Soil Conservation Planning and Practices in the Quesnel and Vanderhoof Forest Districts

NEWS RELEASE

Soils protected during logging in Quesnel, Vanderhoof areas

VICTORIA – An investigation of soil conservation practices by timber licensees operating in the Quesnel and Vanderhoof forest districts found good planning and practices, according to a Forest Practices Board report released today.

The investigation reviewed the activities of four major forest licensees—Canfor and West Fraser in both districts, Tolko in the Quesnel district, L&M Lumber in the Vanderhoof district—and British Columbia Timber Sales and its timber sale licence-holders in both districts. Forest practices conducted between July 1, 2006, and July 31, 2008 were investigated.

“Conservation of soil has been an issue in some of our past audits,” said board chair, Al Gorley, “but the licensees we looked at in this special investigation were generally found to be careful stewards of the soil resource, and should be acknowledged for that.”

Soil needs to be protected during forestry operations to ensure it can grow a future forest. While it is often not feasible to avoid soil disturbance completely, the amount of disturbance allowed is limited through regulation.

Of the 10,781 hectares examined, 146 had fairly large patches of concentrated soil disturbance. These sites complied with the legislation because the allowable disturbance limit is averaged over a large harvest area, but the disturbance was avoidable and the Board considers this to be a practice that could be improved.

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 can investigate and report on current forestry and range issues and make recommendations for improvement to practices and legislation.

More information can be obtained by contacting:

Helen Davies, Communications
Forest Practices Board
Phone: 250 213-4708 / 1 800 994-5899