Saik’uz First Nation has gotten a good result in a recent audit of the non-renewable forest licence held by the First Nations community.
The Forest Practices Board released the results of their audit on Oct. 31 and found that Saik’uz has complied with the Forest and Range Practices Act and the Wildfire Act.
Even though the forest licence is held by Saik’uz, all planning and activities have been carried out by the Sinclar Group on behalf of the First Nations community.
“Our audit found that all activities met the legal requirements,” said Kevin Kriese, chair of the Forest Practices Board.
“We were also pleased to see that Sinclar Group is working with biomass companies in the Vanderhoof area to allow them access to wood waste. Waste piles were ground on site and transported to the biomass facilities and the work was done promptly to ensure that the fire hazard was abated within the required time period,” he added.
During the audit, 22 cutblocks, 27 kms of new road, 17 kms of maintained road, three new bridges, one maintained bridge, and planting and regeneration of logged sites were examined.
Auditors also checked activities for compliance with the forest stewardship plan and site plans, and applicable land-use orders.
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.
Aman Parhar
Editor, Vanderhoof Omineca Express
aman.parhar@ominecaexpress.com
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