Introduction to this Handbook

The objective of this handbook is to provide forest managers and forest management practitioners with a concise, user-friendly guide to understanding and implementing the requirements of CAN/CSA-Z809-96, A Sustainable Forest Management System: Specifications Document. The handbook also provides one-stop, concise guidance for establishing and improving a sustainable forest management system (SFM System) using existing documents published by CSA. The format of this handbook permits easy comparison between relevant portions of CAN/CSA-Z809-96 and CAN/CSA-ISO 14001-96, accompanied by relevant guidance from CAN/CSA-Z808-96 and checklist questions prepared by QMI.

Revisions and additions will be made to this handbook as experience and knowledge in the practical application of the SFM System are gained.

This handbook contains six sections. Section I provides the background and introduction to the SFM System. Section II outlines the basis of sustainable forest management through the concept of adaptive management as described in CAN/CSA-Z808-96. Section III describes the SFM Performance Framework set out in CAN/CSA-Z808-96. The SFM System Registration Audit Framework as set out in CAN/CSA-Z809-96 is presented in Section IV. Section V includes all of the SFM System requirements from CAN/CSA-Z809 and uses them as the basis for discussing ways to establish, i mprove, and assess an SFM System. Section V matches the SFM system requirements in CAN/CSA-Z809-96 with similar provisions in the generic environmental management system, CAN/CSA-ISO 14001-96, fo r ease of comparison, together with explanatory text from CAN/CSA-Z808-96 and audit checklist questions prepared by QMI. This Section also includes extended discussions on designing an appropriate process for public participation in the SFM process, with text taken from CSA Standard Z764-96, A Guide to Public Involvement. Section VI contains four appendices that support the SFM System, including the Canadian Council of Forest Ministers Criteria and Indicators and Clause 7, SFM System Registration, from CAN/CSA-Z808-96. /

1. Scope (From CAN/CSA-Z809-96)

1.1

This Standard outlines the requirements for a registration applicant wishing to register a Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) System for a Defined Forest Area (DFA) and the auditing procedures to be used by a registration organization to determine whether the registration applicant's SFM System and its implementation meet registration criteria. Auditing principles and procedures are described in detail in CSA Publication PLUS1133 and qualification criteria for Auditors in PLUS 1134.

1. Scope (From CAN/CSA-Z808-96)

1.1

This Standard specifies the characteristics of a sustainable forest management system intended to fulfil the goals of sustainable forest management as defined by the Canadian Counci l of Forest Ministers (CCFM). The goal set by the CCFM is to maintain and enhance the long-term health of forest ecosystems, while providing environmental, economic, social, and cultural opportunities for the benefit of both present and future generations (see Figure 1).