The B.C. government is introducing a single cutting permit procedure to make it easier for local governments, First Nations and other non-commercial organizations throughout the province to harvest timber from community forests.

The public is invited to celebrate National Forest Week at the South Island Natural Resource District Open House on Tuesday, Sept. 25, from 8 a.m. until 10 a.m.

Effective immediately, the new allowable annual cut for Tree Farm Licence 6 will be 1,160,000 cubic metres, chief forester Jim Snetsinger announced.

A community forest agreement for Chetwynd will enable the municipality and First Nations to manage local forest resources for timber, recreation and cultural values, Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Steve Thomson announced.

Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Steve Thomson announced an expansion to the Burns Lake Community Forest that will provide the community-owned forest corporation with access to timber resources near Ling Lake.

It’s only been four months since Harrop-Procter Forest Products officially opened its doors on Kootenay Lake and business is taking off at the locally owned and operated sawmill.

A community forest agreement will diversify the local economy and create more business for the Babine Lake area, Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Steve Thomson announced today at a signing ceremony with the Village of Granisle and the Lake Babine Nation.