A Woodlot Licence Plan is not "a plan" in the usual sense of the word: A WLP does not outline what is planned to happen where and when.

The WLP is a formal document whose content is prescribed by the Forest and Range Practices Act and the Woodlot Licence Planning and Practices Regulation (WLPPR). A WLP sets out some of the legal practice requirements that apply to forestry operations carried out by the woodlot holders on the woodlot. Practice requirements specify, in measurable or verifiable terms, what a licensee is responsible for achieving.

You will have noted the "some of" above. Many of the practice requirements for forestry operations on a woodlot are set in the WLPPR and other regulations. These requirements are not specified in the WLP, but they are legal requirements that must be met.

A WL holder can propose alternatives to a defined set of the WLPPR practice requirements. If a WL holder wishes to do this, it is done in the WLP.

Finally, a specific list of practice requirements that address cultural heritage resources, invasive plants, retention of wildlife trees, natural range barriers and intermediate cutting must be proposed in the WLP for govt approval.

This makes for a complex regulatory regime. The WLP is a key part of the regime, but is not the full story. Woodlot operations have to consider and abide by:

• The Woodlot Licence Plan
• The Woodlot Licence Planning and Practices Regulation
• The Kootenay Boundary Higher Level Plan Order
• GAR Order M-213 for Wildlife Habitat Features
• GAR Order u-4-001 or Ungulate Winter Range
• GAR order for visual management
• The Occupational Health and Safety Regulation
• Any other applicable government objective or regulations.

W1832 WLP 2022-2032 - Proposed WLP text.

The Woodlot Licence Plan Map is a key element of woodlot management. The map shows where features are, and highlights areas where harvesting will be avoided or where harvesting practices my be modified to meet resource management goals. Note that the category of "timber harvesting will be avoided" actually means "harvesting will not happen".

W1832 WLP Map 2022-2032 - Proposed WLP Map.

Note: For reasons unknown, the map will not display in Firefox. Please download and view in Acrobat, or use Edge, Chrome or Safari to view in a browser.

Following the final approval of the proposed WLP, W1832 will apply for a cutting permit over the woodlot. The cutting permit will authorize the holders to harvest timber and build road, if required, in the woodlot, subject to all aplicable practice requirements, regulations, and orders, and while respecting the many forest and ecosystem values present in the woodlot.

Finally, the WLP is intended to be a living document. The plan has a nominal 10 year term, but when circumstances or regulations change, the plan must be revised per WLPPR 23 or 35.1. The woodlot holders may also propose amendments to the WLP. Amendments are subject to the review and comment provisions in WLPPR 17, just as this proposed WLP is.