Forest Compliance Handbook 2010

This Handbook has been prepared to assist staff of the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) and those in the forest sector in understanding and applying compliance considerations and requirements in forest operations, particularly at the field operations level.

The Handbook is a compilation of forest compliance program documents from the provincial strategy through planning and implementation to the supporting directives and procedures. It is a reference for MNR and forest industry staff charged with carrying out to the provincial forest compliance program, including procedures for various related statutes that affect forest operations. The Handbook only addresses the main and most frequently encountered statutes and there are other (Provincial and Federal) statutes which may be applicable from time to time. It is the responsibility of those involved in forest operations to be aware of their legal obligations under all legislation.

While many of the various directives may be read and applied independently, they should be read collectively and with special regard to cross-references. This will ensure an understanding of the progression of thought, purpose and intent of forest compliance activities and actions under the Crown Forest Sustainability Act and the inter-relatedness of its components (i.e. moving from philosophy and principles through inspections and reporting to remedies and enforcement action).

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Updates: Effective April 1, 2012 - four of the Handbook’s procedures were revised and replaced with new procedures.

The changed procedures are:

FOR 07 03 01 – Forest Compliance Inspectors – Certification and Maintenance
FOR 07 06 04 – Written Warnings
FOR 07 06 05 – Orders Under the Crown Forest Sustainability Act
FOR 07 06 06 – Administrative Penalties – Determining Amounts and Application

Forest Compliance Handbook 2010 (PDF, 1.2MB 38 pages) [ISBN 978-1-4435-3479-6]

The electronic version of the Forest Compliance Handbook on this web page is the current version and the only officially approved version. Please return to this page for notices regarding updates to the handbook and to ensure you are working with the most current official version.

Please note: Section FOR 07 of the Forest Compliance Handbook is now integrated with the compendium of Forest Management Directives and Procedures. 

Previous versions of any Forest Compliance Handbook documents may be obtained by contacting David McGowan, Coordinator, Forest Operations Compliance. David.McGowan@Ontario.ca.