Board to audit forest and range operations near Dawson Creek

VICTORIA – The Forest Practices Board will audit the forestry and range practices of several forest companies, oil and gas companies and range tenure holders operating in the Kiskatinaw River watershed near Dawson Creek. Initial fieldwork will commence the week of Oct. 6.

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

The three-member audit team will have a water quality specialist on call as they investigate whether operations in the Kiskatinaw River watershed are in compliance with the province’s Forest and Range Practices Act, and how well they are addressing water, soil and caribou values.

The Kiskatinaw River Planning Unit supplies drinking water for the city of Dawson Creek. The Kiskatinaw River originates in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains near Tumbler Ridge and flows approximately 200 kilometres north before joining the Peace River at the Alberta border in Northeast British Columbia.

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-