BC Timber Sales Program gets good audit
VICTORIA – An audit of BC Timber Sales (BCTS) and timber sale licence (TSL) holders in the Seaward-tlasta business area in the North Island-Central Coast and Campbell River natural resource districts found compliance with B.C.’s forestry legislation, according to a report released Jan. 28, 2021.
“Our audit found BCTS and TSL holders fully complied with requirements of the Forest and Range Practices Act and the Wildfire Act,” said board chair, Kevin Kriese. “This operating area is remote and rugged, and many sites are accessible only by boat or air. The terrain can be challenging, and there are many important forest values that need to be managed for. We are pleased to see that BCTS and TSL holders are doing a good job in this business area.”
BCTS’s operations on northern Vancouver Island extend from the Nimpkish River in the south to the north end of the island, and operations on the mainland extend from Knight Inlet north to Kimsquit and Klemtu north of Bella Bella. The main communities within the operating area are Port Hardy, Port McNeil, Port Alice, Woss, Sointula, Alert Bay, Bella Bella and Bella Coola. Much of the operating area lies within the Great Bear Rainforest.
The operating area is within the traditional territories of the Quatsino, Tlatlasikwala, Kwakiutl,’Namgis, Nuxalk, Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw, Wuixinuxw, Heiltsuk, Kwikwasut’inuxw Haxwa’mis, Dzawada’enuxw, Gwawaenuk, Tlowitsis, Mamalilikulla, Da’naxda’xw/Awaetlala, Wei Wai Kum and We Wai Kai First Nations.
Auditors examined operational planning, silviculture activities, road and bridge maintenance, construction and deactivation, timber harvesting and fire protection. All activities carried out between September 2019 and September 2020 were included in the audit. In addition to requirements of the legislation, auditors examined compliance with legal obligations arising from the Great Bear Rainforest and Vancouver Island Land Use Plan orders.
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.
Contact:
Darlene Oman
Communications
Forest Practices Board
250 213-4705 / 1 800 994-5899
