VICTORIA - The public is invited to comment on proposed changes to old growth management areas on Vancouver Island that would protect the Avatar Grove site.

The proposed amendments fall within the Renfrew planning area and include:

• Designating 49 hectares in the Avatar Grove area as old growth management area.
• Designating an additional 10.4 hectares as old growth management area.
• Removing 57.4 hectares of old growth management area.

The Renfrew planning area, on southwestern Vancouver Island, contains 11,624 hectares of old growth management areas. An additional 7,732 hectares of old growth forest in provincial and federal parks contributes to old growth targets.

Comments on the proposed amendments will be accepted until Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011.

Information packages, including maps, are available at the West Coast Region office (Suite 142-2080 Labieux Rd., Nanaimo, B.C.) and the South Island Forest District office (4885 Cherry Creek Rd., Port Alberni, B.C.). They can also be found online at:

www.ilmb.gov.bc.ca/content/documents/2010/02/18/public-review-and-comment-legal-orders

Written comments can be sent to:

Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations
Resource Initiatives - West Coast Region
142-2080 Labieux Rd.
Nanaimo, B.C.
V9T 6J9

Alternatively, comments can be faxed to 250 751-7081 or emailed to: RenfrewOGMA@gov.bc.ca

Please reference "Renfrew Amendments 2011" in all correspondence.

Media Contact:

Media Relations
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations
250 953-3675