VICTORIA – The Forest Practices Board will audit British Columbia Timber Sales’ (BCTS) operations in the Strait of Georgia Business Area, located in the Sunshine Coast Forest District, during the week of Sept. 15, 2008.

The board carries out periodic independent audits to see if government and forest companies are complying with provincial forest practices legislation.

The audit will examine harvesting, roads and associated planning conducted by BCTS and timber sale licensees between Sept. 1, 2007 and Sept. 19, 2008, to assess compliance with the Forest and Range Practices Act.

The four-member audit team will examine BCTS operations in the Powell River portion of the Strait of Georgia Business Area.

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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