Effective immediately, the allowable annual cut for the 100 Mile House timber supply area (TSA) remains at 2.0 million cubic metres.

After five years, the allowable annual cut will decrease to 1.0 million cubic metres for an additional five years. In her decision, deputy chief forester Diane Nicholls specified that no more than 0.5 million cubic metres of the allowable annual cut can be harvested from live trees.

Mountain pine beetle populations have peaked in the 100 Mile House TSA and the infestation is now collapsing. However, a large volume of dead pine is still available for salvage over the next five years. The deputy chief forester indicated that by limiting the harvest of live trees, it is possible to maintain the allowable annual cut at 2.0 million cubic metres for five years. In addition to continued salvage, this decision also provides for other forest values, like wildlife habitat, riparian areas and old growth.

After five years, when the dead pine has deteriorated to the point that it can no longer be used for commercial purposes, the allowable annual cut will decrease to 1.0 million cubic metres. This decrease reflects the need to transition to a lower mid-term timber supply that will occur until regenerating pine stands become suitable for harvesting. Limiting the harvest of live trees helps to mitigate the projected decrease.

The 100 Mile House TSA covers about 1.24 million hectares in south central British Columbia. It is bounded on the west by the Fraser River, on the east by the Cariboo Mountains, Wells Gray Provincial Park and Tree Farm Licence 18, on the north by the Williams Lake TSA, and on the east and south by the Kamloops TSA.

The 100 Mile House TSA includes several protected areas and parks (e.g., Mahood Lake, Flat Lake, Schoolhouse Lake), private land and First Nation reserves, and area-based tenures such as, community forests, woodlots and First Nations woodland licences. These areas do not contribute to the timber supply area. After excluding areas due to environmental, economic and operability issues, 670,372 hectares are available for harvesting.

Quote:

Diane Nicholls, deputy chief forester -

"Keeping the allowable annual cut elevated for five more years will maximize the salvage of dead timber and reforestation of affected lands. The projected timber supply will only support that level of harvest until around 2018, so this determination includes an automatic decrease to a level that will conserve the mid-term timber supply."

Quick Facts:

• The chief forester's allowable annual cut determination is an independent, professional judgment based on information ranging from technical forestry reports, First Nations and public input to the government's social and economic goals.
• Under the timber supply review, the chief forester or deputy chief forester must determine harvest levels in each of the province's 38 timber supply areas and 34 tree farm licences at least once every 10 years.
• The commercial usability of killed pine in the future depends on the product being made and also on the environmental conditions which affect degradation.
• The 100 Mile House TSA AAC will likely need to be re-determined in about five years. Annual reporting and recommendations from ministry staff will inform the decision about when to initiate the next timber supply review.
• The new AAC accounts for a range of important values, including cultural heritage resources, biodiversity and wildlife, and socio-economic considerations.

Learn More:

The chief forester's allowable annual cut determination is available from the 100 Mile House Natural Resource District office in 100 Mile House or online at: http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hts/

Contact:

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