This is the Board’s report on a compliance audit of forest licence A18163, held by Lakeland Mills Ltd. The operating area is within the Prince George Timber Supply Area, and current operations are focussed north of Prince George. In response to the MPB epidemic, Lakeland is focussing a majority of its harvesting activities on the salvage of infested stands.

1515C&C Wood Products Ltd.’s operations in the East Narcosli area of the Quesnel Forest District, west of the Fraser River; and Lakeland’s operation in both the Prince George and Vanderhoof Forest Districts complied with forest practices legislation. In response to the mountain pine beetle epidemic, both companies are focusing the majority of their harvesting activities on the salvage of beetle-infested stands.

The Forest Practices Board has audited the appropriateness of government’s enforcement of the provisions of the Forest Practices Code of British Columbia Act (the Code), and the Forest and Range Practices Act (FRPA), in the Fort St. James Forest District in northern British Columbia.

In January 2004, the Forest Practices Board initiated an investigation of bridge and major culvert inspection and maintenance practices on forest service roads (FSRs). This special investigation assessed Ministry of Forests’ compliance with the Forest Practices Code requirements to inspect, repair and maintain bridges and major culverts. The investigation, consisting of both office and site visits, was conducted in the winter and spring of 2004. The Board examined bridges and major culverts on FSRs in six forest districts: Sunshine Coast, North Coast, Peace, Headwaters (including both former Clearwater and Robson Valley districts), Central Cariboo, and Kootenay Lake.

The Forest Practices Board conducted a pilot audit of forest soil conservation in the Mackenzie forest district. The audit was one of two pilot audits designed to explore the Board’s approach to auditing the effectiveness of forest practices in anticipation of the Forest and Range Practices Act (FRPA).