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Kalesnikoff passes forestry audit: BC Forest Practices Board

An audit of Kalesnikoff’s activities on forest licence A20194 has found the company generally complied with the requirements of the Forest and Range Practices Act (FRPA) and the Wildfire Act, according to the audit report released.

The audit examined harvesting on four cutblocks, maintenance of more than 250 kilometres of road and 13 bridges, planting on 24 cutblocks and ensuring forests are regenerating on more than two dozen cutblocks. These activities were assessed for compliance with FRPA, the Wildfire Act, applicable regulations and legal orders.

“While almost all of the audited practices complied with legal requirements, the auditors found that Kalesnikoff did not complete fire hazard assessment reports for three cutblocks and did not update forest cover information in government’s silviculture reporting database for six cutblocks within the timeframes required by the legislation,” said Kevin Kriese, chair of the Forest Practices Board. “As these findings did not have any impacts to forest resources, these are considered areas for improvement in the future.”

Since the audit work was completed, Kalesnikoff has submitted the required information to government and improved its internal procedures.

Forest licence A20194 lies within the Arrow timber supply area portion of the Selkirk Natural Resource District. The audit area is bounded to the south by the Canada-US border, to the west by the Monashee Mountains and to the east by the Selkirk Mountains. Castlegar is the main community in the area. The forest licence overlaps the territories of the Adams Lake Indian Band, Ktunaxa Nation Council, Neskonlith Indian Band and Osoyoos 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 appropriateness of government enforcement. It can also make recommendations for improvement to practices and legislation.