The Revelstoke Community Forest Corporation will manage and operate its Tree Farm License in a manner that will enhance the forest resource while respecting the principles of integrated use, environmental stewardship and public consultation; providing the following community benefits on a sustainable basis:

• revenue to sustain the Corporation and support the community
• local control of resources
• local processing
• local employment
• forestry training and education
• outdoor recreational activities
• a lasting relationship with the land that comprise TFL 56

Figure 3. Organizational structure of the corporation

The Board of Directors is appointed by City Council and includes four appointees from a combination of City Council and city management staff and three members from the community at large. The Board is responsible for the overall operation and direction of the corporation. The Management Committee, which includes three representatives of the industry partners, two RCFC Directors and the General Manager of the corporation, provides advice on the operation and management of the TFL by reviewing management and operational plans and making recommendations to the Board. This committee enables the Board to access local forest industry knowledge and experience to ensure the corporation’s operating costs and policies are in keeping with industry standards.

During the initial four months of operation, the Economic Development Officer filled the role of the General Manager. This position was then filled by a Registered Professional Forester. Other full-time staff positions include a Controller, a Woodlands Supervisor and an Administrative Assistant. 
  

Of primary importance, a substantial road construction program was required to access timber for harvesting. Harvesting has been constrained during some periods because of restricted road access. A significant road construction program remains to be completed to ensure stable operations for the corporation in the future.

When the TFL was acquired, most previously logged cutblocks had been successfully reforested, making it relatively straightforward to establish an operational silviculture program on the TFL.

High log prices, particularly for quality spruce sawlogs, produced unexpected revenues for the corporation in its first years of operations. Table 2 provides a summary of financial performance to date. A total profit of $1,341,114 has been achieved to date, with dividends of $164,766 issued to the City. As well, the $1 million short-term loan has been repaid.

	road development TFL 56 is in a very rugged, mountainous area with steep, forested valley walls rising to rocky peaks, snowfields and glaciers. The main valley bottoms were developed and logged by Westar in recent years so a good main road system exists. However, a substantial network of branch roads needed to be built in steep country with sensitive soils where extensive and costly engineering and construction is required. Heavy rains and deep snowfalls add to the physical difficulties of road construction and maintenance in the area. These regular challenges were exacerbated during 1995 by abnormally wet summer weather. Development and implementation of new road requirements consistent with the Forest Practices Code further delayed road construction approvals and completion.
	harvesting approvals As with the rest of the timber industry, RCFC experienced difficulties in obtaining approval of harvesting plans as government agencies incorporated the developing requirements of the Forest Practices Code. These difficulties created a particular challenge for RCFC’s operations because of the limited area of accessed timber.
	land-use planning In developing the agreement with Evans Forest Products Ltd. to split the previous TFL, the City purposely chose to purchase harvesting rights to the area with the widest range of forest values. In addition to its timber values, the area within TFL 56 is used by the residents of Revelstoke and tourists for outdoor recreation, heli-skiing and hiking (one of the premier backcountry lodges is located in the area), hunting, fishing, guiding, trapping, and mining. The TFL also includes important wildlife habitat for grizzly bears and mountain caribou. Its close proximity to two national parks further increases expectations for sensitive timber management practices.

Since the corporation was created, RCFC staff and Directors have participated in the Kootenay-Boundary land-use planning process under the Commission on Resources and Environment. During the process, a substantial portion of TFL 56 was considered for protected area status where timber harvesting would not be permitted. In November, 1994, the Commission on Resources and Environment issued its report recommending a substantial amount of the operable timber harvesting land base in the TFL be classified as a special management area where limited timber harvesting would be permitted.

The community of Revelstoke loudly rejected this report and demanded an opportunity to develop a ‘made in Revelstoke’ plan. The City created a Negotiating Committee including one RCFC Director as a member and a City Councilor as an ex-officio member, to accomplish this task. This committee developed an alternative plan which restricted special management status to a smaller portion of the land base. This plan was accepted by government in its land use plan for the Kootenay-Boundary area announced in March, 1995. The plan called for the establishment of a Community Resources Board or an interim committee in Revelstoke to oversee the implementation of the plan.

  
[Table of Contents] [Introduction] [Background] 
[Opportunity is Created] [From Opportunity to Reality] 
[First Two Years of Operations] [Current Challenges] 
[Further Information] [Appendix]