VICTORIA – Forest planning and practices of two forest companies and one utility company in the Mission Creek and Penticton Creek community watersheds will be audited during the week of July 7, 2008. The Forest Practices Board carries out periodic independent audits to see if government and forest companies are complying with provincial forest practices legislation.

The audit will focus on harvesting, roads, silviculture, protection activities and associated planning by Tolko Industries Ltd. and Fortis BC Ltd. in the Mission Creek community watershed. The audit will also look at Weyerhaeuser Company’s operations on the Penticton Creek community watershed.

The three-member audit team will examine activities undertaken between July 1, 2005 and July 11, 2008. Once the analysis is complete, an audit 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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