Audit: BCTS and TSL Holders – Morice TSA and Babine Business Area

NEWS RELEASE

BCTS operations near Houston Pass audit

VICTORIA – An audit of BC Timber Sales and timber sale licensees in the Morice timber supply area portion of the Nadina Resource District found that forest planning, silviculture, fire protection, harvesting and road activities complied with legislation, according to a report released today.

“The audit found that BCTS and its timber sale licence holders followed the requirements of the Forest and Range Practices Act and the Wildfire Act,” said board chair, Tim Ryan. “We are pleased to find that BCTS did a good job of meeting legislative requirements.”

During the two-year audit period, BCTS harvested about 667,000 cubic metres of timber, of which two-thirds was pine affected by mountain pine beetles.

The Morice TSA is situated on the western edge of the central interior plateau, extending from Babine Lake south to Ootsa and Whitesail Lakes. The area contains cultural and heritage values important to the eight First Nations with traditional territories in the TSA. It is also important for mining, ranching, outdoor recreation and tourism, creating many challenges for BCTS and timber sale licence holders to address during forestry operations.

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:

Kairry Nguyen
Communications
Forest Practices Board
Phone: 250 213-4707 / 1 800 994-5899