Forest Practices Board will audit stand-level biodiversity practices near Clearwater
Audit will examine wildlife tree-retention areas and block reserves
Summary
The Forest Practices Board will conduct a limited-scope compliance audit of stand-level biodiversity practices and block reserve management in the Thompson Rivers Natural Resource District, beginning Monday, Oct. 19, 2026.
The audit will examine the practices of BC Timber Sales' Kamloops Business Area, the Lower North Thompson Community Forest and Gilbert Smith Forest Products.
Auditors will review harvest planning, and on-the-ground practices and reporting, including the establishment and management of wildlife tree-retention areas and block reserves, to determine compliance with legal requirements.
The audit area is within the Kamloops Timber Supply Area, which covers approximately 2.77 million hectares. The audit will focus on operations within the Clearwater, Dunn, Vavenby, Adams Lake and Barrière landscape units within the Kamloops Timber Supply Area.
Wildlife tree-retention areas help support biodiversity by retaining trees and other forest features in harvested landscapes. They can also help protect important forest attributes, including riparian areas, cultural heritage values and visual quality.
In the district, stand-level retention is guided by objectives in the Kamloops Land and Resource Management Plan, the Forest Planning and Practices Regulation and commitments in forest stewardship plans.
The audit area overlaps the territories of numerous First Nations and Bands in the district.
Once the audit is complete, the board will prepare a report. Parties who may be adversely affected by the findings will have an opportunity to respond before the final report and any recommendations are released publicly.
The Forest Practices Board is B.C.'s independent watchdog for sound forest and range practices. Auditees are selected using a modified random sampling method, without considering past performance or public complaints.
Contact:
Tanner Senko
Communications Manager
Forest Practices Board
tanner.senko@bcfpb.ca
250 889-8211 / 1 800 994-5899
