Victoria - Slocan Group - Radium Division is complying with the Forest Practices Code, with the exception of one road construction practice that involves a small area of Slocan’s operations, according to a Forest Practices Board audit that was released today. The one issue identified by the audit occurred where excessive amounts of rock and dirt were placed on the downslope side of roads constructed on steep terrain.

This is referred to as sidecasting and can be a concern because on a steep slope sidecast material may cause a landslide that results in environmental damage. The sidecast material is also covering land that could otherwise support timber and wildlife habitat.

"With the exception of the sidecasting concern, which involved a small part of Slocan’s overall road building activities, all other forest practices were carried out according to Code requirements," said Board Vice-Chair, Cindy Pearce. "The Board was impressed with the overall co-operative approach to forest management taken by the Invermere Forest District and Slocan. This approach was a major factor in the effective performance of forestry practices by the company in this district."

The sidecasting occurred at four sites on two roads built in steep terrain. The two roads totaled only 4.4 km in length, while another 59 km of road was built in flatter terrain without incidence. Although the sidecast material is stable and does not pose a risk in these locations, the Board is concerned that the practice might cause environmental damage in the future if it continues. As a result of the audit, Slocan has advised the Board that it is revising its operating procedures for road construction in steep terrain.

The audit examined timber harvesting, road construction, maintenance and deactivation activities, and associated operational planning, carried out by Slocan on Forest License A18979 between August 1996 and August 1997. The licence includes operating areas north of Radium and east of Invermere.

The Board does not have the ability to impose fines or penalties as a result of its audit findings, but may make recommendations.

Two other audit reports were also released by the Board today: Tolko Industries - Nicola Division in Merritt, and West Fraser Mills Ltd. in Williams Lake.

The Forest Practices Board is an independent agency established in 1995 that provides reports to three ministers and the public about compliance with the Code and the achievement of its intent. Auditing of forest practices and the appropriateness of government enforcement under the Code is one of its key roles. Other important responsibilities include investigating public complaints; conducting special investigations of any Code related forestry issues; participating in administrative reviews and appeals; and providing reports to the public and government on Board activities, findings and recommendations.

Victoria - Today, the Forest Practices Board began an audit of Forest Licence A18689, held by Riverside Forest Products Ltd. The operating area for this licence is located about 15 kilometres west of Armstrong, in the southeast corner of the Kamloops Forest District.

The audit will examine recent timber harvesting, road construction, maintenance and deactivation activities, and the associated operational planning activities for compliance with the Forest Practices Code.

The Board’s audit is being conducted by a team of five, including, foresters, auditors and an engineer. The team will be in the licence area over the next two weeks performing office and field examinations of numerous timber harvest areas and many kilometres of roads.

The licence was selected randomly, not on the basis of location or past performance. The Forest Practices Board is required to carry out periodic independent audits to determine government and forest company compliance with the planning and forest practices requirements of the Forest Practices Code. The Board plans to undertake nine compliance audits in 1998, this is the sixth.

Once the field work has been completed, the audit team will provide a report on the findings to the members of the Forest Practices Board. The Board will then prepare its report and recommendations. Any party that may be adversely affected by the Board’s report must be given an opportunity to respond before the report is finalized and released to the public and the government.

The Forest Practices Board is an independent agency established in 1995 that provides reports to three ministers and the public about compliance with the Code and the achievement of its intent. Auditing of forest practices and the appropriateness of government enforcement under the Code is one of its key roles. Other important responsibilities include investigating public complaints; conducting special investigations of any Code related forestry issues; participating in administrative reviews and appeals; and providing reports to the public and government on Board activities, findings and recommendations.

Victoria - Today, the Forest Practices Board began an audit of Tree Farm Licence (TFL) 19, held by Western Forest Products Ltd. The tree farm licence is located on the west side of Vancouver Island, between Strathcona Provincial Park and the coast, from south of Gold River to north of Zeballos.

The audit will examine recent timber harvesting, road construction, maintenance and deactivation activities, and the associated operational planning activities, for compliance with the Forest Practices Code.

The Board’s audit is being conducted by a team of seven, including foresters, auditors and engineers. The team will be in the licence area over the next three weeks performing office and field examinations of numerous timber harvest areas and many kilometres of roads.

The licence was selected randomly, not on the basis of location or past performance. The Forest Practices Board is required to carry out periodic independent audits to determine government and forest company compliance with the planning and forest practices requirements of the Forest Practices Code. The Board plans to undertake nine compliance audits in 1998, this is the fifth.

Once the field work has been completed, the audit team will provide a report on the findings to the members of the Forest Practices Board. The Board will then prepare its report and recommendations. Any party that may be adversely affected by the Board’s report must be given an opportunity to respond before the report is finalized and released to the public and the government.

The Forest Practices Board is an independent agency established in 1995 that provides reports to three ministers and the public about compliance with the Code and the achievement of its intent. Auditing of forest practices and the appropriateness of government enforcement under the Code is one of its key roles. Other important responsibilities include investigating public complaints; conducting special investigations of any Code related forestry issues; participating in administrative reviews and appeals; and providing reports to the public and government on Board activities, findings and recommendations.

VICTORIA - Today, the Forest Practices Board reported that the Arrow Forest District complied with the Forest Practices Code when it refused to extend the public review period for several 1996-2000 forest development plans in the Slocan Valley. However, the Board also found that the refusal to extend the time allowed for public review was not reasonable.

The report concludes the Board’s investigation of a complaint by the Valhalla Wilderness Society and the Slocan Valley Watershed Alliance about the ministry’s decision not to grant an extension to the public review period for the plans.

"An adequate opportunity for the public to provide input to forest development plans is essential to good forest management," said Board Chair, Keith Moore, "The Board’s view is that reasonable requests for additional time to review a forest development plan should be granted unless there are compelling reasons not to extend the review period. In this case, the Board found that the request by these organizations was reasonable and there were no compelling reasons to not grant the extension."

The Board is making recommendations to government to ensure the public review process is implemented in a clear and consistent manner by forest districts across the province. This is the second complaint investigation report the Board has issued involving the public review process for forest development plans. A report was issued in April of this year regarding a complaint on northern Vancouver Island. Several other complaints about the public review process are currently under investigation by the Board.

"Public review of forest development plans is the most important, and the only legislated, opportunity the public has to review and comment on proposed roads and cutblocks," said Moore, "The recommendations made in these two reports are intended to ensure that the public is given adequate opportunities to comment on forest development plans on public lands across the province."

The two organizations had asked the district manager to extend the public review period for a number of forest development plans for approximately eight weeks. The district manager did not grant the request for extension, but agreed to accept comments for an extra 10 days. In early May 1996, both organizations complained to the Forest Practices Board about the district manager’s decision and his failure to provide reasons for the decision.

The Forest Practices Board is an independent agency established in 1995 that provides reports to the public and government about compliance with the Code and the achievement of its intent. Investigating public complaints under the Code is one of its key roles. Other important responsibilities include auditing forest practices and government enforcement of the Code, special investigations of Code related forestry issues; and participating in administrative reviews and appeals.

Victoria - The Forest Practices Board today released the results of its special investigation into forest planning and practices near streams in coastal areas of British Columbia. The report concludes that forest practices near streams have improved since the Forest Practices Code was created. The disturbance of streams by logging has reduced significantly since the late 1980’s and early 1990’s.

"This was a very rigorous and detailed investigation and I am confident that the results accurately reflect the current state of forest practices near streams on the coast of B.C," said Board Chair, Keith Moore. "The improvements can be attributed to a number of factors including Code requirements, and an increased awareness of the need to protect streams and adjacent areas."

The investigation found high levels of compliance with most Code planning and practices requirements. However, there is still room for improvement to stream classification and forest practices, near small streams in particular.

Nearly 25% of streams were incorrectly classified — mainly small fish streams. The incorrect classification led to harvesting of trees in of a number of reserve zones that should have been left standing to protect the streams. It also led to the inappropriate depositing of woody debris in some streams.

The Code also sets out practices that are recommended, but are not required, to protect streams and riparian areas. These recommendations were generally followed for larger streams, but were not used as often on small streams.

The Board has made specific recommendations to government and industry on how to further improve forest practices in streams and riparian areas.

The Forest Practices Board is an independent agency, established in 1995, that provides reports to the public and government about compliance with the Code and the achievement of its intent. The undertaking of special investigations of forest planning and practices is one of its roles. Other important responsibilities include audits, investigation of complaints from the public, special reports, and participation in administrative reviews and appeals.

Victoria - On Monday, June 8, 1998, the Forest Practices Board begins an audit of Tree Farm Licence (TFL) - 10, held by International Forest Products Ltd. The tree farm licence is located in the Sunshine Coast Forest District, north of Powell River in Toba Inlet.

The audit will examine recent timber harvesting, road construction, maintenance and deactivation activities, and the associated operational planning activities for compliance with the Forest Practices Code.

The Board’s audit is being conducted by a team of seven, including foresters, auditors and engineers. The team will be in the licence area over the next two weeks carrying out office and field examinations of numerous timber harvest areas and many kilometres of roads.

The licence was selected randomly, not on the basis of location or past performance. The Forest Practices Board is required to carry out periodic independent audits to determine government and forest company compliance with the planning and forest practices requirements of the Forest Practices Code. The Board plans to undertake nine compliance audits in 1998.

Once the field work has been completed, the audit team will provide a report on the findings to the members of the Forest Practices Board. The Board will then prepare its report and recommendations. Any party that may be adversely affected by the Board’s report must be given an opportunity to respond before the report is finalized and released to the public and the government.

The Forest Practices Board is an independent agency, established in 1995, that provides reports to the public and government about compliance with the Forest Practices 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 to the public and government on Board activities, findings and recommendations.

Victoria - The Forest Practices Board's Annual Report for the calendar year 1997 was tabled in the legislature today by the Honourable David Zirnhelt, Minister of Forests. The report highlights the independent Forest Practices Board's findings and conclusions on compliance with the Forest Practices Code and the achievement of its intent, based on the Board's work in 1997.

"The Board is pleased to note that the results of its audits and complaint investigations to date indicate that forestry operations are generally in compliance with Code requirements," says Board Chair Keith Moore in his opening statement, "There has been a general improvement in forest practices in BC and the Board believes this is associated with the introduction of the Code." The statement from the Chair provides the Board's views on Code compliance and effectiveness and on the changes to the Forest Practices Code made in June 1997. Where the Board found problems with forest practices or the Code, it made recommendations. The Board has been advised that many of its recommendations have been implemented by forest companies and by government.

The annual report summarizes the findings of four audits of forest practices of forest companies and one audit of the Ministry of Forests Small Business Forest Enterprise Program. It includes summaries of several investigations of complaints from the public. The report also highlights a number of administrative proceedings before the Forest Appeals Commission that the Board was involved with during the year.

Victoria - Members of the Forest Practices Board will be holding a public meeting on Wednesday evening, March 25, in the San Marco/Cortina Room at the Coast Capri Hotel, from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. The Board will make a brief presentation and will invite questions and comments from the public. The Board will be in Kelowna on March 24, 25 and 26 for its monthly Board meeting.

The Board places a high priority on meeting with the public in different communities around the province. It gives the Board an opportunity to explain its work directly to the public and interested organizations, and to hear the views and concerns of the public. The Board has held similar meetings in Cranbrook, Kamloops, Prince George, Williams Lake, Smithers, Campbell River, Nelson, Terrace, Port McNeill and Victoria.

The Forest Practices Board is an independent agency, established in 1995, that provides reports to the public and government about compliance with the Forest Practices Code and the achievement of its intent. The Board’s main roles are: auditing forest practices; investigating public complaints; special investigations of any Code related forestry issues; participating in administrative reviews and appeals; and providing reports to the public and government on Board activities, findings and recommendations.

To date, the Board has not undertaken any audits in the Okanagan. The nearest audits involve Tolko Forest Industries in Merritt and the Boundary Forest District’s Small Business Forest Enterprise Program in Grand Forks. The Board also has not received any complaints from the public about forest planning or practices in the Okanagan.

Victoria - The Forest Practices Board today released the results of its investigation into a complaint by a local resident relating to the silviculture prescription for a timber sale cutblock near Homesite Creek, 20 kilometres from Sechelt.

The Board concluded that the silviculture prescription complied with the requirements of the Forest Practices Code and the district manager’s approval decision was reasonable. It also concluded that the process of preparing and approving the prescription was generally fair and adequate in the circumstances.

The Board found that the specific assertions of this complaint were not substantiated. The Board also noted an apparent lack of public confidence in forestry planning processes on the Sunshine Coast and a great deal of confusion about differences between land-use planning, forestry planning and the role of local government.

The Board is concerned about the ongoing tension and potential for confrontation related to this site, and urges clear policy direction from government and better communication between provincial agencies, local government, resource interest groups and residents.

The complaint asserted that the silviculture prescription misclassified the biogeoclimatic zone for the site, failed to properly map streams, wetlands and forest cover types, failed to protect recreation features, and did not follow due process. The silviculture prescription describes how forest management will take place on a cutblock.

A major issue was the accuracy of the ecosystem classification given to the site. The field investigation included three site visits with various experts to confirm questions about classification of the site, as well as streams and wetlands.

The complainant also asserted that the Ministry of Forests district manager had ignored historical promises made by ministry officials and local elected officials relating to this site. This concern was beyond the scope of the Forest Practices Board to investigate as it does not relate to the Forest Practices Code.

The Board has received a second complaint related to this site, and an investigation of the new complaint is now underway.

The Forest Practices Board is an independent agency established in 1995 that provides reports to three ministers and the public about compliance with the Code and the achievement of its intent. Investigating public complaints under the Code is one of its key responsibilities. Other important roles include auditing forest practices and government enforcement of the Code, special investigations of Code related forestry issues; participating in administrative reviews and appeals; and providing reports to the public and government on Board activities, findings and recommendations.

Victoria - The Forest Practices Board's special investigation of forest planning and practices near streams in coastal areas of B.C. is nearing completion. The field work was completed in late October, 1997 and the analysis of the results has been ongoing since that time. The report is now being written and the Board plans to release it to the public in March, 1998. The investigation team, made up of foresters, biologists and auditors, used auditing procedures to assess whether or not forest planning and practices were in compliance with the Forest Practices Code and are protecting streams and adjacent habitat and features. They examined 96 of the 450 cut blocks that were harvested on the coast under Forest Practices Code rules. Approximately 400 streams were examined, totaling in excess of 50,000 metres in length.

The cut blocks involve the operations of 30 different licensees and are located in six different Ministry of Forests coastal districts: Queen Charlotte Islands, Port McNeill, South Island, Sunshine Coast, Chilliwack and Kalum.

The Board had planned to release the report in November, 1997, but the completion of the analysis of the results has taken longer than was expected due to the large amount of data that was gathered.

The Board's decision to undertake this special investigation came as a result of public concerns and a request from the government to consider investigating the issue, following the release of a report by the Sierra Legal Defense Fund in February of 1997. The Board announced the special investigation in March of 1997 and began the field work in June.

The Forest Practices Board is an independent agency, established in 1995, that provides reports to the public and government about compliance with the Code and the achievement of its intent. The undertaking of special investigations of forest planning and practices is one of its responsibilities. Other important roles include audits, investigation of complaints from the public, special reports, and participation in administrative reviews and appeals.