Sigurdson Bros. gets clean audits

VICTORIA – A limited scope audit, in which harvesting, road activities and associated planning were examined, has found good forest practices by Sigurdson Bros. Logging Company Ltd., according to a Forest Practices Board report released today.

Sigurdson’s licence allows it to harvest 150,000 cubic metres of pine-beetle-killed timber per year. The licence is located in the vicinity of Alexis Creek in the Chilcotin Forest District.

“Generally speaking, Sigurdson has demonstrated good practices on the ground,” said board chair Bruce Fraser. “However, the audit identified three instances of excessive soil disturbance levels in Sigurdson’s harvested areas. These practices are not widespread, but they are avoidable.”

The audit of Sigurdson’s non-replaceable forest licence A73558 was completed in October 2007. Harvesting and road activities that took place between Oct. 1, 2006 and Oct. 9, 2007 were included in the scope of the audit.

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;
• audits appropriateness of government enforcement;
• investigates public complaints;
• undertakes special investigations of current forestry issues;
• participates in administrative appeals; and
• makes recommendations for improvement to practices and legislation.