On-going Projects
Procedure for the Analysis of General Forest Management Plans (GFMP) and Annual Forest Management Plans (AFMP)
Under the terms of its mandate, the CQFB must be involved in the various forestry development planning processes concerning the Territory and also take part in:
• the review of general forest management plans (GFMP) prior to their approval as well as any proposed modifications to these plans (Article 3.30 (e) of the Agreement)
• the study of the annual forest management plans (AFMP) following their approval and helping improve the preparation or approval processes in the spirit of the implementation of an adapted forestry regime (Article 3.30 (f) of the Agreement).
In addition, still within the framework of the preparation and approval of the GFMP and AFMP, the CQFB could be called upon to play a role in conflict situations or to name independent experts for the calculation of annual allowable cut (Section IV (C-4) of schedule C of the Agreement).
Discussions are still going on a regular basis with various parties involved in the process including representatives of the Joint Working Groups as well as of the MRNF who are in charge of preparing the instructions and other tools for the elaboration of the next GFMPs. During the last year, the Board provided advices and comments to the Minister on this subject and the Board Secretariat is still supporting the parties in the development of tools to facilitate the participation of the cree tallymen in the preparation of the general forest management plans.
Analysis, Follow Through and Evaluation of the Agreement
The mission of the CQFB is to analyze, follow through and evaluate the implementation of Chapter 3 concerning forestry as stipulated in Article 3.30 of the Agreement. Meetings with partners and other concerned parties have been held, and will continue to be held in view of identifying implementation issues and promoting a concerted approach. The identification of criteria and indicators to evaluate the implementation of the Agreement in the spirit of its signing is underway.
Wildlife Habitat Protection and Development Guidelines Project
In spring 2005, in respect with article 59 of Chapter 3 of the Agreement, the Board presented to the Minister of Natural resources and Wildlife, draft directives aiming at introducing into the process of forest management planning strategies allowing to take into account the protection and the development of wildlife habitats.
The draft directives pursue three main objectives :
1. To ensure that biodiversity and sustainable ecosystems are maintained on the territory (large-scale approach)
2. To integrate the Crees’ concerns and traditional knowledge in the protection and development of wildlife habitats of special interest for the Crees (species-specific approach)
3. To ensure a real and meaningful participation of the Crees in the forest planning process (participation and consultation process)
Taking advantage of the postponement to April 2008, the coming into force of the next General Forest Management Plans, the Board established as one of its priority activities of the year 2005-2006, to conduct a project aiming at testing the draft directives on certain traplines. Several collaborators took part in the exercise which took place from June until December 2005.
On January 31st, 2006, the Board passed on to the Minister a report presenting the results of the experiment of the draft directives on the protection and the development of wildlife habitats. The report and the recommendations which are connected with it can be consulted at the following address: http://www.ccqf-cqfb.ca/commun/PDF_eng/16_advice_pilotproject_20060131.pdf
