Brand new technology is enabling Western Forest Products to install the first-ever lumber autograder on the Coast, increasing the Alberni Pacific Division sawmill's efficiency, Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson said at an event at the mill today.

Ensuring a sustainable timber supply, with the right mix of tree species, is a top priority for the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations.

Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Steve Thomson announced today regulatory changes that provide access to logging slash and wood waste fibre needed by bioenergy producers and manufacturers of wood pellets and other bio-products.

Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson has announced the reappointment of four board members to the Forest Practices Board for terms of two years each.

Kamloops Fire Centre officials have responded to 61 person-caused fires since April 1. Forestry officials have also received reports of oversized bonfires and graduation party fires.

Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson applauded today's decision of the Legislative Assembly to form a Special Committee on Timber Supply to examine and make recommendations about mid-term timber supply in British Columbia, as a result of the mountain pine beetle infestation.

A regulatory change allowing the removal of private land from a woodlot licence will give woodlot holders more flexibility in how they manage their assets, Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Steve Thomson announced today.

Amendments updating a number of resource-related acts were introduced today, including changes to the Occupiers Liability Act that will reduce liability concerns arising from the public use of resource roads.