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Map of the area subject to audit.

• A66963
• A93300
• TA2039

• TA2184
• TA2284
• TA2747

Why This Matters

• Free-growing declarations affect future timber supply. These declarations are the point when BCTS says a harvested area has been successfully reforested and relieves itself of any further obligations. If declarations are made too early or rely on outdated information, young stands may not develop as expected.
• Forest health concerns need to be clearly reflected. Insect and disease issues, such as western spruce budworm, can affect whether young trees survive and grow over time.
• Planning commitments need to carry through to field practices. Wildlife tree retention areas are intended to keep important habitat features on the landscape while the surrounding forest regenerates. Clear maps, markings, communication and oversight help ensure those areas are protected as planned.
• Road and bridge management protects people and forest resources. After major storm events, timely repairs and closures help reduce risks to road users and the environment.

Board Commentary

The Board is concerned about some practices, despite general compliance

As part of its annual audit program, the Board conducted a full-scope compliance audit of BC Timber Sales (BCTS) activities in the BCTS Merritt Field Unit. Although this audit found that BCTS and timber sale licence holders complied with most requirements under the Forest and Range Practices Act (FRPA) and Wildfire Act, the Board is concerned about some of the practices it observed.

Wildlife tree retention fell short of the site plan target

In one instance, mature trees that were intended to be left standing in a wildlife tree retention area were cut. For reasons described in the report, this was not determined to be a non-compliance. Nevertheless, during development of the cutblock plans and prescriptions, a forest professional determined the area supported values that should be retained until the regenerating crop matures. A combination of poor communication and oversight resulted in retention falling short of the site plan target for the cutblock. This is not consistent with effective forest management.

Free-growing declarations must be based on current, accurate information

The Board is also concerned with silviculture practices relating to free-growing declarations. In one case, BCTS declared a young stand free growing even though it was known to be heavily infested with western spruce budworm, a defoliator that can cause tree mortality. The declaration was made at an early stage, when there was a low likelihood that the stand would remain acceptably healthy through the free-growing period. In addition, for three different cutblocks, BCTS made free-growing declarations that were largely based on outdated survey data that could not be considered current, as required by legislation and defined in provincial survey guidance.

Accurate silviculture and forest cover data submitted alongside free-growing declarations is used to help prioritize incremental management of post-free-growing stands. The public interest is best served when free-growing declarations, which signal the end of basic silviculture obligations, are based on current, accurate data and when insect and disease incidence are accurately depicted.

BCTS managed post-storm road and bridge risks well

The Board commends BCTS for its work in the aftermath of the November 2021 atmospheric river. This event impacted the road and bridge infrastructure in the Cascades Natural Resource District, including BCTS assets, forest service roads and public highways. This audit found that BCTS did a good job of managing risks to road users and forest resources through a combination of repairs, temporary closures and permanent closures.