Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Steve Thomson issued the following statement today in recognition of International Day of Forests:

Comments are being accepted until May 3, 2015, on a new discussion paper released today as part of a comprehensive timber supply review for the Fraser Timber Supply Area.

Environment Minister Mary Polak introduced legislation that, if passed, will add more than 1,500 hectares to B.C.'s protected areas system, one of the largest in North America.

The new allowable annual cut for the Williams Lake Timber Supply Area has been reduced from 5.77 million cubic metres to three million cubic metres.

The B.C. government is continuing to protect old-growth forests and enhance biodiversity by establishing 79 old growth management areas under the Oil and Gas Activities Act.

The BC Coroners Service has confirmed the identity of a man and woman who died after a snowmobile incident near Nakusp on Dec. 14, 2014.

The BC Coroners Service has confirmed the identity of a man who died while working at a forestry operation in Crofton on Dec. 9, 2014.

The BC Coroners Service has confirmed the identity of a man who died while working on a heli-logging operation near Tahsis on Dec. 7, 2014.