VICTORIA – An audit of Conifex Mackenzie Forest Products found the company met the requirements of the Forest and Range Practices Act, according to a report released today.

“There was no active harvesting or road construction undertaken during the audit period, but Conifex adequately maintained its roads and bridges,” said board chair Al Gorley. “The audit did note some log bridges that are in disrepair, but Conifex has a plan in place to address these inherited issues.”

The audit examined forest planning and practices in Forest Licence (FL) A15385 in the Mackenzie Forest District. Approximately half of the FL is pine forest, much of which has been impacted recently by mountain pine beetle. The report notes that it will be a challenge for Conifex to manage the large amount of dead and dying timber in the years to come.

Conifex took over the FL from Abitibi-Bowater in August 2010. The audit examined activities carried out between October 2009 and 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