How to Write Objective Pillar Actions?

1. How to Write Objective Pillar Actions? Objectives Pillar Workshop 2009

2. General Considerations • Consistency with FRPA model • Due consideration to FRPA goals • Add value to FRPA framework • Science-based • Results-based • As-needed based on “risk” • Stewardship liability in hands of tenure holder and their professionals

3. General Considerations • Flexible and adaptive • Provide clear direction • Allows for results and strategies to be written (for objectives) • Some objectives actions need to be measurable or verifiable (assessment of effectiveness) e.g. GWM’s

4. Strategic or Specific? • Strategic • Need for flexibility • Accounting for unforeseen events or conditions • Non-spatial • Demonstrated track record of tenure holder(s) • Professional guidance • Approved LRMP • Professional Reliance

5. Strategic or Specific? • Specific • Higher risk issues (e.g., species at risk) • Strong, stable science in support of particular action • Spatially specific values, or mapping values will reduce conflicts with overlapping tenures • With “specific” objectives, take extra care that the objective is logical, accepted practice, and achievable

6. The “Do’s” • Clearly stated • Allows common understanding of government’s intent • Include definitions if necessary • Enable the writing of measurable and verifiable results or strategies (objectives) • Meet the requirements of regulation (e.g., GAR or LUOR) • Consistent with similar orders where effective

7. The “Do’s” • Terms are consistent with definitions in FRPA and its regulations • Orders should be: • Identifiable • Include map(s) where appropriate • Achievable • Monitored for meeting the intended forest management goal

8. The “Do’s” • Collaborate with other agencies when drafting • Technical teams may be appropriate and can bring together expertise in: • The area the order will apply to • Topics being considered • Legislation • Experience writing legal orders • Data management • Plan implementation • Operations • Compliance and Enforcement • Ministry of Attorney General groups: Aboriginal Law and Resource , Environmental and Law group of Legal Services Branch

9. The “Do’s” • Additional considerations for Objectives: • Delegated decision maker (DDM) for an operational plan can apply the tests in legislation • DDM needs to determine whether or not the results or strategies are: • “consistent” with the objectives • “measurable and verifiable” • Describe the “situations or circumstances” where the outcomes, steps or practices will be applied

10. The “Don’ts” • Do not include background information, procedural requirements, nor the rationale for the decision in the order • Should not devolve a decision to a future planning process or subsequent decision maker • Should not include provisions for joint decision making, nor directing government staff • Should not duplicate existing legal direction in either legislation or existing orders

11. The “Don’ts” • Cannot be written to provide another individual other than the statutory or delegated decision maker the ability to amend an objective • Nor should objectives be written to suggest policy or support documents, that are subject to change, are the ones that determine objectives • Cannot replace sections of FRPA or other Acts • Should not conflict with sections of FRPA or other Acts • Should not include a mandatory review date

12. The “Don’ts” • Footnotes • Preambles • Use language that sounds permissive but is operationally exclusionary