From Newswire Canada
Tembec was today awarded an FSC certificate for its forest resource management practices in Parson, B.C., (TFL 14) by SmartWood, the Forest Stewardship Council's (FSC) accredited certifier. The FSC certification is the world's highest endorsement for environmentally and socially responsible forestry practices.
The 350,000-acre Tree Farm Licence 14, located in the southeastern B.C., approximately 32 kilometres southwest of the town of Golden, is the largest industrial forest and the first in British Columbia to be certified under the rigorous FSC-BC standard. The forest is part of the traditional territory of the Ktunaxa First Nation in the Rocky Mountain trench flanked by the Purcell and Rocky Mountains. It borders the Columbia River and three distinctive protected areas: Glacier National Park; the Columbia Wetlands Wildlife Management Area; and the Bugaboo Alpine Recreation Area. Tembec manages the forest under a Crown land tenure issued by the Government of British Columbia.
In January 2001, Tembec and World Wildlife Fund Canada signed a historic accord to implement sustainable forest management. "I am extremely pleased to report that we are steadily moving toward the achievement of our common goal," said Tembec President and CEO, Frank A. Dottori. "Certifying TFL 14 is a significant milestone for our British Columbia operations, bringing us closer to our goal of obtaining certification of all 40-million acres of Canadian forest under our management by the end of 2005". So far, Tembec has obtained the FSC certification for 7.5 million acres including the TFL 14 certification.
"Once again, Tembec is showing strong leadership in its industrial sector across North America", said Linda Coady, Vice President, Pacific Region, World Wildlife Fund Canada. "This company is consistently trying to go above and beyond normal regulatory requirements to protect the environment and build positive relationships around forest stewardship".
The FSC applies an inclusive approach to the certification process, which means key players such as forest users and directly affected groups were involved in the audit, providing input in the management of TFL 14. "Our rigorous assessment process is designed to promote environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial and economically viable forest management," says Jim McCarthy, Executive Director of FSC-Canada. "Tembec's certification of TFL 14 is a wonderful accomplishment and an example of how large industrial companies can manage their forest resources to the benefit of all involved."
John Bergenske, Executive Director of the East Kootenay Environmental Society (EKES), appreciates FSC's inclusive approach to sustainable forestry practices. "We are pleased that our collaborative work with Tembec resulted in the protection of prime grizzly bear habitat, riparian areas and areas critical for both plant and animal species at risk. We look forward to further cooperation with Tembec as they seek FSC certification for the rest of their BC operations," said Bergenske.
Tembec can now benefit from the FSC certificate obtained for TFL 14 and other FSC-certified forests under its care in the marketing of products derived from these forests. "We are pleased that Tembec is taking advantage of the green shift in the wood products marketplace," says Candace Batycki of ForestEthics. "FSC certification coupled with the identification and protection of endangered forests, is the new standard more and more wood and paper products customers are demanding."
Tembec's list of FSC-certified products includes newsprint, paperboard, lumber and hardwood flooring. "With the FSC seal of approval, Tembec's customers now have the extra assurance that the products they buy from us are the results of good forest management and practices," says Mr. Dottori.
