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VICTORIA – The Ministry of Forests is inviting public
comments until May 12 as part of an urgent timber supply review for the Merritt
timber supply area.
The timber supply review, the third for the Merritt
timber supply area, was scheduled for 2006 but is taking place sooner to
respond to a sharp increase in mountain pine beetle populations caused by
climatic factors and an abundance of mature pine. The timber supply area’s diverse
landscape and the fact its beetle populations are at an earlier stage of
expansion than in other areas of the province increase the likelihood that
accelerated harvesting may slow the infestation and lessen the environmental
and economic impacts.
Analysis based on updated technical information
shows that the current allowable annual cut of 1.5 million cubic metres
could be increased to as much as 2.8 million cubic metres a year for a
five-year period to address the beetle infestation.
Public open houses will be held at the Princeton
Community Skills Centre, 206 Vermilion Ave., on Tuesday, April 19, and at
the Merritt Convention and Civic Centre, 1950 Mamette Ave., on Wednesday,
April 20, both from 7 to 9 p.m.
Copies of the public discussion paper are also
available on the Ministry of Forests website at http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hts/tsa/tsa18/
or from the Cascades Forest District, Highway 5A and Airport Rd., or call
250 378-8400.
Under B.C.’s comprehensive timber supply review, the
chief forester must determine how much wood can be harvested in each of B.C.’s
37 timber supply areas and 34 tree farm licences at least once every five
years. The chief forester can postpone a determination for up to five more
years if the annual harvest is not expected to change significantly or set a
new harvest level earlier to deal with abnormal situations such as insect
infestations or wildfires.
Each allowable annual cut determination is an
independent professional judgment based on information ranging from technical
forestry reports and public input to government’s social and economic
objectives. For more information about the provincial timber supply review
process, visit http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hts/.
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District Manager Cascades Forest District, Merritt 250 378-8402 |
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Visit the Province's website at www.gov.bc.ca for online information and services. |
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