (10,000 m3 to 15,000m3)for community use be made available for permitsup to 200 m3 per year near the community ofTeslin. Areas to consider are Strawberry Creek,Demonstration Forest or stands surrounding thecommunity where forest fire hazard reduction andtimber values are overlapping.

7.8 POTENTIAL FOR CONFLICT ANDINTEGRATION BETWEEN FORESTMANAGEMENT AND OTHER LAND USES

The potential exists for land use conflict andintegration between forest management activities andother land uses and values such as tourism andrecreation, visual quality, trapping and outfitting.

During the SFMP public consultations, members ofthe community identified that the tourism potentialand recreational use along the Nisutlin, Teslin andWolf rivers should be considered when developing theforest management plan. The objective is to maintainthe integrity of the riparian systems and the naturalcharacter adjacent to these major rivers.

Aesthetic values in areas with high visual resources areto be maintained. The landscape visual quality of theTeslin region is outstanding in both its compositionand the extent of untouched beauty. Certain areas


within the region have low ability to absorb humancaused disturbances. The visual absorption capacity(the ability of the area to absorb human interventionswithout damaging the visual integrity) of much of thearea is low. Harvesting that mimics naturaldisturbance patterns would have less visual impactand therefore be absorbed more readily.

Outfitting is and will continue to be an import part ofthe local economy. Outfitters in the area utilize muchof the region including the area between Teslin andWolf lakes, as well as much of the higher country tothe northwest and northeast of Teslin. Harvestingactivities and access can have both positive andnegative effects on outfitting and tourism.

The community consultation process resulted in theidentification of a series of environmental, man-made, and cultural and historic features, as having keyregional resource values, which required protectionfrom harvesting activities. The Yukon TimberHarvesting Planning and Operating Guidebook(Indian and Northern Affairs Canada andGovernment of Yukon, 1999) provided generalriparian guidelines for the design of reserve andexclusion zones or riparian buffers in the Yukon.Buffer widths may be modified to reflect strategicdirections.


49. Manage river valleys which have high recreation,resource and traditional use values. In some areasforest management activities will not be compati-ble with recreation and traditional use values. Inthese areas of non-compatible uses, a no-harvestbuffer may be established in the immediate rivermargin.

50. During the operational planning phases a series ofdifferent silviculture systems and cutblock layoutdesigns can be considered that simulate naturalforest openings, and blend into the landscape, andreduce the visual impacts.

51. Forest management plans should consider theinterests of the outfitting industry, particularly onthe visual resource.

7.9 ACCESS AND ACCESS MANAGEMENT

The primary objective of access management is tominimize environmental issues while providing accessto forest resources. Access can be both positive andnegative depending on the user. Improperly built orpoorly engineered roads can be the single largestenvironmental impact associated with harvestingoperations, especially at water crossings. Roads builtto access natural resources often persist long pasttheir intended purpose causing other land use issuesto arise.

Specifically regarding forest management,


52. Access management to be incorporated intoDevelopment Planning. The primary objective isto minimize environmental issues while providingaccess to forest resources. Also consider strategicdirections relating to access, 29, 36, and 40.

53. Where feasible, consider integrating access withother forest land users ( i.e. mining sector,tourism)

54. Consider available methods of access control andmanagement to minimize indirect negativeimpacts (e.g. gates, hunting restrictions).

7.10 LARGE LINEAR DISTURBANCES ANDOTHER LAND-RELATED ACTIVITIES

Several projects and developments are ongoing in theTeslin region. The Alaska Highway Pipeline has aneasement running on the east side of Teslin Lake, alsoagriculture applications, road building, mining, pow-erline construction and gravel pits are a few of theland clearing activities which require timber removal.Depending on the size of the clearing these activitieshave the potential to produce large quantities of tim-ber in a short period of time. If and when thepipeline is developed it is expected to move veryquickly through the Yukon.


55. When possible identify and provide opportunityto salvage timber from land clearing as early aspossible to facilitate utilization of the timber.


8.0 STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS ANDPLAN IMPLEMENTATION,MONITORING AND REVIEW

The SFMP is a government approved plan – approvedby the governments of the TTC and Yukon.

The plan is a working document that will be implement-ed by all relevant government departments and agenciesthrough their management and regulatory activities. Inthe case of the Yukon Forest Management Branch andthe TTC, it will also be implemented through the inte-grated landscape level, harvest development and site(operational) plans. Forest resource development plansand permits will take guidance from the forest manage-ment principles, goals, objectives and strategic directionsdescribed in this plan, as well as review by federal andterritorial government agencies. The priorities identifiedfor LUs in the SFMP will also guide future forest man-agement planning and forest resource development.

The plan is also a dynamic document that must beresponsive to a changing environment and changingneeds and values. It will require monitoring, and periodic review and revisions.

8.1 ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

8.1.1 Planning Team

The Planning Team consists of the representatives ofthe plan approval bodies (TTC and YukonGovernment (represented by the Forest ManagementBranch), and the TRRC. The group’s responsibilitiesfor carrying out the plan are:

a) Plan Implementation

• Coordinate and ensure implementation.

• Review and provide recommendations onproposed amendments.

• Request input and review from federal andterritorial agencies on recommendedamendments.

• Establish arrangements for participation bythe general public and federal and territorialagencies in future planning.

b) Plan Monitoring, Amendment and Review

• The planning team shall consider periodicamendments to selected plan objectives andstrategies. These amendments will be based onchanging circumstances, conditions and feed-back.

8.1.2 Forest Management Branch and TTC

The FMB and the TTC are responsible for the follow-ing activities:


• Jointly prepare a bi-annual** report on planimplementation and status of forest manage-ment.

• Review existing, more detailed forest plans (e.g.resource reports) to ensure consistency withthis plan.

• Distribute copies of the plan to licensedresource users, lands and resource manage-ment staff, stakeholders and interested public.

• Continue to work together on forest manage-ment and forest management planning on agovernment-to-government basis.


• Facilitate the development of an effective andpractical monitoring program.

• Collect and compile indicator information,revise the indicators as necessary and raiseissues that need to be addressed.

• Prepare a monitoring report that will reviewand compile indicator information and assesshow well the plan is meeting its objectives.

• The monitoring report shall indicate how theobjectives and strategies in the SFMP are beingmet through specific forest management activ-ities, subsequent planning processes and forestresource development plans and permits.

50 8.0 STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS AND PLAN IMPLEMENTATION, MONITORING AND REVIEW

** If high or very low levels of activity are occurring on the landbase the frequency of reporting may need to be adjusted.

• In consultation with the TRRC, determine theneed for, and timing of, a comprehensivereview of the plan.

8.1.3 Teslin Renewable Resource Council

The TRRC is responsible for the following activities:


• Facilitate a bi-annual** public meeting inTeslin to present monitoring report (preparedby the FMB and TTC).

• Facilitate effective consultation of forest plansand information sharing throughout theplanning region.


• At the bi-annual public meeting in Teslin,facilitate the presentation of the results of themonitoring program (prepared by FMB and TTC).

• Recommend revisions to the plan to the FMBand TTC.

8.1.4 Yukon Public

It is recognized that the public, local residents and TTcitizens, in partnership with TRRC, TTC and YukonDepartment of Energy, Mines and Resources, areimportant contributors to the effectiveimplementation and monitoring of the plan.

8.2 DIRECTION FOR PLANNING AREADEVELOPMENT

The SFMP establishes what issues and concerns,values and interests must be addressed as forestresource development moves forward in the region.The next three planning stages narrow the decisionsand direction from the general goals and objectives ofthis plan to focus on priority planning areas andcandidate harvest sites.

The next planning stages following from this plan are:

Stage 2 – Integrated Landscape Planning that willinclude the confirmation of the identified LandscapeUnits as broad areas available (or not) for forestdevelopment and strategies for reducing or

eliminating significant negative effects on otherresources and values. Under YESAA regulations it maybe possible to conduct an environmental and socio-economic assessment of timber harvesting activities atthe planning stage. The details of this process are stillbeing developed. This planning level will includedeveloping a Teslin local planning area.

Stage 3 – Harvest Development Planning thatdesigns the general harvest activities consistent withthe outcome of landscape planning (e.g. main roadlocation, harvest block location).

Stage 4 – Site Planning that field checks andengineers harvest block boundaries, landings, volumesand exact road locations consistent with the higherlevel plans (harvest development planning, integratedlandscape planning, and the strategic forestmanagement plan).

Plans are to be developed by the appropriate agenciesconsistent with this plan and will provide anopportunity for public review. Planning stages, whiledistinct, are closely linked, and each stage will becompleted. The resulting plan(s) may, in someinstances, consolidate several planning stages.


** If high or very low levels of activity are occurring on the landbase the frequency of reporting may need to be adjusted.

8.3 FURTHER ASPECTS OFIMPLEMENTATION

Implementation of the SFMP will also involve thefollowing steps:

• Determination and allocation of the annualallowable cut (AAC)

• Selection and distribution of tenure

• Development and execution of an adaptivemanagement framework

• Integration with other planning processes thatimpact timber supply

8.4 ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT STRATEGY

Forest ecosystems are complex and dynamic and ourability to predict how they will respond tomanagement actions is limited, therefore an adaptivemanagement framework is proposed.

The ability to predict how forest ecosystems respondto management actions is especially limited in thesouthern Yukon where forest harvesting activities andecosystem response research has been fairly limitedcompared to other jurisdictions in Canada. Formaland informal research has been undertaken by theForest Management Branch (formerly DIAND ForestResources) to determine ecosystem responses tospecific management. The research results have led tothe development of forest harvesting guidelines andstandards for the southern Yukon. These provide aframework for best managing the Yukon forestedenvironment based on the knowledge gained so far.However, there are knowledge gaps and, therefore,uncertainties on how to best manage forests in thesouthern Yukon.

Rather than produce a static forest management planwith concrete directions for management actions,which have been derived based on ecosystem responseinformation gained so far, it is far more useful toimplement a plan that incorporates an adaptivemanagement strategy. Therefore, management actionswill be modified and revised in response to newinformation received.

Essentially, adaptive management is a formalapproach to learn from the responses of existing forestmanagement actions, determine how to best improve

current approaches, and therefore, improve overallmanagement practices (Forest Practices Branch, BCMinistry of Forests, 1999).

A detailed description and framework for adaptiveforest management is provided in the document titledAn Introductory Guide to Adaptive Management(Forest Practices Branch, BC Ministry of Forests,1999). The guide provides an overview on adaptivemanagement and describes the six-step frameworkrecommended for applying adaptive forestmanagement.

Step 1: Assessing the Problem – includes defining themanagement concern, identify measurable objectives(indicators), forecast responses to managementactions.

Step 2: Designing the Management Plan – includesboth the management plan and a monitoringprogram to address gaps identified in Step 1.

Step 3: Implement the Management Plan –implementing the plan.

Step 4: Monitor – use indicators identified in Step 1to test forecasts.

Step 5: Evaluate – compare responses measured inStep 4 with forecasts identified in Step 1.

Step 6: Adjust – adjust management actions,ecosystem objects, etc. to accommodate resultsevaluated in Step 5.

Repeat Process – as new understandings, problems orforest management questions arise.

8.4.1 Adapting to Large Land Base Changes

Wildfire is the agent primarily responsible forunpredictable large land base changes in the southernYukon. These changes can impact the timber supplyand non-timber values. An adaptive managementstrategy should include a monitoring program toassess the effects of wildfire on timber supply.

52 8.0 STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS AND PLAN IMPLEMENTATION, MONITORING AND REVIEW

8.5 INTEGRATION WITH REGIONAL LANDUSE PLANNING

Regional land use plans make recommendations forthe use of land, water and other renewable and non-renewable resources. This planning is necessary toresolve land use and resource conflicts within theregion. The plans ensure that use of lands andresources is consistent with social, cultural, economicand environmental values. The plans will build uponthe traditional knowledge and experience of theresidents of each region.

The Teslin Land Use Planning process is currently notactive. If and when the process becomes active theplanning region could include the SFMP area and per-haps the larger Dakh Ka region. The land use plan willcomply with the TTC Final Agreement and Self-Government Agreements and will address environmen-tal, social and economic issues. It is imperative that thetwo plans be integrated and coordinated to ensure landuses for timber harvesting and other resources areaccounted for. The land use plan will examine resourcevalues and uses other than forestry, in greater detail.The land use planning process may affect the availableland base and access development.

A land use plan will evaluate and develop guidelinesfor integrating land uses. This will includeunderstanding the land and its uses and making landmanagement decisions. Uses may include mining,tourism, recreation, hunting, trapping, fishing,agriculture, energy production, communication,protected areas and parks.

The plan can specify rules or conditions for land use.It also can provide ways for the plan to be followed,such as the use of permits, licenses or a reviewprocess. Integration of these guidelines, rules orconditions together with forest management andtimber harvest planning will be required to ensurethat the desired future forest landscape conditionsmaintain multiple values.

8.6 STRATEGIC DIRECTION AND PRIORITIESFOR PLAN IMPLEMENTATION

In consideration of the Landscape Unit information(Section 7.0, above), the following forest managementplanning priorities and activities are generally recom-mended:


56. Focus forest planning on Pine Lake, Teslin, SidneyLake, East Teslin River and North Nisutlin River LUs.

57. Establish a strategy for the implementation of forestplans in Pine Lake, Teslin, Sidney Lake, East TeslinRiver and North Nisutlin River LUs, consistent withthe identified stages for lower level planning, thatidentifies:

• Integrated resource management values andmanagement strategies to accommodate the values

• Zonation of harvest and exclusion areas

• Silviculture strategy

• Suitable tree species and treatments

• Meet timber and non-timber values

• Long-term resource capacity and future productive use

• Activities; forest practices – values to be incorpo-rated into landscape and site-level treatments(e.g. visual quality, cultural heritage, habitat,recreation and tourism opportunities andregeneration strategies); harvest design and prescription

• Maximization of post-harvest benefits (e.g.recreation trails, traditional use opportunities,hunting and trapping opportunities, habitatconservation and restoration, etc.)

58. Refer lower level planning priorities and activities tothe TRRC for review.

59. Forest harvesting tenure holders in good standingwhen the plan is approved, and affected by the plan,shall be accommodated for the period covered bytheir license or tenure.

60. It is recommended that in the implementation of theTeslin Strategic Forest Management Plan, an adaptiveforest management strategy be adopted that followsthe general framework identified in Section 8.4.


REFERENCES

Anonymous, 2004. Nisutlin River Delta National WildlifeArea (Teslin, Yukon) Management Plan. EnvironmentCanada, Canadian Wildlife Service, Teslin RenewableResources Council, Teslin Tlingit Council, YukonDepartment of Environment.

Anonymous. 2004. Strategic Forest Management Plan forthe Champagne and Aishihik Traditional Territory. AlsekRenewable Resources Council, Yukon Energy Mines andResources, Champagne and Aishihik First Nation.

Burton, P.J., Messier, C., Smith, D.W., Adamowicz,W.L.(editor). 2003. Towards Sustainable Management ofthe Boreal Forest. NRC Research Press, Ottawa, Ontario,Canada. 1039p.

Canada. 2005. “Sharing the Story – ComprehensiveCommunity Planning – Experiences in First Nations,Inuit and Northern Communities.”

(www.pwgsc.gc.ca/rps/inac/content/docs_governance_comm_part5d-e.html)

Canadian Council of Forest Ministers. 2004. DefiningSustainable Forest Management in Canada: Criteria andIndicators.

Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, in cooperationwith the Teslin Tlingit Council and Teslin RenewableResources Council. 1999. Wolf Lake Area: YukonWildlands Study – a preliminary report on the findingsof 3 biological surveys at Nisutlin Lake, Wolf River andMorris Lake. Prepared by CPAWS – Yukon for the YukonWildlands Project and Endangered Spaces (WWF). 65 p,app.

Department of Natural Resources, Government ofCanada. October 2000. A User’s Guide to Local LevelIndicators of Sustainable Forest Management:Experiences from the Canadian Model Forest Network.

Florkiewicz, R. 2005. Personal commentary.

Forest Practices Branch, BC Ministry of Forests. 1999. AnIntroductory Guide to Adaptive Management: forProject Leaders and Participants.

Holman, H.L. 1943. Timber Conditions in the YukonTerritory. Unpublished government report.

Indian and Northern Affairs Canada and Government ofYukon. Yukon Forest Resources. 1999. Timber HarvestPlanning and Operating Guidebook. IncorporatingEnvironmental and Human Values into Timber HarvestPlanning.

Indian Affairs and Northern Development Canada. 1995.Teslin Tlingit Council Final Agreement. Between theGovernment of Canada, the Government of Yukon andthe Teslin Tlingit Council. Minister of Supply andServices Canada.

MacLean, Norm. 2004. Adaptive management criteriaand process for woodland caribou in the Dease-LiardSustainable Resource Management Plan. LGL Limited.

McClellan, C. 2001. My Old People Say: An ethnographicsurvey of southern Yukon Territory – Part 1. CanadianMuseum of Civilization: Hull

Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management, BCGovernment. 2004. Dease-Liard Sustainable ResourceManagement Plan.

Northern Design Consultants. 1993. A History ofLogging in the Yukon Territory 1896-1970.

OLSON+OLSON Planning and Design Consultants Inc.2004. Draft Teslin Forest Management Plan. Volumes 1and 2.

Sinclair, Pamela H. (Ed.) 2003. Birds of the Yukon. UBCPress.

Smith, C.A.S., J.C.Meikle and C.F.Roots, eds. 2004.Ecoregions of the Yukon Territory: Biophysicalproperties of Yukon landscapes. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, PARC Technical Bulletin No. 04-01,Summerland B.C., 313 p.

Tough, George. 2002. Yukon Forestry Issues: A RealityCheck and a New Direction. A Report to the Minister ofIndian Affairs and Northern Development.

Yukon Government. 2000. Talking to the People.Prepared for: Teslin Renewable Resources Council.Government of the Yukon, Executive Council Office,Yukon Bureau of Statistics.

Yukon Land Use Planning Council. 2004. YukonRegional Land Use Planning Discussion Paper: AProposed Strategic Regional Land Use DesignationSystem for Yukon.

Yukon Territorial Government, Teslin Tlingit Council,and Teslin Renewable Resources Council. 2002. TeslinIntegrated Fish and Wildlife Management Plan.

Yukon Territorial Government. 1993. Teslin RegionalTourism Plan.

54 REFERENCES

GLOSSARY OF FOREST TERMS

source: State of Canada’s Forests: 2001 – 2002,selected and modified, unless otherwise noted

Access management planning: Specific to the roadingrequired to access the harvest planning area, andbetween harvest blocks within the area, and includesmaintenance and deactivation.

Adaptive management: A dynamic approach to forestmanagement in which the effects of treatments anddecisions are continually monitored and used, alongwith research results, to modify management practiceson a continuing basis to ensure that managementobjectives are being met.

Allowable annual cut (AAC): The amount of timberthat is permitted to be cut annually from a particulararea. AAC is used as the basis for regulating harvestlevels to ensure a sustainable supply of timber.

Area regenerating: Includes areas that have beenharvested recently (less than 10 years ago), and areasdepleted by such natural disturbances as fire, insectsand disease, where the stand does not meet stockingstandards.

Available timber: Timber which is available forharvest after due recognition of constraints to protectthe environment and other forest uses. (see operabletimber)

Basic silviculture: Harvesting methods andsilviculture operations including seed collecting, sitepreparation, artificial and natural regeneration,brushing, spacing and stand tending, and otheroperations that are for the purpose of establishing afree growing crop of trees of a commercially valuablespecies.

Biodiversity (biological diversity): The variety,distribution and abundance of different plants,animals and micro-organisms, the ecologicalfunctions and processes they perform and the geneticdiversity they contain at a local, landscape or regionallevel of analysis.

Boreal forest: The most extensive of the three mainforest zones in the world. (Others are tropical andtemperate forest zones). The boreal forest is thenorthern circumpolar forest zone and characterizedby winters that always have snow and where summersare short. This coniferous, tundra forest type consistsprimarily of black and white spruce, balsam fir andlarch interspersed with broadleaf trees, usually birchand aspen.

Clearcutting (clearcut): A even-aged forestmanagement silviculture method that involves thecomplete felling and removal of a stand of treesproducing a fully exposed micro-climate for thedevelopment of a new even-aged stand.

Climate change: An alteration in measured quantities(e.g., precipitation, temperature, radiation, wind andcloudiness) within the climate system that departssignificantly from previous average conditions and isseen to endure, bringing about corresponding changesin ecosystems and socioeconomic activity.

Coarse filter approach: A broad approach tomaintaining biodiversity through the conservation ofland areas and representative habitats with theassumption that the needs of most of the associatedspecies, communities and ecological processes will bemet at the large-scale. (see fine filter approach)

Coarse woody debris (CWD): Sound and rottinglogs, branches and stumps that provide habitat forplants, animals and insects and a source of nutrientsfor soil development. The type and size of materialdesignated as CWD varies among classificationsystems.

Composition: The proportion of each tree species in astand expressed as a percentage of either the totalnumber, crown closure, basal area or volume of alltree species in the stand.

Commercial forest: Forest land that is able to growcommercial timber within an acceptable time frameand is designated for such a purpose.


Critical habitat (from the federal Species at RiskAct): Specific areas within the geographic areaoccupied by a federally listed species on whichphysical and biological features are found that areessential to the conservation of the species. Inconservation biology – part or all of an ecosystemoccupied by wildlife species that is recognized asessential for the maintenance and long-term survivalof the population.

Development plan: A specific plan outliningharvesting, road construction, protection, andsilviculture activities over the short term (often fiveyears) in accordance with the approved forestmanagement plan.

Ecodistrict: A part of an ecoregion characterized bydistinctive geologic, soil, water, fauna and land use.

Ecological land classification: A process ofdelineating and classifying ecologically distinctiveareas based on geologic, landform, soil, vegetative,climatic, wildlife, water and human factors. Thisholistic approach to land classification can be appliedincrementally, from site-specific ecosystems to verybroad ecosystems. This system provides for sevenlevels of generalization: ecozones, ecoprovinces,ecoregions, ecodistricts, ecosections, ecosites andecoelements.

Ecoregion: A part of an ecozone characterized bydistinctive regional ecological factors, includingclimate, physical geography, vegetation, soil, water,fauna and land use.

Ecosystem: A dynamic system of plants, animals andother organisms, together with the non-livingcomponents of the environment, functioning as aninterdependent unit.

Ecosystem integrity: The quality of a naturalunmanaged or managed ecosystem in which thenatural ecological processes sustain the function,composition and structure of the system.

Ecosystem management: The use of an ecologicalapproach to achieve productive resource managementby blending social, physical, economic and biologicalneeds and values to provide healthy ecosystems.

Ecotourism: A type of tourism that focuses onnature-related experiences (e.g., backcountry travel).

Ecozone: An area of the Earth’s surface that isrepresentative of a broad-scale ecological unitcharacterized by particular abiotic (non-living) andbiotic (living) factors.

Edge habitat: A loosely defined type of habitat thatoccurs at the boundary between two different habitattypes. Typically, edge habitats share characteristicswith both adjacent habitat types and have particulartransitional characteristics that are important towildlife.

Endangered species: Any species of plant or animaldefined through the Species at Risk Act as being indanger of extinction throughout all or a significantportion of its range in the Federal registry.

Fine filter approach: An approach to maintainingbiodiversity that is directed toward particular habitatsor individual species that might fall through thecoarse filter. These habitats may be critical in someway, and the species threatened or endangered.

Forest: An ecosystem characterized by a more or lessdense and continuous tree cover, often consisting ofstands varying in composition, structure, age class andassociated processes, and commonly includingmeadows, streams fish and wildlife.

Forest cover: Forest stands or cover types consistingof a plant community made up of trees and otherwoody vegetation, growing more or less closelytogether.

Forest cover map: A map showing relativelyhomogeneous forest stands or cover types, producedfrom the interpretation of aerial photos andinformation collected in field surveys. Commonlyincludes information on species, age class, heightclass, site and stocking level.

Forest ecology: The relationships between forestorganisms and their environment.

Forest Ecosystem Network (FEN): A plannedlandscape zone that serves to maintain or restore thenatural connectivity within a landscape unit.

Forest land: Land primarily intended for growing, orcurrently supporting, forest. It includes land not nowforested (e.g. clear-cut lands and northern lands thatare forested but not intended for any commercialforestry use) and plantations.

56 GLOSSARY OF FOREST TERMS

Forest management: The practical application ofscientific, economic and social principles to theadministration and working of a forest for specifiedobjectives. Particularly, that branch of forestryconcerned with the overall administrative, economic,legal and social aspects and with the essentiallyscientific and technical aspects, especially silviculture,protection and forest regulation.

Forestry practices: Any activity that is carried out onforest land to facilitate the use of forest resources,including, but not limited to, timber harvesting, roadconstruction, silviculture, grazing, recreation, pestcontrol and wildfire suppression.

Forest regions classification: A process of delineatinglarge geographic areas according to landform andclimate, associated with broad variations in overallforest composition.

Forest type: A group of forest areas or stands whosesimilar composition (species, age, height and density)differentiates it from other such groups.

Fuelwood: Trees used for the production of firewoodlogs or other wood fuel.

Fragmentation: The process of transforming largecontinuous forest patches into one or more smallerpatches surrounded by disturbed areas. This occursnaturally through such agents as fire, landslides,windthrow and insect attack. In managed forest,timber harvesting and related activities have been thedominant disturbance agents.

Geographic Information System (GIS): An organizedcollection of computer hardware, software andgeographic data designed for capturing, storing,updating, manipulating, analyzing and displaying allforms of geographically referenced information.

Global warming: The rise in temperature of theEarth’s atmosphere due to the greenhouse effect (theretention of the sun’s energy by the atmosphere due tothe build-up of CO2 and other gases that are the bi-product of industrial activities).

Green tree retention: Harvesting that retains live treesof a specific species and size on the area to be cut toachieve a site-specific objective.

Habitat: The environment in which a population orindividual lives; includes not only the place where aspecies is found, but also the particular characteristicsof the place (e.g., climate or the availability of suitablefood and shelter) that make it especially well suited tomeet the life-cycle needs of that species.

Habitat management: Management of the forest tocreate environments that provide habitats (food,shelter) to meet the needs of particular organisms.

Harvesting: The practice of felling and removing treesor the removal of dead or damaged trees from an area.

Harvesting method: The mix of felling, bucking andyarding systems used in logging a stand of timber.

Harvest mitigation: In areas where logging can occur,the harvest mitigation provides direction on whereand how the logging should be carried out, based onthe identified values. Values can range from landscapeto site-specific interests, such as private lands.

Harvest pattern: The spatial distribution of cutblocksand reserve areas across the forested landscape.

Harvesting or site prescription: Detailed plan onhow, when and where timber will be harvested froman area.

Harvest schedule: A document listing the stands to beharvested by year or period, usually showing typesand intensities of harvests for each stand, as well as atimetable for regenerating currently non-productiveareas.

Harvesting system: The mix of felling, bucking andyarding systems used in logging a stand of timber.

Healthy ecosystem: An ecosystem in which structureand functions allow the maintenance of biodiversity,biotic integrity and ecological processes over time.

Integrated resource management: A holisticapproach to resource management that entails themanagement of two or more resources (e.g. water,soil, timber, pasture, wildlife and recreation) and thatintegrates the values of the community into the designof policies or projects to use and sustain theseresources in perpetuity.


Inventory (forest): A survey of a forest area todetermine such data as area, condition, timber,volume and species for a specific purpose, such asplanning, purchasing, evaluating, managing orharvesting.

Keystone species: A species that plays an importantecological role in determining the overall structureand dynamic relationships within a biotic community.A keystone species presence is essential to the integrityand stability of a particular ecosystem.

Landscape: Areas of land that are distinguished bydifferences in landforms, vegetation, land use andaesthetic characteristics.

Management ignited prescribed fire: A means ofcontrolling forest diseases, insects and excessivebuildup of trees, and managing vegetation and habitatthrough the scheduling of burns around weather, fuelloads, season and ability to control fire. This type ofmanagement has currently not been used in Yukon.

Management plan: A detailed plan for a forested area.It contains inventory and other resource data. (seeforest management)

Merchantable timber: A tree or stand that hasattained sufficient size, quality and/or volume to makeit suitable for harvesting.

Multiple forest use: A system of resource use wherethe forest resources in a given land unit serve morethan one user.

Natural disturbance: Natural events that cause tree orforest renewal, i.e. due to fire, flooding, insect ordisease attack. Natural disturbance regimes are adescription of the dominant natural disturbanceagents occurring in a large area such as a watershed orecoregion.

Natural disturbance regimes: The historic patterns(frequency and extent) of fire, insects, wind, landslidesand other natural processes in an area.

Natural regeneration: The renewal of a forest standby natural seeding, sprouting, suckering or layeringseeds may be deposited by wind, birds or mammals.

Net down: A zoning of the harvest planning area thathelps to describe where logging can and cannot occur.

Non-commercial tree species: A tree species forwhich there is currently no market.

Non-forest land: Land not primarily intended forgrowing or supporting a forest.

Non-timber resource value: A value within the forestother than timber that includes, but is not limited to,biological diversity, fisheries, wildlife, minerals, waterquality and quantity, recreation and tourism, culturaland heritage values and wilderness and aestheticvalues.

Old-growth forest: Old growth is a forest thatcontains live and dead trees of various sizes, species,composition, and age class structure. Old-growthforests, as part of a slowly changing but dynamicecosystem, include climax forests but not sub-climaxor mid-seral forests. The age and structure of oldgrowth varies significantly by forest type and fromone biogeoclimatic zone to another.

Operability: The ease of operations determined bythe complexity and sensitivity of the site conditions(slope, soil, timber, volumes, harvesting equipment,etc.) and the degree of disturbance expected.

Operable forest: That portion of the productionforest that, under current market conditions, can beharvested at a profit.

Operable land: All lands that are not consideredinoperable lands.

Operable timber: Available timber that can beeconomically logged with present harvesting methodsafter consideration of access, timber quality andmarket price.

Over-mature: Tree or stand that has passed the age ofmaturity where the rate of growth has diminished andthe trees are weakened.

Patch cutting: The removal of all of the trees in astand. The same as clearcutting, except that the areainvolved is smaller.

Partial cutting: Tree removal other than in a clearcutsilviculture system; includes seed tree, variableretention, shelterwood and selection systems.

Pest: An organism capable of causing materialdamage. Forest pests include insects, tree diseases andnoxious fungi.

58 GLOSSARY OF FOREST TERMS

Protected area: An area protected by legislation,regulation or land use policy to control the level ofhuman occupancy or activities. Categories ofprotected areas include protected landscapes, nationalparks, multiple use management areas and nature(wildlife) reserves.

Public land: Public land that is managed by theterritorial government.

Reforestation: The re-establishment of trees ondenuded forest land by natural or artificial means,such as planting and seeding.

Regeneration: The continuous renewal of a foreststand. Natural regeneration occurs gradually withseeds from adjacent stands or with seeds brought inby wind, birds or animals. Artificial regenerationinvolves direct seeding or planting.

Retention harvesting: A silvicultural system designedto retain individual trees or groups of trees tomaintain structural diversity over the area of thecutblock.

Riparian forest: At a large scale, it is the band of forestthat has a significant influence on a stream ecosystemor is significantly affected by the stream. At a smallerscale, it is the forest at the immediate water’s edge,where some specialized plants and animals form adistinct community.

Riparian zone / Buffer zone / Buffer strip: A strip ofland maintained along a stream, lake, road, recreationsite or different vegetative zone to mitigate theimpacts of actions on adjacent lands, to enhanceaesthetic values or as a best management practice.

Rotation: The planned number of years between theformation or regeneration of a crop or stand and itsfinal cutting at a specified stage or maturity.

Selection cutting: Annual or periodic cutting of treesin a stand in which the trees vary markedly in age. Theobjective is to recover the yield and maintain anuneven-aged stand structure, while creating theconditions necessary for tree growth and seedlingestablishment. Differs from selective cutting, in whichthe most valuable trees are harvested without regardfor the condition of the residual stand.

Silviculture: The theory and practice of controllingthe establishment, composition, growth and quality offorest stands.

Single tree selection: The selection of individual treesfor harvesting.

Silvicultural prescription: Provides direction onblock size and harvesting methods within theplanning area. The prescription also identifies sitelimitations and reforestation planning.

Stand: A community of trees possessing sufficientuniformity in composition, age, arrangement orcondition to be distinguishable from the forest orother growth on adjoining areas, thus forming asilvicultural or management entity.

Even-aged stands: Stands in which the ages of mosttrees are within 20 years of each other or iscomprised of no more than two age classes.

Mixed-wood stands: Stands containing bothdeciduous and coniferous species.

Uneven-aged stands: Stands in which the most ofthe trees differ by more than 20 years or iscomprised of more than two age classes.

Stand height: Tree height is estimated for the leadingtree species in the canopy based upon an average ofdominant and co-dominant tree heights.

Stand age: Stand age is the average age of thedominant and co-dominant trees for the leadingspecies.

Stand structure: Stand structure is the physicalarrangement or pattern of organization within theforest stand.

Single-storied: An even-aged stand that exhibits amore or less uniform canopy height.

Two-storied: A stand with two distinct,homogeneous layers, each with at least 10 per centcrown closure, between which there is a heightdifference of at least 10 metres.

Complex: A stand characterized by trees of manyages or sizes occurring singly or in groups. Treespecies are usually shade tolerant.

Sustainable forest management: Management thatmaintains or enhances the long term health of forestecosystems for the benefit of all living things whileproviding environmental, economic, social andcultural opportunities for present and futuregenerations.


Thinning: A treatment that reduces tree density andcompetition between trees in a stand. Thinningconcentrates growth on fewer, high-quality trees,provides periodic income and generally enhances

Understory: Trees growing under the main forestcanopy.

Value-added product / Value-added production:Adding value to a product by further processing it.Examples of value-added wood products includejoinery stock, windows, doors, kitchen cabinets,flooring and mouldings. Value-added pulp and paperproducts include such items as packaging, diapers,coated papers, tissue, business papers and stationeryand other consumer paper products.

Vulnerable species: A species that is considered at riskbecause it exists in low numbers or in restrictedranges, due to loss of habitat or other factors.

Watershed: An area of land that collects anddischarges water into a single main stream through aseries of smaller tributaries.

Wetland: An area where the soils are water-saturatedfor a sufficient length of time that excess water andresulting low oxygen levels are principle determinantsof vegetation and soil development.A wetland is a swamp, marsh, bog or similar area thatsupports natural vegetation that is distinct foradjacent areas. Wetlands may or may not be treed.Shrub scars are included as wetlands. Shrub scarsoccur primarily in broad depressions and low-lyingareas where forest development is limited by cold,periodically saturated soils.

60 LIST OF ACRONYMS

LIST OF ACRONYMS

AAC Annual Allowable Cut

BC MOF British Columbia Ministry of Forests

CCFM Canadian Council of Forest Ministers

CFDZ Community Forest Development Zone

COSEWIC Committee on the Status of EndangeredWildlife in Canada

CPAWS Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society

CWS Canadian Wildlife Service

DIAND Department of Indian Affairs and NorthernDevelopment

FMB Forest Management Branch

FMP Forest Management Plan

FRUD Strategic Forest Use Designation System

INAC Indian and Northern Affairs Canada

IFRMZ Integrated Forest Resource Management Zone

LU Landscape Unit

MBCA Migratory Birds Convention Act

MBR Migratory Birds Regulations

MOU Memorandum of Understanding

NRDNWA Nisutlin River Delta National WildlifeAreaNRV Natural Range of Variation

NWA National Wildlife Area

SFMP Strategic Forest Management Plan

THA Timber Harvest Agreement

THPOG Timber Harvesting Planning and OperatingGuidebook

TRRC Teslin Renewable Resources Council

TSA Timber Supply Analysis

TTC Teslin Tlingit Council

TT Traditional Territory

YESSA Yukon Environmental and Socio-economicAssessment Act

YG Yukon Government

YSC Yukon Salmon Committee

Documents

Strategic Forest Management Plan - yukon.ca€¦ · The purpose of the Teslin Strategic Forest Management Plan (SFMP) is to provide a sustainable development strategy for the forests