Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson has approved the removal of 116 hectares of private land from Tolko Industries' Tree Farm Licence 49.

An additional 23,810 hectares of old growth management areas now are protected in the Chilliwack District, Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson announced.

With the release of 'Beyond the Beetle: A Mid-Term Timber Supply Action Plan', we have outlined a clear strategy to help our forests recover from the damage done by the mountain pine beetle infestation.

Commitment to forest renewal through nine sustained and 11 new actions are contained in government's action plan to increase the mid-term timber supply, Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson announced today.

The Ulkatcho First Nation now is eligible to apply for funding to promote sustainable economic development after signing a Strategic Land Use Planning Agreement governing the area known as the Great Bear Rainforest.

The Hupacasath First Nation have signed an agreement with the B.C. government giving the First Nation access to new, sustainable economic opportunities that reflect their traditional values.

Effective immediately, the new allowable annual cut for the Okanagan timber supply area will decrease from 3.375 million cubic metres to 3.1 million cubic metres, chief forester Jim Snetsinger announced.

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

The public is invited to comment on proposed changes to old growth management areas on Vancouver Island that would protect the Avatar Grove site.