Bulletin 001 – Due Diligence and Mistake of Fact (Revised 2010)
This Bulletin describes the defences of due diligence and mistake of fact under the Forest and Range Practices Act and the Wildfire Act. This is an updated version of a bulletin that first appeared in May 2003 and was revised in August 2006.
Bulletin 001 – Due Diligence and Mistake of Fact (Revised 2010)
Measuring Wood Waste in British Columbia
In 2009, the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (the complainant) filed a complaint with the Forest Practices Board (the Board) over how wood left behind at logging operations throughout British Columbia is measured and reported.
‘Wood waste’ is any timber that meets merchantability specifications, was not removed from the cutting authority area and was not reserved from cutting. In the opinion of the complainant, wood waste that is not correctly measured and recorded may have implications on forest management (e.g., biological diversity, sustainable rate of harvest) and revenue to the Crown.
The Board reviewed how waste surveys are conducted and whether the waste manual is being applied in a consistent manner across the province. The Board also evaluated the qualification of individuals completing the surveys. If the manual is being followed, the accuracy of the data collected and reported is largely dependent upon the qualification and experience of individuals completing the waste surveys and those conducting check surveys.
Measuring Wood Waste in British Columbia
Managing Forest Fuels in the Wildland Urban Interface
Managing Forest Fuels in the Wildland Urban Interface
Fifteen years ago, “wildland-urban interface,” or WUI, was not a familiar term to most British Columbians. But after several severe wildfire seasons, people are more aware of the threat that wildfire poses to communities surrounded by forest.
After the Firestorm Provincial Review report came out in 2004, government introduced a fuel management program to address increasing fire risks in communities. Under this program, local governments take the lead in planning and executing fuel management treatments, with support from the provincial government.
Administrative Appeals: 2002-2009
This report summarizes the administrative appeal work done by the Forest Practices Board (the Board) from January 1, 2002 to March 31, 2009. A report published in 2002—Reviews and Appeals of Forest Practices Code Decisions in British Columbia, 1995-2001—summarizes the administrative appeal work done from 1995 to 2001.
Administrative Appeals: 2002-2009
Glyphosate Herbicide Impacts
A complaint was submitted to the Forest Practices Board on June 29, 2009 asserting that the BC government had not been diligent in acting on a 2008 consultant report identifying concerns for glyphosate herbicides toxicity for amphibians. In particular, the complainant was concerned that the findings of the report had not been communicated to the federal government and the province had not requested a special review. The Board has investigated and this is its report.
