The Province is accepting bids on a new woodlot licence 68 km north of Chetwynd, in a move that will generate new job opportunities across the region, Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Steve Thomson announced today.

The woodlot (W2097) includes 1,178 hectares of Crown land near Meikle Creek and has an annual allowable cut of 1,640 cubic metres. There is a mix of coniferous trees in the licence area, including Lodgepole Pine, which have been affected by the Mountain Pine Beetle infestation.

The deadline for submission is Dec. 19, 2013. Applications and details are available online; see Notice 8246 at: http://www23.for.gov.bc.ca/notices/init.do

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. The Province's 860 woodlot licences generate local jobs in planning, harvesting, road construction and maintenance, reforestation, silviculture and small-scale timber processing.

Over the past month, the Province has announced that it was accepting bids on woodlot licences in 100 Mile House, Skookumchuk, Hazelton and Edgewood. These new woodlot licence opportunities support Our Natural Advantage: Forest Sector Strategy for British Columbia, which outlines a number of priorities to help grow the forest sector sustainably, including continuing the expansion of the woodlot program.

Quotes:

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

"This new woodlot licence is a great opportunity for the Peace River region, and part of the government's ongoing plan to support prosperous rural forest economies by improving access to forest tenures."

Peace River South MLA Mike Bernier -

"Expanding the woodlot licence program is good for smaller communities like Dawson Creek. Woodlots create employment, support local forestry businesses and mills, and promote enhanced silviculture and stewardship, giving rural communities a strong voice in decisions that affect local forests."

Learn More:

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

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