Timber Sales audit of operations in Boundary area finds issues
By Province of British Columbia
An audit of the BC Timber Sales (BCTS) program and timber sale licence (TSL) holders in the Boundary Timber Supply Area portion of the BCTS Kootenay Business Area has found significant issues with road and bridge maintenance.
The Forest Practices Board conducted the full-scope compliance audit of all BCTS and TSL holders’ forestry activities carried out between June 2022 and June 2023.
The audit found that BCTS did not inspect any high-risk or very high-risk roads, and only a limited number of moderate-risk roads during the audit period, which is not compliant with the Forest Planning and Practices Regulation.
“Most of these roads were built decades ago before the advent of modern road-building techniques,” said Keith Atkinson, board chair of B.C.’s Forest Practices Board. “Regular inspections are necessary to identify needed repairs that can prevent or reduce the risk of erosion or landslides occurring, especially on these higher-risk roads.”
Since the audit was completed, BCTS has improved its road-maintenance system.
The audit also found that TSL holder Tolko Industries Ltd. did not repair broken guardrails on a bridge used by industrial traffic during the audit period. This is also not compliant with the Forest Planning and Practices Regulation.
“Guardrails are an important safety component of bridges because they provide drivers with a physical warning that they are approaching the edge of a bridge,” Atkinson said.
Since the audit was completed, Tolko has replaced the guardrails.
The audit found no concerns with harvesting or silviculture practices and other forestry activities, aside from these issues, were well done. Fire hazards were abated in an effective and timely manner, but TSL holders did not complete fire-hazard assessments on time for the majority of cutblocks sampled.
“Once again, TSL holders failed to meet the fire-hazard assessment timelines required by the wildfire regulations,” Atkinson said. “This unfortunately is a common audit finding and is an area requiring improvement.”
The audit area is in south-central B.C. and includes Grand Forks, Greenwood and Midway, located along Highway 3.
It extends from the United States border northward to the headwaters of the Kettle and Granby Rivers. It falls within the territories of the Adams Lake Indian Band, Ktunaxa Nation Council, Lower Similkameen Indian Band, Osoyoos Indian Band, Okanagan Indian Band, Penticton Indian Band, Upper Nicola Band, Westbank First Nation, Neskonlith Indian Band, Splats’in First Nation and the Shuswap Indian Band.
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 the appropriateness of government enforcement. Each year, the board randomly selects at least one of the 31 BCTS field units for audit.
The selection is not based on past performance or public complaints. Based on its findings, the board can make recommendations for improvement to practices and legislation.
