British Columbia’s Ministry of Forests has developed a results-based forest practices code which it says will help create jobs and economic growth without compromising environmental standards.
Following a public consultation process the existing code has been streamlined to make it more workable, with tough penalties for non-compliance. The cornerstone of the new code, which will take effect in April 2003, is the requirement for a comprehensive forest stewardship plan that will replace three existing operational plans.
Forests minister Michael de Jong said: “We’re cutting through the red tape so government and the forest sector can practice smart management. Forest sector professionals will spend time and resources on managing forest values instead of shuffling paper.”
He said 18 approval steps that wasted effort without improving protection are already due to be eliminated.
