They took years to write and cost hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of dollars.

Yet locally developed sustainable-forest plans aren't enforceable under a new provincial law, the Clayoquot Sound Central Region Board learned last week.

During a regular meeting at Tofino's Tin Wis Resort, the CRB learned the provincial government didn't include the Clayoquot Sound Scientific Panel or recently approved Clayoquot Sound watershed plans as objectives in the new Forest and Range Practices Act. The CRB also learned the law could take as many as 18 months to amend.

The issue, which arose during a presentation by Ministry of Forest and Range representatives, turned the province's own representatives on the CRB against the province.

"It feels like a slap in the face," said Dianne St. Jacques, Ucluelet's mayor and a provincial representative on the CRB. "Why were we left out? Why wasn't this region set aside?"

The CRB voted to inform Rich Coleman, minister of forests and range, about the board's concerns. It also asked MOFR representatives to discuss what options the board may have if a forest company submits logging plans in the coming months.

Setup under the Interim Measures Extension Agreement, the CRB allows First Nations and Non-First Nations to manage resources and lands jointly until treaty negotiations are completed. The board, consisting of First Nations and local representatives of the provincial government, must approve all industrial or commercial activities on Clayoquot Sound Crown land.

At the heart of the issue is what's known as Forest Stewardship Plans, a new planning requirement that will replace Forest Development Plans under the FRPA March 31.

Under FSPs, forest companies must provide maps showing the boundaries of forest development units and strategies on how they'll meet government objectives and standards. They must also consult the public and First Nations and receive government approval.

However, the FSPs state Clayoquot Sound Scientific Panel or Clayoquot Sound watershed plans - developed in consultation with the province over the past decade - are not objectives set by the government.

The Clayoquot Sound Scientific Panel, written by a 19-member panel over two years, consists of five reports and 170 recommendations. The panel followed the arrest of more than 800 logging protestors in 1993.

Agreed to by First Nations and the provincial government under the IMEA, the Clayoquot Sound watershed plans cover 11 watersheds: Tofino-Tranquil, Sydney-Pretty Girl, Bedwell-Ursus-Bulson, Hesquiaht, Kennedy Lake, Upper Kennedy River, Clayoquot River, Fortune Channel, Flores Island, Cypre and Bedingfield.

Jim Lornie, the CRB's provincial co-chair, said the MOFR is putting the board in a very "awkward situation."

He said the board will face a dilemma if a forest company comes to the board next month and asks for exemptions to the Scientific Panel and watershed plans.

He questioned whether the board will be forced to approve recommendations and then "trust" the MOFR to monitor logging activities.

Guy Louie, the CRB's co-chair from Ahousaht, said the IMEA is like a "Bible" to First Nations.

"If this is not going to happen, it could have some dire effects."

Angus Campbell, a CRB member from Ahousaht, said the government has admitted to signing an agreement with Clayoquot Sound First Nations.

Bruce Frank, a CRB member from the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations, said his band won't support the FSPs.

"It's become increasingly clear worldwide, ecological interests should be trumping monetary and timber interests," added Roland Arnet, a provincial representative from Tofino. "

He said the Scientific Panel and watershed plans are minimum standards, and the "war in the woods" was never declared over.

"The people of the province are watching what is happening in Clayoquot Sound.

Sunday night, Scott Fraser, NDP MLA for Alberni-Qualicum, questioned how many millions of dollars and thousands of hours have been spent on the scientific panel and watershed plans.

"This is ludicrous," he said. "This is a breach of public trust.

"The CRB is responsible to cabinet at the end of the day."

Fraser said Clayoquot Sound received designation as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve partly because of the scientific panel.

"This government is making a mockery of B.C. internationally."

Fraser said he will meet with Bob Simpson, the NDP's forestry critic, to discuss the issue today.