Forest Practices Board
VICTORIA – An audit of BC Timber Sales (BCTS) and timber sale licence holders (TSL holders) in the Kamloops business area found compliance with B.C.’s forestry legislation, according to a report released Feb. 17.
“BCTS and 18 out of 19 TLS holders fully complied with requirements of the Forest and Range Practices Act and the Wildfire Act,” said Tim Ryan, board chair. “Auditors did find one TSL holder had built one section of road that caused soilsedimentation near a small fish-bearing stream, a practice considered an area for improvement. We are pleased to see that since the audit, the TSL holder has fixed this issue.”
BCTS operates in 30 operating areas in the Kamloops field unit. The operating areas are near the communities of Kamloops, Cache Creek, Chase, Little Fort and Barriere, and include Kamloops, Bonaparte and Adams lakes
The board examined the activities carried out between May 1, 2014, and May 29, 2015. During the audit period, BCTS built 7.5 kilometres of road and 1 bridge, and had road maintenance obligations for 1,152 kilometres of road and 37 bridges. TSL holders constructed 23 kilometres, maintained 140 kilometres and deactivated 34 kilometres of road and harvested 1,729 hectares of timber.
BCTS is responsible for operational planning, silviculture, and most road and bridge construction, maintenance and deactivation outside cutblocks. Timber sale licence holders are responsible for harvesting, fire protection, and most road and bridge construction, maintenance and deactivation within cutblocks.
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.
For more information: www.bcfpb.ca
