May 2025 General Board Meeting Updates

Date: May 29, 2025
Time: 7:02 PM
Location: Kaslo, BC

Mission Statement

The Kaslo and District Community Forest Society (KDCFS) will manage the diversity of values of the Community Forest in an ecologically responsible and fiscally accountable manner on behalf of the people of Kaslo and Area D.

Attendance

Board Members Present:

  • Chris Webster (Chair)
  • Stephen Fawcett (Secretary)
  • Jeff Mattes (Treasurer)
  • Greg Lay
  • Doug Drain
  • Stephen Neville (Vice Chair)
  • Jeff Reyden (Management Team)

Board Members Absent:

  • Matthew Brown (Director)
  • Sarah Sinclair (Director)

Meeting Called to Order: 7:02 PM by Chair Chris Webster

A. Preliminaries

Adoption of Agenda
Moved and Seconded
Resolved: That the agenda for the May 29, 2025, Regular Meeting be adopted as circulated.
Status: Carried

Receipt of April 2025 Meeting Minutes
The Board acknowledged the minutes from the April 24, 2025, Regular Meeting.
Status: Carried

Treasurer’s Report

Presented by: Jeff Mattes

Funding Updates:

  • Successful Applications:
    1. CP 47-1 – $89,000
      • 20 ha block at the end of Branch 7 road extension
      • Fuel Management Prescription, thinning of non-merchantable hemlock, post-harvest clean-up and pile burning
    2. Lardeau – $186,000
      • FMP developed in 2023
      • 6 ha mechanical + 10 ha manual fuel treatment
    3. Kaslo North – $14,000
      • Unallocated Crown land north of No Brakes
      • Funding for treatment layout and FMP
    4. KAS6 – $40,000
      • Continuation of manual treatment along the Fire Access Trail

B. Manager’s Report

Presented by: Jeff Reyden

Key Updates:

  • Timber Development:
    Ongoing in the True-Blue area (from Kemp Creek to Bjerkness Creek)
    • Anticipated harvest: Fall 2025 (CP 47-1 up Branch 7)
    • Due to trail proximity and permitting, True-Blue blocks expected for late fall or early winter
  • Safety:
    • No incidents reported from WRR, planting, or timber development
  • Forest Stewardship Plan (FSP):
    • Referral period ended; two public comments received
    • Now under First Nations review
  • Community Support:
    • Donated reclamation grass seed to KORTS for Old Pump House restoration

C. Board Discussion Items

  1. Introduction of Jenna – New Administrative Assistant
    • Jenna will take on all administrative tasks and attend Board meetings online
  2. Boards by George Proposal
    • Ideas presented by Jeff Mattes
    • Deferred for discussion at next meeting
  3. Kaslo Wildfire Crew
    • Local crew has started training using KDCFS-purchased equipment
  4. JVH Scholarships
    • Discussion on expanding eligibility beyond forestry/trades
    • Increase in award amount from $500 to $1000 Motions:
    • Moved and Seconded: Support JVH applicant for $1,000
      Status: Carried
    • Moved and Seconded: Support additional JVH applicant (Tomaken)
      Status: Carried

April 2025 General Board Meeting Updates

Date: April 24, 2025
Time Called to Order: 8:18 PM
Location: In Person

Attendance

Present:

  • Chris Webster (Chair)
  • Stephen Fawcett (Secretary)
  • Stephen Neville (Vice Chair)
  • Doug Drain (Director)
  • Jeff Mattes (Director)
  • Sarah Sinclair (Director)
  • Jeff Reyden (Management)
  • Jessie Lay (Admin)

Absent with Notice:

  • Matt Brown (Director)

Absent without Notice:

  • [Not specified]

Adoption of Agenda

Motion: That the Board of Directors adopt the Kaslo & District Community Forest Regular Meeting Agenda for April 24, 2025.
Status: Carried

A. Treasurer’s Report

Covered in the 2025 AGM earlier in the evening.

B. Manager’s Report

Also covered in the 2025 AGM.

C. Board Discussion Items

  1. Boards by George
  • The Board expressed that KDCFS is not in a position to take ownership due to a lack of expertise and concern over liability.
  • Support could instead come in the form of a subsidized log to the mill, promoting local employment.
  • Action: Jeff Mattes to draft a refined proposal for discussion at the next meeting.
  1. Langham Sponsorship Request
  • Langham requested sponsorship from KDCFS.
  • Board Decision:
    • In Favour: 0
    • Opposed: All
  • Action: Stephen Neville to communicate the decision to Langham.

D. Governance

  1. Election of Officers
    All positions filled by acclamation:
  • Chair: Chris Webster
  • Vice Chair: Stephen Neville
  • Secretary: Stephen Fawcett
    Status: All in favour. Carried.

E. Community Comments

No comments were recorded.

F. In-Camera

Motion to move in-camera: [NAME not specified]
Status: Carried

Next Meeting

Date: May 29, 2025

KDCFS 2025 Annual General Meeting Recap

Date: April 24th, 2025
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: JV Humphries School, 500 6th Street, Kaslo, BC

Attendance

Total Membership: 39
Voting Members Present: 3

KDCFS Attendees:

  • Chris Webster (Chair)
  • Stephen Fawcett (Secretary)
  • Stephen Neville (Vice Chair)
  • Doug Drain (Director)
  • Jeff Mattes (Director)
  • Sarah Sinclair (Director)
  • Jeff Reyden (Management)
  • Jessie Lay (Admin)

Absent with Notice:

  • Matt Brown (Director)

Meeting called to order: 7:01 PM (in person)

Election of Officers

There were three nominations for four open director positions. All nominations were submitted by incumbent Directors whose terms were ending, and therefore no election was required. The following were elected by acclamation:

  • Chris Webster
  • Doug Drain
  • Jeff Mattes

A. Adoption of the 2025 AGM Agenda

Moved to adopt: Stephen Neville
In Favour: All
Opposed: None
Status: Carried

B. Adoption of the 2024 AGM Minutes

Topics from last year’s AGM were reviewed and accepted as presented.
Moved to adopt: Steve Fawcett
In Favour: All
Opposed: None
Status: Carried

C. Chair’s Report & Questions

Presented by Chair, Chris Webster

Key Updates:

  • 2nd year of salvage logging at Keen Creek (post-2022 Briggs Creek wildfire) completed in March. Silviculture work continues.
  • Jeff Reyden has been manager since 2017 and is doing exceptional work on silviculture.
  • Wildfire Risk Reduction (WRR) remains a top priority. Community training in S100/S185 completed and three fire pumps purchased.
  • Greg Lay stepped down from the Board after decades of service.
  • Jessie Lay will be stepping down from her admin/communications role.

D. Financial Report & Questions

Presented by Treasurer, Jeff Mattes

Highlights:

  • Logging revenues were significantly down, but forecasted accurately in the budget. Funds used strategically to support future operations.
  • Salvage logging presented challenges due to timing and market conditions.
  • Despite losses the past two years, finances are stabilizing and operations are expected to return to positive this year.
  • Silviculture is progressing and nearing alignment.

Question: Concern over black army cutworm (post-wildfire pest).
Answer: Important to monitor in the field.

Moved to adopt: Stephen Neville
In Favour: All
Opposed: None
Status: Carried

E. Management Report & Questions

Presented by Management

Salvage Logging:

  • Keen Creek harvesting focused mainly on pulp due to market conditions. Used FESBC/OIB fibre utilization grants for viability.
  • Logged ~100 ha of burnt timber (4% of the total burn area) over 2.5 years.
  • Nashton Face targeted due to challenging terrain in Keen Creek.

Roads:

  • Upgrades to Cooper Face Road and Fishhook Lake access completed.
  • Lost Ledge Bridge installed using cedar logs from the license.
  • Redecked a bridge up Klawala for safer public use.

Silviculture:

  • 210,000 trees planted—potentially the busiest planting year ever.
  • Reimbursement expected for replanting Briggs Creek burn areas.
  • Reduced brushing for cost efficiency and improved biodiversity.

Wildfire Risk Reduction (WRR):

  • Completed Jimi Crack Corn project.
  • Buchanan access trail and treatment areas completed (8 ha), with 4 more ha planned.
  • WRR planning for Kaslo North and Branch 7 areas underway.
  • Funding secured for mechanical/manual treatments above Lardeau.

Recreation:

  • Supported KMBC for the Friendly Giant bike trail grand opening.

Safety:

  • No incidents reported last year.

Forest Stewardship Plan:

  • Draft approved and out for referral.

Questions & Answers:

  • Q: How old is the management plan?
    A: Internal timber supply review underway. Considering a refresh of the management plan to meet legal and community obligations.
  • Q: Provincial CFA program expansion – how will this affect KDCFS?
    A: Still unclear; $1M from BCWS to support WRR work is promising.
  • Q: Can bathroom facilities be added at trailheads?
    A: Would support trail groups, but KDCFS is unlikely to be the lead agency.

Moved to adopt: Jeff Mattes
In Favour: All
Opposed: None
Status: Carried