Indigenous management companies and First Nations with non-renewable forest licences in the Chilliwack Forest District are being credited with good forest practices in the wake of an audit by Forest Practices Board.
Three entities, Ts’elxweyeqw Tribe Management Ltd, Leq’a:mel First Nation and Skwah First Nation, were found to be in compliance with the Forest and Range Practices Act and the Wildfire Act, according to a new report.
“Our audit found that all three licensees carried out good forest practices and met the requirements of forest practice legislation,” said Kevin Kriese, chair of Forest Practices Board.
“They also addressed other forest values during operations with Ts’elxweyeqw Forestry LP and Skwah First Nation protecting visual quality in scenic areas, and Leq’a:mel Forestry LP protecting spotted owl habitat in its operating area.”
The Ts’elxweyeqw Forestry Limited Partnership operations were located near Chilliwack Lake, whereas Skwah operations were near Wahleach (Jones) Lake.
Auditors examined all timber harvesting, road construction, maintenance and deactivation, reforestation and fire prevention activities carried out between August 2017 and August 2019.
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.
For more see www.bcfpb.ca
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