Board to audit forestry operations near Terrace

VICTORIA – The Forest Practices Board will audit forest practices of the Coast Tsimshian Resources Limited Partnership in Tree Farm Licence (TFL) 1 in the Kalum Forest District, from August 17 to 21.

The audit will examine planning, harvesting, roads, silviculture and fire protection activities, carried out over the past two years, for compliance with forest practices legislation.

TFL 1 consists of four geographically separate blocks surrounding Terrace. North of Terrace, the licence extends into the Nass Valley, to the east it encompasses the Copper (Zymoetz) River Valley, and to the west it includes much of the area south of the Skeena River. The TFL was selected for audit randomly and was not chosen based on location or past performance.

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 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.

-30-