Community forests in the Peace get good audit results

VICTORIA – Audits of the Tumbler Ridge and Little Prairie community forests, in the Peace Resource District, found compliance with B.C.’s forestry legislation, according to the audit reports released today.

“We are pleased to see that both of these community forests carried out good forest practices and fully met the requirements of the Forest and Range Practices Act and the Wildfire Act,” said Tim Ryan, board chair. “Both community forests carried out extensive timber harvesting to recover trees killed by the mountain pine beetle epidemic and both did a good job on behalf of their communities.”

Community Forest Agreement (CFA) K2O is held by the Tumbler Ridge Community Forest Corp. (TRCF). TRCF operates on 19,850 hectares over two operating areas around the community of Tumbler Ridge. Between September 2014 and September 2016, the period audited, TRCF harvested 160,000 cubic metres of timber.

CFA K2N is held by the Little Prairie Community Forest Inc. (LPCF). The LPCF is a co-operative venture between the District of Chetwynd, the Saulteau First Nations and West Moberly First Nations. LPCF had an agreement with Chetwynd Forest Industries, a division of West Fraser Mills Ltd., to carry out forestry activities on its behalf. The 12,579-hectare community forest is located north of Chetwynd and south of Moberly Lake. During the period audited, just under 500,000 cubic metres of timber was harvested under CFA K2N.

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:

Kairry Nguyen
Communications
Forest Practices Board
Phone: 250 213-4707 / 1 800 994-5899