Our Actions
Abitibi-Consolidated's forest operations are mainly located on Canada's public lands. We are now present in four Canadian provinces (British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec and Newfoundland) which have integrated well defined standards and management principles in keeping with applicable regulations.
Abitibi-Consolidated's sustainable forest management operations are carried out in accordance with the contracts it has entered into with the various provincial governments who are responsible for the public lands under its care.
Forest Management Planning
Draw up short and long-term forest management plans. Abitibi-Consolidated has the responsibility of long-term planning for the land under its care. The sustainable forest management plan, which covers a period of 20 or 25 years, was developed under a well-structured and detailed regulatory framework, and takes into account different uses of the forest. Different stakeholders are ensured input through a public participation process, The planning process permits discussion among the different stakeholders, establishment of sustainable yield calculations and forest management strategies. These plans are submitted to government approval and are revised every five years.
Develop management activities that include forest practices adapted to each site. These activities ensure protection of resources (i.e. animal habitat, water quality and biodiversity). Practices include protecting natural regeneration and thinning young trees to promote better growth and resistance. Our involvement in research projects also provides tools to improve knowledge and to produce better practices.
Operations
Carry out forestry operations, comply with laws and regulations aiming at protecting the different natural resources: water, plant and wildlife, soil. These regulations also specify the authorized harvesting limits. Abitibi-Consolidated is also subject to external audits in regard to complying with codes or regulations from various industry associations or governing bodies.
Forest Renewal
Ensure natural regeneration of each harvested area, monitor its progress on a regular basis, and take action if forest renewal does not conform to expectations. Ensuring prompt regeneration of each harvested area is essential to maintain the productivity of the forest under our care. Regeneration of those sites will be done naturally or artificially. Our experience, based on data over the last decade, reveals that 80% of harvested lands regenerate naturally. We deliberately promote natural regeneration by careful harvesting. We plant to supplement growth in the remaining areas. Every year, follow-up surveys are done on those stands to ensure that the young trees are well established and growing properly. Only a very small portion (less than 1%) of our managed land is harvested yearly to supply our different mills.
Reporting
Inform the government annually of our accomplishments. We, at Abitibi-Consolidated, also wish to share this information to all those interested or involved in the area. We also provide an overview of our accomplishments in our environmental report.
Continuous Improvement
Document our best forest practices that support sustainable forest management. This enhances continuous improvement, increases efficiency, promotes networking and ensures the sharing of information and best practices throughout the Company.
Partners in Forest Research
We are partners in research institutions that cover a wide scope of sustainable forest management aspects. Among them: The Sustainable Forest Management Network of the National Centres of Excellence The Canadian Model Forest Network
Transfer of knowledge to foresters and forest managers is an essential aspect of each research program. | 
