“(a) encourage maximum productivity of the forest and range resource in the Province;
(b) manage, protect and conserve the forest and range resources of the Crown, having regard to the immediate and long-term economic and social benefits they may confer on the Province;
(c) plan the use of the forest and range resources of the Crown, so that the production of timber and forage, the harvesting of timber, the grazing of livestock and the realization of fisheries, wildlife, water, outdoor recreation and other natural resource values are coordinated and integrated, in consultation and cooperation with other ministries and agencies of the Crown and with the private sector;
(d) encourage a vigorous, efficient and world competitive timber processing industry in the Province; and
(e) assert the financial interest of the Crown in its forest and range resources in a systematic and equitable manner.”
The act also sets the ministry’s administrative framework and specifies its major objectives and powers related to Crown forests, range and recreation resources. The ministry is empowered to enter into all necessary agreements and cooperative arrangements with other public and private agencies to achieve its mandated goals and objectives.
While the ministry’s legal mandate has remained constant, public concerns, expectations and involvement in forest resource issues have changed how the mandate has been interpreted over time.
Prior to 1979, the ministry’s mandate dealt primarily with harvesting authorization, road construction, reforestation, fire suppression, range administration and rustic recreation. When the Ministry of Forests Act (1979) was introduced, the ministry’s main goal was to supply timber to develop and maintain the province’s timber-based economy. By 1984, increasing public pressures and changing social values had placed greater emphasis on developing integrated resource management strategies and ensuring sustainable development.
In 1986, the ministry developed a mission statement and a set of corporate goals and commitments specifying how to achieve its mandate.[184] Both mission statement and corporate goals have changed over time in response to changing public expectations.
Changes in interpretation of the Ministry of Forests mandate and in societal values can be followed by examining the ministry’s annual reports. Such a review indicates that up until 1987 the emphasis remained on supplying timber to the forest industry and on generating revenues for the Crown.[185] However, by the end of 1988 a shift in emphasis towards non-timber values was evident. The emphasis on producing healthy forests to meet social and economic needs and on managing for recreation and wilderness values continues today.
The mission of the Ministry of Forests is to manage and protect the forest and range resources of the province for the optimum balance of economic, social and environmental benefits to British Columbians, now and in the future.[186]
To carry out its mandate, the ministry:
In the past 10 years the ministry has addressed public concerns and expectations for B.C. forests by legislating basic silviculture, ensuring that integrated resource management planning is initiated at all levels, ensuring that the public and First Nations are involved in hearings into resource use, and increasing forest recreation opportunities.
The ministry’s commitment to consider social, economic and environmental factors and to involve stakeholders in decision-making is evidenced by its participation in the following initiatives:[187]
Many of these initiatives provide a framework to develop workable, acceptable solutions to resource use issues by focusing the attention and effort of affected parties on a common goal. Through roundtables and local land and resource management planning processes, other agencies, special interest groups, First Nations and the public participate in decisions about how provincial forest resources are managed.
Figure 8.1 depicts the Ministry of Forests organizational structure as of March 1994. The Ministry of Forests Act (1979) outlines the basic structure of the Ministry of Forests. It provides for the establishment of divisions and branches and the appointment of a minister, deputy minister, chief forester, regional and district managers and other employees to carry out the ministry’s function. An assistant deputy minister (ADM), who reports to the deputy minister (DM), heads each division. The ADM of the Forestry Division is also the chief forester.
The DM, acting as chairperson and ADMs form the ministry executive. Branches in each division are headed by branch directors who report to their respective ADM.
For administrative purposes the province is divided into six forest regions, (Figure 8.2) which, in turn, are subdivided into a total of 43 forest districts. Each region and district is administered by a manager and one or more supporting staff managers.
The ministry’s organizational structure has changed significantly since the 1984 Forest and Range Resource Analysis, reflecting changes in government, public priorities and ministry expectations. In 1984, the ministry was structured to “decentralize administrative authority.” Headquarters staff defined policy, provided overall guidance and advised the deputy minister (hence the minister and government) on all matters relating to forest and range policy.[188]
By comparison, the ministry structure in 1994 is far more complex. It is organized to “manage the resources more effectively; decentralize decision-making to ensure efficient and highly responsive service to ministry clients; emphasize integrated resource management and forest product development and marketing; establish clear line-staff relationships; ensure accountability of managers; achieve excellence through a commitment to employees; and provide an audit approach to management.”[189]
At the end of the 1993-94 fiscal year, the ministry had four divisions — Forestry, Management Services, Operations, Policy and Planning — together constituting 18 branches. A brief description of the responsibilities of each division follows.
Forestry Division ensures that all Crown forests are managed to provide the greatest long-term benefits for British Columbians.[190] The assistant deputy minister for Forestry Division is also the chief forester, who determines the allowable annual cut (AAC) for timber supply areas (TSAs) and tree farm licences (TFLs).
Management Services Division provides professional corporate staff advice and administrative services. The ministry’s executive financial officer is the assistant deputy minister for this division.
Operations Division is the operating arm of the ministry and is charged with implementing ministry policy. This includes responsibilities in administration and management of forest resources and timber harvesting. The division is also responsible for fire suppression, enforcement, nurseries and seed centres, and business design. All regions and districts are included in Operations Division.
Policy and Planning Division is responsible for leading corporate initiatives, including aboriginal and forest management issues, and working with the rest of government to respond to trade issues.
Foremost among these recommendations was that divisional responsibilities be realigned to prevent duplication or confusion between line and staff functions and to deliver services more efficiently. Other recommendations addressed branch, region and district level accountability and increased the level of resources devoted to land management. Specific recommendations included:
–Forestry Division will be responsible for carrying out the mandate of the chief forester and for developing the policy framework for all aspects of the forest management cycle, including harvesting and engineering.
– Management Services Division will be responsible for policies relating to the management of revenue, expenditures, human resources, facilities and information systems. This will include internal auditing and some administrative services.
–Operations Division will be responsible for delivering services in the field and managing issues relating to the field. This will include responsibilities for the Small Business Forest Enterprise Program (SBFEP), forest protection and forest tenure.
–Policy and Planning Division will be responsible for leading major corporate initiatives, including aboriginal and forest management issues, and for working with government to respond to trade issues and to finalize the Forest Practices Code and legislation.
At the time of this report, the ministry is in the process of reviewing the recommendations for reorganization. Restructuring is scheduled for completion by September 30, 1995.
