Comments are being accepted until Nov. 18, 2013, on a public discussion paper released today as part of a comprehensive timber supply review for the Cassiar Timber Supply Area.

Public feedback on the discussion paper will be considered by the chief forester before setting a new allowable annual cut. The current allowable annual cut is 305,000 cubic metres.

The discussion paper describes the geography, natural resources, forest management and land use plans of the Cassiar Timber Supply Area. It also provides the results of the timber supply analysis, including a base case harvest forecast.

The Cassiar Timber Supply Area covers approximately 13.1 million hectares, but only 210,658 hectares are available for timber harvesting. While representing one-sixth of the province, the timber supply area is the least populated, with First Nations making up approximately 60 per cent of the population. Communities in the timber supply area include Dease Lake, Atlin, Telegraph Creek, Iskut, Good Hope Lake and Lower Post.

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.

Under the Forest Act, the chief forester must determine the maximum amount of wood that can be harvested in each of the province's 38 timber supply areas and 34 tree farm licences at least once every 10 years. However, 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.

To view or download a copy of the discussion paper, please 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/tsa04/index.htm

Contact:

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