First Enforcement Audit Begins

Victoria -The Forest Practices Board began its first audit of the appropriateness of government enforcement of the Forest Practices Code today. The audit is examining enforcement activities within the Vernon Forest District.

Three government ministries are responsible for code enforcement-Forests; Environment, Lands and Parks; and Energy and Mines. The audit looks at the ministries’ compliance and enforcement activities, along with associated management and planning provisions. These activities include risk assessments, inspection of forest operations, investigations of possible code contraventions, determinations (e.g., remediation orders, penalties, fines) and follow-up.

Under the code, the Forest Practices Board is required to carry out periodic independent audits to see if government is enforcing the code appropriately. The audit area was selected randomly, not on the basis of location or level of performance.

The ten-member audit team includes forestry, biology, engineering, range, enforcement management and audit professionals. The team began office work today and fieldwork will begin on Sept. 25.

Once the fieldwork is done, the audit team will report its findings to the members of the Forest Practices Board. Any party that may be adversely affected by the audit findings must be given a chance to respond before the board prepares its final report and recommendations for release to the public and the government.

The Forest Practices Board is B.C.’s independent watchdog for sound forest practices. The board reports to the public and to government about compliance with the Forest Practices Code and the achievement of its intent.