VICTORIA – An audit of British Columbia Timber Sales (BCTS) and timber sale licensees in the Seaward-tlasta Business Area on the Central Coast of B.C. found that planning, silviculture, fire protection, harvesting on 27 cutblocks, and more than 500 kilometres of road were in compliance with legislation, with one exception.

“During the audit, a number of road issues were found. While these incidents were not significant on their own, what really concerned the board was the lack of a system for road maintenance,” said board chair Al Gorley. “This same issue was identified in previous ISO 14001 audits, but it had not yet been remedied when our auditors were looking at forest practices on the ground.”

BCTS’s operating areas are located throughout the mid-coast of B.C., from Knight Inlet north to Finlayson Channel. The area is also subject to ecosystem-based management under the Great Bear Rainforest agreement between environmental groups and the forest industry, as well as the government- and First Nations-approved Coast Land Use Decision.

Fieldwork took place from June 22 to 25, 2009.

Since the audit, BCTS has increased road inspections and has nearly completed a report recommending schedules for conducting road maintenance. The board has requested a progress report from BCTS by the end of October 2010.

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.

More information can be obtained by contacting:

Helen Davies, Communications
Forest Practices Board
Phone: 250 213-4708 / 1 800 994-5899