Improving stewardship of BC’s forests for the future

VICTORIA –The Forest Practices Board released its 2013-14 annual report today, which summarizes the board’s work over the past year, as well as highlights work currently underway.

“Board audits continue to find consistent compliance with forest practices law by major licensees,” said Tim Ryan, board chair. “But there are lingering areas of improvement that require attention, such as roads and bridges. As well, smaller licensees tend to have more compliance problems.”

The board completed 8 reports on current forestry issues, 12 audits of forestry and range operations, 6 investigations of public complaints and responded to 73 concerns from the public.

“During the last year, the Board prepared a special report on the 10-year old Forest and Range Practices Act and published several special reports on topics such as salvage harvesting of beetle-killed forests in the interior and bridge construction on forestry roads,” said Ryan.

“We are pleased with the responses to our reports over the past year and the efforts government and industry have made to respond to the concerns we raised, particularly in our report on forest road bridges. Our annual report highlights several cases where our work led directly to improvements in forest practices and communication with the public.”

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.

More information can be obtained by contacting:

Helen Davies
Communications
Forest Practices Board
Phone: 250 213-4708 / 1 800 994-5899