Small Communities Wildfire Protection Rules Clarified in New Legislation

By 250 News

Amendments have been introduced to forestry legislation to clarify wildfire protection rules in rural communities and to help  First Nations
in accessing timber for domestic use.

Rich Coleman, Minister of Forests and Range says the changes wil have a dual impact ""We are responding to rural communities who want to ensure the highest standards for fire protection apply in their areas.  We're also responding to the needs of First Nations who wish to  harvest timber for domestic use, such as building their own homes."

Bill 8, the Forests and Range Statutes Amendment Act, 2008, proposes amendments to strengthen wildfire protection for communities by  ensuring that strong local bylaws or the Wildfire Act apply in areas  regulated by local governments.

The bill also updates the Forest Act's provisions for free use permits to assist First Nations in accessing timber for domestic purposes, a right established by the Supreme Court of Canada.

The proposed amendments also provide updates in a number of operational and administrative areas:

• furthering the objectives of the Forestry Revitalization Plan by giving BC Timber Sales greater flexibility to pursue new opportunities;
• ensuring forest licensees consistently report to government in a timely manner all cost information necessary to support the market
  pricing system; and
• strengthening sustainable forest management provisions in the Forest and Range Practices Act by updating rules for forest stewardship plans;
  for example, requiring entire plans to undergo public review and government approval every five years. 
  
      

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