MACKENZIE, British Columbia
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September 18, 2023
(press release)
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The Forest Practices Board will audit the forest planning and practices on non-replaceable forest licence (NRFL) A89836, starting Sept. 25, 2023. NRFL A89836 is held by Nak’al Koh Timber Limited with an annual allowable cut of 50,000 cubic metres. The NRFL is within the Mackenzie timber supply area (TSA) within the Mackenzie Natural Resource District in northeast-central B.C. It overlaps the territories of the Doig River First Nation, Halfway River First Nation, McLeod Lake Indian Band, Nak’azdli Whut’en’, Takla First Nation, Tsay Keh Dene First Nation, and West Moberly First Nations. Mackenzie, Germansen Landing, Manson Creek, Tsay Keh, and Kwadacha are some of the towns and settlements in the TSA. Auditors will examine whether timber harvesting, roads, bridges, silviculture, wildfire protection, and associated planning from Jan. 1, 2020, until Sept. 25, 2023, met the requirements of the Forest and Range Practices Act and the Wildfire Act. The diverse forests and landscapes in the TSA are home to a variety of wildlife species, including ungulates, bears, wolves, small mammals, and over half of the bird species known to breed in the province. Once the audit is complete, a report will be prepared. Any party that may be adversely affected by the audit findings will have a chance to respond. The board’s final report and recommendations will be released to the public and provincial government. 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. Auditees are selected using a modified random sampling method without considering past performance or public complaints. The board audits forest and range practices on public lands and the appropriateness of government enforcement. It can also make recommendations for improvement to practices and legislation.
© 2024, B.C. Forest Practices Board
