Board to audit BCTS coastal operations

VICTORIA – The Forest Practices Board is auditing forest practices of the BC Timber Sales Program in the North Island-Central Coast Forest District.

The four-day audit, which began June 22, is examining timber harvesting, roads, silviculture, fire protection activities, and associated planning, conducted by timber sale licence holders and BCTS, for compliance with forest practices legislation.

BCTS’s operating areas are located throughout the mid-coast of B.C., from Knight Inlet, north to Finlayson Channel.

The audit area is subject to the Central and North Coast LRMPs, which provide a framework for ecosystem-based management.

Once the audit work is completed, a report will be prepared, and any party that may be adversely affected by the audit findings will have a chance to respond. The board’s final report and recommendations will then be released to the public and government.

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.

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