This complaint was about a proposed cutblock located in the Deadman River and Tranquille River watersheds. The watersheds are approximately 50 kilometres northwest of Kamloops, in the Kamloops Forest District and within the area covered by the Kamloops Local Resource Management Plan (LRMP). In the 1980s, the Skeetchestn Indian Band (the complainant) voluntarily halted fishing in the Deadman River due to declining salmon stocks. The Band worked with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to inventory fish stocks, and established its own hatchery on the Deadman River. In 1990, heavy rainfall resulted in large flows within the river system that caused considerable damage to fish habitat along the Deadman River.
A Large Aggregate Cutblock in the Heller Tranquille Creek Watersheds Northwest of Kamloops
Ainsworth Lumber Co. Ltd. – FL A18690
Audit of Forest Planning and Practices: Ainsworth Lumber Co. Ltd. – FL A18690
This is the Board’s report on a compliance audit of Forest Licence A18690, held by Ainsworth Lumber Company Ltd. The operating area for this licence is located within the Kamloops Forest District, primarily around the communities of Cache Creek and Ashcroft. The audit examined Ainsworth’s field activities and obligations for the period of July 1, 1999 to July 19, 2000, related to operational planning; timber harvesting; silviculture; fire protection; construction, maintenance and deactivation of roads; and construction and maintenance of bridges.
Water Quality in the East Blackpool Watersheds
Residents in the East Blackpool area near Clearwater were concerned that forestry activities above their properties would affect their domestic water supply. The properties are on a bench of land above the North Thompson River. The East Blackpool area contains several small separate drainages, including Lone Creek, Modrall Creek, Rennie Creek, Bester Creek, McCarthy Creek, and Axel Creek. The area falls under the Kamloops Land Resource Management Plan (LRMP) that was approved by cabinet in 1995 and declared a higher level plan in 1996.
Water Quality in the East Blackpool Watersheds
Kamloops Forest District Small Business Forest Enterprise Program (SBFEP)
Audit of Timber Harvesting and Road Construction, Maintenance and Deactivation: Kamloops Forest District Small Business Forest Enterprise Program (SBFEP)
As part of the Forest Practices Board’s 2000 compliance audit program, the Ministry of Forests SBFEP in the Kamloops Forest District was selected fro audit from the population of SBFEPs within the province.
The audit examined the planning and field activities related to timber harvesting and the construction, maintenance and deactivation of roads for the period September 1, 1999, to September 10, 2000. This included examining operational plans, such as forest development plans, silviculture prescriptions and logging plans, that supported the activities examined during the audit period. These activities were assessed for compliance with the Forest Practices Code of British Columbia Act and related regulations.
Road Construction Practices Near the Upper Adams River – Blue River, BC in the Clearwater Forest District
The complainant is an experienced forest worker who is familiar with road construction practices. He traveled on the Storm Creek Road when he worked in the upper Adams River area for about two months between June and September of 1998. During that time, the complainant observed what he considered to be poor road construction practices.
On October 1, 1998, the complainant reported his concerns to the Ministry of Forests in Clearwater. The ministry investigated and reported to the complainant that it had no concerns with the licensee’s operations. The complainant then submitted a complaint to the Board.
