Goals, Objectives, Strategies and Results

A strong
and vibrant provincial economy.

A supportive social fabric.

Safe, healthy communities and a sustainable environment.

1.Through its program of audits and investigations, the Board will produce relevant, accurate and objective reports on forest practices in the Province of British Columbia.

1. Conduct and publish independent public reports on audits of both industry and government performance, contributing to continuous improvement in forest practices.

Output:

• Average number of quality-assured audit projects completed and published.
• Bulletin on annual summary of audit trends published.

Outcome:

• Number of audits with findings that are in compliance with FRPA requirements or that find practices that are demonstrable achieving objectives set by government as measured by scientific criteria and indicators.

2. Contribute to the development of world class forest practices auditing.

Output:

• Audits explicitly incorporate information arising from private sector certification and sustainable forest management planning.
• First Nations engaged in audit program development.
• Agencies supported in development of audit approaches and programs.

Outcome:

• High quality forest practice audit systems are developing in the province which expand the degree and compatibility of public and private market assurance mechanisms.

3. Assess the efficacy of FRPA in achieving desired results on the ground.

Output:

• Number and range of audits conducted and published using prototype criteria and indicators.
• Published assessment reports on FRPA implementation, particularly the efficacy and measurability of first generation FSPs.

Outcome:

• Scientifically derived criteria and indicators are being widely used by industry, agencies, the Board, ENGOs and First Nations to assess the effectiveness of forest practices in achieving the objectives set by government for FRPA and certification specified values.
• Forest Stewardship Plans are providing explicitly measurable results and delivery strategies that are effectively assessed by criteria- and indicators-based audits.

4. Conduct independent investigations and publish special reports on issues of significant public importance.

Output:

• Number of special investigations completed and published that deal with issues of major public importance.

Outcome:

• Forest practices improvement is occurring to address the issues raised and recommendations made by the Board in its special reports.

2.Through its program of complaint investigations and administrative appeals, the Board will provide the public with a fair and effective means to bring forward their concerns about forest practices.

1. The Board will provide an easily accessible avenue for members of the public to raise concerns and have them addressed in a sensitive, timely and efficient manner.

Output:

• The Board processes public complaints promptly with a normal completion schedule of 7-10 months.

Outcome:

• Participants to a complaint are satisfied that the matter was handled objectively and fairly by the Board regardless of the Board's findings and conclusions with respect to the complaint itself.

2. The Board will monitor, and appeal where appropriate, administrative penalties that have a bearing on the public interest in forest practices and will also provide an opportunity for the public to influence the process of appeal of administrative decisions.

Output:

• Number of determinations monitored and further selected for Board attention.
• Number of administrative appeals enjoined by the Board.

Outcome:

• Board response to administrative penalties and appeals is contributing to the effective definition and implementation of forest practices regulation in the province.
• Public access is enhanced by allowing complainants an opportunity to be heard in the formal appeal process.

First Nations engaged in audit program development.

• Meeting with First Nations Summit to explore collaboration.
• MOU signed with Cowichan Tribes.
• Initial discussions with Nisga'a Lisims government.

Continuing engagement with interested First Nations.

Continuing engagement with interested First Nations.

Continuing engagement with interested First Nations.

Agencies supported in development of audit approaches and programs.

• FRPA Evaluation Team.
• Joint meeting with Environmental Protection Division of WLAP.
• Oil and Gas Commission initial discussions.

Continuing active collaboration with sister agencies.

Continuing active collaboration with sister agencies.

Continuing active collaboration with sister agencies.

Published assessment reports on FRPA implementation, particularly the efficacy and measurability of first generation FSPs.

• Initial limited set of FSP's analyzed for content.
• Work with forest industry associations to assess industry approach to development of FSPs.

First Assessment Report.

Annual Assessment Report with initial audit results.

Annual Assessment Report with cumulative audit results.

Number of administrative appeals enjoined by the Board.

• 6 FAC appeals enjoined judged to be of sufficient public interest.
• One case argued before the Supreme Court of Canada is being monitored.

Variable depending on circumstances but in the 6-10 range.

Variable depending on circumstances but in the 6-10 range.

Variable depending on circumstances but in the 6-10 range.