B.C.'s chief forester has set the allowable annual cut for the Sunshine Coast timber supply area at 1,197,949 cubic metres, unchanged from the previous level.

The Sunshine Coast timber supply area covers about 1.6 million hectares, ranging from Howe Sound in the south to the head of Bute Inlet in the north. However, only 223,000 hectares are suitable for timber harvesting.

The chief forester set the allowable annual cut following a comprehensive review, including public input received during the summer and fall of 2011.

Quick Facts:

About the Sunshine Coast timber supply area -

• The population of the Sunshine Coast is 49,758, more than half of whom live in the communities of Powell River, Sechelt and Gibsons.
• The forest sector directly employs 1,300 people in the area.
• The major commercial tree species are Douglas-fir, hemlock, western red cedar, yellow cedar and red alder.

About allowable annual cut determinations -

• The chief forester's 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 or deputy 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.

Learn More:

For a copy of the rationale for the Sunshine Coast allowable annual cut determination:

http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hts/

Historical timber supply review documents for the Sunshine Coast timber supply area:

http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hts/tsa/tsa39/

Contact:

Brennan Clarke
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations
250 356-5261