BC Timber Sales and Road Maintenance

In March 2003, four forest companies (the complainants) located in the Okanagan/Shuswap area asked the Board to investigate the fairness of legislation concerning road maintenance costs. The companies either log timber sold by government through BC Timber Sales (BCTS) or purchase logs from other companies who log through BCTS. These logs are usually hauled on roads where larger forest companies control the maintenance. The complainants are concerned that the successful bidder on a timber sale must negotiate with and pay these private interests to use the government’s road. The complainants believe that this requirement is unfair because the forest company that controls the road is frequently both a competitor and customer for the timber. The complainants would like the legislation changed so that a private company with a competing financial interest cannot impose unfair costs or conditions for using a publicly-owned road.