Annual Report Highlights State of BC’s Forest and Range Practices

VICTORIA –The Forest Practices Board released its 2014-15 annual report today, which summarizes the board’s work over the past year and highlights current strategic priorities and projects underway.

Topics reported on this year range from protection of water in community watersheds to an investigation of how forestry impacts to natural range barriers are mitigated. The board also issued a report card on the Forest and Range Practices Act and how well it is working.

During 2014-15, the board published 13 audits of forestry and range operations, 7 reports on current forestry issues, 4 investigations of public complaints, and responded to 50 concerns about forest and range practices in B.C.

“It is the rolling up of all our work into an annual report that really provides the public with an independent, factual picture of how well B.C. is doing in achieving sound forest and range practices and stewardship,” said Tim Ryan, board chair. “Our report highlights that more work needs to be completed in the areas of professional reliance, forest stewardship planning, cumulative effects, the measurability of results, and the effectiveness of compliance standards.”

The annual report highlights cases where the board’s involvement directly led to improved forest practices. Board findings and recommendations in the report, Bridge Planning, Design and Construction stimulated discussion among professional associations, informed an updated guideline for forest sector road crossings and led to a new by-law that connects professional practice with use of the guidelines.

Similarly, government endorsed each of the board’s recommendations in the report Community Watersheds: From Objectives to Results on the Ground and professional associations committed to developing guidelines for ensuring more meaningful watershed assessments. The full annual report can be viewed 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.

More information can be obtained by contacting:

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