Victoria – Mark Haddock from Port Moody, BC is among four new members appointed by the government to a three-year term with the Forest Practices Board. Other new members include Ingrid Davis, from Merritt; Fred Parker, from Castlegar; and Liz Osborn from Telkwa, near Smithers. They join existing Board Chair, Keith Moore, and members John Cuthbert, Klaus Offermann and Frances Vyse.

“I am very pleased with the new appointments to the Board,” said Chair, Keith Moore. “These individuals come from communities in different parts of the province and bring new perspectives that complement those of our present Board members. This will add to the diversity of views and experience that we bring to our work.”

Mark Haddock is a lawyer with significant experience in the area of forest policy and law. He has worked with organizations such as the West Coast Environmental Law Association and the Sierra Legal Defence Fund. He also served as the environmental representative on the Forest Sector Strategy Committee. Prior to that, Haddock worked for the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs, Ministry of Forests and articled with the Federal Department of Justice.

Created in 1995, the Board is BC’s independent watchdog for sound forest practices. The Board provides British Columbians with objective and independent assessments of the state of forest planning and practices in the province, compliance with the Code, and the achievement of its intent.

The Board’s main roles are: auditing forest practices, undertaking investigations in response to public complaints, undertaking special investigations of any Code related forestry issues, participating in administrative reviews and appeals, and providing reports on Board activities, findings and recommendations.

Information about the Forest Practices Board and its activities is available from the Board office and on the Internet.