VICTORIA – The Forest Practices Board’s 2006/2007 annual report was released today. The annual report details the board’s key findings during the past fiscal year, and provides a picture of the diversity of forest and range issues examined by the board on a yearly basis.

The board’s primary role is to assess how well forest and range licensees, and government agencies, are complying with legislation. The board provides the public with objective information about the state of the province’s forest and range practices, validate sound practices and recommends improvement based on direct field observation, consultation and research.

Highlights of work carried out during this fiscal year include our studies of:

The effect of mountain pine beetle attack and consequent salvage harvesting on stream flows, and how this impacts seasonal flooding;
Forest fuel (dry shrub and forest undergrowth) management and its impact on wildfires; and
The control of invasive plants (plants not native to British Columbia) on Crown land.
Core business areas arise from the board’s legislated mandate. The Forest and Range Practices Act and the Wildfire Act state that the board:

• Must carry out periodic independent audits to determine compliance and the appropriateness of government enforcement;
• May carry out special investigations;
• May make a special report and comment publicly;
• Must deal with complaints from the public; and
• May undertake appeals.

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. The board:

• audits forest and range practices on public lands;
• audits appropriateness of government enforcement;
• investigates public complaints;
• undertakes special investigations of current forestry issues;
• participates in administrative appeals; and
• makes recommendations for improvement to practices and legislation.

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