Burns Lake Community Forest gets clean audit

VICTORIA – A Forest Practices Board compliance audit of Burns Lake Community Forest Ltd. in the Nadina Forest District has determined that the operation meets all legislative requirements, according to a report released today.

The audit found generally good practices on the ground. However, it identified four cutblocks with excessive soil disturbance, and the organization has since committed to addressing this issue.

“The Burns Lake Community Forest has been in operation since July 2000,” said board chair Bruce Fraser. “ The board is impressed with its community focus; not only does it successfully generate revenue, but it also establishes and maintains recreational trails for use by the public.”

The Burns Lake Community Forest, one of the first community forest pilot agreements awarded in the province, encompasses 84,886 hectares of Crown land surrounding Burns Lake.

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.