Q-2, r. 35.3.1 - Regulation respecting afforestation and reforestation projects eligible for the issuance of offset credits on privately-owned land

Section 15 Disposition versions

2022-12-29

15. At the project filing stage and before filing a project with the Minister in accordance with Title IV, the promoter must produce an initial characterization for the project

(1)  to define the initial context for the project

(a)  by identifying the history of land uses on the lot or part of a lot for the project over a period of at least 10 years immediately preceding the project start date;

(b)  where applicable, by outlining the history of all forest development activities of an afforestation or reforestation type carried out on the lot for the project over a period of at least 10 years immediately preceding the project start date;

(c)  where applicable, by defining the silvicultural strategy applied prior to the project start date that resulted in the biological characteristics of the cartographical strata observed on the lot or part of a lot for the project, including a list of silvicultural treatments, their description and their effects.

For an early project, the promoter must present the silvicultural strategy planned and carried out since the project start date and describe the context and forest-related and other objectives that led to the planting of seedlings on the lot or part of a lot for the project and the voluntary nature of the actions taken that led to its implementation;

(d)  where applicable, by defining the site preparation methods applied prior to the planting of seedlings or sowing of seeds in connection with the lot or part of a lot for the project and the area affected or to be affected by the site preparation activity compared to the area of the lot or part of a lot for the project.

In the case of an early project, at the project filing stage, if the promoter is unable to define the site preparation mode and the area affected or to be affected by the activity, the promoter must conduct an inventory of the soil carbon reservoir on the lot or part of a lot for the project, and also when filing an issuance request;

(e)  by producing one or more maps of the lot for the project with, as a minimum, the following layers:

i.  the outline of the lot for the project and the areas managed for the project;

ii.  the road and trail network;

iii.  the hydrographic network;

iv.  the outline of land assigned to non-forestry purposes, ecoforest stands and adjacent lots;

The geographical entities for the project, such as the outline of each ecoforest stand, must be numbered and described in a table accompanying the map or maps. The table must include, for each entity shown on the map, its number on the map, a description of the ecoforest stratum, and its surface area in hectares.

All the maps in the report must have a scale, a key, the cardinal points and, as the base layer, an aerial photograph or satellite image with a spatial resolution making it possible to distinguish transitions between contrasting geographic entities such as a forest and a road. The resolution of the maps for the project must make it possible to perform a quick analysis of the attributes connected with the project.

(f)  by producing 2 images taken from aerial photographs or analogical or digital satellite images, the first showing the project lot at least 10 years before the project start date and the second showing the project lot at a date as close as possible to the project start date. The images must indicate the boundaries of the lot for the project and the boundaries of adjacent lots.

The interpreted images must come from an analogical aerial photograph at a scale of 1: 15 000 or better, a digital aerial photograph with a spatial resolution of 30 cm or better, or a satellite image with a spatial resolution of 50 cm or better. The promoter must include the photograph used, in.jpg, .tif or PDF format, with the project plan or project report. The image must be accompanied by georeferencing information and the source of the image, in Word file format;

(g)  in the case of an afforestation or reforestation project in an agricultural zone, a summary and a copy of the analysis of agricultural potential for the management area carried out by the Ministère de l’Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l’Alimentation;

(2)  to define the biophysical characteristics observed at the project start date on the or part of a lot for the project and, where applicable, on the equivalent lot, including the definition in the project plan provided for in Chapter III of Title IV;

(3)  to conduct an initial inventory for the lot or part of a lot for the project and, where applicable, for the equivalent lot using the methodology in Chapter III of this Title.

A promoter may decide to not use the methodology in Chapter III of this Title; in such a case, the promoter must use an inventory methodology that is documented and approved by a member of the Ordre des ingénieurs forestiers du Québec.

The inventory method used must meet the requirements of sections 20 and 21 of Chapter III of this Title. When submitting a project plan or project report, the promoter must present the inventory methodology used and show that it meets the requirements of sections 20 and 21 of Chapter III of this Title;

(4)  to determine the evolution of the carbon stock present in the carbon reservoirs for the project.

M.O. 2022-11-17, s. 15.

Not in force

In force: 2022-12-29

15. At the project filing stage and before filing a project with the Minister in accordance with Title IV, the promoter must produce an initial characterization for the project

(1)  to define the initial context for the project

(a)  by identifying the history of land uses on the lot or part of a lot for the project over a period of at least 10 years immediately preceding the project start date;

(b)  where applicable, by outlining the history of all forest development activities of an afforestation or reforestation type carried out on the lot for the project over a period of at least 10 years immediately preceding the project start date;

(c)  where applicable, by defining the silvicultural strategy applied prior to the project start date that resulted in the biological characteristics of the cartographical strata observed on the lot or part of a lot for the project, including a list of silvicultural treatments, their description and their effects.

For an early project, the promoter must present the silvicultural strategy planned and carried out since the project start date and describe the context and forest-related and other objectives that led to the planting of seedlings on the lot or part of a lot for the project and the voluntary nature of the actions taken that led to its implementation;

(d)  where applicable, by defining the site preparation methods applied prior to the planting of seedlings or sowing of seeds in connection with the lot or part of a lot for the project and the area affected or to be affected by the site preparation activity compared to the area of the lot or part of a lot for the project.

In the case of an early project, at the project filing stage, if the promoter is unable to define the site preparation mode and the area affected or to be affected by the activity, the promoter must conduct an inventory of the soil carbon reservoir on the lot or part of a lot for the project, and also when filing an issuance request;

(e)  by producing one or more maps of the lot for the project with, as a minimum, the following layers:

i.  the outline of the lot for the project and the areas managed for the project;

ii.  the road and trail network;

iii.  the hydrographic network;

iv.  the outline of land assigned to non-forestry purposes, ecoforest stands and adjacent lots;

The geographical entities for the project, such as the outline of each ecoforest stand, must be numbered and described in a table accompanying the map or maps. The table must include, for each entity shown on the map, its number on the map, a description of the ecoforest stratum, and its surface area in hectares.

All the maps in the report must have a scale, a key, the cardinal points and, as the base layer, an aerial photograph or satellite image with a spatial resolution making it possible to distinguish transitions between contrasting geographic entities such as a forest and a road. The resolution of the maps for the project must make it possible to perform a quick analysis of the attributes connected with the project.

(f)  by producing 2 images taken from aerial photographs or analogical or digital satellite images, the first showing the project lot at least 10 years before the project start date and the second showing the project lot at a date as close as possible to the project start date. The images must indicate the boundaries of the lot for the project and the boundaries of adjacent lots.

The interpreted images must come from an analogical aerial photograph at a scale of 1: 15 000 or better, a digital aerial photograph with a spatial resolution of 30 cm or better, or a satellite image with a spatial resolution of 50 cm or better. The promoter must include the photograph used, in.jpg, .tif or PDF format, with the project plan or project report. The image must be accompanied by georeferencing information and the source of the image, in Word file format;

(g)  in the case of an afforestation or reforestation project in an agricultural zone, a summary and a copy of the analysis of agricultural potential for the management area carried out by the Ministère de l’Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l’Alimentation;

(2)  to define the biophysical characteristics observed at the project start date on the or part of a lot for the project and, where applicable, on the equivalent lot, including the definition in the project plan provided for in Chapter III of Title IV;

(3)  to conduct an initial inventory for the lot or part of a lot for the project and, where applicable, for the equivalent lot using the methodology in Chapter III of this Title.

A promoter may decide to not use the methodology in Chapter III of this Title; in such a case, the promoter must use an inventory methodology that is documented and approved by a member of the Ordre des ingénieurs forestiers du Québec.

The inventory method used must meet the requirements of sections 20 and 21 of Chapter III of this Title. When submitting a project plan or project report, the promoter must present the inventory methodology used and show that it meets the requirements of sections 20 and 21 of Chapter III of this Title;

(4)  to determine the evolution of the carbon stock present in the carbon reservoirs for the project.

M.O. 2022-11-17, s. 15.