The McLeod Lake Mackenzie community forest in the Mackenzie Natural Resource District did comply with BC’s forestry legislation, according to a recent audit. The community forest is jointly managed by the District of Mackenzie and the McLeod Lake Indian Band.

“We are pleased to see that the community forest carried out sound forest practices and fully met the requirements of the Forest and Range Practices Act and the Wildfire Act,” said Kevin Kriese, Forest Practices Board chair, in a statement.

Between September 2016 and September 2018, the McLeod Lake Mackenzie Community Forest Limited Partnership harvested 108,000 cubic metres of timber. The audit examined all operational planning, harvest, roads, silviculture, and wildfire protection activities carried out during that time period.

“Of note, the community forest has been proactive in adopting fire-management stocking standards for stands harvested in the wildland urban interface,” said Kriese.

“These standards permit more deciduous trees and fewer coniferous trees when these stands regenerate and will assist in reducing the risk of wildfire to the community of Mackenzie. This is a best practice that deserves recognition.”

The community forest has five operating areas around the Town of Mackenzie, from the Parsnip River in the south to Nation Arm on Williston Lake in the north.

The Forest Practices Board is BC’s independent watchdog for sound forest and range practices. It reports findings and recommendations directly to the public and government. It audits forest and range practices on public land and appropriateness of government enforcement.