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.

Endako Mine has been issued a Mines Act permit amendment which will increase production, create approximately 160 new jobs and sustain a total of 400 employees in the north, announced Minister of Energy and Mines Rich Coleman.

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.

The public is invited to review and provide comments on the proposed objectives contained in the draft Old Growth Management Areas land use order, an element of the Province's Coastal Douglas Fir strategy.