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Timber cutting rights for Crown land may be allocated by the Crown under The Forest Act by:
There are currently two Forest Management License Agreements, 76 Timber Sale Agreement Holders and 2,928 Timber Permit Holders in Manitoba.
The minister, with the approval of the Lieutenant Governor in Council may grant a Forest Management License (FML) to an industry where the investment in a wood-using industry established, or to be established in Manitoba, is sufficient to require the security of a continuous timber supply. The license is subject to Sections 11 and 12 of The Forest Act, to such terms and conditions as may be imposed by the minister, and to such terms and conditions as may be prescribed in the Forest Use and Management Regulations. The license is restricted to the species, size, quality and quantity of timber which, in the opinion of the minister, is required by the licensee.
FMLA are granted for a period of not more than 20 years. The license may be renewed with or without change or amendments to the terms and conditions under which it was originally granted, for additional periods of not more than 20 years each.
Forest Management Licenses are required to prepare a long-term Forest Management Plan (FMP) for the land area included in their FMLA that incorporates strategic and operational considerations. Operating Plans (OP) and Annual Reports are also required.
Timber Sale Agreements may be issued under a number of circumstances. The TSA is a legal document describing the softwood and/or hardwood volume to be harvested, the specific locations to be harvested, and any special conditions for that harvest. The responsibility for forest management planning for areas under TSAs is in most circumstances assumed by Manitoba Sustainable Development. TSAs may be issued in the following ways:
Timber permits are provided for both commercial and personal harvests of less than 300 m3, often for purposes such as cutting for firewood, fence posts, or for small lumber/sawmill operations. These permits are only issued for a maximum of one-year and will not be extended. Forest Management Plans for areas harvested under Timber Permits are done by Manitoba Sustainable Development.
In recognition of an Aboriginal right to harvest timber for domestic use, status Indian people may obtain a Timber Permit free of charge, which will allow them to harvest timber for their own use from the traditional use area of their First Nation.
Further details regarding specific regulations, policies and legislation which pertain to the various forms of timber cutting rights in Manitoba can be found in the following documents: