Good public policy is a strong and motivating force.  With the interior’s well documented challenges posed by the Mountain Pine Beetle, the announcement by Minister Pat Bell that effective July 1, 2010, interior stumpage in beetle dominated stands will be based on stand as a whole pricing with cruise based billing is welcome news.  Without getting into technical detail, this policy change will motivate more efficient and effective utilization, encourage bioenergy development and assist in promoting forest health.

Along with other immediate and phased-in policy changes the interior will soon arrive at a stumpage system that is fully market based.  It has taken well over ten years to get us there but we will also eventually be at a point where we will have eliminated most of the so-call trade irritants that are raised from time to time by the U.S. Administration and/or lumber lobby group.

These changes are indeed a primary example of sound public policy that will have multiple benefits.  The Minister is to be congratulated on his leadership and support for these pricing changes.

 John Allan

The Ministry of Forests and Range (MFR) recently announced a substantial restructuring of its organization affecting almost two-thirds of its staff. The changes, which include the creation of new divisions, the renaming and restructuring of existing divisions, have been designed to better align the agency with the direction and focus found in recent throne speeches, election platform commitments and the recommendations of the Working Roundtable on Forestry. The changes have also been designed to address the unprecedented changes being experienced by the resource, industry, and workforce.
Government’s objective is to enhance industry competitiveness, enhance results based/ professional reliance, facilitate innovation in the sector, simplify/streamline business processes and practices and coordinate service delivery between natural resource ministries.

Some of the key changes include the creation of a new Competitive and Innovation Division, a new Coordinated Service Delivery Division, and the merging of BCTS operations and Field Operations into one division.

The new structure sees the MFR divided into the following 6 core function areas or divisions:

• Competitiveness and Innovation
• Coordinated Natural Service Delivery
• Corporate Services
• Forest & Range Resource Stewardship
• Forest & Range Tenure & Pricing
• Field Operations

Core responsibilities have been defined for each division and success will be measured by the performance criteria outlined in the MoFR’s service plan.

The BC Forest Safety Council has released its 2009/10 Progress Report.  On average fatalities have been reduced by half since the coordinated industry efforts to address safety began in 2004 and serious injury rates have declined 15%.   The Report provides information about Council initiatives and programs, as well as providing a preview of 2010 priorities. 

To see the report go to the BC Forest Safety Council website: 
www.bcforestsafe.org.

Congratulations to Northern Health, Neale Staniszkis Doll Adams Architects and Western Industrial Contractors for winning the Judges Overall Choice Award for Northern Health’s Gateway Lodge in Prince George at the April 29th Northern Building Awards Gala in Prince George.  The newly completed residential assisted care facility features extensive use of wood both structurally and for décor.  Of particular note in construction of the facility was the extensive use of pre-manufactured wall panels produced by COFI member company Mitsui Homes Canada Inc.

Hosted by the northern offices of the Canadian Home Builders Association, the BC Construction Association and the BC Real Estate Board, the Northern Building Awards celebrate the best in residential and commercial construction in the province from Clinton north.  COFI, WoodWORKS! BC and Initiatives Prince George teamed up to help sponsor the event and to further inform northern architects, engineers and builders of the merits of using wood, the climate friendly building material, and to also help foster greater understanding of the provinces recent Wood First Legislation.

Congratulations to all the award winners.  We look forward to next year’s event and to increased use of wood in building projects across the north in the coming years.

A newly-formed Wood Enterprise Coalition, backed with $1.75 million in seed funding, will help B.C. achieve its Wood First objectives, Forests and Range Minister Pat Bell has announced.

“British Columbia is home to a number of organizations and businesses that work hard to promote the use of innovative wood products,” said Bell. “The Wood Enterprise Coalition was created to focus these efforts.  By reducing overlap and leveraging each other’s strengths and expertise, we can do more to promote the use of wood in commercial and institutional construction.”  

The Wood Enterprise Coalition is a partnership between WoodWORKS! BC, FPInnovations, and the BC Wood Specialties Group.  As outlined in the Wood Enterprise Coalition memorandum of understanding, the partners will co-ordinate their efforts to support the value-added forest product sector through promotion, education, training, product development and innovation.  Governed by the managing organizations and supported by an advisory board, the coalition structure allows for additional resources and new participants to join as it moves forward. 

“WoodWORKS! BC is excited to be a part of the renewed interest and renaissance in building with wood,” said Mary Tracey, executive director, WoodWORKS! BC, a program of the Canadian Wood Council. “I look forward to working with my colleagues as we build momentum in the “Wood First” movement in B.C., across Canada and around the world.”

“Individually, our organizations pursue similar goals and objectives,” said Grant McKinnon, chair of BC Wood Specialties Group. “This coalition brings us together in a way that provides British Columbia with a more efficient, cost-effective framework to implement wood-focused activities.”

The coalition’s key work goals to March 2012 include:

• Advancing Wood First demonstration and pilot projects.
• Increasing public communication around the benefits of using wood.
• Developing a Wood First education and training strategy, including support for the planned Wood Innovation and Design Centre in Prince George.
• Supporting implementation of Wood First policies and construction.
• Supporting commercialization of new wood products.

“FPInnovations contributes leading-edge, forest-based scientific knowledge to the forest industry across Canada,” said Jim Dangerfield, executive vice president of FPInnovations. “FPInnovations is eager, along with our coalition partners, to apply our collective expertise to our shared goals, which will lead to a stronger, more innovative forest sector.”

British Columbia’s Wood First Initiative is a range of activities designed to revitalize the Province’s forest sector and increase the use of wood in construction, interior design and daily living. The Wood Enterprise Coalition was first identified in the Ministry of Forests and Range’s 2009 Report, “Generating More Value from Our Forests: A Vision and Action Plan for Further Manufacturing.”

Information on the Wood First Initiative is available online at www.for.gov.bc.ca/mof/woodfirst.

BC Hydro has recently announced that they have significantly increased funding opportunities as part of their energy efficiency program for large industrial customers.

Under the Power Smart Partners Program for Transmission customers, they now offer even larger incentives for efficiency projects, including up to 100 per cent funding for facility and process upgrades.

For members of COFI, this is a great opportunity to pursue an integrated, sustainable approach to managing energy. The competitive advantages include long-term cost savings, reduced exposure to market risk, and improved process performance.
This compelling offer to large industry has the potential to achieve significant energy savings at a much lower cost than the alternatives – a win for both BC Industry and BC Hydro ratepayers.

For more information, go to www.bchydro.com/industrial.

You can also contact the PSP-T Program Manager directly:
Alex Adams
Phone: 604.453.6522
Email: alex.adams@bchydro.com

A $1.4-million upgrade to the Castlegar Airtanker Base will help the Province respond faster and more efficiently to wildfires, while supporting an estimated 15 local construction jobs, Forests and Range Minister Pat Bell and Boundary Similkameen MLA John Slater have announced.

 “This project is a win-win from both a wildfire protection and economic perspective,” said Slater. “These infrastructure improvements will ensure our firefighters are backed by the best possible resources, as well as stimulating the Castlegar economy through the hiring of area suppliers and subcontractors.”

The upgrade will reinforce the base’s tarmac so it can support the simultaneous loading of two heavy airtankers with fire retardant. Currently, the facility can only accommodate one large tanker and one small aircraft at the same time. In an average fire season, the Castlegar base loads approximately 170 planes with more than two million litres of retardant.

Work on the project – being overseen by Nanaimo-based Copcan Contracting – is scheduled for completion by mid-July. For the interim, airtankers will operate out of the Canadian Rockies International Airport in Cranbrook.

Since 2006, improvements have also been completed at bases in Kamloops, Cranbrook and Penticton. A $950,000 upgrade is currently underway in Williams Lake.

 “We’re doing everything possible to strengthen our firefighting capabilities to ensure people and communities are protected. But we can’t do it alone,” said Bell. “Since April 1, Southeast Fire Centre crews have responded to 17 wildfires. All but one were human-caused. We need the public’s help to reduce the number of preventable fires and ensure our resources are not being unnecessarily diverted.”
Funding for the improvements will be shared by the federal and provincial governments through the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund under Canada’s Economic Action Plan and a three-year provincial capital infrastructure project to create up to 88,000 jobs and bring vital public infrastructure to all regions of B.C.

The public is encouraged to exercise extreme caution when backyard burning or planning other forest-related activities this spring. Should your fire escape and result in a wildfire, you may be held responsible for suppression costs, damages and administrative penalties.

To report a wildfire or unattended campfire call 1-800 663-5555 or *5555 on most cellular networks.

For more information on open fire restrictions or for updates on current wildfire activity, visit www.bcwildfire.ca. 

The International BioEnergy Conference and Exhibition is the Canadian leader in the global dialogue on bioenergy. With the addition of the BC Bioenergy Network as Conference Co-Host, the tradition of leadership and excellence will continue on June 8, 2010.

Over 400 delegates and 60 exhibitors from around the world are expected to descend on Prince George, BC on June 8 to take in a program that features 44 speakers from Canada, United States, New Zealand, Austria, Germany and Italy. Delegates represent senior decision makers from all bioenergy sectors globally, including major industry, energy producer and suppliers, technology providers, academics, researchers, public servants and politicians.

We are also happy to announce that the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, along with the Northern Bioenergy Partnership, will co-host the 2nd International Partnerships Forum and Business-to-Business Meetings. The B2B Meetings are hosted exclusively for companies, research groups, governments and investors that are actively engaged in the field of bioenergy. Delegates will be able to meet with pre-qualified contacts in a dedicated business setting that offers an efficient and cost-effective way for participants to build relationships, share information and develop business opportunities.

For additional information and registration please go to: www.bioenergyconference.org.

After over 13 dedicated years of service to COFI’s Northern Operations Office in Prince George, Executive Assistant Bev Schroeder is retiring.  Bev and husband Harvey plan to stay in Prince George for retirement, close to family and to all the great camping places they love to take their fifth wheel.

At a retirement luncheon with COFI Prince George area directors & staff Bev’s characterized her time with COFI as challenging and enjoyed her time working closely with members of the COFI North ‘Team’.

Bev, you were a vital part of our COFI team. We will miss your dedication, energy, patience & humour.  You and Harvey enjoy a long and happy retirement.

For more information contact Doug Routledge by phone at 604.891.1212  or  by e-mail at Routledge@cofi.org.