VICTORIA – A Forest Practices Board investigation into the conservation of wildlife habitat and old-growth forest in the Squamish and Chilliwack Forest Districts has shown government’s measures to protect biodiversity face significant challenges.

The investigation looked specifically at progress in creating wildlife habitat areas for species at risk, old-growth management areas, and winter range areas for ungulates – mainly deer and goats – in the two forest districts. Both government agencies and forest licensees have spent considerable time and effort on these planning processes.

In both forest districts, wildlife habitat and old-growth areas are largely established up to government target levels, although only 60 per cent of the old-growth areas have been legally established. Ungulate winter ranges have been established in the Squamish Forest District, but not in the Chilliwack Forest District. Goat winter ranges were established last month, but the forest industry and the Ministry of Environment have been unable to agree on where to locate deer winter range, despite having started the process in 2001. Logging has occurred in some of the candidate areas, reducing available options.

“What concerns the board is that the process of designating conservation areas is a slow and cumbersome process in comparison with the more rapid decisions that result in granting of cutting permits. Once proposals for critical wildlife habitat have been identified, there is no formal mechanism to ensure that they will remain intact while they are assessed. The result is that valuable wildlife habitat can be logged, reducing options for the future,” said board chair Bruce Fraser.

In its report, the board is recommending that the Ministry of Environment designate the deer winter range in the Chilliwack district as soon as possible and that a proposed provincial policy to abandon the legal designation of any additional old-growth management areas be reconsidered.

The Forest Practices Board is B.C.’s independent watchdog for sound forest and range practices, reporting its findings and recommendations directly to the public and government. The board:

• audits forest and range practices on public lands;
• audits appropriateness of government enforcement;
• investigates public complaints;
• undertakes special investigations of current forestry issues;
• participates in administrative appeals; and
• makes recommendations for improvement to practices and legislation.

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