The Managed Forest Council (Council) is the independent provincial agency responsible for administering the forest practices component of the Managed Forest Program, which includes the protection of key environmental values. The Private Managed Forest Land Council Regulation (Council Regulation) provides clear requirements for owners, contractors, employees and agents with respect to the key values.
One of Council’s functions is to carry out inspections and enforce forest practices standards in accordance with regulations. A key component is the annual inspection program that provides ongoing assessment of owners’ compliance with the private managed forest land legislation.
Managed Forests in the program are inspected at least once every five years and newly managed forests are inspected within three years of entrance to the program. Inspections may occur on a more frequent basis where potential environmental risk has been identified, such as higher levels of operations in proximity to a water intake or fish habitat.
This year a team of 8 forest professionals will carry out 64 inspections throughout BC. Inspections focus on harvesting; road construction, deactivation, and maintenance; and reforestation. Potential non-compliances identified by inspectors are followed up with further field review and investigation where warranted.
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