BCTS and timber sale licensees receive clean audits

VICTORIA – Planning and field activities undertaken by the British Columbia Timber Sales (BCTS) Program and timber sale licensees  in the southern portion of the Headwaters Forest District near Clearwater complied with forest practices legislation, according to a Forest Practices Board audit report released today.

The audit of the BCTS program and timber sale licensees in the Kamloops Business Area’s Clearwater Field Unit examined activities conducted during the period of Sept. 1, 2006 to Sept. 28, 2007. The audit assessed compliance with the Forest Practices Code of British Columbia Act, the Forest and Range Practices Act (FRPA), Wildfire Act and related regulations.

“We’re pleased to note that BCTS and timber sale licensees in the Kamloops Business Area’s Clearwater Field Unit complied with legislative requirements in all significant respects,” said board chair Bruce Fraser. “However, the audit identified 18 cutblocks that were previously planted with seedlings not meant for these areas. Although these trees are currently performing well, the board encourages BCTS to continue to periodically monitor these sites.”

The audit assessed the planning, activities and obligations of the BCTS program and timber sale licensees, including:

• operational planning;
• preparing forest stewardship plan (FSP) and site plans;
• road construction, maintenance and deactivation outside and within cutblocks;
• timber harvesting;
• silviculture activities and obligations; and
• fire protection at active work sites.

The Forest Practices Board is an independent public watchdog that reports to the public about compliance with the Forest and Range Practices Act (FRPA) and the achievement of its intent. The board’s main roles under FRPA are:

• Auditing forest practices of government and licence holders on public lands.
• Auditing government enforcement of FRPA.
• Investigating public complaints.
• Undertaking special investigations of forestry issues.
• Participating in administrative appeals.
• Providing reports on board activities, findings and recommendations.

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Helen Davies
Communications
Forest Practices Board
Phone: 250 356-1586 / 1 800 994-5899