 |
|
MERRITT – The allowable annual cut increase for five companies with innovative forestry practices agreements in the Merritt timber supply area will be maintained at 830,700 cubic metres until Aug. 31, 2011, in part to address mountain pine beetle infestation and reduce potential losses in healthy timber stands.
The Southern Interior Forest
Regional Manager determined that the cut increase awarded to the agreement
holders of the Nicola-Similkameen Innovative Forestry Society in July 2005 be
extended after reviewing the Society’s application, timber supply and beetle
infestation analysis, and considering public and First Nations input. The
decision follows the extension of the innovative forestry practices agreements
from March 25, 2008 to Aug. 31, 2011.
The society is composed of representatives of the licensees with innovative forestry practices agreements: Aspen Planers Ltd., Ardew Wood Products Ltd., Stuwix Resources Ltd., Tolko Industries Ltd., and Weyerhaeuser Canada Ltd, as well as BC Timber Sales, the Upper Nicola Indian Band and the Nicola Tribal Association. Stuwix Resources Ltd. is a First Nations-owned company managed by representatives of eight bands in the Merritt timber supply area. The agreement area comprises approximately 1.13 million hectares. Under these agreements, licensees conduct activities above their basic obligations of forest management with a view to improving timber productivity.
The current allowable annual cut increase was set in July 2005 as a result of the Society’s forest health strategy to reduce the loss of merchantable timber killed by the mountain pine beetle. Previously, the society had demonstrated greater productivity in the timber supply area through the collection of information on forest inventory, site productivity, and environmental issues.
Under the Forest Act, the regional
manager can award an increase to the allowable annual cut of an innovative
forestry practices agreement-holder. Licence holders must
comply with conditions of the increase, the agreement, the Forest Act, the
Forest and Range Practices Act and other relevant legislation.
Copies of the regional manager’s rationale are available on the ministry’s website at: www.for.gov.bc.ca/rsi/IFPA/IFPA.htm
-30-
|
contact: |
Public Affairs Officer 250 387-4592 |
|
|
|
||
|
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. |
||
