ABCFP and APEGBC Respond to Forest Practices Board's Special Investigation

VANCOUVER, BC - The Association of BC Forest Professionals (ABCFP) and Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists (APEGBC) are very concerned about the findings of the Forest Practices Board (FPB), which recently released a report on the planning, design and construction of forest bridges.

As the independent regulators of professional forestry and professional engineering through the administration of the Foresters Act and Engineers and Geoscientists Act respectively, the professions strongly believe one unsafe bridge is too many.

In its report, the FPB cited the role of the Guidelines for Professional Services in the Forest Sector – Crossings in setting the standard of professional practice for bridge projects. These guidelines were established by ABCFP and APEGBC in 2005 and revised in 2008. As the FPB report identifies, a number of professionals have not been following the guidelines.

In the coming weeks the professions will be actively determining the facts involving professional practice or unsafe conditions that may have contributed to the problem bridge structures identified by the FPB. If necessary, the professions will follow up with their respective enforcement and discipline systems. In addition the professions will update the current professional practice guidelines, identify the necessary skills and competencies required for this work, and undertake specialized professional development with members in this area of practice.

The professions have an existing Joint Practice Board composed of experienced professional engineers and forest professionals who work together to provide standards, guidance and other direction to professionals on forest crossings and forest bridges.

It is recognized that the public expects development projects in the natural environment to be directed by regulated professionals to ensure projects are conducted safely, professionally and sustainably. Where the use of a regulated professional is absent or insufficient, the professions may enforce legislation or undertake internal discipline procedures.

The ABCFP and APEGBC will be responding to the FPB by the requested date of Oct. 31, 2014 and advising them of the steps planned or taken to address the professional issues identified.

The Association of BC Forest Professionals is responsible for registering and regulating British Columbia's professional foresters and forest technologists. Today, it is the largest professional forestry association in Canada and the first to include forest technologists. Here in BC, the practice of professional forestry has been regulated since 1947 when foresters first agreed to help protect the public's interest in the province's forests in return for the exclusive right to practise forestry.

Founded in 1920, APEGBC is the regulatory and licensing body for the professions of engineering and geoscience and is charged with protecting the public interest. With over 29,000 members, APEGBC is one of the largest professional associations in BC and maintains high academic, experience and professional practice standards. APEGBC members deliver real world solutions to meet the technological and social challenges of the 21st century.

More information can be obtained at www.abcfp.ca and www.apeg.bc.ca or by contacting:

Doris Sun
Senior Communications Specialist
Association of BC Forest Professionals
604.639.8103
[email protected]

Megan Archibald
Director, Communications and Stakeholder Engagement
Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of BC
Ph: 604-412-4883
Email:  [email protected]