Economic and employment opportunities in the Barkley sound region are being enhanced by a new community forest agreement announced today by Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson.

The Barkley community forest agreement will have an allowable annual cut of 27,000 cubic metres and an initial term of 25 years. The agreement area covers more than 6,760 hectares next to the Maggie Lake watershed.

Barkley Community Forest Limited Partnership is jointly owned by the District of Ucluelet and the Toquaht Nation.

Community forest agreements are long-term, area-based tenures designed to encourage community involvement in, and management of, local forests. A community forest is managed by a local government, community group or First Nation for the benefit of the entire community.

Quotes:

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

“Community forests are a key component of our Forest Sector Strategy. These licences give people in rural communities across the province a way to diversify their economies and gain a strong voice in how local forests are managed and sustained.”

District of Ucluelet Mayor Dianne St. Jacques ─

"We are doing the happy dance here in Ucluelet!  What an amazing day!  This has been a dream that we have envisioned for more than a decade--and we are beside ourselves with excitement about the opportunities and possibilities, that a Community Forest tenure offers! We're looking forward to moving into the future with our partners--onward and upward we go!!"

Anne Mack, Chief, Toquaht Nation ─

“I’m looking forward to the opportunities that the new community forest will provide to our community. Not only does it give us a greater say in how the land in the region will be managed, but it helps us build economic and employment opportunities for young people in our community."

Erik Leslie, President, BC Community Forest Association board ─

"The District of Ucluelet and Toquaht Nation have worked hard to bring a community forest to their area. The Barkley Community Forest will help drive local community economic development and enable the kind of local decision making that leads to sustainable forest management. The BC Community Forests Association looks forward to working with them as they move ahead to implement their vision."

Quick Facts:

• Our Natural Advantage: A Forest Sector Strategy for British Columbia identifies community forests as a key element in supporting prosperous rural forest economies.
• Since 2004, Government has signed over 51 community forest agreements with a total allowable annual cut of 1.4 million cubic metres of timber a year.

Learn More:

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

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

Media Contacts:

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