VICTORIA – An audit of the South Island District portion of the B.C. Timber Sales (BCTS) Strait of Georgia Business Area has found compliance with most, but not all, requirements of the Forest and Range Practices Act and the Wildfire Act, according to a report released today.

“While BCTS met most of its obligations, the audit did find one steep section of road that did not comply with requirements for safe road construction,” said board chair Tim Ryan. “Following the audit fieldwork, BCTS immediately hired a qualified professional to address the issue and that section of road has since been rebuilt.”

“Auditors also found one timber-sale licence holder who did not maintain natural drainage patterns and caused disturbance to streams on one cutblock,” added Ryan. “Again, following the audit fieldwork, the licence holder restored natural drainage patterns and amended its procedures to prevent similar issues in the future.”

“The board is pleased with the quick actions of BCTS and the timber-sale licence holder in correcting these issues. BCTS is demonstrating continuous improvement, which is one of the benefits of board audits,” continued Ryan.

The audit area covers the southern third of Vancouver Island. Most of the activities audited were in the Port Alberni, Port Renfrew, Bowser and Lake Cowichan areas. During the two-year audit period of June 2015 to June 2017, timber-sale licensees harvested approximately 260,000 cubic metres of timber from 45 cutblocks.

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:

Darlene Oman
Communications
Forest Practices Board
Phone: 250 213-4705 / 1 800 994-5899