Audit Gives Good Marks for Streamside Forest Practices

VICTORIA – A Kootenay forestry operator has received good marks for protecting streams from the effects of logging, the Forest Practices Board reported today.

The pilot effectiveness audit of Wynndel Box and Lumber Company Ltd. examined operational planning, timber harvesting and road crossings above streams from Jan. 1, 2000, to Sept. 30, 2004. In addition to evaluating compliance with forest practices legislation, the pilot audit used a checklist of 14 questions to determine whether logging practices are impacting the proper functioning of streams.

“The board found that Wynndel’s forestry practices were in full compliance with the legislated requirements for all streamside activities,” said board chair Bruce Fraser. “Furthermore, the harvesting practices audited generally did not disturb the proper functioning of nearby streams and minimized sediment deposits in streams resulting from the road crossings.”

The audit examined the impact of forest practices on individual stream features such as free movement of fish, and streamside vegetation, as well as the level of sediment introduced into streams at road crossings. The audit looked at individual stream sections; it did not examine the cumulative impact of Wynndel’s forest practices on streams at the landscape level.

“The audit evaluated the impact of forest practices on streams on a site-by-site basis, but this was not sufficient for the board to draw conclusions on the overall effect of forest practices on streams in the audit area,” said Fraser. “We received valuable feedback from Wynndel staff, which will help the board refine its approach for future effectiveness audits.”

The Forest Practices Board is an independent public watchdog that reports to the public about compliance with the Forest and Range Practices Act (FRPA) and the achievement of its intent. The board’s main roles under FRPA are:

Auditing forest practices of government and licence holders on public lands.
Auditing government enforcement of FRPA.
Investigating public complaints.
Undertaking special investigations of forestry issues.
Participating in administrative appeals.
Providing reports on board activities, findings and recommendations.
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Erik Kaye
Communications
Forest Practices Board
Phone: 250-356-1586 or 1-800-994-5899