Forest management in Alberta is governed by the Forests Act and associated regulations, as well as by legislation applicable to industrial operations on public lands. The Detailed Forest Management Plan (DFMP) is a strategic level forest management planning document that directs the joint FMA holders' forest management activities.

The joint DFMP was approved by the crown in 2004. The corporate environmental policy and the forest management principles are cornerstones to the DFMP, and as such, are evident in Footner Forest Products' operations in the FMA. In addition to the DFMP, Footner Forest Products also submits operational forest plans in the form of general development plans every 5 years and final harvest plans on an annual basis.