Windthrow Management on Vancouver Island Recognized in Audit

VICTORIA – Western Forest Products Inc. received a clean audit for operations in Tree Farm Licence 6 on northern Vancouver Island, the Forest Practices Board reported today.

The board audited Western’s timber harvesting and associated planning activities for 159 cutblocks on the northern portion of Vancouver Island, and found Western was in compliance with legislative requirements. The audit covered the period from June 1, 2005 to June 1, 2007.

Windthrow is prevalent on this area of the coast and did occur on many of the cutblocks audited.

“Windthrow is a big risk factor in this area and the board noted Western’s efforts at assessing and monitoring windthrow, continually improving its practices to minimize the occurrence of windthrow, and mitigating the impacts where it does occur,” said board chair Bruce Fraser. “Western has demonstrated a creative and adaptive approach to managing windthrow.”

The audit area is near the communities of Port Hardy, Port McNeill and Port Alice.

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.