Grazing/Timber Integration
Last review/updated: June 12, 2008
In 2003, the beef and timber industries approached Sustainable Resource Development to address concerns and interests regarding the integration of existing and new overlapping grazing and timber dispositions in Alberta. The timber industry, represented by the Alberta Forest Products Association, wanted to know how existing and new grazing dispositions might affect their timber dispositions, including reforestation plans and interests. The beef industry, represented by the Alberta Beef Producers, expressed concerns about how timber dispositions and reforestation activities might influence grazing plans, forage production, and infrastructure. In addition, the Alberta Beef Producers were looking for new grazing opportunities in the Green area to feed a growing provincial beef herd.
A number of meetings were held over two years between the beef and timber industry representatives and Sustainable Resource Development. Grazing timber related concerns, issues, needs, and opportunities were discussed. Meetings between industry and government were successfully concluded in May 2006, and have resulted in the development of a new grazing and timber integration policy and manual. These documents will direct and guide the government and industry toward a successful integration of grazing and timber business practices in the Green area, and White area public lands managed for sustained yield of timber and forage.
The new policy for the integration of grazing and timber activities, will provide direction to government and industry regarding the integration of grazing and timber disposition activities on Green area public land, and White area public lands managed for sustained yield of timber and forage. Policy direction applies to both existing and new dispositions and outlines the requirements for planning, operations, agreements, monitoring, and dispute resolution. For existing dispositions a transition period that considers the significance of present agreements is defined.
Pursuant to the new policy, the Grazing and Timber Integration Manual outlines the requirements for successful integration based on current knowledge and experience in Alberta. The manual contains four major requirements to guide the beef industry, timber industry, existing and new overlapping grazing and timber dispositions. These requirements include:
- A regional grazing timber integration advisory committee made up of local beef and timber industry representatives to advise Sustainable Resource Development on matters of grazing and timber integration;
- Regional grazing planning to identify areas of potential grazing opportunity, reflect landscape grazing timber integrated management decisions, and provide a strategy for grazing allocation within identified areas of the Green area, and White area lands with timber commitments;
- Operating standards for grazing and timber integration, which set definitive statements of the desired result to be achieved and a clear expectation of what is expected. The standards can be measured, understood, achieved, monitored, reported, and enforced for compliance; and
- A dispute resolution process developed to help resolve non-agreement and disputes between grazing and timber disposition holders.
Links
and documents:
- Campbell Creek Timber Grazing Demonstration Final Report (2 MB)
- Checklist in Completing a Grazing Timber Agreement (GTA) - PDF (28 KB) | MS Word (63 KB)
- Cutblock Assessment tool Level 1 Status (761 KB)
- Directive for Integration of Grazing and Timber Activities - June 2006 (62.8 KB)
- Grazing and Timber Integration Manual (329 KB)
- Grazing Timber Agreement (154 KB)
- Forest Management Manuals and Guidelines
- Rangeland Management Manuals and Guidelines
