The ministry is currently reviewing the timber supply for the Mackenzie Timber Supply Area (TSA).

The purpose of the timber supply review is to provide the deputy chief forester with the information needed to determine a new allowable annual cut for the Mackenzie Timber Supply Area. As part of this process, the general public is invited to attend an information meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2013, at 7 p.m. in the Mackenzie Recreational Centre

In mid-October, a public discussion paper describing the geography, natural resources, forest management and land use plans of the Mackenzie Timber Supply Area was released. The discussion paper also provides the results of the timber supply analysis, including a base case harvest forecast. District staff are now hosting a public meeting to discuss that information and answer questions. Public feedback on the discussion paper will be considered by the deputy chief forester before she sets a new allowable annual cut early next year.

The current allowable annual cut, set in 2004 is 3,050,000 cubic metres. The Mackenzie Timber Supply Area covers about 6.4 million hectares, of which only 1.36 million hectares is considered to be suitable and available for timber harvesting. The deputy 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. In addition to the chief forester, Section 23 (3) of the Interpretation Act expressly authorizes the deputy chief forester to carry out the functions of the chief forester, including those required under Section 8 of the Forest Act.

For information about the meeting call Miodrag Tkalec at 250 997-2244 or Sam Davis at 250 997-2215.

The Mackenzie Timber Supply Area timber supply review public discussion paper can be found at: http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hts/tsa/tsa16/index.htm

Contact:

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