VICTORIA – The Forest Practices Board’s 2008-09 annual report, detailing the board’s accomplishments and key findings during the past fiscal year, was released today.

The board carried out eight new audits; responded to over 50 inquiries, concerns and complaints from the public; and issued six special reports about issues in our forests that affect the whole province. Key topics were recreational impacts on ecosystems (Fraser Valley); protection of rare ecosystems (interior B.C.); and obstacles to fish passage (provincewide).

“Some of the more rewarding work done by the board in the past year has been resolving concerns at the community level,” said board chair, Bruce Fraser. “Public issues we have responded to over the past year include impacts to water supply and endangered plant and animal species, and questions about the Province’s response to the mountain pine beetle epidemic and salvaging of killed timber.”

“Our field-based audit program also saw us examining forest practices on 208 regular cutblocks and 423 salvage cutblocks, 194 kilometres of road construction, 728 kilometres of road maintenance, 28 bridges, regeneration on 853 cutblocks and fire protection activities at active sites.”

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

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.
• Makes recommendations for improvement to practices and legislation.

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