VICTORIA - Lignum Ltd.'s operations near 100 Mile House are complying with the Forest Practices Code, according to a Forest Practices Board audit released today.

"Lignum's practices complied with the code in all significant respects," said board chair Keith Moore. "The audit did not identify any non-compliance in timber harvesting, road maintenance and road deactivation. The few instances of non-compliance in road construction had no impact on the environment."

Timber harvesting and road construction, maintenance and deactivation activities between August 1998 and August 1999 were included in the scope of the Board's audit of Forest Licence A20003. This licence was selected for audit randomly, not on the basis of location or level of performance.

Lignum's main operating areas are near 100 Mile House between Clinton and the Fraser River and north to Lac La Hache.

The board has undertaken nine compliance audits this year. Lignum is the second 1999 audit report to be published.

The board is B.C.'s independent watchdog for sound forest practices. The board reports to the public and government about compliance with the Forest Practices Code and the achievement of its intent. The board's main roles are auditing forest practices, undertaking investigations in response to public complaints, undertaking special investigations of any code-related forestry issues, participating in administrative reviews and appeals and providing reports on board activities, findings and recommendations.