Forest management – Compliance and enforcement

Compliance and Enforcement Action

Forest-related regulations and policy directives under the Forests Act ensure sustainable forest management and a healthy forest for future Albertans. The Alberta Government monitors compliance by conducting planned and random audits of timber operations and production. Timber disposition holders are required to self-report contraventions to the department within 48 hours of discovery, see section 3.2.4 of the Alberta Timber Harvest and Planning operating ground rules for more information. 

If a company or individual is found to be non-compliant, the Alberta Government will take compliance and enforcement action. This may include:

• assessing penalties
• follow-up action plans and corrective actions
• seizing timber
• suspending or cancelling timber harvest rights or dispositions

Enforcement and Penalties

Violations or contraventions of the legislation may be found during compliance activities. Contraventions require further investigation. If a violation is confirmed, the forest company or individual is required to fix the problem. Appropriate fines or penalties, established under legislation, may also be assessed for these contraventions.

Section 65 of the Forests Act require that the director publish particulars of enforcement actions taken under the act. 

For more information on this legislation, see:

• Directive No. 97-21 Public Disclosure of Penalties – December 15, 2019

Contraventions for the past 5 years

To meet these legislated requirements, the Department publishes all contraventions assessed in the last 5 years. In all cases appearing below, the respondents have been notified of the penalty assessments and invoiced accordingly.

• Forests Act contraventions