Forestry audit scheduled for B.C. licence for land covering spotted owl habitat

A northern spotted owl sits on a branch in Point Reyes, Calif., in June 1995. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP - Tom Gallagher

British Columbia’s independent forestry watchdog says it will conduct an audit of a logging licence for more than 1,000 square kilometres of land that encompasses critical habitat for the endangered northern spotted owl.

The Forest Practices Board says in a release that the licence, jointly held by the Skatin, Samahquam and Xa’xtsa First Nations as well as Lizzie Bay Logging, covers an area about 50 kilometres southeast of Pemberton, B.C.

The board says the audit will begin on Aug. 25, and parties affected by the findings will have a chance to respond before the watchdog makes official recommendations to the province.

The partnership acquired the licence in 2008 and currently manages an allowable annual cut of about 45,000 cubic metres on the land on the lower Lillooet River between the Lillooet and Harrison lakes.

In addition to being the location of critical spotted owl habitat, the land is also described by the board as “rich in cultural, historical, ecological and recreational values.”

The board says the area being audited has existing management objectives on a number fronts including old growth forests, grizzly bears and tailed frog, as well as “high recreational use” for activities such as fishing, hiking, kayaking and camping.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 18, 2025.