Range Planning1

Range PlanningRange Planning

& Objectives& Objectives

The Focus is on ResultsThe Focus is on Results

Range Planning2

Range Planning Process

Qualifying to Prepare

Plan

Review & Comment

Plan Preparation

Plan Approval Process

Range Planning3

Requirements under FRPA

• Range planning is results driven:• Government sets objectives• Range plans must show how you will

carry out operations • Must be consistent with objectives• Range agreement holder is held

accountable

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Communication between range and forest licensees

• Natural range barriers must not be removed without mitigation

• Disturbed soils must be revegetated• Limit introduction and spread of

invasive plants• Livestock must not interfere with the

establishment of a free growing stand• Scheduling• Ecosystem restoration

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Range Plans under FRPA

• Three types of range plans:

Range Stewardship Plan Level 1

Range Stewardship Plan Level 2Range Use Plan

• Plans are designed to be written by the range agreement holder

• Use tools and resources available to design the best plan

• Submit a plan that you have confidence you can live with

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RUP Content

• a map• a 5 Year grazing schedule• actions to deal with issues • conform with prescribed matters (range

readiness criteria, stubble heights and required plant communities)

• measures to prevent introduction and spread of invasive plants

• consistent with objectives set by government

• Signature of the Agreement holder

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RSP Level 1 vs. RSP Level 2

Range Stewardship Plan Level 1

Range Stewardship Plan Level 2

2+ years competence

5+ years competence

Same content as RUP except:Same content as RUP except:

•Does not include a schedule

•Requires a description of monitoring procedures to ensure objectives are met

Same content as RSP Level 1 plus:Same content as RSP Level 1 plus:

•may specify intended results & strategies that differ from those identified eg:

• range readiness criteria• stubble heights• plant communities

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Range Stewardship Plans do not require a 5 Year grazing schedule

HOWEVER

A grazing schedule must be submitted each year to the district manager before the

holder grazes livestock on Crown range.

RSP GRAZING SCHEDULERSP GRAZING SCHEDULE

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Exemptions from some Objectives and Measures

• Objectives for Wildlife habitat Areas and Ungulate Winter Range

• General Wildlife Measures within Wildlife habitat Areas

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Regulated Practices & Exemptions

• fish and fish habitat• water quality• resource and wildlife habitat

features• revegetation• restrictions of approval for a

range development in a community watershed

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Range Planning Steps

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District Manager PackageDistrict Manager Package

The Minister will provide the following:

• Resource Features and Identified Issues

eg: riparian features, wildlife habitat areas etc.

• Prescribed Requirementseg: Descriptions of required plant communities

Range readiness criteria

Stubble heights

• Review & Comment Requirements

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Preparing the RUP

A Map Actions to deal with issues identified by the Minister Conform to any prescribed requirements Actions to prevent the introduction or spread of invasive

plants Must be consistent with Objectives Set By Government RUP’s for livestock grazing schedule includes:

Livestock class Number of Livestock Period of Use

RUP’s for hay cutting schedule includes: Average stubble height Period of hay cutting

Signature

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Qualifying to prepare a RSP

• Submit an application to the Minister for authorization to prepare a RSP

• Minister considers:• Past performance record• Condition of Crown range to which RSP

would apply• prescribed matters (next slide)

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Qualifying to prepare a RSP (continued)

• In determining whether you have demonstrated competence the minister will consider other prescribed matters such as:• Written submissions, such as a rationale or justification of

your qualifications;

• Details of continuing education courses that you have completed that are relevant to range management;

• Letters of recommendation

• Whether an agrologist will be involved preparing the RSP

• Demonstrated success in complying with RUPs or RSPs

• Capital investment and developments to manage rangelands; and

• Compliance with Act, regulations and Chief Forester standards

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Preparing the RSP

A Map Actions to deal with issues identified by the Minister Conform to any prescribed requirements Actions to prevent the introduction or spread of

invasive plants Must be consistent with Objectives Set By

Government Documented process for monitoring & evaluating Signature

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Review & Comment

• This is no longer mandatory

• If your range plan impacts others, you may be required to make it available:

• Details can be found in the Range Planning & Practices Regulation (section 17 & 18)

• Notice commensurate with impact

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First Nations

• Ensure aboriginal rights and issues are addressed

• Work with MOF• The Minister may issue an

order to vary or suspend:• Plan• Practice

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Approving the RUP or RSP

• The plan is consistent with your Range Act Agreement

• Conforms to the Act, regulations & standards

• Plans will be approved for a 5 Year Term

• If Plan is not approved:

• the Minister must provide written explanation

• The Minister or the applicant may seek recommendations from an “advisory committee”

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Amending the RUP or RSP

• Plan must continue to conform with:• Act• Regulations• Standards

• If strategies/actions in plan are not achieving intended results, then an amendment is required.

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Mandatory Amendment

• Establishment of an Objective Set By Government

• Establishment of an Ungulate Winter Range Objective

• Establishment of Wildlife Habitat Area• Changes to your Range Act Agreement• The Minister gives notice that amendment is

required:• Change to stubble height, desired plant

community information, range readiness• Any new issue

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Multiple Range Plans

• More than one range plan affecting an area can create “cumulative impact”• You can ask the Minister to review the

situation• The Minister can ask one or more range

plan holders to amend their plans• The Minister may establish targets for

sharing responsibility (e.g., maintenance of a range development)

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Minor Amendment

• Minister’s approval not required if:• Conforms to:

• FRPA• Regulations• Standards

• Does not materially affect likelihood of achieving the results (eg grazing schedule change)

• Does not impact other Crown users• Must be reported to us

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Extending the RUP or RSP

• Minister may extend plans once for up to five years

• Plans must be consistent with all requirements of FRPA & RPPR

• May include changes as long as they are authorized by the regulations

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Transferring RUP or RSP

• If an agreement under the Range Act is transferred, then the RUP is also transferred.• Must provide notification to Minister

• You may transfer an RSP to another person:• Person taking over plan is keeping existing

management personnel (2 years) or• Person taking over plan is qualified to hold

RSP• Must provide notification to Minister

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Working with other tenure holders

• Agreement Holders will need to work with forest companies and other users:• Communicate activities• Ensure interests & values are

considered in planning & practices

• MOF & WLAP will play reduced role in communication between tenure holders

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RSP Reporting andRSP Reporting and Monitoring Responsibilities Monitoring Responsibilities

• Monitoring & Reporting as described in the RSP

• Reporting as described in the Regulation:

• Provide annual reports:• Number of livestock on Crown range• The period in which the livestock

occupied the Crown range, and• Issues/events that affect the ability

to manage the area of the plan

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Effectiveness Evaluation . . . .Effectiveness Evaluation . . . .

29

End of Range Planning

Presentation

Range Planning & Practices Workshop