Seven companies in an innovative forestry practices agreement have had their combined allowable annual cut raised by 158,736 cubic metres per year, 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. Planned innovative forestry practices, such as ongoing inventory work, supported the increase to the individual licences. This increase does not affect the allowable annual cut for the Okanagan timber supply area, which remains unchanged at 3.1 million cubic metres.

The seven affected licensees are: Stella-Jones Canada Inc., Canoe Forest Products Ltd., Gorman Bros. Lumber Ltd., Louisiana-Pacific Canada Ltd., Selkirk Timber Company, Tolko Industries Ltd., and Weyerhaeuser Company Ltd. The agreement area covers approximately 2.25 million hectares within the Okanagan 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 Thompson Okanagan 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 Okanagan Timber Supply Area is in the south-central area of the province and includes the communities of Penticton, Vernon, Kelowna and Salmon Arm. Copies of the decision rationale are available on the ministry's website at: http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/rsi/IFPA/IFPA.htm

Media Contact:

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