Oct. 23-29, 2016, is Hungarian Cultural Week in British Columbia, acknowledging the role and contributions Hungarian refugees have made economically, socially and culturally to the province.

In response to UBCM Resolution C-27, Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson re-affirmed government’s commitment to Vancouver Island’s old growth forests and stated there was no need to cease logging.

Effective immediately, Tree Farm Licence (TFL) 57 on the west coast of Vancouver Island will have an area-based allowable annual cut level of 222 hectares, chief forester Diane Nicholls announced.

Environment Minister Mary Polak and Natural Gas Development Minister Rich Coleman have issued an environmental assessment certificate to Plateau Pipe Line Ltd. for the Northeast British Columbia Expansion project.

British Columbians are invited to review and comment on amended old growth management areas for the San Josef Landscape Unit on northwestern Vancouver Island until Aug. 29, 2016.

The B.C. government has established 6,482 old growth management areas (OGMAs) under the Oil and Gas Activities Act.

Environment Minister Mary Polak introduced new legislation that, if passed, will add more than 11,700 hectares to B.C.’s protected areas system, including the establishment of a new Class A provincial park.

Premier Christy Clark announced the creation of B.C.’s newest Class A provincial park in the northern region of the province, which makes up part of the only known inland temperate rainforest in the world.