VICTORIA – An audit of J.H. Huscroft Ltd.’s forest operations around Kootenay Lake found they met the requirements of the Forest and Range Practices Act and the Wildfire Act, according to a report released today.

“Most of Huscroft’s harvesting was of mixed-species stands containing beetle-infested wood, and was well-managed,” said board chair Al Gorley. “There were three small landslides that occurred at Huscroft’s forestry roads, but they did not have serious environmental impacts. Auditors concluded that Huscroft’s maintenance of its forestry roads could be improved.”

Huscroft’s forest licence A20213 lies within the Kootenay Lake timber supply area in the Selkirk District, and nearby communities include Creston, Nelson, and Kaslo. The area is subject to the 2002 Kootenay Boundary Higher Level Plan Order.

The audit field work took place from July 25 to 29, 2011.

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