Board to audit BCTS operations in the Clearwater area

VICTORIA– The Clearwater business unit of B.C. Timber Sales’ Kamloops business area has been randomly selected for audit, the Forest Practices Board announced today. The field portion of the audit will begin on Sept. 24, 2007 and will last approximately one week.

The full-scope compliance audit will examine operational planning; timber harvesting; construction, maintenance and deactivation of roads; silviculture; and fire protection activities carried out between Sept. 1, 2006 and Sept. 28, 2007, to assess compliance with the Forest and Range Practices Act and the Wildfire Act.

The four-member audit team will examine BCTS operations throughout the Clearwater business unit, which includes the communities of Clearwater, Vavenby and Blue River.

The board carries out periodic independent audits to see if government and forest companies are complying with provincial forest practices legislation. When the analysis is complete, an audit report is prepared and any party that may be adversely affected by the audit findings has a chance to respond. The board’s final report and recommendations are then 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.

-30-