Board to audit forest practices on Haida Gwaii

VICTORIA – The Forest Practices Board will audit the forest planning and practices of TAAN Forest Limited Partnership on tree farm licence (TFL) 60 and TAAN Forest Ltd. on forest licence to cut A87661 on Haida Gwaii during the week of Sept. 20, 2021.

Auditors will examine whether harvesting, roads, silviculture, fire protection and associated planning carried out between Sept. 1, 2019, and Sept. 24, 2021, met the requirements of the Forest and Range Practices Act and the Wildfire Act.

The audit area is located in the Haida Gwaii Natural Resource District. Haida Gwaii is the current, historical and ancient home of the Haida people, with two major Haida communities located on Graham Island: Old Massett at the north end on the shores of Massett Inlet and Skidegate in the island’s southeast corner.

Timber harvesting is allowed within the Haida Gwaii Timber Supply Area and TFLs 58 and 60. The audit primarily focuses on TFL 60, which is located mostly on Graham Island, with a smaller
portion on northern Moresby Island. The biological diversity on Haida Gwaii is high, with many plant and animal species unique to the area.

Once the audit work is complete, a report will be prepared. If TAAN 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, reporting its findings and recommendations directly to the public and government. The board audits forest and range practices on public land, as well as appropriateness of government enforcement.

Contact:

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