The Province is increasing the area covered by the Creston 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 10,000 hectares to the existing 18,159 hectare agreement, and increased the annual allowable timber harvest in the community forest by 10,000 cubic metres, bringing the total to 25,000 cubic metres per year. The request for the increase came from the Creston Valley Forest Corporation, the locally-operated company that manages the community forest.

The forest includes the Arrow Creek community watershed, Russell Creek, portions of the Okell Creek domestic watershed including Big Bear Creek, portions of Goat Mountain and the western side of the Skimmerhorn range from Sullivan Creek south to the U. S. border.

The Creston Valley Forest Corporation includes representatives from Town of Creston, the Regional District of Central Kootenay, the Erickson Community Association, the Kitchener Valley Recreation and Fire Protection Society and Wildsight, along with elected members of the community at large.

The original agreement was signed in 2008. Over 75 per cent of the harvested timber has been sold to manufacturers within the region.

A community forest is a forestry operation 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.

Quotes:

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

"Community forest agreements help make communities stronger, bringing local government, First Nations, community groups and private business together to build stronger ties and develop a common vision for local forest management."

Creston Valley Forest Corporation Board Chair John Chisamore -

"The area covered in this agreement is vital to the community: the community forest contains water resources critical to the Creston economy as well as having important wildlife, scenic and recreational features. Expanding this agreement gives us a greater input into the management of local natural resources while helping enhance the sustainability and viability of our forestry operation."

BC Community Forest Association President Don Brown -

"Creston Valley Forest Corporation has been a member of the BCCFA from our inception. This expansion acknowledges the corporation's leadership in the sustainable management of local resources and the contribution the organizations makes to the economy and quality of life in their community."

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 annual 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/

Creston community forest: http://www.crestoncommunityforest.com/aboutus.php

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