VICTORIA – An audit of the BC Timber Sales program and timber sale licensees near Hazelton found most planning and forestry activities complied with forest practices legislation. Sixteen timber sale licensees and BCTS all fared well in the audit, however, one timber sale licence holder caused significant amounts of soil disturbance on two cutblocks.

“The soil disturbance was considered significant because excessive soil disturbance can reduce soil productivity and limit growing conditions for new trees,” said board chair Bruce Fraser. “However, we commend BCTS for appropriately responding to the situation once they discovered it, and for rehabilitating the affected sites when the licensee failed to do so.”

The board’s audit fieldwork took place in June 2009, examining activities conducted since June 2008. The audit looked at forest planning and practices of BCTS and 17 timber sale licence holders in the Skeena Business Area’s Hazelton Field Unit, located in the Skeena Stikine Forest District.

The audit assessed compliance with the Forest Practices Code of British Columbia Act, the Forest and Range Practices Act, Wildfire Act, and related regulations, as well as consistency with the Kispiox Land and Resource Management Plan.

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.