Impact of Harvesting on a Tourism Business near Ootsa Lake
The Board received a complaint from the owner of a tourism business near Ootsa Lake, in the Nadina Forest District alleging that logging by Tyeewood Inc. is harming his business and trespassing on timber harvesting rights previously granted to him. The Board investigated whether logging in the area was consistent with strategic guidance for tourism and recreation; whether harvesting was consistent with MOFR’s commitment to the complainant; and whether consultation on the proposed forest development was adequate.
Impact of Harvesting on a Tourism Business near Ootsa Lake
Audit of Forest Planning and Practices On Nisga’a Lands
The fourth compliance audit on Nisga’a Lands reported that the provincial government needs to act promptly to ensure the forest obligation under the Nisga’a treaty is fulfilled. The other auditees—Skeen Cellulose Inc.; Sim Gan Forest Corporation; West Fraser Mills Ltd.; BC Timber Sales, Skeena Business Area; and the Kalum Forest District Manager— complied with forest practices legislation and the Nisga’a Treaty agreement.
Audit of Forest Planning and Practices On Nisga’a Lands
Nadina Beetle Treatments
A resident of Francois Lake complained to the Minister of Forests in May 2003 about the Ministry of Forests (MOF) using Monosodium Methanearsonate (MSMA), an arsenic-based pesticide, to control bark beetles. In July 2003, as she was dissatisfied with the minister’s response, she complained to the Forest Practices Board that the Nadina Forest District had allowed MSMA to be used to kill bark beetles. She asserted that arsenic compounds spread to other species of animals and humans, which caused damage to the environment.
The complainant was concerned that MSMA was being applied in close proximity to private property, which was contrary to its intended use as described in advertising and in testimony at an environmental appeal. The complainant asserted that the MOF did not adequately track which trees had been treated and, as a result, treated trees had been harvested, causing harm to fallers. Further, the complainant asserted that milling treated trees and burning the waste caused mill workers and the general population to come into contact with arsenical compounds.
Nadina Beetle Treatments
Evaluating Mountain Pine Beetle Management in British Columbia
Lodgepole pine is an abundant species in the interior of British Columbia (BC) and is important to the region’s forest economy. It is present in 9 of the 12 biogeoclimatic zones, occurring in 6 million hectares of forest across the region. Pine supplies as much as 80 percent of the annual timber harvest in some central interior forest districts and comprises 25 percent of the province’s timber supply.
The audit found the licensees operating in the Hallett landscape unit to be in compliance, in all significant respects, with the Forest Practices Code’s planning and practices requirements as they relate to MPB management within the audit area for operational planning; harvesting; road construction, maintenance and deactivation; site preparation; planting; and fire hazard abatement, for activities between September 1, 2002 and September 26, 2003.
Evaluating Mountain Pine Beetle Management in British Columbia
Audit of Forest Planning and Practices and Forest Practices Code Enforcement on Nisga’a Lands
This compliance audit is the third of five annual audits of compliance with the Forest Practices Code as well as forestry-related requirements of the Nisga’a Final Agreement, and the second audit of government enforcement on Nisga’a lands.
