VICTORIA – An investigation of 269 bridges and 59 wood-box culverts constructed throughout the province in the last three years has found significant improvement since a similar investigation was published in 2014, according to a new report.
"We set out to see whether practices had improved as a result of our last report in 2014 and we are very pleased with the findings," said Kevin Kriese, board chair, Forest Practices Board. "We found much better results than last time and industry, the professional associations and government deserve recognition for their efforts."
Compliance with all environmental protection and safety requirements is at the mid- to high-90% level. Further, 100% of bridges constructed on forest service roads by natural resource districts and major licensees are safe and sound for use.
The investigation found 5% of the bridges had significant safety issues; a big improvement over the 2014 investigation, which found 15% of bridges had significant safety issues.
"While only 5% of bridges had significant safety problems, these are newly constructed bridges and there is no excuse for not building them safe for use," Kriese added. "Some operators need to improve their practices and government needs to monitor for compliance to ensure bridges are safe and sound."
Planning and professional practice requirements also improved since 2014. However, the board found some professionals are not recognizing or understanding the requirements for crossing assurance statements, and some forest professionals are not recognizing when the complexity of a structure requires specialized expertise. The report includes recommendations to address these issues.
Bridges and wood box culverts constructed since January 2017 in the Mackenzie, North Island-Central Coast, Sea to Sky, Selkirk and Skeena Stikine natural resource districts were included in the investigation, which took place in summer and fall 2019.
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.
Contact:
Darlene Oman
Communications
Forest Practices Board
250 480-8594
VICTORIA – A complaint investigation has found TimberWest is meeting the intent of the Great Bear Rainforest (GBR) land use order for planned logging on East Thurlow Island.
Residents of nearby Sonora Island filed the complaint when they became concerned about how TimberWest timber harvesting would affect conservation of old forest and rare and endangered plant communities.
"We found that TimberWest responded to the concerns of the residents by proactively developing criteria to conserve old forest and rare and endangered plant communities," said Kevin Kriese, board chair, Forest Practices Board. "TimberWest also adjusted its planned harvesting based on the results of consultation and incorporated new guidance on how to plan for old and rare forest ecosystems when it became available. The investigation also revealed steps that can be taken to improve how the legal order is implemented in this area.
"Implementing the GBR order requires balancing conservation of ecosystem integrity with improvement of human well-being. It is a complex process, particularly in areas with a long history of past disturbance, such as East Thurlow Island."
The investigation looked at how TimberWest identified old forest and plant communities for protection and compared the approach to a recently approved provincial field guide for site level identification.
The report includes two recommendations to ensure the field guide is used to identify candidate forest stands for protection in the future. The Province also plans to review implementation of ecosystem-based management (EBM) in March 2021, providing an opportunity for government and First Nations to review and, if necessary, revise the overall direction for EBM.
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 investigates public complaints about forest and range practices on public lands and 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
VICTORIA – An audit of three non-renewable forest licences (NRFL) held by the Ts'elxweyeqw, Leq'a:mel and Skwah First Nations in the Chilliwack Natural Resource District found compliance with the Forest and Range Practices Act and the Wildfire Act, according to a new report.
NRFL A75807 is held by Ts'elxweyeqw Forestry Limited Partnership. Its operations were located near Chilliwack Lake.
NRFL A79504 is held by Leq'a:mel Forestry Limited Partnership. Its operations were located in the Statlu Creek area, west of Harrison Lake.
NRFL A90380 is held by the Skwah First Nation. Its operations were located near Wahleach (Jones) Lake.
"Our audit found that all three licensees carried out good forest practices and met the requirements of forest practice legislation," said Kevin Kriese, chair, Forest Practices Board. "They also addressed other forest values during operations with Ts'elxweyeqw Forestry LP and Skwah First Nation protecting visual quality in scenic areas, and Leq'a:mel Forestry LP protecting spotted owl habitat in its operating area."
Auditors examined all timber harvesting, road construction, maintenance and deactivation, reforestation and fire prevention activities carried out between August 2017 and August 2019.
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 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
VICTORIA – An audit of the Clinton and District Community Forest in the 100 Mile House Natural Resource District has found nearly all activities in compliance with British Columbia's forestry legislation.
The audit examined forestry activities carried out between September 2017 and September 2019 to see if they met the requirements of the Forest and Range Practices Act and the Wildfire Act.
During this period, the community forest harvested approximately 63,000 cubic metres of timber in 17 cutblocks, 70% of which was salvage of timber damaged by the Elephant Hill Wildfire.
"The community forest worked closely with government staff for operations within the Elephant Hill wildfire complex," said Kevin Kriese, chair, Forest Practices Board. "This ensured planning and activities were consistent with recovery strategies and standards for reforestation and retention endorsed by the Elephant Hill Wildfire Recovery Joint Leadership Council in 2018."
The community forest constructed 31.7 kilometres and maintained 48.4 kilometres of road, planted cutblocks and conducted fire hazard abatement activities following logging.
The audit found the community forest had not documented fire-hazard assessments. Since the audit, a formal hazard assessment procedure that meets legal requirements has been developed.
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 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
VICTORIA – An audit of community forest CFA K2W, in the 100 Mile House Natural Resource District, has found compliance with B.C.'s forestry legislation. The community forest is managed by the 100 Mile Development Corporation.
"We are pleased to see that the community forest carried out sound forest practices and fully met the requirements of the Forest and Range Practices Act and the Wildfire Act," said Kevin Kriese, board chair, Forest Practices Board. "Of note, the community forest has been proactive in harvesting timber in the wildland urban interface to the east of 100 Mile House, to help government with its plan to create a fuel break around the community. The harvesting reduced the risk of a fire starting and spreading by removing fuels that are more flammable and promoting the regeneration of less-flammable deciduous trees."
The community forest consists of a number of parcels of land surrounding Horse Lake, east of Highway 97 and north of Highway 24, near 100 Mile House.
The community forest harvested 30,400 cubic metres of timber between September 2017 and September 2019. The audit examined all operational planning, harvesting, roads, silviculture and wildfire protection activities carried out during the two-year period.
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 appropriateness of government enforcement. It can also make recommendations for improvement to practices and legislation.
Contact:
Kevin Kriese
Board Chair
Forest Practices Board
Phone: 250 213-4701 / 1 800 994-5899
VICTORIA – An audit of Tolko Industries Ltd.'s forest practices on forest licences A18696, A18697 and A74911 in the Cascades Natural Resource District has found general compliance with B.C.'s forestry legislation.
"Most practices were well done, but fire hazard assessments were either incomplete or were not completed within the required time period," said Kevin Kriese, board chair. "Since the audit, Tolko advised the board it has completed a standard operating procedure for fire hazard assessments that will be followed for all its future operations, which is a really positive outcome."
The audit examined all operational planning, timber harvesting, wildfire protection and silviculture, as well as construction, maintenance and deactivation of roads and major structures carried out between June 1, 2018, and July 12, 2019.
The areas covered by the audit are scattered throughout the Merritt Timber Supply Area, with most located between Merritt to the north and Manning Park to the south, and from the Coquihalla Highway east to Highway 5A.
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 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
VICTORIA – An audit of Northern Engineered Wood Products' (NEWP) non-renewable forest licence A85566 found the company met all requirements of the Forest and Range Practices Act and the Wildfire Act, according to a new report.
"Our audit found that all activities met the legal requirements," said Kevin Kriese, chair of the Forest Practices Board. "We are pleased to note that NEWP protected more wildlife trees than legally required in order to meet the chief forester's Guidance on Landscape- and Stand-level Structural Retention in Large-Scale Mountain Pine Beetle Salvage Operations and planted some Douglas fir and larch in anticipation of climate change."
The audited activities include harvesting of 16 cutblocks, construction of 35 kilometres of new road, maintenance of 12 kilometres of existing road and deactivation of one bridge. Regeneration and fire prevention activities on logged sites were also examined.
The audited activities are in the Morice Timber Supply Area portion of the Nadina Natural Resource District and are located south and northeast of Houston and north of Francois Lake.
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 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
VICTORIA – An audit of non-renewable forest licence A91154, held by the Saik'uz First Nation, near Vanderhoof, has found compliance with the Forest and Range Practices Act and the Wildfire Act, according to a new report.
The forest licence is held by the Saik'uz, but all planning and activities were carried out by the Sinclar Group on behalf of the Nation.
"Our audit found that all activities met the legal requirements," said Kevin Kriese, chair of the Forest Practices Board. "We were also pleased to see that Sinclar Group is working with biomass companies in the Vanderhoof area to allow them access to wood waste. Waste piles were ground on site and transported to the biomass facilities and the work was done promptly to ensure that the fire hazard was abated within the required time period."
Auditors examined 22 cutblocks, 27 kilometres of new road and 17 kilometres of maintained road, three new bridges, one maintained bridge, and planting and regeneration of logged sites. They also checked activities for compliance with the forest stewardship plan and site plans, and applicable land-use orders.
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 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
VICTORIA – During the week of Sept. 23, 2019, the Forest Practices Board will examine the forest activities of Cooper Creek Cedar Ltd. on forest licence A30171 in the Selkirk Natural Resource District.
Auditors will examine whether timber harvesting, roads, silviculture, fire protection and associated planning carried out between Sept. 1, 2017, and Sept. 26, 2019, met the requirements of the Forest and Range Practices Act and the Wildfire Act.
The audit area is located in the Kootenay Lake Timber Supply Area (TSA), which includes the communities of Nelson, Balfour and Kaslo. The area encompasses three major drainage systems–Kootenay Lake, Duncan River and Lardeau River. Cooper Creek manages many resource values in the TSA, including water, timber, recreation, wildlife and visuals.
Once the audit work is complete, 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 then will 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 land, as well as appropriateness of government enforcement.
Contact:
Darlene Oman
Communications
Forest Practices Board
250 213-4705 / 1 800 994-5899
VICTORIA – The Forest Practices Board has released its annual report for the fiscal year 2018-19, providing an overview of the board's performance and work from April 2018 to March 2019.
Each year, the board randomly selects forestry operations for audit. In 2018, it published the results of 15 audits.
"Our auditors evaluate whether forest licensees are in compliance with the Forest and Range Practices Act and the Wildfire Act," said Kevin Kriese, chair, Forest Practices Board. "This year, four audits found no problems at all, while 11 found issues ranging from failing to comply with requirements for roads and bridges, to not carrying out fire hazard assessments following logging."
The board also responds to public concerns and complaints about forest and range practices. In 2018-19, the board received 61 concerns and eight formal complaints on topics including water quality, biodiversity and old growth forests, visual quality and wildfire. The board also issued reports on harvesting young stands of trees, management of woodlots in the West Kootenay and the government's overall approach to conserving fish habitats. Seven other special reports and investigations were in progress as of March 2019.
"The most significant part of our mandate is the ability to recommend improvements to policy, practices and legislation, "Kriese said. "We made six new recommendations last year and received responses to 10 recommendations. We were pleased to see that nine of the 10 recommendations have either been implemented or improvements are in process."
During the year, Kriese was appointed chair of the board, three part-time members' terms ended and four new part-time members were appointed. In total, the board published 26 reports, an annual report and two newsletters.
The full report is available on the board's website: www.bcfpb.ca
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.
Contact:
Darlene Oman
Communications
Forest Practices Board
250 213-4705 / 1 800 994-5899
