VICTORIA – An audit of a range agreement for grazing cattle in the Thompson River Natural Resource District found that the ranchers generally met the requirements of the Forest and Range Practices Act, according to a report released today. The audit examined range activities on RAN077749, which is held by Archie Williams and Cash Isnardy.

“Auditors found one area for improvement, which involved grazing cattle in a pasture they were supposed to have moved out of already,” said Tim Ryan, board chair. “There was also some confusion about the boundary of the range tenure adjacent to Arrowstone Park and government is working with the ranchers to clarify this situation.

“Aside from these items, all other range practices were carried out in accordance with the plans and the ranchers are doing a good job meeting their obligations for cattle grazing on Crown lands,” Ryan added.

The range agreement area is 2,773 hectares in size and is located 2.4 kilometres north of Cache Creek. Auditors’ work involved interviewing the range agreement holder, as well as ministry staff, reviewing the range use plan and maps, and examining the majority of activities undertaken in the field within the two-year audit period of September 2014 to September 2016.

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 and appropriateness of government enforcement. It can also make recommendations for improvement to practices and legislation.

Contact:

Darlene Oman, Communications
Forest Practices Board
Phone: 250 213-4705 / 1 800 994-5899