Articles
On the spot news! · 3rd November 2009
Klahoose CCP
Klahoose First Nation has completed the harvest of cutting permits #1 and 2 in the Toba Valley cut within Tree Farm License # 10. Harvesting on the new Community Forest License #1 will begin very soon.
The newly transferred Tree Farm License #10 to a Community Forest Agreement was a milestone in the history of Klahoose First Nation. It represents the ability of Klahoose to manage economic development in the traditional territory and to implement a sustainable strategic forestry plan that includes wildlife and environmental impacts.
At this time 11 Klahoose members are working on the forestry operations. As more forestry work such as Silvaculture is developed, the number of Klahoose workers will increase as opportunities flourish.
“This is a major achievement for us as a community,” says Chief Ken Brown. “Converting TFL 10 allows us to utilize our own resources in the Toba Valley again for our sole benefit after years of others benefiting from what was rightfully ours for more than 20 years. This conversion is a first and Klahoose now owns one of the largest CFAs in the province.”
Recently, the Ministry of Forests completed a risk management and environmental assessment of the logging operations and Klahoose received positive reports. On October 28th, a Work Safe B.C. officer had completed an assessment for safety procedures and his remarks were positive and constructive. Band Member and Forestry Manager, Kim Olney has been working in Toba making sure operations are running smoothly.
Forestry Engineer Manager and Band Member Ben Lessard talked proudly about the logging practices that Klahoose has been implementing. “We are striving to keep our forestry program environmentally sensitive as well as visually pleasing for future Klahoose member’s enjoyment. We are planning our cutting blocks to offer wider buffers for streams and we are completing a timber inventory to properly plan for generations to come. ”
Other success stories include the addition of an accommodations barge for the workers. The barge alone provides employment for housekeeping, food services and maintenance. Future forestry programs will require employees for tree plantings, tree spacing, vegetation control and all aspects of reforest and Silvaculture programs.
The newly transferred Tree Farm License #10 to a Community Forest Agreement was a milestone in the history of Klahoose First Nation. It represents the ability of Klahoose to manage economic development in the traditional territory and to implement a sustainable strategic forestry plan that includes wildlife and environmental impacts.
At this time 11 Klahoose members are working on the forestry operations. As more forestry work such as Silvaculture is developed, the number of Klahoose workers will increase as opportunities flourish.
“This is a major achievement for us as a community,” says Chief Ken Brown. “Converting TFL 10 allows us to utilize our own resources in the Toba Valley again for our sole benefit after years of others benefiting from what was rightfully ours for more than 20 years. This conversion is a first and Klahoose now owns one of the largest CFAs in the province.”
Recently, the Ministry of Forests completed a risk management and environmental assessment of the logging operations and Klahoose received positive reports. On October 28th, a Work Safe B.C. officer had completed an assessment for safety procedures and his remarks were positive and constructive. Band Member and Forestry Manager, Kim Olney has been working in Toba making sure operations are running smoothly.
Forestry Engineer Manager and Band Member Ben Lessard talked proudly about the logging practices that Klahoose has been implementing. “We are striving to keep our forestry program environmentally sensitive as well as visually pleasing for future Klahoose member’s enjoyment. We are planning our cutting blocks to offer wider buffers for streams and we are completing a timber inventory to properly plan for generations to come. ”
Other success stories include the addition of an accommodations barge for the workers. The barge alone provides employment for housekeeping, food services and maintenance. Future forestry programs will require employees for tree plantings, tree spacing, vegetation control and all aspects of reforest and Silvaculture programs.
John Hanuse works the sidewinder
Air Crane works to move the wood.
Logs on they way to the beach
Klahoose worker Yvonne at the barge.