Jan.
26, 2010, Victoria – The British Columbia Ministry of Forests and Range is
inviting public review and comment on a discussion paper that has been released
as part of a comprehensive timber supply review of the Prince George timber
supply area. The Prince George timber supply area’s current allowable annual
cut of 14,944,000 cubic metres was set in September 2004 to facilitate
accelerated harvesting of mountain pine beetle-killed timber. The discussion
paper outlines various harvest scenarios the provincial chief forester will
consider when he determines a new allowable annual cut later this year.
Under
the comprehensive timber supply review, the chief forester must determine how
much wood can be harvested in each of the province’s 37 timber supply areas and
33 tree farm licences every ten years. The chief forester’s allowable cut
determination is an independent, professional judgment based on information
ranging from technical forestry reports and public input to the government’s
social and economic goals. The timber supply review accounts for environmental
concerns such as biodiversity, water quality, and scenic values, in addition to
social and economic issues.
Comments
on the timber supply analysis discussion paper will be received until March 24,
2010. Copies of the discussion paper are available on the Ministry of Forests
and Range website or from the Prince George, Vanderhoof, and Fort St. James
forest district offices.
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