Forest Resources Management (Saskatchewan Environmental Code Adoption) Regulations, F-19.1 Reg 11

FOREST RESOURCES MANAGEMENT 1 (SASKATCHEWAN ENVIRONMENTAL CODE ADOPTION) F-19.1 REG 11 The Forest Resources Management (Saskatchewan Environmental Code Adoption) Regulations being Chapter F-19.1 Reg 11 (effective January 5, 2015) as amended by Saskatchewan Regulations 123/2020, 98/2021 and 37/2025. NOTE: This consolidation is not official. Amendments have been incorporated for convenience of reference and the original statutes and regulations should be consulted for all purposes of interpretation and application of the law. In order to preserve the integrity of the original statutes and regulations, errors that may have appeared are reproduced in this consolidation. 2 FOREST RESOURCES MANAGEMENT (SASKATCHEWAN ENVIRONMENTAL F-19.1 REG 11 CODE ADOPTION) Table of Contents 1 Title 2 Interpretation 3 Saskatchewan Environmental Code adopted 4 Information notes 5 Definitions 6 The Legislation Act 7 Coming into force Appendix FOREST RESOURCES MANAGEMENT 3 (SASKATCHEWAN ENVIRONMENTAL CODE ADOPTION) F-19.1 REG 11 CHAPTER F‑19.1 REG 11 The Forest Resources Management Act Title 1 These regulations may be cited as The Forest Resources Management (Saskatchewan Environmental Code Adoption) Regulations. Interpretation 2 In these regulations: (a) “Act” means The Forest Resources Management Act; (b) “code” means the Saskatchewan Environmental Code. 7 Nov 2014 cF-19.1 Reg 11 s2. Saskatchewan Environmental Code adopted 3 The chapters of the Saskatchewan Environmental Code, as set out in the Appendix, are adopted. 7 Nov 2014 cF-19.1 Reg 11 s3. Information notes 4 Any information note that appears in the code is not part of the code, but is inserted for convenience of reference only. 7 Nov 2014 cF-19.1 Reg 11 s4. Definitions 5 Definitions in the Act apply to the chapters of the code set out in the Appendix, except to the extent that a contrary intention appears in a chapter of the code. 7 Nov 2014 cF-19.1 Reg 11 s5. The Legislation Act 6 The Legislation Act applies to the code. 17 Sep 2021 SR 98/2021 s3. Coming into force 7(1) Subject to subsection (2), these regulations come into force on the day on which section 1 of The Forest Resources Management Amendment Act, 2010 comes into force. (2) If these regulations are filed with the Registrar of Regulations after the coming into force of section 1 of The Forest Resources Management Amendment Act, 2010, these regulations come into force on the day on which they are filed with the Registrar of Regulations. 7 Nov 2014 cF-19.1 Reg 11 s7. 4 FOREST RESOURCES MANAGEMENT (SASKATCHEWAN ENVIRONMENTAL F-19.1 REG 11 CODE ADOPTION) Appendix CHAPTER A.1.1 Adoption of Standards Chapter Adopted pursuant to The Environmental Management and Protection Act, 2010 and The Forest Resources Management Act Adoption of standards 1‑1(1) The following standards are adopted, as amended from time to time: (a) the Administrative Control Standard, as established by the minister on November 15, 2012; (b) the Bacteriological Follow‑up Standard, EPB 505, as established by the minister on November 15, 2012; (b.1) the Compost Facilities Acceptable Feedstock and Amendment Standard, as established by the minister on April 15, 2024. (c) the Discharge and Discovery Reporting Standard, as established by the minister on November 15, 2012; (d) the Endpoint Selection Standard, as established by the minister on November 15, 2012; (e) the Environmental Code of Practice for Elimination of Fluorocarbon Emissions from Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Systems, as established by Environment Canada in March 1996; (f) the Environmental Code of Practice on Halons, as established by Environment Canada in 1996; (g) the Forest Data Submission Standard, as established by the minister on November 15, 2012; (g.1) the Forest Inventory Standard, as established by the minister on July 28, 2020; (h) the Forest Management Planning Standard, as established by the minister on November 15, 2012; (i) the Forest Operating Plan Standard, as established by the minister on November 15, 2012; (j) the Forest Regeneration Assessment Standard, as established by the minister on November 15, 2012; (k) NSF/ANSI Standard 60: Drinking Water Treatment Chemicals ‑‑ Health Effects, as established by NSF International, May 2, 2011; (l) the Qualified Person Certification Standard, as established by the minister on November 15, 2012; (m) the Quality Assurance and Quality Control for Water Treatment Utilities Standard ‑ Drinking Water Quality Management, EPB 542, as established by the minister on November 15, 2012; (n) the Reclamation Technology Standard, as established by the minister on November 15, 2012; (o) the Saskatchewan Environmental Quality Standard, as established by the minister on November 15, 2012; FOREST RESOURCES MANAGEMENT 5 (SASKATCHEWAN ENVIRONMENTAL CODE ADOPTION) F-19.1 REG 11 (p) the Saskatchewan Water and Wastewater Works Operator Certification Standards, EPB 539, as established by the minister on November 15, 2012; (q) the Scaling Standard, as established by the minister on November 15, 2012; (r) the Sewage Works Design Standard, EPB 503, as established by the minister on November 15, 2012; (s) the Visual Site Assessment Standard, as established by the minister on November 15, 2012; (t) the Water Quality Contingency Planning Standard, EPB 540B, as established by the minister on November 15, 2012; (u) the Water Quality Emergency Planning Standard ‑ An Overview, EPB 541A, as established by the minister on November 15, 2012; (v) the Waterwork Start‑Up Standard, EPB 560A, as established by the minister on November 15, 2012; (w) the Waterworks Design Standard, EPB 501, as established by the minister on November 15, 2012; (x) the Waterworks Emergency Response Planning Standard, EPB 540, as established by the minister on November 15, 2012. (2) The following standards are adopted: (a) the ASTM Standard E2516‑11, “Standard Classification for Cost Estimate Classification System” DOI: 10.1520/E2516‑11, as established by ASTM International; (b) the CAN/CSA‑Z769‑00 (R2018) ‑ Phase II Environmental Site Assessment, as established by the Canadian Standards Association; (c) the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality‑‑Summary Table, Health Canada (August, 2012); (d) the Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, 22nd Edition, 2012, published by the American Public Health Association, the American Water Works Association and the Water Environment Federation. 4 Dec 2020 SR 123/2020 s2; 17 Sep 2021 SR 98/2021 s4; 23 May 2025 SR 37/2025 s2. Minister to make public 1‑2(1) The minister shall cause the standards that are adopted pursuant to this chapter and that are established by the minister: (a) to be posted on the Internet website of the ministry; and (b) to be made public in any other manner that the minister considers appropriate. (2) With respect to the standards that are adopted pursuant to this chapter other than those mentioned in subsection (1), the minister shall cause information respecting where those standards may be accessed: (a) to be posted on the Internet website of the ministry; and (b) to be made public in any other manner that the minister considers appropriate. 6 FOREST RESOURCES MANAGEMENT (SASKATCHEWAN ENVIRONMENTAL F-19.1 REG 11 CODE ADOPTION) CHAPTER D.1.1 Forest Regeneration Assessment Chapter Adopted pursuant to The Forest Resources Management Act PART 1 General Application 1‑1(1) This chapter applies to: (a) every person who holds a licence for the harvesting of forest products, and who is required by that licence to ensure that lands in the licence area that have been harvested are renewed; and (b) every person who conducts a forest regeneration assessment on behalf of a person mentioned in clause (a). (2) This chapter does not apply to: (a) lands that were harvested before April 1, 2004 pursuant to a licence issued for the harvesting of forest products; or (b) a person who holds a forest product permit if that person also holds, with respect to the same land, a valid resource land disposition granted pursuant to The Crown Resource Land Regulations. Compliance 1‑2 Every person mentioned in subsection 1‑1(1) shall comply with all the requirements established pursuant to: (a) Part 1; and (b) either: (i) Part 2; or (ii) Part 3. General records 1‑3(1) Every person mentioned in subsection 1‑1(1) shall ensure that the following records are kept and retained for at least 15 years from the date the record was created: (a) all records respecting each harvest block or polygon assessed, including: (i) the date, location, description and area of each harvest block or polygon assessed; (ii) the name of the assessor and the person who conducted the assessment; (iii) the results of every assessment; (iv) any notes on abnormal conditions, anomalies, discrepancies, insect or disease concerns or events observed during an assessment of a harvest block or polygon; (v) any determinations reached respecting the renewal status of each harvest block or polygon; FOREST RESOURCES MANAGEMENT 7 (SASKATCHEWAN ENVIRONMENTAL CODE ADOPTION) F-19.1 REG 11 (b) if available, the Global Positioning System location records of each plot for ground surveys and the Geographic Information System shapefiles of aerial survey records; (c) all records required to be kept respecting regeneration assessments by the Forest Data Submission Standard in accordance with the Forest Data Submission Chapter; (d) any other records mentioned in Part 2 or Part 3. (2) Every person mentioned in subsection 1‑1(1) shall ensure that the records required to be kept pursuant to this section are made available to the minister on request. General reporting 1‑4 Every person mentioned in subsection 1‑1(1) shall submit information respecting forest regeneration assessments in accordance with the Forest Data Submission Standard. PART 2 Alternative Solutions Results‑based objective 2‑1(1) The results‑based objective of this chapter is to limit the probability that, as a result of forest management activities, the long‑term health and sustainability of forest resources, forest functions and associated ecosystems will be exposed to unacceptable impairment or damage. (2) The results‑based objective mentioned in subsection (1) must be satisfied by taking reasonable and prudent measures: (a) to assess and document whether harvested areas are adequately re‑stocked with acceptable trees that are of an appropriate density and height; and (b) to identify contiguous harvested areas that are 4.0 hectares or larger that are not adequately re‑stocked with acceptable trees that are of an appropriate density and height. Operating plan 2‑2 Every person mentioned in clause 1‑1(1)(a) shall ensure that the operating plan: (a) sets out the methods that will be employed to satisfy the results‑based objective described in section 2‑1; and (b) contains components on assessment procedures, recording and reporting that satisfy the results‑based objective described in section 2‑1. PART 3 Acceptable Solution Obligation to conduct a forest regeneration assessment 3‑1(1) Every person mentioned in clause 1‑1(1)(a) shall ensure that the forest regeneration assessment is conducted in accordance with the Forest Regeneration Assessment Standard. (2) Every person mentioned in clause 1‑1(1)(b) who is conducting a forest regeneration assessment on behalf of a person mentioned in subsection (1) shall conduct the forest regeneration assessment in accordance with the Forest Regeneration Assessment Standard. 8 FOREST RESOURCES MANAGEMENT (SASKATCHEWAN ENVIRONMENTAL F-19.1 REG 11 CODE ADOPTION) Glossary of Terms Acceptable tree A tree that satisfies the criteria set out in Appendix 1 of the Forest Regeneration Assessment Standard. Density A measure of the population of acceptable tree species in a given area. Forest Data Submission Standard The Forest Data Submission Standard, as established by the minister on November 15, 2012, and adopted pursuant to the Adoption of Standards Chapter. Forest Regeneration Assessment Standard The Forest Regeneration Assessment Standard, as established by the minister on November 15, 2012, and adopted pursuant to the Adoption of Standards Chapter. Harvest block An area of land from which trees have been harvested. Polygon An area of land from which trees have been harvested that is represented by a closed figure that is bounded by curved or straight lines and delineated on a map. Stocked A quantitative expression of the adequacy of tree cover on an area of land, in terms of number of trees. Standards Referenced in this Chapter The following standards, adopted pursuant to the Adoption of Standards Chapter, are referenced in this chapter: Forest Data Submission Standard Forest Regeneration Assessment Standard CHAPTER D.1.2 Forest Data Submission Chapter Adopted pursuant to The Forest Resources Management Act Application 1‑1(1) Subject to subsection (2), this chapter applies to every person who: (a) holds a licence pursuant to the Act; (b) operates a processing facility that accepts and processes timber, wood residue or wood chips that originate from Crown land; or (c) is a trustee pursuant to section 26 of the Act, or is designated by the minister pursuant to section 26 of the Act, and who is responsible for reporting to the minister on the activities of the forest management fund. FOREST RESOURCES MANAGEMENT 9 (SASKATCHEWAN ENVIRONMENTAL CODE ADOPTION) F-19.1 REG 11 (2) This chapter does not apply to a person who: (a) holds a term supply licence or forest product permit with an annual harvest volume schedule of less than 50,000 cubic metres of timber; (b) has been granted two or more licences for the harvesting of forest products that cumulatively authorize the harvesting of an annual volume of less than 50,000 cubic metres of timber; or (c) operates a facility that only accepts and processes trees or parts of trees that originate from lands other than Crown land. Forest data and other information to be submitted to minister 1‑2(1) Every person mentioned in clauses 1‑1(1)(a) and (b) shall submit data on forest management activities to the minister in accordance with the Forest Data Submission Standard. (2) Every person mentioned in clause 1‑1(1)(c) shall submit information respecting the forest management fund to the minister in accordance with the Forest Data Submission Standard and the terms and conditions of the agreement establishing the forest management fund. Glossary of Terms Act The Forest Resources Management Act. Data Spatial and aspatial data described in the Forest Data Submission Standard. Forest Data Submission Standard The Forest Data Submission Standard, as established by the minister on November 15, 2012, and adopted pursuant to the Adoption of Standards Chapter. Forest management activity Forest management activities including the following: (a) the harvesting, renewal and scaling of timber; (b) the construction, operation, use, maintenance, closure or reclamation of surface water crossings and roads. Harvest volume schedule The maximum sustainable timber volume that can be harvested each year, as determined or approved by the minister, pursuant to The Forest Resources Management Regulations. Timber Any trees or parts of trees from Crown land, whether standing, fallen, cut, alive or dead. Wood residue The by‑products from the processing of trees and parts of trees and includes slabs, tops, edgings, bark, shavings and sawdust but does not include wood chips. Wood chip A small thin piece of wood cut from a larger piece of wood by a mechanically operated knife section, showing two knife cuts and having a width greater than its thickness. Standards Referenced in this Chapter The following standard, adopted pursuant to the Adoption of Standards Chapter, is referenced in this chapter: Forest Data Submission Standard 10 FOREST RESOURCES MANAGEMENT (SASKATCHEWAN ENVIRONMENTAL F-19.1 REG 11 CODE ADOPTION) CHAPTER D.1.3 Forest Operating Plan Chapter Adopted pursuant to The Forest Resources Management Act Application 1‑1 This chapter applies to every person who holds a licence for the harvesting of forest products and who is required by the Act to submit an operating plan to the minister for approval. Operating plan 1‑2 Every person who holds a licence for the harvesting of forest products and who is required by the Act to submit an operating plan to the minister for approval shall ensure that an operating plan is prepared in accordance with the Forest Operating Plan Standard for each licence area. General records 1‑3 Every person mentioned in section 1‑1 shall ensure that: (a) records respecting any consultations that are undertaken by that person in accordance with the Forest Operating Plan Standard are kept and retained for at least 5 years from the date the record was created; and (b) the records required to be kept pursuant to clause (a) are made available to the minister on request. Glossary of Terms Act The Forest Resources Management Act. Forest Operating Plan Standard The Forest Operating Plan Standard, as established by the minister on November 15, 2012, and adopted pursuant to the Adoption of Standards Chapter. Standards Referenced in this Chapter The following standard, adopted pursuant to the Adoption of Standards Chapter, is referenced in this chapter: Forest Operating Plan Standard FOREST RESOURCES MANAGEMENT 11 (SASKATCHEWAN ENVIRONMENTAL CODE ADOPTION) F-19.1 REG 11 CHAPTER D.1.4 Forest Products Scaling Chapter Adopted pursuant to The Forest Resources Management Act PART 1 General Application 1‑1(1) This chapter applies to: (a) every person who holds a licence for the harvesting of forest products, and who is required by that licence to ensure that forest products are scaled; and (b) every person who holds a licence to scale. (2) This chapter does not apply to a person conducting a check scale in accordance with The Forest Resources Management Regulations. Compliance 1‑2 Every person mentioned in subsection 1‑1(1) shall comply with all the requirements established pursuant to: (a) Part 1; and (b) either: (i) Part 2; or (ii) Part 3. Scaling 1‑3(1) Every person mentioned in clause 1‑1(1)(a) shall ensure that all forest products required to be scaled are: (a) scaled by a person who holds a licence to scale; and (b) scaled to the accuracy tolerances set out in the Scaling Standard. (2) Every person mentioned in clause 1‑1(1)(b) shall scale all forest products required to be scaled to the accuracy tolerances set out in the Scaling Standard. General records 1‑4 Every person mentioned in subsection 1‑1(1) shall ensure that: (a) all records respecting scaling activities are kept and retained for the period set out in the Scaling Standard; and (b) the records required to be kept pursuant to this section are made available to the minister on request. General reporting 1‑5 Every person mentioned in subsection 1‑1(1) shall submit information respecting scaling activities in accordance with the Scaling Standard, an approved scaling plan and The Forest Resources Management Regulations. 12 FOREST RESOURCES MANAGEMENT (SASKATCHEWAN ENVIRONMENTAL F-19.1 REG 11 CODE ADOPTION) PART 2 Alternative Solutions Results‑based objective 2‑1(1) The results‑based objective of this chapter is to limit the probability that, as a result of the activities addressed by this chapter, the volume of harvested forest products originating from Crown forest land is not accurately accounted for. (2) The results‑based objective mentioned in subsection (1) must be satisfied by taking reasonable and prudent measures to accurately scale harvested forest products originating from Crown land using units of measure set out in the Scaling Standard and expressing the volume of scaled wood in cubic metres. Scaling plan 2‑2(1) Every person mentioned in clause 1‑1(1)(a) shall ensure that the scaling plan: (a) sets out the methods that will be employed to satisfy the results‑based objective described in section 2‑1; and (b) contains components on scaling procedures, recording and reporting that satisfy the results‑based objective described in section 2‑1. (2) Every person mentioned in subsection (1) who has an approved scaling plan shall ensure that the scaling of forest products is conducted in accordance with the procedures set out in that approved scaling plan. (3) Every person mentioned in clause 1‑1(1)(b) who is scaling forest products on behalf of a person mentioned in clause 1‑1(1)(a) shall scale forest products in accordance with an approved scaling plan and the terms of his or her licence. PART 3 Acceptable Solution Obligation to scale forest products 3‑1(1) Every person mentioned in clause 1‑1(1)(a) shall ensure that the scaling of forest products is conducted in accordance with the Scaling Standard, an approved scaling plan and the terms of his or her licence. (2) Every person mentioned in clause 1‑1(1)(b) who is scaling forest products on behalf of a person mentioned in clause 1‑1(1)(a) shall scale forest products in accordance with the Scaling Standard, an approved scaling plan and the terms of his or her licence. Glossary of Terms Act The Forest Resources Management Act. Check scale A scale by the chief scaler, an officer or a person authorized in writing by the minister performed in the same manner as the original scale for the purpose of checking accuracy and precision of volume estimates and compliance with the Scaling Standard. Chief scaler An officer of the ministry designated by the minister to administer Part V of The Forest Resources Management Regulations. FOREST RESOURCES MANAGEMENT 13 (SASKATCHEWAN ENVIRONMENTAL CODE ADOPTION) F-19.1 REG 11 Licence to scale A valid licence to scale issued to a person pursuant to section 53 of The Forest Resources Management Regulations, including an interim licence to scale issued pursuant to section 55 of those regulations. Scaling plan A scaling plan that: (a) is required pursuant to a forest management agreement, a term supply licence or a forest product permit; (b) sets out the scaling methods and reporting mechanisms to be used by the person who holds a licence for the harvesting of forest products mentioned in clause (a); (c) is prepared in accordance with the Act, The Forest Resources Management Regulations and the Scaling Standard; and (d) is approved by the minister. Scaling Standard The Scaling Standard, as established by the minister on November 15, 2012, and adopted pursuant to the Adoption of Standards Chapter. Standards Referenced in this Chapter The following standard, adopted pursuant to the Adoption of Standards Chapter, is referenced in this chapter: Scaling Standard CHAPTER D.1.5 Forest Management Planning Chapter Adopted pursuant to The Forest Resources Management Act Application 1‑1 This chapter applies to every person who is required to submit a forest management plan pursuant to section 38 or 45 of the Act. Forest Management Plan 1‑2 Every person mentioned in section 1‑1 who is required to prepare or revise a forest management plan shall, in accordance with the Forest Management Planning Standard: (a) establish a planning team, terms of reference, a work plan and a public consultation plan including: (i) the establishment and implementation of a public advisory group; (ii) a strategy for sharing information with First Nations and Métis communities whose ability to exercise Treaty or Aboriginal rights and carry out traditional uses is potentially adversely impacted; and (iii) a schedule of public and First Nations and Métis community information sessions to be conducted during the period of the forest management plan development; 14 FOREST RESOURCES MANAGEMENT (SASKATCHEWAN ENVIRONMENTAL F-19.1 REG 11 CODE ADOPTION) (b) adhere to a staged‑approval process during forest management plan development, where all requirements set out in clause (a), including the products set out as deliverables in the workplan, are: (i) presented and discussed with the planning team; and (ii) submitted to the minister for review following a timeline specified in the work plan; (c) submit, on the request of the minister, any information that the minister considers necessary to review the requirements and deliverables set out in clause (a); (d) ensure that the following are included in the forest management plan: (i) the name of the licence holder and details respecting the licence holder required by the Forest Management Planning Standard; (ii) information respecting persons residing or working in the licence area required by the Forest Management Planning Standard; (iii) a description of: (A) the licence area, including the water, land and forest, and planning boundaries; (B) the current condition of the forest in the licence area; (C) the activities and values associated with the forest found in the licence area; and (D) the recent history of forest management in the licence area; (iv) a digital planning inventory; (v) a forest development report that includes both digital temporary sample plot data and yield curves; (vi) a forest estate modelling report; (vii) values, objectives, indicators and targets related to the licence area respecting: (A) biological diversity; (B) ecosystem condition and productivity; (C) soil and water; (D) role in global ecological cycles; (E) economic and social benefits; and (F) society’s responsibility for sustainable development, including: (I) consideration of the interests of other forest uses; (II) maintenance or enhancement of benefits derived from the forest; FOREST RESOURCES MANAGEMENT 15 (SASKATCHEWAN ENVIRONMENTAL CODE ADOPTION) F-19.1 REG 11 (III) respect for Aboriginal and Treaty rights within the context of planning and implementing forest management activities; (IV) avoidance of impacting culturally important sites; (V) involvement of local communities in forest management activities; (VI) maximization of the involvement of stakeholders in forest management plan development and implementation; and (VII) details respecting how current forest management information will be made available to the public and First Nations and Métis communities; (viii) natural forest patterns for the licence area detailing how the following elements of ecosystem‑based management will be applied to the plan: (A) residual trees within harvest events and blocks; (B) harvest event size distribution; (C) appropriate age class distribution on the landscape; (D) landscape‑level maintenance of softwood‑dominated mixedwood and white spruce provincial forest types; and (E) salvage activities; (ix) silviculture ground rules for all forest development types actively managed on the licence holder’s licence area; (x) a digital tactical plan; (xi) an approach to fulfilling the licence holder’s roles and responsibilities for wildfire within the licence area; (xii) an insect and disease strategy; and (xiii) a strategy for how the forest management plan will be implemented; (e) establish a management implementation team for the term of the forest management plan; and (f) submit an annual report that describes the progress made on achieving commitments set out in the forest management plan. Glossary of Terms Act The Forest Resources Management Act. Digital planning inventory An inventory of forest resources that includes: (a) all the spatial layers necessary to formulate management strategies that can achieve a desired future forest condition; (b) individual coverages in the planning inventory collection; (c) composite planning inventory information products; 16 FOREST RESOURCES MANAGEMENT (SASKATCHEWAN ENVIRONMENTAL F-19.1 REG 11 CODE ADOPTION) (d) management decision information; and (e) the following four planning coverages: (i) planned harvest and natural resource features; (ii) land use or values that may be affected by forest management; (iii) road use strategy for existing roads; (iv) road corridor locations for planned road construction. Digital tactical plan A 20‑year forecast of forest management activities including spatial blocking of operating areas and other values identified in the selected management strategy. Forest development report A report that describes: (a) the development types used; (b) the yield curves for each forest development type; (c) the modelling process and data source from which the yield curves were derived; and (d) the equations and coefficients used to produce the yield curves. Forest development type An aggregation of forest stands for management purposes that have similar species composition, develop in a similar manner and are managed under the same silvicultural system. Forest estate modelling report A report that describes: (a) the forest management activities; (b) the operability requirements for the forest management activities mentioned in clause (a); (c) forest senescence by development type; (d) the expected treatment responses; and (e) the forest estate model formulation along with the associated model objectives and targets and the results of model scenarios. Forest management activities Activities associated with: (a) the harvest and renewal of timber; and (b) the construction, operation, use, maintenance, closure, and reclamation of watercourse crossings and roads. Forest Management Planning Standard The Forest Management Planning Standard, as established by the minister on November 15, 2012, and adopted pursuant to the Adoption of Standards Chapter. FOREST RESOURCES MANAGEMENT 17 (SASKATCHEWAN ENVIRONMENTAL CODE ADOPTION) F-19.1 REG 11 Licence holder A person who: (a) has entered into a forest management agreement with the minister in accordance with the Act; or (b) holds a term supply licence in accordance with the Act. Planning team A team of persons assembled to develop a new forest management plan that includes: (a) a core technical group that consists of staff employed by the licence holder and the ministry, and that will participate in all planning team meetings; and (b) persons who will provide advice and assistance to the core technical group as required. Provincial forest types A broad classification system used for assessing, analysing and reporting forest resource management goals and objectives at both the eco‑regional level and the provincial level in Saskatchewan. Selected management strategy The management strategy developed from the forest estate modelling scenarios that best satisfies the diverse demands on the forest resource and directs the licence holder’s forest management activities for the 20‑year period following the date on which the forest management plan is approved. Silviculture ground rules A set of specifications and requirements developed during the forest management planning process that direct silviculture activities on a licence area during the period of a forest management plan. Standards Referenced in this Chapter The following standard, adopted pursuant to the Adoption of Standards Chapter, is referenced in this chapter: Forest Management Planning Standard 18 FOREST RESOURCES MANAGEMENT (SASKATCHEWAN ENVIRONMENTAL F-19.1 REG 11 CODE ADOPTION) CHAPTER D.1.6 FOREST INVENTORY CHAPTER Adopted pursuant to The Forest Resources Management Act PART 1 General Application and definition 1.1(1) This chapter applies to every licence holder who: (a) has a forest inventory that is at least 20 years old and is required to prepare a forest management plan; (b) designs a forest inventory for use in a forest management plan; or (c) designs a forest inventory to be funded with expenditures from a forest management fund. (2) This chapter does not apply to a person who: (a) designs or directs inventory work respecting lands outside of the provincial forest; or (b) designs or directs forest inventory work respecting lands within the provincial forest, if that inventory work will not be: (i) used in the preparation of a forest management plan; or (ii) funded with expenditures from a forest management fund. (3) In this Chapter, “required licence holder” means a licence holder mentioned in subsection (1). Compliance 1‑2 Every required licence holder shall comply with all the requirements established pursuant to: (a) Part 1; and (b) either: (i) Part 2; or (ii) Part 3. Forest inventory plan 1‑3 Every required licence holder shall, before preparing a forest inventory, submit for the minister’s approval, a forest inventory plan that: (a) describes the area of interest for the forest inventory and the data currently available for the area of interest; (b) explains the purpose of the forest inventory; (c) describes the list of attributes that will be provided in the forest inventory and provides rationale for those attributes defined in the Forest Inventory Standard that are not to be included in the forest inventory; FOREST RESOURCES MANAGEMENT 19 (SASKATCHEWAN ENVIRONMENTAL CODE ADOPTION) F-19.1 REG 11 (d) specifies the scale of application of the inventory; (e) describes the methodology to be employed in generating the forest inventory and the funding sources to be employed; (f) provides a statement on ownership and use of the resulting forest inventory; (g) suggests assessment procedures and the range of acceptable error for each forest inventory attribute; (h) commits to timelines for the completion of the forest inventory; and (i) is signed by a qualified person. Qualified persons and certificate 1‑4(1) For the purpose of clause 2(1)(x.2) of the Act, in this chapter “qualified person” means: (a) for the purpose of submitting an inventory plan, a practising member of the Association of Saskatchewan Forestry Professionals pursuant to The Forestry Professions Act who is in good standing with the Association and who is either: (i) a Registered Professional Forester; (ii) a Registered Professional Forest Technologist; or (iii) an individual who is designated by the minister or who is a member of a class of persons designated by the minister pursuant to the Act to undertake the activity; and (b) for the purposes of certifying that the forest inventory has been prepared in accordance with an approved forest inventory plan: (i) a person mentioned in clause (a); (ii) a restricted member who is in good standing with the Association of Saskatchewan Forestry Professionals pursuant to The Forestry Professions Act; or (iii) an individual who is designated by the minister or who is a member of a class of persons designated by the minister pursuant to the Act to undertake the activity. General records 1‑5 (1) Every required licence holder shall ensure that the following records are kept and retained for a minimum of 20 years from the date the record was created: (a) the forest inventory plan; (b) the forest inventory, including: (i) spatial information in a digital format, suitable for use in a Geographic Information System; and (ii) the content of the inventory specified by the Forest Inventory Standard, or an alternative solution approved pursuant to Part 2; and (c) any records relating to the results of quality control assessments, including any attestations or other statements of the acceptability of the forest inventory. (2) Records generated pursuant to subsection (1) must be submitted to the minister on the request of the minister. 20 FOREST RESOURCES MANAGEMENT (SASKATCHEWAN ENVIRONMENTAL F-19.1 REG 11 CODE ADOPTION) PART 2 Alternative Solutions Results‑based objective 2‑1(1) The results‑based objective of this chapter is to limit the probability that, as a result of applying inappropriate forest inventory methods or having outdated forest inventories, longterm forest management plans, short‑term harvest plans and any associated forest operations are implemented in a manner that impairs the longterm health and sustainability of forest resources, forest functions and associated ecosystems. (2) The resultsbased objective mentioned in subsection (1) must be satisfied by taking reasonable and prudent measures, as communicated in the inventory plan, to: (a) classify and map all features of the landscape within the area of interest into one of the following defined classes: (i) agricultural land; (ii) anthropogenic; (iii) grass; (iv) open wetland; (v) rock or sand; (vi) shrubby upland; (vii) shrubby wetland; (viii) upland forest; (ix) treed rock; (x) treed wetland; (xi) water; (b) identify the species composition, crown cover and size of trees in aggregate groups of biologically appropriate and operationally relevant size, for areas identified as upland forest and for those treed wetland and treed rock areas that the required licence holder expects to contribute harvestable timber volume; (c) map the aggregate groups as identified in accordance with clause (b); (d) provide, for each aggregate group in clause (b), estimates of timber volume and merchantable volume at the time of the inventory, stand age and any additional information necessary to project that timber volume or merchantable volume forward into the future; (e) facilitate wood supply determination and inventory maintenance, including a time line for demonstrating the applicability of growth models or yield curves planned for use or development; and (f) describe the terrain and site productivity for each aggregate group identified in clause (b) or other ecologically and operationally appropriate grouping. FOREST RESOURCES MANAGEMENT 21 (SASKATCHEWAN ENVIRONMENTAL CODE ADOPTION) F-19.1 REG 11 PART 3 Acceptable Solution Obligation re preparing forest inventory 31 Every required licence holder shall ensure that the forest inventory is prepared in accordance with the Forest Inventory Standard. Glossary of Terms Act The Forest Resources Management Act. Agricultural land A land classification for lands that are cultivated for growing crops, including pasture, orchards and abandoned fields. Lands designated as provincial forests must not be assigned this classification. However, this class of land may be found within or adjacent to the mapped boundaries of provincial forests. Anthropogenic A land classification for areas that are nonforested due to vegetation clearing and/or building. This includes builtup areas, camps, roads, railways, mines, utility corridors, gravel pits, and similar humancaused disturbances. With the exception of permanent roads used to access timber, timber harvests are not included as anthropogenic. Anthropogenic features must be mapped where the feature is greater than or equal to 15 metres in width and is greater than or equal to one hectare in size. Crown cover A relative measure, between 0 and 100, of the percentage of ground area covered by the vertical projection of tree crowns onto the ground. Crown cover is also called Canopy Cover, or Vertical Canopy Cover in the literature, and has traditionally, yet erroneously, been labelled ‘crown closure’ in Saskatchewan forest inventory maps. Crown closure correctly refers to the proportion of the sky obscured by vegetation, and includes offvertical viewing angles from the ground. Forest management objectives The desired outcomes for a planning unit or other area of interest. Forest management objectives include specific values, indicators, and targets for biological diversity, forest productivity, soil and water quality, economic benefits, and social responsibility. Forest operations Activities associated with: (a) the harvest, renewal, protection, and scaling and measurement of timber; and (b) the construction, operation, maintenance, closure and reclamation of surface water crossings and roads. Geographic information system A set of tools that captures, stores, analyses, manages, and presents data that are linked to one or more locations. 22 FOREST RESOURCES MANAGEMENT (SASKATCHEWAN ENVIRONMENTAL F-19.1 REG 11 CODE ADOPTION) Grass A land classification for uplands containing a persistent cover of grass and herbs. This class is differentiated from open wetland on the basis of moisture regime. This class does not include upland forest types expected to succeed to a treed community following disturbance. Features less than two hectares in size are not required to be mapped. Growth model Computer software code or other such tool which describes the change of the forest and its associated timber yields over time, in the absence of a stand replacing disturbance. Inventory age The age of the forest management inventory for any planning unit. Inventory age is determined by subtracting the areaweighted average effective year of the forest vegetation inventory from the current year. For photointerpreted inventories, the effective year for any area is the year of photo acquisition. For all other inventories, the effective year is as defined in a forest inventory plan. In this context, a planning unit is defined by the required licence holder and is typically in the range of 100,000 to 1,000,000 hectares. Merchantable volume A measure, in units of cubic metres per hectare, of the gross volume contained within the stems of merchantable trees, from a defined stump height, to a defined top diameter (inside bark), with a specified minimum length between the stump height and the height at which the top diameter is reached. Merchantable trees may be defined by any combination of species, height, diameter, health and defect status. Open wetland A land classification for wetlands dominated by mosses, grasses, sedges, and small herbaceous plants, often associated with small areas of open water. This class includes marshes and open or graminoid bogs and fens. Moisture regimes are moderately wet to very wet. Features less than two hectares in size are not required to be mapped. Rock or sand A land classification for naturally occurring, barren or exposed, rock, sand, or gravel deposits with less than 10 percent tree crown cover. Features less than two hectares in size are not required to be mapped. Shrub A woody vascular plant which is not typically capable of growing to five metres tall in the local environment. Members of the following genera are not considered shrubs: Abies, Fraxinus, Larix, Picea, Pinus, Populus, Quercus and Ulmus. Although some members of the genera Betula and Acer are considered trees, Betula occidentalis, Betula glandulosa, Betula pumila and Acer spicatum are considered shrubs. All members of the Alnus, Salix, and Sorbus genera are considered shrubs. Shrubby upland A land classification for uplands containing a persistent cover of nonmerchantable hardwood tree species and shrubs. This class does not include upland forest types expected to succeed to a treed community following disturbance. This class is distinguished from shrubby wetland on the basis of moisture regime: moisture regimes are dry through very moist. Features less than two hectares in size are not required to be mapped. FOREST RESOURCES MANAGEMENT 23 (SASKATCHEWAN ENVIRONMENTAL CODE ADOPTION) F-19.1 REG 11 Shrubby wetland A land classification for wetlands and riparian areas containing a persistent cover of nonmerchantable hardwood trees and shrubs. This class includes shrub swamps, shrubby bogs and fens. It does not include upland forest types expected to succeed to a treed community following disturbance. Features less than two hectares in size are not required to be mapped. Site productivity The potential for tree growth as expressed by site index. Site index is the height of a site tree at 50 years of breast‑height age selected from a 100 square metre area. It is a measure of the growth potential for a given species, stand condition, and area of forest land. A site tree is the largest diameter tree of a given species, selected from a 100 square metre area, which expresses the height growth potential of the site in a freegrowing stand condition. Species composition The proportional representation of each tree species, for any mapped area or aggregate group of trees, as determined on the basis of basal area or a proxy thereof, and expressed as percentage. Typically, species refers to the genus and species combination for each tree. Stand age The average age of the dominant and codominant cohort of trees of the leading species in a mapped area. Stand age is on a total age basis. Terrain A description of the ground conditions for a mapped area, including topographic information, and a description of the soil moisture regime, at sufficient detail to declare a mapped area’s suitability for timber extraction. Timber volume A measure, in units of cubic metres per hectare, of the gross volume contained within the stems of all trees, from a 0.0 centimetre stump height to a 0.0 centimetre top diameter (inside bark). Tree A woody vascular plant which is capable of growing to five metres tall in the local environment. Trees in Saskatchewan include members of the following genera: Abies, Acer, Betula, Fraxinus, Larix, Picea, Pinus, Populus, Quercus and Ulmus. Trees are differentiated from shrubs on the basis of species. Treed rock A land classification for areas of exposed bedrock interspersed with trees, where tree crown cover is greater than or equal to 10 percent and less than 30 percent. Areas of partially exposed bedrock where crown cover is greater than or equal to 30 percent are classified as upland forest. Areas of exposed bedrock where crown cover is less than 10 percent are classified as rock or sand. Treed wetland A land classification for wetlands containing greater than or equal to 10 percent tree crown cover, typically greater than two metres tall in the absence of recent disturbance. This class includes treed bogs, treed fens, and treed swamps. Moisture regimes are moderately wet to very wet. Features less than two hectares in size are not required to be mapped. 24 FOREST RESOURCES MANAGEMENT (SASKATCHEWAN ENVIRONMENTAL F-19.1 REG 11 CODE ADOPTION) Upland forest A land classification for land that is currently growing, or capable of supporting, a treed upland forest community. Moisture regimes are dry through very moist. Features less than two hectares in size are not required to be mapped. Water A land classification for water that is above the surface of land and in a river, stream, lake, creek, spring, ravine, coulee, canyon, lagoon, swamp, marsh or other watercourse or water body, whether the water is there permanently or intermittently. Water features must be mapped where the feature is greater than or equal to 15 metres in width and is greater than or equal to one hectare in size. Standards Referenced in this Chapter The following standards, adopted pursuant to the Adoption of Standards Chapter, are referenced in this chapter: Forest Inventory Standard Qualified Person Certification Standard 4 Dec 2020 SR 123/2020 s2. REGINA, SASKATCHEWAN Printed by the authority of THE KING’S PRINTER Copyright©2025