Fire Preparedness
This investigation identifies fire preparedness issues facing those subject to the Wildfire Act; determines if there are differences in fire preparedness between various groups (e.g., small versus large forest licensees, certified versus non-certified); and highlights fire preparedness practices in the interest of contributing to fire prevention.
Tembec Industries Inc. – FL A19040
Audit of Forest Planning and Practices: Tembec Industries Inc. – FL A19040
As part of the Forest Practices Boardʹs 2010 compliance audit program, the Board randomly selected the Rocky Mountain Forest District as the location for a full‐scope compliance audit. Within the district, the Board selected FL A19040, held by Tembec Industries Inc., for audit.
The primary operating areas are scattered throughout the Cranbrook Timber Supply Area, around the cities of Cranbrook, Kimberley and Fernie, and the communities of Sparwood and Elkford.
The Board’s audit fieldwork took place from July 5 to 9, 2010.
Wood Waste in Bigmouth Creek
In September 2009, the Board received a complaint about large pieces of wood (i.e., logs) being left on a cutblock at the head of the Bigmouth Creek watershed, in the interior cedar hemlock (ICH) biogeoclimatic zone north of Revelstoke. While working in the area, the complainant observed large amounts of sound wood, including cedar, hemlock and spruce, in waste piles in cutblock A60881. He also saw that at least one large spruce taken was from outside the block boundary. The complainant was concerned that merchantable timber was being left, rather than being removed to a mill. The complainant was also concerned about the impact that the harvesting in an old cedar ecosystem would have on threatened species, such as wolverine and caribou.
Wood Waste in Bigmouth Creek
Road Construction in the Mounce Creek Domestic Watershed
Audit of Forest Legislation Enforcement in the Columbia Forest District
The Forest Practices Board has audited the appropriateness of government’s enforcement of the provisions of the Forest and Range Practices Act and the Wildfire Act, in the Columbia Forest District in southeastern British Columbia.
The Board commends the Ministry of Forests and Range staff in the district for their good compliance and enforcement (C&E) practices during the audit period. They completed a large number of inspections, demonstrating that they were out on the ground, extensively monitoring forest activities. They also conducted numerous investigations and took appropriate enforcement actions when problems were identified. When interviewed, licensees in the district reported that compliance monitoring and enforcement practices were conducted fairly during the two-year audit period. Overall, the investigation found no C&E weaknesses of concern in the district.
BCTS Cutblocks in Slocan Park
BCTS Cutblocks in Slocan Park
A group of residents of Slocan Park submitted a complaint about a British Columbia Timber Sales (BCTS) timber licence regarding harvest and harvest plans for four cutblocks in Slocan Park. The complainants were concerned that BCTS had not consulted with them effectively and that BCTS would not monitor road building and harvesting. As well, among their many other concerns, the complainants were worried that harvest would impact water supply, terrain stability, visual quality and fire risk.
The Board investigation considered the following:
- Did BCTS provide an effective opportunity for review and comment on the proposed cutblocks?
- Were assessments and subsequent prescribed measures reasonable?
- Will there be an unacceptable increase in fire risk?
- What is being done to ensure compliance with legislation and to mitigate impacts?
