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VICTORIA – Effective today, the allowable annual cut for the 100 Mile House timber supply area will increase to two million cubic metres in response to the mountain pine beetle epidemic, chief forester Jim Snetsinger announced.
“My determination balances an effective strategy for salvaging trees damaged by mountain pine beetles in the short term with the need to protect other tree species that can contribute to the future harvest level,” Snetsinger said.
The new allowable annual cut represents an increase of 666,000 cubic metres per year – 50 per cent more than the previous allowable annual cut.
In his determination, the chief forester emphasizes that the allowable annual cut must be directed towards salvaging mountain pine beetle-damaged trees to begin reforestation of these stands, and to maintain the diversity of other tree species for future harvesting. The new harvest level also provides flexibility to address other forest health issues like the spruce bark beetle.
In the next two decades, the mountain pine beetle is expected to affect about 40 million cubic metres of timber throughout the 100 Mile House timber supply area. It has affected about 14 million cubic metres to date.
The spruce bark beetle has attacked
about four million cubic metres of timber. The 100 Mile House district’s forest
health strategy for dealing with the spruce bark beetle involves aggressive
suppression treatments on leading-edge outbreaks, and salvaging highly damaged
stands.
The determination reflects the requirements of existing land use plans and forest practices legislation. Ministry of Forests and Range staff will continue to monitor the infestation and advise the chief forester if it subsides or expands beyond projected levels, in which case further examination of the timber supply may be required.
Under the
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 at least once every five years. The chief forester can determine new
allowable annual cuts in response to abnormal situations, such as the mountain
pine beetle epidemic, or postpone a decision for another five years if a
harvest level is not expected to change significantly.
Copies of the chief forester’s allowable annual cut determination are available on the Ministry of Forests and Range website at www.for.gov.bc.ca/hts/tsa/tsa23/ or from the 100 Mile House Forest District office or the Southern Interior Forest Region office in Kamloops.
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contact: |
District Manager 100 Mile House Forest District 250 395-7800 |
Chief Forester Victoria 250 387-1296 |
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For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca. |
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