The Province is accepting bids on a new woodlot licence 95 kilometres northwest of Dawson Creek, in a move that will eventually generate new job opportunities across the region, Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Steve Thomson announced today.

The woodlot (W2098) covers a total of 1,118 hectares of Crown land near Jackpine Creek and Muskeg Lake. The initial allowable annual cut on the woodlot is 1,763 cubic metres, while the rent will be $1,057 per year.

The deadline for submission is March 5, 2014. Applications and details are available online; see Notice 8318 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, as well as reforestation, silviculture and small-scale timber processing.

Government is increasing the number of woodlot licences in support of 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 -

"Woodlots help bring increased economic activity to rural communities and provide an opportunity for rural British Columbians to directly manage forest land."

Peace River South MLA Mike Bernier -

"This new woodlot provides another opportunity for local employment in the northeast forest sector."

General manager, Federation of BC Woodlot Associations, Brian McNaughton -

"Woodlot licensees and woodlot owners help support a healthy and diverse forest industry that makes significant contributions to local communities and provides a sustainable supply of forest products. This new woodlot is good news for the Peace River region and the province as a whole."

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:

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