Forest Practices Board marks 25 years, issues annual report

VICTORIA – The Forest Practices Board has released its 2019-20 annual report, which describes the board’s work over the past year and highlights its accomplishments over the past 25 years.

“This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Forest Practices Board,” said Kevin Kriese, board chair. “I would like to acknowledge the five board chairs, 42 part-time board members and 126 employees and co-op students who have contributed to more than 600 reports and 500 recommendations for improving forest and range practices in British Columbia.

“This year has also brought us unparalleled social and economic uncertainty with the COVID-19 pandemic. In recent months, the board has had to examine how we can fulfill our mandate to audit and investigate, while complying with provincial guidance, keeping our employees safe and respecting the wishes of small communities.

“While this has created challenges for how we operate, it has also led to innovations, including how we communicate our reports and recommendations, which will help us to serve the public better in the future.

“One of our main accomplishments this past year was the approval of a new strategic plan that will guide our work over the next few years. The plan sets four strategic priorities: Indigenous engagement; increasing impact and influence change; preparing for the future; and continuously improving existing work ??and identifying key performance indicators, which are addressed in this annual report.”

The annual report details accomplishments in 2019-20, including:

• 11 audits of forestry and range operations
• three reports on important forestry issues, including government’s compliance and enforcement framework for Forest and Range Practices Act and the Wildfire Act, and tactical forest planning
• 10 investigations of public complaints
• nine recommendations for improvement to forest policy and practices
• submissions to government?s engagement initiatives for climate change adaptation, changes to the Forest and Range Practices Act and wildlife management, and a submission to the old-growth review panel

The 2019-20 annual report is available on the board’s website: www.bcfpb.ca

The Forest Practices Board is B.C.?s independent watchdog for sound forest and range practices, reporting its findings and recommendations directly to the public and government.

Contact:

Darlene Oman
Communications
Forest Practices Board
250 213-4705 / 1 800 994-5899