Comments are being accepted until July 15, 2016, on a discussion paper released today as part of a comprehensive timber supply review for the Quesnel Timber Supply Area.

Public feedback on the discussion paper will be considered by the chief forester before setting the new allowable annual cut. The discussion paper provides the results of the timber supply analysis, including a base-case harvest forecast. It also describes the geography, natural resources and current forest management practices in the Quesnel Timber Supply Area.

The timber supply area covers approximately two million hectares and includes the city of Quesnel, the communitites of Wells, Red Bluff, Barlow Creek, Dragon Lake, Bouchie Lake and the villages of Nazko and Kluskus.

The chief forester’s allowable annual cut determination is an independent professional judgment based on information such as technical forestry reports and input from First Nations and the public.

Under the Forest Act, the chief forester must determine the maximum amount of wood that can be harvested in each of the province’s 38 timber supply areas and 34 tree farm licences at least once every 10 years. However, a new allowable annual cut may be determined earlier in response to abnormal situations, or the current allowable annual cut postponed for up to five years if it is not expected to change significantly.

To download a copy of the discussion paper, visit the following Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations forest analysis and inventory branch webpage: https://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hts/tsa/tsa26/

Members of the public who are interested can attend an informational open house in June at the following locations:

• June 6, 2016, 7 - 9 p.m.
  Wells Community Hall banquet room
  4269 Sanders Ave., Wells
   
• June 7, 2016, 7 - 9 p.m.
  Nazko Valley Community Centre
  9560 Nazko Rd., Nazko
   
• June 8, 2016, 1 - 4 p.m. and 7 - 10 p.m.
  Quesnel Natural Resource District office
  322 Johnston Ave., Quesnel