Audit of Lake Babine First Nation forest licence finds good practices
VICTORIA - An audit of First Nations Woodland Licence N2I, held by the Lake Babine First Nation, has found compliance with British Columbia's forestry legislation.
"Our audit found that Lake Babine Nation complied with all requirements of the Forest and Range Practices Act and the Wildfire Act," said Bruce Larson, acting chair of the Forest Practices Board. "We are pleased to see Lake Babine Nation participating in the forest economy and carrying out sound forest practices on their traditional territory."
The First Nations Woodland Licence is located north of Burns Lake and has three separate operating areas on the west side of Babine Lake. The licence provides the Lake Babine Nation with exclusive timber harvest rights within the 36,500-hectare area, with an allowable annual cut of 74,000 cubic metres.
The audit covered all activities conducted between August 2020 and August 2022. It included 25 harvested cutblocks, 41 kilometres of new road construction, 74 kilometres of maintained road, two new bridges, one maintained bridge and reforesting of logged sites. Auditors also checked activities for compliance with the forest stewardship plan and site plans, and applicable requirements of the Lakes North Sustainable 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 the appropriateness of government enforcement. It can also make recommendations for improvement to practices and legislation.
Contact:
Darlene Oman
Communications
Forest Practices Board
250 213-4705 / 1 800 994-5899
