How does the government ensure reforestation practices are taking place?
• The Forests Act, Timber Management Regulations, and Forest Management Agreements contain various provisions requiring reforestation of Crown land in Alberta. • Companies are required to conduct reforestation treatments within two years of timber harvest. They are also obligated to follow the Alberta Regeneration Survey Manual, which contains the standards that various forest types are to be reforested (requirements for regenerating tree height, health, and distribution across cutovers), and the required timing of regeneration surveys and survey methods to be used in Alberta. • Forest companies must submit an annual Silviculture Schedule, which is to be reviewed and approved by the Alberta Sustainable Resource Development. • The Silviculture Schedule sets out the proposed reforestation treatments on a cutblock basis for the upcoming year. • Silviculture or reforestation activities completed are then reported to government and monitored using compliance audits and compliance reporting.
