The Province is significantly increasing the area covered by the Babine Lake community forest agreement, enhancing economic opportunities and forest stewardship in the region, Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson announced today.

The Province added almost 2,344 hectares to the agreement with the Babine Lake Community Forest Society, an increase of almost 36 per cent. The society, which is a partnership between the Village of Granisle and the Lake Babine First Nation, requested the increase to help ensure the long-term viability of the community forest operation. The new addition gives the society the right to harvest up to 10,088 cubic metres of timber per year from 8,939 hectares surrounding Granisle.

A community forest is managed by a local government, community group or First Nation for the benefit of the entire community. Community-forest agreements are long-term, area-based tenures designed to encourage community involvement in, and management of, local forests.

The Province signed the original agreement in August 2011.

Quotes:

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

"Community forests are an important and growing opportunity for communities like Granisle and Babine Lake. Harvesting operations also provide a source of revenue, supporting First Nations and local priorities, while harvest rates and exact locations within the tenure can be set to meet locally determined objectives and interests."

Nechako Lakes MLA John Rustad -

"This is a great step forward for the Babine Lake Community Forest Society and for the region. It will have an important impact on the local economy and on community's ability to manage its own forest resource."

BC Community Forest Association President Don Brown -

"The Babine Lake Community Forest Society is an important part of the community forest network that is making a big difference in rural and remote communities across the province. Through our work with Babine Lake Community Forest we know the dedication and effort they have invested to achieve expansion and we congratulate them on the new opportunities it will bring to the community."

Babine Lake Community Forest Society Co-Chair Gail Warren -

"We are very pleased with the increase the Province has made to the existing agreement. We look forward to working with our partners in the Lake Babine Nation to further diversify the local economy and create more business for the Babine Lake area, while helping forge stronger relationships across our communities."

Babine Lake Community Forest Society Co-Chair Millie George -

"The Lake Babine Nation is pleased the expansion of the existing community forest. We have a very good relationship with the Village of Granisle and we will continue to work together to build economic opportunities and ensure the sustainability of our local forests."

Quick Facts:

• "Our Natural Advantage: A Forest Sector Strategy for British Columbia," identifies community forests as a key element in supporting prosperous rural forest economies.
• Since 2004, government has signed 48 community forest agreements with a total allowable cut of 1.3 million cubic metres of timber a year.

Learn More:

Our Natural Advantage: Forest Sector Strategy for British Columbia: http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/mof/forestsectorstrategy/Forest_Strategy_WEB.PDF

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

Additional information on Community Forest Agreements: http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hth/timber-tenures/community/index.htm

Contact:

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