The Cortes Island Community Forest Advisory Group has been invited to apply for a community forest, announced Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson, while at the BC Community Forests Association annual general meeting in 100 Mile House.

The invitation to apply is for an allowable annual cut of up to 13,600 cubic metres with an initial term of 25 years. The invitation is subject to First Nations consultation. The exact location on the Island will need to be determined.

After the location has been determined, the Cortes Island Community Forest Advisory Group will prepare their application and submit a management plan to the ministry for approval before the community forest agreement can be issued.

Quick Facts:

• Cortes Island is at the north end of the Strait of Georgia, between Campbell River and Powell River. 40 per cent of the island (5,000 hectares) is Crown forest land.
• Community forest agreements are a form of legal tenure that enable communities to more fully participate in the stewardship of local Crown forest resources.
• Community forests are area-based and give communities exclusive rights to harvest timber, as well as the opportunity to manage and profit from other forest resources such as botanical products, recreation, wildlife, water and scenic viewscapes.
• More than 50 community forests are operating or are in the planning stages in British Columbia.

Learn More:

http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hth/timber-tenures/community/index.htm

http://www.bccfa.ca/

Contact:

Cheekwan Ho
Media Relations
Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations
250 356-5261