Audit: BCTS and TSLs – Babine Business Area, Skeena-Stikine Natural Resource District
Forestry Audit: BC Timber Sales and Timber Sale Licensees – Babine Business Area, Skeena-Stikine Natural Resource District
As part of its 2017 compliance audit program, the Forest Practices Board randomly selected the Skeena-Stikine Natural Resource District portion of BC Timber Sales’ (BCTS) Babine Business Area for audit.
BTCS’ operations fell within several operating areas contained within the Bulkley Timber Supply Area. Outdoor recreation is popular within the TSA, with recreation activities concentrated on the lakes, mountains and parks, including Babine Lake, Hudson Bay Mountain and Babine Mountains Provincial Park.
A field team in Smithers manages activities in the district, where staff prepares operational plans, auctions timber sales and issues timber sale licences and road permits.
Audit of Forest Planning and Practices: Lowell A. Johnson Consultants Ltd. – FL A70026
In October 2015, the Forest Practices Board audited the activities of Lowell A. Johnson Consultants Ltd.’s forest licence A70026 in the Skeena Stikine natural resource district. Activities took place approximately 35 kilometres east of Smithers, not far from Babine Mountains Provincial Park.
The audit found good practices – Lowell A. Johnson Consultants Ltd.’s operational planning, timber harvesting, road construction and maintenance, silviculture, and fire protection activities complied in all significant respects with the requirements of the Forest and Range Practices Act, the Wildfire Act and related regulations.
Lowell A. Johnson Consultants Ltd. – FL A70026
Harvest Planning and Practices in the Hunaker Creek Watershed
In July 2012, the Forest Practices Board received a complaint that a BC Timber Sales (BCTS) logging operation in the Hunaker Creek Watershed had affected the flow of a seasonal stream, which in turn caused damage to the complainant’s property. The complainant also claimed that the logging operations led to contamination of a well and that the BCTS public consultation efforts were inadequate, both for harvest planning and for notification about burning waste wood piles.
The Hunaker Creek Watershed is small—less than 500 hectares in size—with the portion upstream of the complainant’s home covering 289 hectares. The watershed is relatively flat with a slight northern aspect and elevation ranges from 550 to 600 metres above sea level.
Harvest Planning and Practices in the Hunaker Creek Watershed
Cassiar Forest Corp. – FL A64561 and Coast Mountain Hydro Corp. – OLTCs L46959, L49021 and L49136
Audit of Forest Planning and Practices: Cassiar Forest Corp. – FL A64561 and Coast Mountain Hydro Corp. – OLTCs L46959, L49021 & L49136
As part of its 2012 compliance audit program, the Forest Practices Board selected Cassiar Forest Corporation (Cassiar) Forest Licence (FL) A64561 and Coast Mountain Hydro Corporation (CMH) Occupant Licences to Cut (OLTC) L46959, L49021 and L49136 for audit.
Both operations are located in the Skeena-Stikine District. Forest Licence A64651 is near the community of Bob Quinn Lake, which is approximately 380 kilometres north of Terrace. CMH’s licences are located approximately 37 kilometres west of Bob Quinn Lake, within the mid reaches of the Iskut River. The licences are for a run-of-river hydroelectric project and a related transmission line right-of-way.
Audit of Forest Planning and Practices: Pacific Inland Resources, a Division of West Fraser Mills Ltd. – FL A16830
In July 2010, the Board conducted a full-scope compliance audit of Pacific Inland Resources (PIR).The Board notes PIR’s commitment to work with the community to ensure operations are consistent with land management plans in the area.
