VICTORIA - An audit of Weyerhaeuser Company Limited’s forest operations near Princeton found they met the requirements of the Forest and Range Practices Act and the Wildfire Act, according to a report by the Forest Practices Board released Feb. 15.
“Virtually all Weyerhaeuser’s harvesting was salvage of beetle-killed pine and was well-managed,” said board chair Al Gorley. “Auditors did find one problem with gravel on bridge decks, and the board is pleased that Weyerhaeuser immediately corrected the practice.”
Weyerhaeuser’s forest license A18698 lies within the Merritt timber supply area in the Cascades District, and nearby communities include Princeton, Tulameen and Hedley.
The audit fieldwork took place from Oct. 17 to 20, 2011.
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.
Weyerhaueser formerly had several operations in the B.C. Interior, including one at Vavenby. Now the Princeton sawmill is the only one left. Weyerhaueser closed its Vavenby operation in 2003.