Transcript Powerpoint overheads

Forest Practices Code
Transition
Larry Pedersen
Chief Forester, MOF
Agenda
 Background
 History of Transitional FPC
 Why change now?
 Principles for change
 What is changing?
 Role of Professionals
 Impact on the BCFS
 Rising to the challenge
Amendments to the FPC
Introduction
 Amendments to the current Forest
Practices Code are effective this month
 First step toward FRPA:
 in Spring 2003
 Excellent foundation for FRPA:
 Dedication and hard work of government,
industry, auditors and public watchdogs
 High standards in forest practices in BC
 Today’s discussion:
 Amendments to the FPC
(December 2002 to April 2005)
Amendments to the FPC
Background
 Forest Practices Code:
 Became law in 1995
 Governed planning & forest practices
 Consolidated policies and practices across
province into legal framework
 Increased level of protection for
environmental values
 Increased public participation
 Increased emphasis on planning
Amendments to the FPC
Strengths of the FPC
 More equitable treatment
of licensees
 Standards transparent to all
 Increased public credibility
 Based on current scientific
knowledge/thinking
Amendments to the FPC
Weaknesses of the FPC
 Complexity
 Lack of incentives
 Industry’s inability to respond rapidly to
market opportunities
 Impact on harvesting costs
 Key environmental provisions still not
delivered (e.g. landscape level planning)
Amendments to the FPC
History of the Transitional FPC
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
KPMG
Study on
Costs
Bill 47
Cost Driver
Initiative
Code Review Committee
Review other
policy
frameworks
Code Pilots
Amendments to the FPC
History of Transitional FPC
May 1st, 2002
July 25th , 2002
Discussion
Paper
Developed
Nov. 4th, 2002
Mid Dec. 2002
Consultation
Process
Public
Input
Forest Statutes
Amendment Act
Drafted
Discussion Paper
1st, 2nd and 3rd
Released, Consultation
Reading
Begins
Dr. Hoberg
FSAA
releases report
FSAA passed
recommendations introduced
to the house into
Law
Amendments to the FPC
Transitional FPC
 December 2002 to April 2005
 Amendments to FPC
 Transitional legislation
 Takes effect this month
 Provides transactional relief
 Licensees move to FRPA by replacing FDP
with FSP between April ‘03- April ’05
 FRPA Regulations to follow early next year
Amendments to the FPC
Why Change Now?
 Move immediately in the direction of FRPA
 Reduce costs and complexity
 Ensure delivery is within the changing resource
capacity of government
 Introduce new efficiencies for industry by
providing “freedom to manage” for results
 Can continue to balance social, environmental
and economic interests in FPC framework
Amendments to the FPC
Principles
 Must allow for innovation and creativity
 Must limit constraints of law to where
absolutely required to meet public
interests - i.e don’t over-regulate or
constrain freedoms with law
 Legislative standards must be clear,
precise and succinct
 Must be enforceable
 Must achieve an equivalent level of
environmental stewardship
Amendments to the FPC
Major Changes to FPC
 Government will not approve site plans
and minor amendments to FDPs
 All FDPs currently in effect are extended to
April 2005
 Forest companies must meet new
standards for all new site-level plans
 Minor changes to approved plans must not
affect intent of plan or other stakeholders
 Results of site plans and minor
amendments subject to C&E
Amendments to the FPC
What Has Not Changed?
 Compliance and Enforcement:
 Administrative remedies will remain
 Forest Practices Board’s role will remain
 Forest Development Plans maintained
 Continue to manage and protect all
forest resources
Amendments to the FPC
Amended Code and
Professionals
 Amended Code increases the reliance on
resource professionals
 Amended Code is not the right instrument
for regulating professional conduct
 Legislation governing resource
professionals is being modernized
Amendments to the FPC
Amended Code and
Professionals - Continued
 Which professionals to use?
 Look to the FPC and Professional Acts
 Signing and Sealing
 Either specified in FPC (e.g. sign off during
transition) or,
 Look to Professional Acts and Bylaws
 Role of Resource Management Professionals
 See Companion Document 5
http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/code/#act
Amendments to the FPC
What is the Impact on BCFS?
 Changing roles and responsibilities
 Compliance and Enforcement:
 Continued and more focused role in
protection and conservation of forest and
range values
 Effectiveness Evaluations:
 Continued evaluation of outcomes
against stated objectives in new Code
 Increased science based assessments
Amendments to the FPC
Rising to the Challenge
 Letting go of traditional approaches
 Accepting new roles
 Monitoring trends and outcomes
 Respond as needed
 Keep implementation decisions simple
and make it work
Amendments to the FPC
Summary
 Framework deliverable with changing
staffing levels in government
 Changes provide for early
implementation of some of the features
of FRPA
 FRPA regulation work is ongoing and
decisions on direction are not yet final
 Solid foundation for moving ahead
through the transition period
Amendments to the FPC
End of
Overview Presentation
with
Larry Pedersen
Amendments to the FPC