Effective immediately, the new allowable annual cut for the Williams Lake Timber Supply Area has been reduced from 5.77 million cubic metres to three million cubic metres, chief forester Dave Peterson announced today.

In 2003, the allowable annual cut for the timber supply area was about 3.77 million cubic metres. It was temporarily increased in 2007 to 5.77 million cubic metres to recover maximum economic value and speed regeneration of forests impacted by the mountain pine beetle epidemic. The new allowable annual cut limits the volume of live trees for harvest to 1.5 million cubic metres — which is close to the level that can be sustained through the mid-term once the beetle salvage is completed.

In the Williams Lake Timber Supply Area, it is estimated that the mountain pine beetle infestation peaked in 2005-06 and now the cut level can decrease again to ensure the cut is sustainable in the long term.

As well, since 2007, the land available for harvesting has decreased due to the creation of new old growth management areas, and the removal of the Tsilhqot’in title area from the timber harvesting land base. On June 26, 2014, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that 141,769 hectares of land belonged to the Tsilhqot’in and, as such, could no longer be considered as provincial Crown land.

There are four lumber mills, one veneer/plywood plant, two log home manufacturers, a pellet mill and a remanufacturing plant in the Williams Lake Timber Supply Area. In addition, a wood waste-fuelled electric generation plant consumes wood waste from local sawmills to generate electricity for sale to BC Hydro.

The Williams Lake Timber Supply Area covers approximately 4.93 million hectares, with 1.83 million hectares available for timber harvesting. The timber supply area includes the city of Williams Lake and the smaller communities of Horsefly, Likely, Miocene, Alexis Creek, Anahim Lake, Tatla Lake, Riske Creek, Big Creek and Nimpo Lake.

Quote:

Dave Peterson, chief forester -

“By focusing on salvaging dead and dying pine while it still has economic value, I am confident we can maintain the mid-term timber supply while contributing to local economies.”

Quick Facts:

• The chief forester’s allowable annual cut determination is an independent, professional judgment based on information ranging from technical forestry reports, First Nations and public input to the government’s social and economic goals.
• Under the timber supply review, the chief forester or deputy chief forester must determine harvest levels in each of the province’s 38 timber supply areas and 34 tree farm licences at least once every 10 years.

Learn More:

A copy of the Williams Lake timber supply area allowable annual cut determination is available online at: http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hts/tsa/tsa29/

Media Contacts:

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