2021 Annual Report

President’s Report

I am pleased to present the President’s report for 2021.

Barry Brekke, President

First, I would like to acknowledge that the Community Forest licence is located in Nuxalk Nation traditional territory and partially in Heiltsuk and Ulkatcho territories and it is with gratitude and respect that we manage the licence for the benefit of the valley community.

In 2021, we did not harvest as much timber as we did in previous years; however, it was still a successful year. Our contractors and crews were fully occupied by supplementing work with Nuxalk Forestry operations in the Talchacko. We also provided bundling, dumping and booming services to Nuxalk Forestry for the transport of their logs. The “Operations” section
below contains information on what occurred during the year but I will touch on some of the highlights.

Although Covid did not affect our operations significantly, it was not business as usual. You may recall that last year’s AGM was held virtually by Zoom meeting and, while not ideal, it was a successful meeting by all accounts. However, we are certainly glad we are able to come together for this year’s AGM.

Much of the Board’s and management’s time was spent on developing a better approach to engaging with the community on forestry matters. Recommendations from the Bella Coola Resource Society and Advisory Committee called for use of third party facilitation and steps were taken to find a suitable consulting firm. The off again – on again Covid restrictions made it difficult to see a path ahead for community engagement and we were getting mixed signals as to the level of support there is in the community for the work being done. Therefore, as a first step, a random phone survey by a third party polling firm was conducted. We were pleased to see that, generally, there is good approval rating of our work, but there are also areas for improvement, particularly in communication.

Nusatsum Amphitheatre Trail

Public opposition to harvest proposals near the Lost Lake trail and in Nookliklonnic valley became apparent and operations there were put on hold. The Province also set a moratorium on logging in priority old growth deferral areas in order to develop a strategy for old growth management. This has created much uncertainty in our future operations and we see that the best way forward is to develop a broad, community based planning effort that will hopefully lead to more certainty on the landbase for all.

There are many challenges ahead and we are grateful for your continued support.

BCCFL Board of Directors

The Board is very much involved in directing the management of the Community Forest. The 2021/22 Board consisted of Barry Brekke, President; Troy Gurr, VP, Roger Brandt, Treasurer; Ed Willson, Bryan Apps, Thor Digustini and the BCRS designated Director was Mark Nelson.

Operations

Safety & Environment

There were two reportable safety incidents: faller struck in the thigh by shifting log; dust spray in face from compressor. Both workers returned to work within a day. Safe certification from BC Safety Council was retained. There were no significant environmental issues to report.

Operations

We only logged half as much in 2021 compared to recent years due to conflict with recreation and engineering layout
delays. However, our contractors and crews were busy logging part of the time for Nuxalk Forestry. Logging was completed in Noomst and then operations shifted to East Salloompt. A Service contract with Nuxalk Forestry to bundle and boom their logs prior to barge transport was completed and assistance was provided to Ministry to fight fire at Gyllenspetz.

Markets are favourable as we go into 2022 and are expected to remain so for the rest of the year. We are on line to log about the same amount as last year but uncertainty regarding old growth deferrals and supply problems due to war in Ukraine
may affect a heli-logging project in North Bentinck.

Don Lancour bundling a truck load

Silviculture

The ‘heat dome’ that the whole province experienced in last week of June was tough on our newly planted seedlings and mortality was as high as 30% in some areas. Fill planting will be necessary in 2022. We worked with Nuxalk Forestry to train a planting and brushing crew and we will be working with them again in 2022.

Community

A total of $7,575 was paid to the Bella Coola Resource Society and we are continuing our ‘Grant In Aid’ program for local non-profit organizations. Two cedar totem logs for Nuxalk College and the hospital and a truck load of cedar logs were
donated for Nuxalk building projects. Two cedar bark stripping events were organized for Nuxalk College. We helped facilitate removal of three barge loads of scrap metal salvaged around the valley.

Korbyn Dunn felled this totem pole for Nuxalk College

Please check our website : bellacoolaforest.com and we are on facebook.

Highlights