The community forest pilot project proposes to establish a number of short-term pilot agreements (a minimum of three) which will provide an opportunity to test:

• the new community forest legislation and its compatibility with existing forest legislation, and the extent to which the community forest legislation succeeds in furthering government and community objectives for community forest management;
• a range of administrative models and forest management regimes operating under the community forest pilot agreement; and
• the process for entering into community forest agreements.

Government’s Objectives

This new form of tenure is intended to provide new opportunities for community management of Crown forest land. By providing communities with greater flexibility to manage local forests, government seeks to:

• provide long-term opportunities for achieving a range of community objectives, including employment, forest-related education and skills training and other social, environmental and economic benefits;
• balance uses of forest resources;
• meet the objectives of government in respect of environmental stewardship including the management of timber, water, fisheries, wildlife and cultural heritage resources;
• enhance the use of and benefits derived from the community forest agreement area;
• encourage co-operation among stakeholders; and
• provide social and economic benefits to British Columbia.