An audit of forestry activities on a woodlot near Kaslo concludes that the licensee complied with BC's forestry legislation, according to a report from the Forest Practices Board.
Board chair Tim Ryan said he was "pleased to see" the licensee is complying with the Forest and Range Practices Act in carrying out their activities.
The audits examined planning, timber harvesting roads, silviculture and fire protection activities, carried out between September 2013 and September 2015, in woodlot 438, held by Jeff Mattes 11 km south of Kaslo, west of Highway 31.
The audit found that planning and practices generally complied with the Forest and Range Practices Act and the Wildfire Act. However, the audit also identified two areas requiring improvement related to fire hazard assessments and annual reporting.
Auditors found that Mattes is abating fire hazards as a standard practice. However, he was not diligent in assessing the hazard. "This non-compliance is not considered significant since fire hazards are being abated effectively and timely manner," the board said.
Auditors also found Mattes did not meet all submission deadlines or specification requirements for annual reporting. However, because Mattes "demonstrated sound silviculture practices in the field and this is an administrative finding that can be easily corrected, this is considered an area requiring improvement."
The woodlot license was awarded in 1987 and has a total area of 604 hectares, of which all but four hectares is Crown land. It provides an annual allowable cut of 1,949 cubic meters. The licensee harvested three cutblocks, built 2.7 km of road, deactivated 1.4 km and maintained another 5.8 km during the audit period. No concerns were noted.
The Forest Practices Board is BC's independent watchdog for sound forest and range practices.