Nak'al Koh Timber Limited passes forestry audit
MACKENZIE — An audit of Nak'al Koh Timber Limited has found that its forestry planning and practices in the Mackenzie timber supply area (TSA) generally complied with the Forest and Range Practices Act and the Wildfire Act, except for seed transfer, silviculture reporting and fire hazard assessment.
Auditors from the Forest Practices Board examined 13 cutblocks harvested by Nak'al Koh between January 2020 and September 2023 under non-replaceable forest licence A89836. The audit team examined Nak'al Koh's operational planning, timber harvesting, road and bridge construction and maintenance, silviculture and wildfire protection.
Auditors identified five cutblocks where Nak'al Koh did not conform to the chief forester's seed transfer guidelines and three cutblocks where planting activities were not reported on time.
"Nak'al Koh has a plan in place to monitor and address any performance issues arising from its plantations. It also submitted planting reports for the three cutblocks before the end of the audit period," said Keith Atkinson, chair of the Forest Practices Board.
The audit also found Nak'al Koh did not complete the required fire hazard assessments for 12 cutblocks harvested during the audit period.
"While the board found conducting fire hazard assessments to be an area requiring improvement, there were no concerns with Nak'al Koh's practices around fire hazard abatement," Atkinson said. "Nak'al Koh effectively reduced fire hazards in all 11 cutblocks that were abated during the audit period."
The Mackenzie TSA is located within the Mackenzie Natural Resource District in northeastern B.C. The TSA falls within the territories of Doig River First Nation, Halfway River First Nation, McLeod Lake Indian Band, Nak'azdli Whut'en, Takla First Nation, Tsay Keh Dene First Nation and West Moberly First Nations.
The Forest Practices Board is B.C.'s independent watchdog for sound forest and range practices, reporting its findings and recommendations directly to the public and government. The board audits forest and range practices on public lands and appropriateness of government enforcement. It can also make recommendations for improvement to practices and legislation.
Contact:
Tanner Senko
Communications Manager
BC Forest Practices Board
tanner.senko@bcfpb.ca
250 889-8211 / 1 800 994-5899
