An Evaluation of the United States Experience in Controlling Forest Practices on Private Lands

The forest practice legislation of 14 states is examined critically to provide a basis for suggesting elements of a forest practice act for Ontario. Four types of legislation are identified: voluntary-selective, voluntary-comprehensive, mandatory-selective, and mandatory-comprehensive. The American experience suggests strongly that only mandatory-comprehensive legislation has had much impact on improving forest management on private land. This experience also suggests any effort to develop similar legislation for Ontario must give particular attention to how the administering agency is notified of intended activity on private land, the development standards for harvesting, regeneration, road construction and other practices, and procedures for monitoring and enforcing compliance with standards. A meaningful administrative commitment, including adequate staffing and funding, will be essential to any effort to enhance forest management on private land in Ontario.