North Cowichan Council Considering
Permanent Logging Shut Down
in Municipal Forest
USW Members Working and Living in North Cowichan and surrounding areas please read the following;
Write the Mayor and take the Important survey by clicking on the links below:
We all know that the Forestry Industry in the Province of BC is continually under attack by a variety of lobby and special interest groups. This is the case locally in the District of North Cowichan’s Community Forest. North Cowichan owns approximately 5000ha (12000acres) that it has been managing since 1960, when initially limited diameter cutting occurred through a system of wood lot permits. In the 1980’s North Cowichan embarked upon a more intensive forest management program that included not only harvesting but all aspects of a community forest-replanting, spacing and pruning, lesser vegetation harvesting, access and fire reduction management, road building and maintenance etc. As a model Community Forest the management plan was also respectful of environmental issues, special arboretum areas, old growth, limited and no harvesting areas, and was managed for a multiple of compatible recreation uses, trails for hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking etc.
In 2018 North Cowichan Council was lobbied by people concerned about the negative impact that harvesting in the Community Forests was having on the environment. Council decided it would halt logging altogether, and in 2019, other than harvesting a small amount of the blow down that occurred in the storm of December 2018 and completing outstanding 2018 contract obligations, no harvesting has taken place for the better part of four years now and we are now entering the fifth year. Council subsequently engaged a group of UBC Forestry Academics to undertake a study on future scenarios.
As a group of concerned citizens, we have some major issues with the UBC report. We are attaching a letter and a fact sheet that outline our concerns with the report and the misinformation it contains. Our letter and fact sheet have been discussed by members of our group directly with members of North Cowichan’s Council. We know it is a little lengthy but we encourage you to please take the time to read it.
What can you do next:
before January 31st.
Mayor and Council: [email protected]
Or Write to Mayor & Council, District of North Cowichan, PO Box 278, Duncan BC V9L 3X4
To Take The Forestry Survey:
Municipal Forest Reserve Review | Connect North Cowichan
Write the Mayor and take the Important survey by clicking on the links below:
We all know that the Forestry Industry in the Province of BC is continually under attack by a variety of lobby and special interest groups. This is the case locally in the District of North Cowichan’s Community Forest. North Cowichan owns approximately 5000ha (12000acres) that it has been managing since 1960, when initially limited diameter cutting occurred through a system of wood lot permits. In the 1980’s North Cowichan embarked upon a more intensive forest management program that included not only harvesting but all aspects of a community forest-replanting, spacing and pruning, lesser vegetation harvesting, access and fire reduction management, road building and maintenance etc. As a model Community Forest the management plan was also respectful of environmental issues, special arboretum areas, old growth, limited and no harvesting areas, and was managed for a multiple of compatible recreation uses, trails for hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking etc.
In 2018 North Cowichan Council was lobbied by people concerned about the negative impact that harvesting in the Community Forests was having on the environment. Council decided it would halt logging altogether, and in 2019, other than harvesting a small amount of the blow down that occurred in the storm of December 2018 and completing outstanding 2018 contract obligations, no harvesting has taken place for the better part of four years now and we are now entering the fifth year. Council subsequently engaged a group of UBC Forestry Academics to undertake a study on future scenarios.
As a group of concerned citizens, we have some major issues with the UBC report. We are attaching a letter and a fact sheet that outline our concerns with the report and the misinformation it contains. Our letter and fact sheet have been discussed by members of our group directly with members of North Cowichan’s Council. We know it is a little lengthy but we encourage you to please take the time to read it.
What can you do next:
- Write a letter to Mayor and Council expressing your concerns.
- Go to the District of North Cowichan Web site and click on the forestry department, take their online survey and vote for Continuing Logging.
before January 31st.
Mayor and Council: [email protected]
Or Write to Mayor & Council, District of North Cowichan, PO Box 278, Duncan BC V9L 3X4
To Take The Forestry Survey:
- To Take The online survey click here (External link) is only open until January 31, 2023.
Municipal Forest Reserve Review | Connect North Cowichan
| North Cowichan Municipal Forests, Why Sustainable Harvesting Is The Best Option click to bring up PDF version |
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON NEGATIVE IMPACTS AND FACTS IN
STOPPING HAVESTING IN NORTH COWICHAN’S MUNICIPAL FORESTS
Information sheet and discussion points on the benefits of harvesting and negative impacts of ending harvesting in North Cowichan’s second growth forests:
Information sheet and discussion points on the benefits of harvesting and negative impacts of ending harvesting in North Cowichan’s second growth forests:
1. Economics of past and future harvesting has not been communicated accurately to the community:
2022 lost revenue: 17,000m3 @ $185/m3 $3,145,000
Past four years: 17,000m3x4 @$185/m3 $12,580,000
2.UBC Partnership undervalues municipal logs
Report shows $90.00/m3 log value – UNREALISTICALLY LOW!
Log value August 2022 was $193/m3 (MoF – Coast Selling Price System)
Log value understated by $103/m3: log values understated by $1,751,000 UBC projects log values to rise at 2% per year from $90/m3 – far too low
3.High degree of risk with forecast carbon values:
(Voluntary Markets – Nature Based Offset pricing – Live Carbon Prices Today)
Current carbon value $3.50 per tonne (in 2022 varied from $15.92 in
January to latest report $3.50/tonne).
UBC proposal shows initial carbon price assumption of $25.00 per tonne
rising to $102.00 per tonne over 30 years – how realistic ?
3GreenTree Report (May, 2020) uses $5/tonne to $20/tonne over 30 yrs.
BloombergNEK /Voluntary market less than $50/tonne (graph attached) Forecast $2.25 mm carbon revenue in last year of proposed 30 year period referred to in the UBC report as “assumption”- questionable and high risk
4. Risk of “leakage”:
With no logging past log buyers shift log purchases to other suppliers.
This “leakage” jeopardizes carbon offset revenues. (3GreenTree report to Council May 29th, 2020)
Leakage risk is not mentioned in UBC proposal.
5. Extending rotation for Municipal Forest provides for carbon sequestration
This will provide BOTH carbon offset and log revenue
Annual Allowable Cut (AAC) of 27,000m3 with a 60 year rotation Extend rotation to 100 years, reduce logging/AAC to 17,000 m3 per year
100 year rotation will achieve larger trees, improved value & more carbon will be sequestered.
Not considered in the UBC proposal.
6. Alternative logging methods:
Low impact and different selective logging practices will reduce visual impact and further protect linkages, hydrology, and sensitive ecosystems.
Not considered in the UBC proposal.
7. UBC proposal requires long term commitment of MFR to no logging:
To achieve saleable carbon offset credits requires long term dedication of MFR to no further logging and sequestering carbon only. (3reenTree report to Council May 29th, 2020)
With uncertainties of carbon revenue continuity and loss of log revenues the risk of serious financial loss for the MNC is very high!
8. Carbon Sequestration project requires up front expense of $250,000 or more :
Not specifically mentioned in UBC report.
9) Impact of loss of logging revenues:
Estimated $750,000/year contract logging funds flows into Duncan/North Cowichan.
Loss of wages for all woods workers, local supply purchases, repair expenditures, equipment purchases in the community will result.
Other MNC expenses to maintain trails, prepare and maintain parking areas, firefighting and fire protection, culverts, road maintenance, etc. currently covered by log revenues would become a general taxpayer expense.
10) Coastal Douglas Fir ecosystem:
A large portion of the MFR is second growth in the CDF ecosystem
Managing MFR on a 60 or 100 year rotation does NOT destroy this ecosystem
Many wildlife species do well in the second growth in this ecosystem.
The Municipal Forest is a very well managed small-scale forest holding, one of the best if not the best in the province. The Municipal Forest Reserve does accommodate a variety of users and uses. Through different selective logging practices, it is possible to achieve both logging revenues and carbon offset credits in addition to continuing to provide for a variety of ecological needs and public use opportunities.
The Municipal Forest is self-sustaining financially. Revenues from log sales cover all operating expenses. Some log sale revenue also goes into general revenue. In addition, some of the funds from log sales go to help fund specific community projects. Examples include community recreational facilities, Forest Discovery Centre projects, and post-secondary student bursaries.
Permanently halting logging in favor of carbon sequestration and justifying the decision on the basis of carbon credit revenues exceeding log revenues is simply not correct! If Council believes it has a mandate to permanently halt logging in favor of achieving carbon sequestration credits then make the decision for THAT reason. Do NOT try to incorrectly justify the decision by telling the North Cowichan public that carbon revenues will be greater than logging revenues. That is simply not true!!
If Council is uncomfortable accepting the information provided to-day, then strongly recommend MNC engage the services of a credible auditing firm
(ie KPMG) to confirm or correct the figures and information provided in the UBC Partnership report. Engage a firm with qualified professional foresters and qualified accounting staff able to assess the veracity of the carbon sequestration credit assumptions/proposals and to recommend alternate selective logging forest management practices.
Information sheet and discussion points on the benefits of harvesting and negative impacts of ending harvesting in North Cowichan’s second growth forests:
1. Economics of past and future harvesting has not been communicated accurately to the community:
2022 lost revenue: 17,000m3 @ $185/m3 $3,145,000
Past four years: 17,000m3x4 @$185/m3 $12,580,000
2.UBC Partnership undervalues municipal logs
Report shows $90.00/m3 log value – UNREALISTICALLY LOW!
Log value August 2022 was $193/m3 (MoF – Coast Selling Price System)
Log value understated by $103/m3: log values understated by $1,751,000 UBC projects log values to rise at 2% per year from $90/m3 – far too low
3.High degree of risk with forecast carbon values:
(Voluntary Markets – Nature Based Offset pricing – Live Carbon Prices Today)
Current carbon value $3.50 per tonne (in 2022 varied from $15.92 in
January to latest report $3.50/tonne).
UBC proposal shows initial carbon price assumption of $25.00 per tonne
rising to $102.00 per tonne over 30 years – how realistic ?
3GreenTree Report (May, 2020) uses $5/tonne to $20/tonne over 30 yrs.
BloombergNEK /Voluntary market less than $50/tonne (graph attached) Forecast $2.25 mm carbon revenue in last year of proposed 30 year period referred to in the UBC report as “assumption”- questionable and high risk
4. Risk of “leakage”:
With no logging past log buyers shift log purchases to other suppliers.
This “leakage” jeopardizes carbon offset revenues. (3GreenTree report to Council May 29th, 2020)
Leakage risk is not mentioned in UBC proposal.
5. Extending rotation for Municipal Forest provides for carbon sequestration
This will provide BOTH carbon offset and log revenue
Annual Allowable Cut (AAC) of 27,000m3 with a 60 year rotation Extend rotation to 100 years, reduce logging/AAC to 17,000 m3 per year
100 year rotation will achieve larger trees, improved value & more carbon will be sequestered.
Not considered in the UBC proposal.
6. Alternative logging methods:
Low impact and different selective logging practices will reduce visual impact and further protect linkages, hydrology, and sensitive ecosystems.
Not considered in the UBC proposal.
7. UBC proposal requires long term commitment of MFR to no logging:
To achieve saleable carbon offset credits requires long term dedication of MFR to no further logging and sequestering carbon only. (3reenTree report to Council May 29th, 2020)
With uncertainties of carbon revenue continuity and loss of log revenues the risk of serious financial loss for the MNC is very high!
8. Carbon Sequestration project requires up front expense of $250,000 or more :
Not specifically mentioned in UBC report.
9) Impact of loss of logging revenues:
Estimated $750,000/year contract logging funds flows into Duncan/North Cowichan.
Loss of wages for all woods workers, local supply purchases, repair expenditures, equipment purchases in the community will result.
Other MNC expenses to maintain trails, prepare and maintain parking areas, firefighting and fire protection, culverts, road maintenance, etc. currently covered by log revenues would become a general taxpayer expense.
10) Coastal Douglas Fir ecosystem:
A large portion of the MFR is second growth in the CDF ecosystem
Managing MFR on a 60 or 100 year rotation does NOT destroy this ecosystem
Many wildlife species do well in the second growth in this ecosystem.
The Municipal Forest is a very well managed small-scale forest holding, one of the best if not the best in the province. The Municipal Forest Reserve does accommodate a variety of users and uses. Through different selective logging practices, it is possible to achieve both logging revenues and carbon offset credits in addition to continuing to provide for a variety of ecological needs and public use opportunities.
The Municipal Forest is self-sustaining financially. Revenues from log sales cover all operating expenses. Some log sale revenue also goes into general revenue. In addition, some of the funds from log sales go to help fund specific community projects. Examples include community recreational facilities, Forest Discovery Centre projects, and post-secondary student bursaries.
Permanently halting logging in favor of carbon sequestration and justifying the decision on the basis of carbon credit revenues exceeding log revenues is simply not correct! If Council believes it has a mandate to permanently halt logging in favor of achieving carbon sequestration credits then make the decision for THAT reason. Do NOT try to incorrectly justify the decision by telling the North Cowichan public that carbon revenues will be greater than logging revenues. That is simply not true!!
If Council is uncomfortable accepting the information provided to-day, then strongly recommend MNC engage the services of a credible auditing firm
(ie KPMG) to confirm or correct the figures and information provided in the UBC Partnership report. Engage a firm with qualified professional foresters and qualified accounting staff able to assess the veracity of the carbon sequestration credit assumptions/proposals and to recommend alternate selective logging forest management practices.