WHEREAS the study of ecosystem services as they relate to water is still developing and scientists are working to understand human impacts on water and the functions of fresh-water ecosystems in storing, filtering and purifying water; AND WHEREAS the Private Managed Forest Land Act does not impose ecosystem-based riparian regulations and permits selective harvesting to the waters edge on all water courses including fish-bearing streams and community drinking water sheds: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the UBCM request the provincial government amend the Private Forest Management Land Act with the goal to maintain and restore the productivity and resiliency of riparian ecosystems by maintaining along a stream or river all the biological and physical characteristics of an undisturbed forest, including both buffering and connectivity.
Ministry of Forests, Lands Mines The Private Managed Forest Land Act is designed to be results-based legislation, setting out five key management objectives for private managed forest land: soil conservation, water quality, fish habitat, critical wildlife habitat and reforestation all of which protect important riparian area attributes. The Private Managed Forest Land Council Council -- an independent provincial agency established under the Private Managed Forest Land Act to administer the Managed Forest Program and protect key public environmental values on private Managed Forest land in British Columbia - has the responsibility for establishing, administering, monitoring and amending regulations, with assistance from Ministry staff and the office of Legislative Counsel, relating to private managed forest land practices. The Council is also responsible for conducting inspections, audits and investigations in response to complaints - the results of which help inform the Council on the effectiveness of regulations. Government and the Council will continue to monitor results and look for ways to improve practices.