Comments are being accepted until Friday, Oct. 21, 2011 on a discussion paper released as part of a comprehensive review of the Okanagan timber supply area.

The discussion paper describes the geography, natural resources, forest management, socio-economic profile, and allowable annual cut history of the Okanagan timber supply area, which includes Vernon, Kelowna, Penticton, Salmon Arm and many other smaller communities ranging from Osoyoos in the south to Sicamous in the north.

A summary of public input on the discussion paper will be reviewed by chief forester Jim Snetsinger before he sets a new allowable annual cut for the Okanagan timber supply area.

Copies of the discussion paper are available on the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations website at http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hts/ or from the Okanagan-Shuswap district office in Vernon.

The chief forester's allowable annual cut determination is an independent professional judgment based on information ranging from technical forestry reports, First Nations and public input to the government's social and economic goals.

Under the timber supply review, the chief forester must determine how much wood can be harvested in each of the province's 38 timber supply areas and 34 tree farm licences at least once every 10 years.

A new allowable annual cut may be determined earlier in response to abnormal situations, or postponed for up to five years if an allowable annual cut level is not expected to change significantly.

Contact:

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