VICTORIA – Forestry auditors will be in the Headwaters Forest District from Aug. 24 to 28 to look at how well six forestry operators are protecting visual quality.

The audit area extends from Wells Gray Provincial Park east to the Columbia Mountains and includes the communities of Clearwater, Blue River and Vavenby. Scenic areas within the Yellowhead Highway corridor and near recreation sites, lakes and ski hills will be examined.

Under provincial forestry legislation, visual quality objectives may be established for areas with important scenic values. The audit area is notable for exceptional natural scenery, including mountainous terrain, lakes and rivers.

Auditors will look at whether logging operations meet legal objectives, and how effective they are at protecting visual quality.

The operators subject to the audit are BC Timber Sales’ Clearwater Field Office, Ainsworth Lumber Company Ltd, International Forest Products Ltd. Canadian Forest Products Ltd., the Wells Gray Community Forest and Gilbert Smith Forest Products Ltd.

The Headwaters Forest District was selected randomly for audit, and the theme of visual quality was chosen because of the important scenic values in the district. This is the second time the board has done an audit focused on visual quality impacts from forestry operations.

Once the audit work is completed, a report will be prepared, and any party that may be adversely affected by the audit findings 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 lands.
• Audits appropriateness of government enforcement.
• Investigates public complaints.
• Undertakes special investigations of current forestry issues.
• Participates in administrative appeals.
• Makes recommendations for improvement to practices and legislation.

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