The Chilliwack Field Naturalists filed a complaint with the Board alleging that a population of tall bugbane, an endangered plant, was destroyed and a stream damaged by a logging operation near Chilliwack. The complainant was also dissatisfied with the Ministry of Forests’ response to its concerns.
Logging Near Endangered Plants
Approval of Logging in Areas Suitable for Marbled Murrelets
The Board received a complaint from the Carmanah Forestry Society, alleging that the approval of logging near Jordan River will reduce or eliminate marbled murrelet habitat. The Board investigated whether the amendment was approved in accordance with the Forest Practices Code of British Columbia Act and its regulations, and whether approval of the amendment was reasonable.
Approval of Logging in Areas Suitable for Marbled Murrelets
Nadina Beetle Treatments
A resident of Francois Lake complained to the Minister of Forests in May 2003 about the Ministry of Forests (MOF) using Monosodium Methanearsonate (MSMA), an arsenic-based pesticide, to control bark beetles. In July 2003, as she was dissatisfied with the minister’s response, she complained to the Forest Practices Board that the Nadina Forest District had allowed MSMA to be used to kill bark beetles. She asserted that arsenic compounds spread to other species of animals and humans, which caused damage to the environment.
The complainant was concerned that MSMA was being applied in close proximity to private property, which was contrary to its intended use as described in advertising and in testimony at an environmental appeal. The complainant asserted that the MOF did not adequately track which trees had been treated and, as a result, treated trees had been harvested, causing harm to fallers. Further, the complainant asserted that milling treated trees and burning the waste caused mill workers and the general population to come into contact with arsenical compounds.
Nadina Beetle Treatments
Consideration of Water Impacts from Planned Woodlot Harvesting near Nakusp
On March 12, 2004, the Granite Ridge Water Users Committee (the complainant) asked the Board to investigate the approval of a forest development plan for a woodlot located near Edgewood in the Arrow Boundary Forest District. The complainant believes that approval of the FDP did not adequately consider water resources. The complainant makes the following assertions: a community watershed assessment was not completed; theCommunity Watershed Planning Guidebook was not followed; and the district manager’s approval of the plan did not adequately consider a hydrologist’s report (provided by the complainant) or hydrologic values. The complainant expects that logging and road building will affect the domestic water supply and wants the woodlot relocated to a less sensitive area.
Consideration of Water Impacts from Planned Woodlot Harvesting near Nakusp
BC Timber Sales and Road Maintenance
In March 2003, four forest companies (the complainants) located in the Okanagan/Shuswap area asked the Board to investigate the fairness of legislation concerning road maintenance costs. The companies either log timber sold by government through BC Timber Sales (BCTS) or purchase logs from other companies who log through BCTS. These logs are usually hauled on roads where larger forest companies control the maintenance. The complainants are concerned that the successful bidder on a timber sale must negotiate with and pay these private interests to use the government’s road. The complainants believe that this requirement is unfair because the forest company that controls the road is frequently both a competitor and customer for the timber. The complainants would like the legislation changed so that a private company with a competing financial interest cannot impose unfair costs or conditions for using a publicly-owned road.
