Comments are being accepted until Feb. 7, 2013, on a public discussion paper released today as part of a comprehensive timber supply review of the Bulkley timber supply area.

Public feedback on the discussion paper will be considered by the chief forester before he sets a new allowable annual cut. The discussion paper describes the geography, natural resources, forest management, land use plans, economic profile and allowable annual cut history of the Bulkley timber supply area.

The chief forester's allowable annual cut determination is an independent professional judgment based on information such as technical forestry reports and input from First Nations and the public regarding 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.

The Bulkley timber supply area is located in the least populated development region in the province with a population of 40,000. Communities within the timber supply area boundaries include Smithers, Telkwa, Moricetown and Fort Babine. While the TSA covers 762,734 hectares, only 283,510 hectares is available for timber harvesting.

To view or download a copy of the discussion paper, visit the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations forest analysis and inventory branch website at: http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hts/tsa/tsa03/index.htm

Media Contact:

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