A new woodlot opportunity is available near Hope as the Province continues to support new or expanded forestry opportunities for smaller operators, Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Steve Thomson announced today.

The woodlot (W2111) includes approximately 800 hectares near Sowerby Creek, about eight kilometres south of Hope, with an allowable annual cut of 2,800 cubic metres. Most of the woodlot is a mix of hemlock, balsam and Douglas-fir.

Applications and further details are available online at: http://www23.for.gov.bc.ca/notices/init.do

Applications must be received in sealed envelopes at the ministry's district office in Chilliwack at 46360 Airport Rd., V2P 1A5 by 1:30 p.m., Friday, Oct. 18, 2013.

Expanding the woodlot program to provide smaller operators with new tenure opportunities is one example of how this government is enabling job creation as part of 'Canada Starts Here: The BC Jobs Plan'. Last year, the Province released Our Natural Advantage: Forest Sector Strategy for British Columbia, which outlines a number of priorities to help grow the forestry-sector sustainably, including continuing the expansion of the woodlot program.

Quotes:

Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Steve Thomson -

"This week B.C. is celebrating National Forest Week. By offering this new woodlot licence the Province is providing individuals, groups and First Nations an opportunity to get involved in B.C.'s forest industry while supporting community involvement and local businesses."

Laurie Throness, MLA for Chilliwack-Hope -

"The Province's Woodlot Licence Program continues to contribute to local communities throughout B.C. Having this new licence near Hope locally owned and operated will support jobs in the community and increase local involvement in B.C.'s forest sector."

Mark Clark, president, Federation of BC Woodlot Associations -

"The federation is very pleased that the ministry continues to expand the woodlot program. Each new woodlot licence contributes to the local economy by creating direct and indirect jobs, and by providing a source of wood for local milling and manufacturing."

Quick Facts:

• There are about 860 active woodlots in British Columbia.

• Woodlot licences are replaceable tenures, usually awarded for an initial term of 20 years.

• Each woodlot licence generates jobs in planning, harvesting, road construction and maintenance, reforestation, silviculture and small-scale timber processing.

• Woodlot licences are small, area-based tenures that combine private land with up to 800 hectares of Crown land on the Coast and 1,200 hectares of Crown land in the Interior.

Learn More:

The BC Jobs Plan: http://www.bcjobsplan.ca/

Forest Sector Strategy for B.C.: https://www.for.gov.bc.ca/mof/forestsectorstrategy/

About woodlot licences: http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hth/timber-tenures/woodlots/index.htm

Federation of B.C. Woodlot Associations: http://www.woodlot.bc.ca

Media Contact:

Brennan Clarke
Public Affairs Officer
Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations
250 356-5261