Coast Forest: Practices - BC Coast Report

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On the Pacific coast, forests more than 250 years old are considered old growth. B.C.'s old-growth, or ancient forest includes 3.9 million hectares (9.6 million acres) of coastal rainforest where trees can live more than 1,000 years because wildfires are rare.

B.C.'s coastal marine and terrestrial ecosystems support a vast diversity of fish and wildlife - including grizzly bears, mountain goats, bald eagles, orcas, salmon and sea otters. On Vancouver Island alone, there are 30 indigenous land mammal species and about 140 bird species.

Before logging activities begin on public land in British Columbia, the habitat needs of wildlife must be considered. In addition, the B.C. government identifies special Wildlife Habitat Areas to meet the needs of identified wildlife and plant species that must be protected under its forest practices laws. Forest companies integrate special habitat values into their operational
plans, which may include protection of an area around a nest or burrow, or larger areas such as wildlife corridors.

B.C. constantly reviews and updates its laws related to habitat conservation and protection to reflect changing scientific knowledge and public interests. In 2003, the Canadian government proclaimed the species at Risk Act, which provides the authority to prohibit the destruction of endangered or threatened species and their critical habitat.

B.C. is reviewing its legislation, policies and programs for protecting species at risk, and has increased its commitment to population recovery planning for species such as the Vancouver Island marmot. The Marmot Recovery team, with support frm government and non-government agencies, forest companies and academic institutions, is reintroducing marmots into pristine subalpine meadows on central Vancouver Island.

Marmots are just one of many species receiving special attention. A provincial multi-disciplinary team is studying spotted owl populations and factors affecting their health. The most northerly range of the spotted owl extends into the southwest portion of the B.C. mainland near the coast.

There are also strategies in place to protect grizzly bears and marbled murrelets. Marbled murrelets nest in moss on the thick branches of old-growth species. By July 2003, government has set aside 34 wildlife habitat areas, totalling more than 7,318 hectares (more than 18,000 acres) to protect marbled murrelet habitat. Khutzeymateen Valley on the north coast is Canada's first grizzly bear sanctuary. Accessible only by water, the 44,300-hectare (109,500-acre) reserve is managed in a spirit of cooperation, respect and friendship by B.C. Parks and the Stewardship of the Gitsi'is Tribe.

The Kermode Bear, a black bear with a rare genetic trait that makes it white, is most common on the B.C. coast. The government has taken steps to protect the Kermode bears and their habitat by designating the Kitasoo Spirit Bear candidate protection area, covering 90,402 hectares (225,000 acres) on the central coast.