The Village of Midway and the City of Greenwood have been invited to jointly apply for a new community forest, announced Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson, while at the BC Community Forest Association's Annual General Meeting in 100 Mile House.

The community forest will have an allowable annual cut of up to 23,000 cubic metres within the Boundary Timber Supply Area with an initial term of 25 years. The area selection and agreement is subject to First Nations consultation.

As well, now that the Village of Midway and City of Greenwood have been invited to jointly apply for the community forest, they need to submit a management plan to the ministry for approval before the community forest agreement can be issued.

Quick Facts:

• 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