2403 - Policy. It is the policy to conduct a pre-sale or a post-sale audit on a timber sale and related transport system for each District annually. The goal is to evaluate the timber sale program and its impacts on other resources.

Prior to April 1, each year, the District Ranger and the Timber Management Staff Officer will make determination as to which type of audit the District will have that year. There will be an effort made to keep a balance of pre- and post-sale audits. They will also select the sale to be audited and the date of the audit.

This sale selection will be based on resource related problems and needs. They will be sufficiently complex to challenge the audit team.

The Supervisor will appoint an Auditor-in-charge.

Thirty days prior to the audit date, the District will furnish the following information to the auditor-in-charge: (1) Designation of the District contact for this particular audit. (2) A plan for the audit (pre-sale audit plan) will be developed would include the following basic information: type of audit, District, sale name, time, transportation, and lodging arrangements, members of the audit team, and the audit plan detail. This detail will include organization into subgroups, what areas of work will be reviewed by which group, routes through the sale area, and identify particular items for review. The plan should also include who will conduct the orientation and arrangements for the final critique. (3) List of recommended attendees from the Supervisor's Office.

1. Pre-sale Audit Objectives .

a. To measure the sale against the EA and the EA against needs and requirements.

b. To determine if the Forest and District is meeting stated standards, procedures, and policies for timber sales and related transportation systems.

c. To identify factors that are preventing us from meeting stated standards, procedures, and policies.

d. To determine why the sale, as planned, is not considered satisfactory or why the end results exceed expectations.

e. To recommend changes in or establishment of new Forest or District policies and/or procedures.

2. Pre-sale Audit Procedures . No later than 20 days prior to the audit, the District will furnish the auditor-in-charge with all information needed for the audit team. This information may include, but is not limited to, the preliminary reconnaissance card, the EA, road design warrants, appropriate land use unit plan, written silvicultural prescription, and hazard reduction plan. The information that is needed is that which will display the planning process which leads to the final sale layout.

Once the District has submitted the information, the auditor-in-charge will be responsible for the remainder of the necessary preparation as well as the conduct of the audit and the associated follow-up and reporting. This may include contacts with District representatives, and final arrangements for the audit. An essential part of this phase of the job would be to notify participants and arrange necessary lodging and transportation for the S.O. audit team participants can review prior to the audit date.

The auditor-in-charge and District contact will conduct an orientation session at the Ranger Station or other agreed upon location prior to the field audit. The auditor-in-charge will:

a. Conduct the Field Audit - according to Audit Plan and the outline in Exhibits A & B.

b. Summarize and critique the audit prior to the completion of the activity.

c. Prepare the draft and final report. Written report of audit findings and recommendations will be available to the audit team within 15 days of the field audit. The team has five days to review and provide additional input. The final report is due to the Supervisor and District Ranger no later than 30 days from the field audit. The distribution of the final report will include one copy to be routed to the Supervisor's Staff, one to each Ranger District, one to the concerned zone, one to the Timber Sale folder, and one to the audit file.