Board to audit five range agreements in the Cascades district

VICTORIA – The Forest Practices Board will audit the planning and practices on five range agreements for grazing in the Cascades natural resource district, during the week of Sept. 14, 2015.

Auditors will examine range activities for compliance with the Forest and Range Practices Act. The grazing areas that will be audited range in size from 5 to 5,500 hectares and are located in the Nicola Valley area, close to Highway 5A, between Merritt and Princeton.

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 then will be released to the public and government.

Of the 24 natural resource districts in the province, the Cascades district has the second highest number of allocated animal unit months for grazing and is one of the major grasslands areas of B.C., making it an important area for the cattle industry.

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 land, as well as appropriateness of government enforcement.

More information can be obtained by contacting:

Darlene Oman
Communications
Forest Practices Board
Phone: 250 213-4705 / 1 800 994-5899