Presented at the Annual General Meeting, April 23, 2019.
President’s Report
I am very pleased to present the 2018 Annual Report for Bella Coola Community Forest Ltd.
2018 was one of our busiest years and we logged a total of 20,483 m3 despite the prolonged summer shutdown. Included with this, we logged our first true ‘second growth’ block at Glacierview. This area was originally logged in the mid-1950’s and the subsequent stand regenerated naturally to an impressive stand of Douglas-fir. Almost all of this timber was sold to a veneer plant in Nanaimo. We are also pleased with the increasing local demand for sawlogs and we will continue to strive to fill the local market as a priority.
The main area of logging was in the East Salloompt where a timber stand developed following a natural fire in the mid-late 1800’s. This was also our most challenging road construction to date and due to high costs we held off logging the higher cost areas. With increasing demand for firewood, we continue to supply commercial firewood cutters and we make an extra effort to lay out firewood logs for easy salvage. We estimate over 150 pick-up loads were salvaged out of East Salloompt in a short period before snowfall.
We also logged a small block at Green Bay by helicopter. For this project, we piggy-backed with Nuxalk Forestry LP, who was doing a larger heli logging project at Big Bay. Maintaining the visual aesthetic of Green Bay is a primary goal and the heli block is shielded from view. As we are making plans for development of the Nooseseck valley, the protection of the estuary at Green Bay is of utmost importance. So, access to the valley will be from around the corner of Green Bay and likewise, shoreline developments will be minimal and will not intrude on the bay.
We are also in the process of updating our Forest Stewardship Plan and the associated land base analysis of the Community Forest reveals some interesting statistics :
- At 11,197 ha, there is more formally protected Wildlife Habitat Areas than there is working forest, 8,668 ha.
- At 12,410 ha there is more unavailable productive old growth than there is working forest, 8,668 ha.
Financially, 2018 was moderately successful and looking ahead, 2019 is expected to be another busy year. Log prices have softened but are still attractive.
On behalf of the Directors, thank you for your continued support as we work for economic development in Bella Coola.
Rod Krimmer, President
BCCFL Board of Directors
The Board is very much involved in directing the management of the Community Forest. The 2018/19 Board consisted of Rod Krimmer, President; Ed Willson, VP; Troy Gurr, Treasurer; Barry Brekke, Wayne Bittner, Keith Boutwell and the Bella Coola Resource Society designated Director was Lily Pedersen.
Operations
Safety & Environment
2018 was another safe year for the Community Forest with only 1 shoulder injury to report. Worker has returned to work. Safe Certification audit was passed and there were no significant environmental issues to report.
Operations
Operations started in Glacierview area where a 63 year old second growth block was logged. Then we moved to East Salloompt where we spent most of the year. We also logged a small block by helicopter near Green Bay. In the fall, a road was constructed in the South East Nusatsum and the associated block was partially logged before winter shutdown.
The coming year’s operations will continue at the SE Nusatsum and then crews will be moving to the Noomst valley to build roads, followed by logging which should take us to the end of the year. Development engineering will be focused on the Noomst and Nookliklonic valleys as well as the Nosseseck Valley in North Bentinck Arm.
Silviculture
13,500 trees were planted in Noosgulch and Glacierview. The long hot & dry summer was tough on the seedlings though and we are monitoring for potential fill plant this spring. To reduce slash fuel, roadside piles were burned in the fall and we are completely caught up with our required burning.
We hired two local summer students that are pursuing forestry at Selkirk College.
Community
We resurrected the Advisory Committee to help us engage better with the broader community and we appreciate the representation from many local organizations. Please check our website for more info : bccfl.com.
Financial Summary
Highlights
| Highlight | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employment – md (local) | 1,891 (70%) | 1,037 (84%) | 2,488 (95%) |
| Harvest – m3 | 20,483 | 8,384 | 36,904 |
| Local sales – m3 | 1,375 | 760 | 954 |
| Area harvested – ha | 33.8 | 18.7 | 59.0 |
| Roads built – km | 7.3 | 1.4 | 4.3 |
| Roads maintained – km | 27 | 31 | 27.7 |
| Trees planted | 13,500 | 10,485 | 54,360 |
| Government Fees & tax – $ | $83,187 | $101,354 | $25,959 |
| Contractor Pay – $ (local) | 1.32 mil (90%) | 1.39 mil (69%) | 2.25 mil (85%) |
SAMS Outdoor class tree planting crew
