A new woodlot opportunity is available on West Cracroft Island as the Province continues to support new or expanded forestry opportunities for smaller operators, Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Steve Thomson announced today.

The woodlot includes 800 hectares of Crown land in the vicinity of Bones Bay on the north side of West Cracroft Island, and has a proposed allowable annual cut of 4,479 cubic metres. Most of the woodlot is a mix of second-growth hemlock and western redcedar.

Applications will be accepted until Friday, May 24, 2013, at 1:30 p.m. Further details about the new licence are available through the North Island - Central Coast Resource District office at 250 956-5063 or online at: https://www23.for.gov.bc.ca/notices/ (Ad Notice # 7751).

Expanding the woodlot program is one example of how government is supporting job creation and prosperous rural forest economies as part of 'Our Natural Advantage: Forest Sector Strategy for British Columbia'.

Quotes:

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

"Woodlot licences create both direct and indirect jobs at the community level. By adding new woodlots we are supporting the forest industry and encouraging economic growth across the province."

Brian McNaughton, general manager, Federation of BC Woodlot Associations: -

"Expanding the woodlot licence program is good for local communities and for the province of B.C. Each new woodlot licence generates economic activity by creating jobs and providing a source of wood for local milling and manufacturing."

Quick Facts:

• There are about 860 active woodlots in British Columbia.

• Woodlots are replaceable tenures, usually awarded for an initial term of 20 years.

• 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.

Learn More:

Our Natural Advantage: Forest Sector Strategy for British Columbia: http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/mof/forestsectorstrategy/

BC Jobs Plan: http://www.bcjobsplan.ca/

Contact:

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