The public is invited to review and comment before Feb. 18, 2014, on plans to establish more than 18,000 hectares of old growth management areas along the Sunshine Coast.

Old growth management areas protect the biological diversity of old growth forests. The ministry is proposing to establish old growth management areas along Toba and Jervis inlets near Powell River and on parts of the Sechelt peninsula.

• The Homfray Landscape Unit (2,802 hectares) is on the east side of Homfray Channel and the southeast side of Toba Inlet.
• The Jervis Landscape Unit (4,479 hectares) on the east and north sides of Jervis Inlet.
• The Quatam Landscape Unit (2,971 hectares) on the north side of Pryce Channel and east side of Toba Inlet.
• The Salmon Inlet Landscape Unit (4,434 hectares) north and south sides of Salmon Inlet.
• The Southgate Landscape Unit (3,212 Hectares) northeast of Bute Inlet and southwest of Chilko Lake.

The creation of additional old growth management areas on the Sunshine Coast reflects the B.C. government's ongoing commitment to preserve unique ecosystems for the enjoyment of all British Columbians. In July, 2012 an additional 14,750 hectares was added to old growth management areas in the Brittain, Bute West, Bute East, Cortes and Howe landscape units of the Sunshine Coast.

Establishing old growth management areas also provides important benefits to ecosystem management and protection of water quality. Provincewide, there are approximately 25 million hectares of old-growth forests with over four million hectares fully protected - an area larger than Vancouver Island.

Old growth management areas are established by a land use objectives order under the Land Act. Copies of the proposed land use objectives order, background reports and maps showing the location and boundaries of the landscape units and proposed old growth management areas, are available for review at ministry offices in Surrey (200-10428 153 St.), Campbell River (370 S. Dogwood St.) and Powell River (7077 Duncan St.) or online at: ftp://ftp.for.gov.bc.ca/DSC/external/!publish/OGMA_%20Dec13/

Written comments can be sent to:

Chuck Anderson, Stewardship Forester
Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations
7077 Duncan St.
Powell River V8A 1W1

Media Contact:

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