Canim Lake Band’s forest company passes audit

Press Release

VICTORIA – An audit of forest planning, harvesting and road practices of Kenkeknem Forest Tenure Ltd., in the 100 Mile District, found that all activities met the requirements of provincial forestry legislation, according to a report released today.

“This is one of the first active First Nations Woodland Licences in the province and we were pleased to find that the company fully met the requirements of the Forest and Range Practices Act and the Wildfire Act,” said board chair Tim Ryan.

In January 2013, the Tsq’escenemc people of the Canim Lake Band were issued a First Nations woodland licence covering 21 400 hectares of land within their traditional territory. The allowable annual cut for this licence is approximately 20 000 cubic metres.

The tenure is managed by Kenkeknem Forest Tenures Ltd., a Band-owned company established to house and manage all forest tenures and forestry obligations. Kenkeknem manages approximately 24 000 cubic metres of allowable annual cut, of which the majority is within the woodland licence.

As part of the Forest Practices Board’s 2014 compliance audit program, the board randomly selected the 100 Mile House Resource District as the location for a full scope compliance audit. Within the district, the board selected First Nations Woodland Licence N1I for the audit.

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.