Ground Rules

All forestry companies harvesting trees on public land must operate according to Alberta's Timber Harvest Planning and Operating Ground Rules. The Ground Rules include forest management principles and how to conduct timber harvesting and reforestation responsibly. Forest Management Agreement (FMA) holders usually negotiate Ground Rules that are specific to their area. However, as an absolute minimum, these rules must meet the standard of the provincial Ground Rules. In summary, the Ground Rules include:

• How to correctly plan timber harvesting.

• How to harvest according to government-specified management standards.

• How to protect rivers, streams and lakes from possible environmental damage.

• How to reduce the problem of soil erosion.

• How to develop access roads with as little disturbance to the environment as possible.

• How to consider other forest values, like fish, wildlife, recreation and grazing.

• How to complete successful reforestation.

Department of the Environment. State of the Environment Report, Terrestrial Ecosystems. Edmonton: n.p., 2001. With permission from Alberta Environment.