VICTORIA – An audit of forestry activities on two woodlots in the Selkirk Natural Resource District concludes that the woodlot licensees complied with B.C.’s forestry legislation, according to a report released today.

“These woodlots are a mix of Crown and privately owned land and the woodlot licensees must comply with the Forest and Range Practices Act and the Wildfire Act in carrying out their activities,” said Tim Ryan, board chair. “We are pleased to see that both of them are carrying out good forest practices on the ground.”

The audits examined planning, timber harvesting roads, silviculture and fire protection activities, carried out between September 2013 and September 2015, in Woodlot 438 near Kaslo and Woodlot 1644 near Creston. The auditors identified two areas for improvement, one involving silviculture obligations and reporting of activities to government, and the other documenting fire hazard assessments.

In one case, auditors found that the previous holder of the woodlot licence had met neither regeneration and free growing obligations nor annual reporting requirements. The current woodlot licensee was aware of the problems and now has a plan in place to correct the deficiencies. In the other case, the woodlot licensee did not document fire hazard assessments after logging, although they did treat the fire hazard on the ground

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:

Darlene Oman
Communications
Forest Practices Board
Phone: 250 213-4705 / 1 800 994-5899