The Leq’a:mel First Nation – along with the Ts’elxweyeqw and Skwah First Nations – was one of the three non-renewable forest licenses (NRFL) in the Chilliwack Natural Resource District to earn a good forestry audit score from the Forest Practices Board.
The Leq’a:mel First Nation Forestry Limited Partnership is located in the Statlu Creek area west of Harrison Lake.
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“Our audit found that all three licensees carried out good forest practices and met the requirements of forest practice legislation,” said Forest Practices Board chairman Kevin Kriese in a statement. “They also addressed other forest values during operations with Ts’elxweyeqw Forestry LP and Skwah First Nation protecting visual quality in scenic areas, and Leq’a:mel Forestry LP protecting spotted owl habitat in its operating area.”
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Auditors thoroughly examined multiple factors of forestry practices, including timber harvesting, road construction, reforestation and fire prevention between August 2017 and August 2019.
The Forestry Practices Board is an independent watchdog group for forest and range practices that reports to the provincial government as well as the public. The board also makes recommendations for best practices and future government regulations.
adam.louis@ahobserver.com
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