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VICTORIA – Government continues its plans to revitalize and strengthen the forest sector with two bills introduced today by Forests Minister Michael de Jong.
Delivering on commitments outlined in the Forestry Revitalization Plan, the Forest (Revitalization) Amendment Act (No. 2), 2003:
· Ensures competitively awarded timber-sale licences form the basis of an auction-based pricing system that will be more market-sensitive. · Introduces a requirement to pay stumpage for illegally harvesting timber. On top of penalties of up to $1 million, anyone convicted of illegal harvesting will pay applicable stumpage fees. · Introduces new penalties to prevent collusion from occurring in timber and log markets. Licence agreements may be cancelled if the licence holder has tried to fix bid prices through threats, intimidation or collusion. The holder may also be disqualified from bidding on any form of tenure for up to 10 years.
The forestry revitalization legislation also creates the new community salvage licence. Interested communities can apply for a licence to diversify their forest economies. This licence typically will be awarded for salvage timber, with regular stumpage rates paid on timber harvested.
The Forests Statutes Amendment Act (No. 2), 2003 amends the Forest Act so that major forest licensees and B.C. Timber Sales can carry out timber supply analyses under a new model of forest management called defined forest area management. Under this model, while government sets and enforces standards, licensees are collectively responsible for forest management activities across their respective timber supply areas.
The bill also amends the Forest Practices Code of British Columbia Act, Forest Act and Range Act to harmonize compliance and enforcement provisions with those contained in the Forest and Range Practices Act. Amendments will improve the overall effectiveness of the Ministry of Forests’ compliance and enforcement program.
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