Board to audit forestry activities near Smithers

VICTORIA – The Forest Practices Board will examine the activities of Lowell A. Johnson Consultants Ltd. on forest licence A77026 and non-replaceable forest licence A90554, during the week of Oct. 5, 2015.

The auditors will examine all operational planning, harvesting, roads, silviculture and wildfire protection practices for compliance with the Forest and Range Practices Act and the Wildfire Act.

Lowell A. Johnson’s forestry activities are located east of Smithers, near Chapman Lake, in the Skeena Stikine forest district. The activities are subject to the requirements of the Bulkley Land and Resources Management Plan – Higher Level Plan Order, which means licensees must comply with government objectives for maintaining biodiversity, enhancing timber supply and providing wildlife habitat to various species such as grizzly bear and caribou.

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.

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