Another new woodlot opportunity is available near Campbell River for those interested in forestry, Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Steve Thomson announced today.

The woodlot covers 766 hectares of Crown land near McCreight Lake about 35 kilometres northwest of Campbell River. The woodlot comprises mainly Douglas-fir and hemlock and has an initial allowable annual cut of 2,500 cubic metres.

Applications and further details are available online at https://www23.for.gov.bc.ca/notices/ or from the Campbell River natural resource district office at 370 South Dogwood St., Campbell River. Applications must be received in sealed envelopes at the district office by 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 11, 2011.

Quotes:

Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Steve Thomson -

"Woodlots reflect community values and are a great source of local employment. This is the twelfth woodlot to be advertised in the Campbell River natural resource district since this government announced the expansion of the woodlot program in December 2008."

Federation of B.C. Woodlot Associations general manager Brian McNaughton -

"This new woodlot opportunity adds to the outstanding work the Campbell River district is doing to ensure smaller operators can create or expand their current forestry operations. This woodlot licence will allow the Campbell River area to benefit from more local jobs and increased economic activity."

Quick Facts:

* Woodlot licences are small, area-based tenures that combine private land with up to 800 hectares of Crown land on the Coast, and are managed by individuals, groups or First Nations.

* Woodlots are replaceable tenures, usually awarded for an initial term of 20 years.

* British Columbia has about 860 active woodlots. Each woodlot generates jobs in planning, harvesting, road construction and maintenance, reforestation, silviculture and small-scale timber processing.

* Since 2008, 32 new woodlots have been advertised, including 12 alone in the Campbell River natural resource district.

Contact:

Cheekwan Ho

Public Affairs Officer

Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations

250 387-4592

Connect with the Province of B.C. at: www.gov.bc.ca/connect