TREE FARM LICENCE 38 HARVEST ANNOUNCED

VICTORIA – The allowable annual cut for Tree Farm Licence 38 near Squamish will remain at 250,500 cubic metres with new limits on harvesting activity, deputy chief forester Henry Benskin announced today.

Tree Farm Licence 38 is managed by Northwest Squamish Forestry Limited Partnership, a forest company owned by the Squamish First Nation. About 17 per cent of the 189,000-hectare licence area is suitable for timber harvesting.

“In making my determination, I have recognized the cultural importance of the Wild Spirit Places to local First Nations and the limitations on harvesting in these areas,” said Benskin. “However, under the Forest Act, I’m required to determine an allowable annual cut for the entire tree farm licence, therefore I’ve attributed a portion of the cut to the Wild Spirit Places to ensure the remaining area of the licence is limited to a sustainable harvest level of 171, 000 cubic metres per year. I expect the future status of the Wild Spirit Places to be clarified in the pending land-use decisions.”

Tree Farm Licence 38 is situated within the Sea-to-Sky Land and Resources Management Plan area. The land-use plan is under review by the provincial government and, depending on the outcome, it may have implications for timber supply on Tree Farm Licence 38.

Within six months of the government’s approval of the land-use plan, the deputy chief forester has instructed Northwest Squamish Forestry Limited Partnership to prepare a timeline for developing a new Management Plan and a new timber supply review.

Each allowable annual cut determination is an independent, professional judgment based on the latest information ranging from technical forestry reports, to government’s social and economic objectives and consultation with the public and First Nations.

Under the timber supply review, the chief forester or deputy 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. A new allowable annual cut can be determined earlier in response to unique situations such as a new land-use plan, or may be postponed for another five years if the harvest level is not expected to change significantly. For additional information on the timber supply review and a copy of the deputy chief forester’s rationale for this tree farm licence, visit www.for.gov.bc.ca/hts.

Tree farm licences are area-based tenures and renewable licences issued under the Forest Act, and give the licensee rights to manage Crown timber for sustained yield for 25 years. The licensee manages the area under the general supervision of the Ministry of Forests and Range and receives approval from the ministry for harvesting activities.

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Media contact:	Henry Benskin Deputy Chief Forester Chief Forester’s Office, Victoria 250 387-1296	Dave Hails District Manager Squamish Forest District, Squamish 604 898-2100

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