Year-at-a-Glance Highlights

This section summarizes the significant events and performance achievements in the ministry during 2003/04. The events and achievements categorized below by ministry goal indicate how well the ministry has achieved key aspects of its mandate.

Ministry Operating Context

• Wildfires were a significant challenge to the province in 2003, particularly in the Interior. The Filmon Firestorm 2003 Provincial Review made recommendations to government on how to be better prepared to deal with future wildfires.
• The area infected by the mountain pine beetle epidemic doubled from the area infected in 2002 and is now over 4.1 million hectares. Finding markets for beetle-damaged wood remained a challenge to the forest sector.
• Despite US imposed countervailing and anti-dumping duties on Canadian softwood lumber, British Columbia's share of the US softwood lumber market remained steady. Negotiations on the long running softwood lumber dispute continued.
• While Japan lumber imports from BC were reduced by five per cent during the year, a 34 per cent increase in BC wood product sales to Taiwan, China and Korea was realized (albeit this still accounts for a very small portion of BC wood exports).
• British Columbia continues to lead all Canadian provinces in the area of forestland certified by major certification processes, helping the forest industry to meet the interests of customers and demonstrating the province's commitment to sustainable forest management.
• 2003/04 was the third year in a 3-year workforce adjustment process. During this year the ministry was reduced by 61 employees for a total three-year reduction of 893 employees.

Goal 1: Sustainable Forest Resources

The ministry substantially achieved, achieved or over-achieved most of its performance targets under its first goal during 2003/04. Performance highlights include:

• Despite the wildfire challenges, the ministry's performance on rapid effective initial attack of fires remained within target.
• Implementation of the Forest and Range Practices Act, along with training of 4,000 government and industry personnel on the new regulations and their application.
• Achievement of an overall 50 per cent reduction in forest regulation, surpassing government's goal of a one-third reduction, one year earlier than directed.
• 83 per cent of timber supply area allowable annual cut determinations were achieved by their scheduled deadline. Analysis during the year focused on the impacts of catastrophic forest fires and bark beetle infestations on timber supply.
• Although forage was available to range users as planned, there were significant pressures on range resources during 2003/04 from drought and wildlife grazing. In addition, the challenge of BSE (bovine spongiform encephalopathy), or mad cow disease, made it a difficult year for range agreement holders.
• Recreation sites and trails were available to the public as planned. Signing of partnership agreements for maintaining Forest Service recreation sites exceeded expectations, although agreements for maintaining trails were fewer than expected.

Goal 2: Sustainable Forest Benefits

The ministry partially achieved, substantially achieved, or achieved most of its performance targets under its second goal during 2003/04. Performance highlights include:

• A market pricing system was implemented for the Coast on February 29, 2004, but government has not yet made a decision about implementation in the Interior.
• The plan to increase compliance and enforcement (C&E) effort on pricing and revenue activities proceeded at a more cautious pace than initially anticipated. This was due to C&E focusing efforts on the transition to the new Forest and Range Practices Act.
• Timber volume through tenure was available to licensees as expected.
• Introduction of the First Nations Forest Strategy, including sharing of forest revenue and greater access to timber for First Nations was realized through 47 consultation agreements, 22 accommodation agreements and 32 tenures offered to First Nations.
• BC Timber Sales reform proceeded with the establishment of a credible reference point for costs and pricing of timber, and an increase in the volume advertised for sale. The higher than expected per cent of sales refused was an indicator of market conditions and prices more than ministry performance.

Goal 3: Effective and Responsive Forest Manager

The ministry's achievement of performance under its third goal varied from over-achieved to partially achieved during 2003/04. Performance highlights include:

• The ministry managed a very large policy and legislation agenda in support of achieving government direction for the ministry's primary two goals. This includes four new Acts and five significant Amendment Acts, as well as 11 Forest and Range Practices Act regulations.
• Three years of workforce adjustment have been concluded, and the ministry Executive has begun to focus on revitalization of the organization.
• Three significant client services were implemented electronically via an internet link, improving benefits to the ministry and its clients from technology.