Highlights of the Year

1. During fiscal year 2004/05, the Board produced a number of reports that received significant public interest. The top four most popular reports, based on downloads from the Board's website, were: Integrating Non-Timber Forest Products into Forest Planning and Practices in British Columbia, Implementation of Biodiversity Measures under the Forest Practices Code, BC's Mountain Caribou: Last Chance for Conservation?, and Evaluating Mountain Pine Beetle Management in British Columbia, in that order.
2. Media coverage of Board reports and publications increased 47 per cent over the previous fiscal year.
3. The Board chair and staff presented Board reports and findings at seven conferences and workshops, and were guest speakers at the University of Victoria and the University of Northern BC.
4. The Board dealt with 89 concerns (where members of the public contacted the Board with a problem). Most were dealt with by asking the person to first try to resolve their concern by contacting the regulatory agency that deals with the matter. Many concerns dealt with matters that the Board has no authority to investigate. In those cases, the person was directed to an agency that did have the jurisdiction, such as the Ombudsman.
5. The Board began 24 complaint investigations; one was abandoned by the complainant and the remaining 23 proceeded.
6. The Board released the findings of nine audits.
7. In addition to three audits that were started and completed in the fiscal year, the Board conducted five new audits, including: an audit of a BCTS operation; three effectiveness audits for visual, riparian and biodiversity management systems, involving 11 licensees; and an audit of the appropriateness of government's enforcement of the Forest Practices Code and the Forest and Range Practices Act.
8. The Board reviewed 192 penalty determinations made by Ministry of Forests' district managers, and participated in nine appeals to the Forest Appeals Commission on behalf of the public interest.