Five companies in an innovative forestry practices agreement have had their combined allowable annual cut raised by 22,000 cubic metres per year, a 6.3 per cent increase effective Jan. 1, 2012, until Dec. 31, 2015.

The regional executive director awarded the increase after reviewing their application, forestry plan, timber supply analysis, and considering public and First Nations input. Updated inventory work was the primary forest practice that supported the increase. This increase does not affect the allowable annual cut for the Arrow timber supply area, which remains unchanged at 550,000 cubic metres.

The five affected licensees are ATCO Wood Products Ltd., Kalesnikoff Lumber Co. Ltd., International Forest Products Ltd., Stella-Jones Canada Inc. and Tolko Industries Ltd. The agreement area covers 605,600 hectares within the Arrow timber supply area. Under the agreement, licensees conduct activities above their basic forestry management obligations with a view to improve timber productivity.

Under delegated authority of the Forest Act, the ministry's Kootenay Boundary regional executive director made the decision to increase the allowable annual cut of the innovative forestry practices agreement-holders. Licence holders must comply with conditions of the increase, the agreement, the Forest Act, the Forest and Range Practices Act and other relevant legislation.

The Arrow Timber Supply Area is in the West Kootenay area of the province, with 40 per cent of the population living in the communities of Castlegar, Trail and Rossland. Copies of the decision rationale are available on the ministry's website at: http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/rsi/IFPA/IFPA.htm

Contact:

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