Audit of Valemount forestry operation finds issues
VALEMOUNT – A forestry audit of the Valemount Community Forest Company Ltd. (VCF) reveals that bridge construction and maintenance continue to be a pervasive issue in B.C. forestry.
The Forest Practices Board audited all activities carried out by the VCF between July 1, 2021, and July 28, 2023. While the licensee complied with most requirements, the report identifies five significant non compliances, two of which are related to bridge construction and maintenance.
Auditors had no safety concerns with the bridges installed during the audit period. However, the licensee did not have any of the legally required documents outlining how it would ensure these bridges were safe and structurally sound for industrial use.
“We continue to see licensees fall short of practice requirements for their bridges,” said Keith Atkinson, chair of the board. “This can put the safety of truck drivers and other industrial road users at risk. We encourage all licensees to review professional practice guidelines to ensure they understand when and how to meet these requirements.”
The report also identifies two significant non-compliances related to wildfire protection. Auditors found that no fuel breaks were created before burning slash piles, resulting in fires spreading outside of cutblock boundaries.
“It is absolutely critical that forest operators take every precaution when abating fire hazards, especially if they are burning in a high-risk area,” Atkinson said.
As part of the board’s 2023 audit program, the Prince George Natural Resource District was randomly selected. Within the district, it selected Community Forest Agreements K5Q and K2T and Forest Licence A93987, all held by the VCF, for audit.
The VCF operates within the territory of Simpcw First Nation and Tsq'escen First Nation (formerly the Canim Lake Band).
Associated links:
Forestry Practice Resources: https://www.fpbc.ca/practice-resources/standards-practice-guidelines/practice-standards-forest-resource-activities/
2014 Forest Practices Board special investigation on Bridge Planning, Design and Construction: https://www.bcfpb.ca/release-publications/releases/investigation-finds-unsafe-bridges-on-forestry-roads/
2020 Forest Practices Board Follow-Up Investigation of Bridge Planning, Design and Construction: https://www.bcfpb.ca/release-publications/releases/follow-up-investigation-of-bridge-planning-design-and-construction/
Contact:
Tanner Senko, Communications Manager
Forest Practices Board
tanner.senko@bcfpb.ca
Phone: 250-889-8211 / 1 800 994-5899
