Board to audit forest licence near New Hazelton

VICTORIA – During the week of Oct. 4, 2021, the Forest Practices Board will audit the forest planning and practices of Gitxsan Forest Licence Inc. on forest licence A16831 in the Skeena Stikine Natural Resource District.

Auditors will examine whether timber harvesting, road construction, road maintenance, reforestation, fire protection and associated planning met the requirements of the Forest and Range Practices Act and the Wildfire Act.

The audit area is located near New Hazelton. The area has mountainous terrain, rivers and lakes, and is home to an abundance of recreational activities and wildlife species.

Once the audit work is complete, a report will be prepared. If the licence-holder may be adversely affected by the audit findings, representatives will have a chance to respond. The board’s final report and recommendations will then be released to the public and government.

The Forest Practices Board is B.C.’s independent watchdog for sound forest and range practices. It audits forest and range practices on public lands through its annual audit program, reporting its findings and recommendations directly to the public and government.

Natural resource districts are randomly selected as the locations for these audits. A forest or range licence within the district is then selected as the focus of the audit. Audit selections are not based on complaints or on the past performance of the tenure holder. More information about the audit process is available on the board’s website.

Contact:

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