Wildfire, bridge maintenance and construction were identified as issues during Valemount Community Forest Company Ltd’s audit.
The Forest Practices Board audited all activities between July 1st, 2021, and July 28, 2023, and while the licensee complied with most requirements, five significant non-compliances were found.
Two were related to bridge construction and maintenance, where they had no legally required documents outlining how it would ensure the bridges were safe and structurally sound.
Board Chair, Keith Atkinson said “This can put the safety of truck drivers and other industrial road users at risk.”
“We encourage all licensees to review professional practice guidelines to ensure they understand when and how to meet these requirements.”
The report also identified two involving wildfire protection, where no fuel breaks were created before burning slash piles, resulting in fires spreading beyond the cutblock boundaries.
Atkinson added “It’s absolutely critical that forest operators take every precaution when abating fire hazards, especially if they are burning in a high-risk area.”
The Prince George Natural Resource District was randomly selected, as part of the board’s 2023 audit program.
More information about the report can be found on the Forest Practices Board’s website here.
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