VICTORIA – British Columbia Timber Sales (BCTS) and timber sale licence holders in the Queen Charlotte Islands timber supply area (TSA) met the requirements of forest practices legislation, the Forest Practices Board reported today.

“The audit found BCTS and its timber sale licence holders complied with their legal requirements in all significant respects,” said board chair Bruce Fraser, “and the board encourages them to continue to do so.”

The compliance audit examined the operational planning; timber harvesting; silviculture; road construction, maintenance, and deactivation; and fire protection activities carried out by BCTS and its timber sale licence holders throughout the Queen Charlotte Islands TSA for the period from May 7, 2005 to May 12, 2006.

BCTS is an independent organization within the B.C. Ministry of Forests and Range, created to develop Crown timber for auction to establish market price and capture the value of the asset for the public. Timber sale licence holders are generally small companies that carry out harvesting, while BCTS is responsible for operational planning, silviculture, and major road construction.

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;.
• audits appropriateness of government enforcement;
• investigates public complaints;
• undertakes special investigations of current forestry issues;
• participates in administrative appeals; and
• makes recommendations for improvement to practices and legislation.