Forest Practices Board Chair Named

VICTORIA — Bruce Fraser is the new chair of the Forest Practices Board, Forests Minister Michael de Jong said today.

Fraser brings a longstanding commitment to sustainable resource management to the position. A forest ecologist by training, Fraser studied under Vladimir Krajina at the University of British Columbia. He has 17 years of experience as a consultant in the areas of community economic development, public participation in resource management and resource conflict resolution.

His consulting work also encompasses strategic planning for organizations and Fraser has already facilitated two strategic planning sessions for the board. As well, his contribution to scientific education began when he taught at Selkirk College in 1968 and continued through his term as president of Malaspina College in 1986.

Fraser’s three-year appointment is effective Nov. 21, 2003. He succeeds Bill Cafferata, who left the position after his term ended in January, and board member Liz Osborn, who has filled in as acting chair since April.

The other members of the board are vice-chair Osborn of Telkwa, Tyler Elm of Vancouver, Fred Lowenberger of Coquitlam and Dave Mannix of Nanaimo.

The Forest Practices Board is an independent public watchdog that reports to the public about compliance with forest practices legislation and the achievement of its intent. The board’s main roles are:

• Auditing forest practices of government and licence holders on public lands.
• Auditing government enforcement of the code.
• Investigating public complaints.
• Undertaking special investigations of code-related forestry issues.
• Participating in administrative reviews and appeals.
• Providing reports on board activities, findings and recommendations.

Kerry Readshaw
BC Ministry of Forests
A/Communications Director
250 387-8486
Darlene Dahl
Forest Practices Board
Phone: (250) 356-1340
1-800-994-5899