Appendix 1. Strategic Context

Vision, Mission and Values

Vision

Forests that are soundly managed to sustain the full range of forest values and forest resources for British Columbians.

Mission

The Board serves the public interest as the independent watchdog for sound forest practices in British Columbia.

Values

The Board:

• acts on behalf of the public's interest, not those of any single group;
• is straightforward in its approach;
• emphasizes solutions over assigning blame;
• behaves in a non-adversarial, balanced manner;
• treats all people with respect, fairness and sensitivity;
• performs in a measured, unbiased and non-partisan manner;
• carries out its mandate with integrity and efficiency;
• provides clear and concise reports to the public;
• bases actions and decisions on knowledge, experience and common sense; and
• is accessible and accountable.

Planning Context

Macro Trends:

• Growing global recognition of the ecological value of B.C. forests.
• Government moving towards performance-based regulation and professional reliance.
• Consumer preferences for "environment-friendly" products are leading to buyer demands or "certification" of wood products.
• Increasing competition for finite forest resources (timber and non-timber).
• Forest companies are increasing efforts to manage and prevent conflicts over forest resources.

Opportunities:

• Provide more useful and appropriate information on achievement of sound forest practices on the ground.
• The industry trend toward third-party stewardship certification audits can provide complementary information on the industry's forest practices performance.
• Demonstrate to the world that B.C. forestry practices are sustainable and maintain high environmental standards.

Challenges:

• Transition to the Forest and Range Practices Act before knowing the final form of the Act and its regulations.
• Potential increase in local and international protests and boycotts of forest products in response to perceived deregulation.
• Potential loss of British Columbians' autonomy and authority to international interests over what are acceptable forest practice standards.
• Landscape level objectives for resource management are still not established in many areas of B.C.
• Economic and fiscal health of government and industry.
• Public expectations for quality service.

Highlights of Strategic Shifts and Changes from the Previous Service Plan

The Board no longer measures the percentage of decisions made by the Board within 45 days on forest development plan reviews requested by the public since this measure will no longer be relevant under the Forest and Range Practices Act, which does not require forest development plans.

The Board also no longer differentiates between its compliance, area-based, and Nisga'a audits as targets in its service plan to allow for operational flexibility in determining the best combination of the different types of audits than can be conducted to most effectively use annual resources to deliver the Board's audit mandate.

Consistency with Government's Strategic Plan

Implement new outcome-based legislation for mineral exploration and forest practices.

The Board has established credibility and can be an important part of the checks and balances government puts in place to accompany the move to a results-based regulatory environment that places more responsibility with the forest industry and professionals.

The Board can contribute to adaptive management by independently assessing the objectives government has set and how well they are being achieved on the ground, based on credible field information. Recommendations for adjustments can then be developed to ensure effectiveness of results-based regulations.

Implement a streamlined, science-based, results-oriented regulatory approach to protect human health and the environment and ensure effective enforcement.

Board audits will help ensure that industry protects the environment while achieving sound management of the public's forests. Independent reports and information provided to interested groups and organizations outside of B.C. will assist industry in achieving global recognition of its forest practices and environmental stewardship.

Board audit procedures will take into account independent forest practices audits, and will eliminate duplication and increase the overall value of the collective audit effort.

The Board's field-based information will be useful to government in assessing how well the objectives developed under a result-based Code are being achieved on the ground and in identifying improvements to ensure intended results are achieved.

The work of the Board can provide independent, credible information that the government could choose to use in support of its international marketing campaign for B.C. forest products.