Woodlot near Chemainus passes audit

VICTORIA – An audit of Halalt First Nation’s forest planning and practices on forest licence W1632, near Chemainus, on Vancouver Island, found compliance with B.C.’s forestry legislation, according to a report released today.

“We are pleased to see that most planning and practices complied with requirements of the Forest and Range Practices Act and the Wildfire Act,” said Tim Ryan, board chair.

However, Halalt failed to meet a requirement to report its activities to government annually, a significant non-compliance that the board has noted as fairly common in its audits of woodlots throughout the province.

Halalt harvested six cutblocks covering 53.3 hectares―approximately 16,100 cubic metres of timber―during the two-year audit period, from February 2011 to May 2013. The audit fieldwork took place on May 20, 2013.

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.

Helen Davies
Communications
Forest Practices Board
Phone: 250 213-4708 / 1 800 994-5899