Effective immediately, Tree Farm Licence (TFL) 57 on the west coast of Vancouver Island will have an area-based allowable annual cut level of 222 hectares, chief forester Diane Nicholls announced today.

Located in the Clayoquot Sound area, TFL 57 covers over 87,000 hectares, with approximately 22,000 hectares available for timber harvesting. It is currently held by Ma-Mook Natural Resources Ltd., a company owned by the Ahousat, Tla o qui aht, Hesquiaht, Toquaht and Ucluelet First Nations.

This is the second area-based determination for TFL 57. The first was set at 381 hectares in 2005.

Area-based allowable annual cuts are currently in use on only TFLs 54 and 57. Both these TFLs are based in Clayoquot Sound. The use of area-based allowable annuals cuts are consistent with the Clayoquot Sound Scientific Panel’s recommendations for the area.

The new cut level also takes into account biodiversity, watershed plans, old-growth forest management, wildlife management areas, and social and economic factors in the region.

The dominant tree species in the TFL are western hemlock, western red cedar and balsam.

Quote:

Chief forester Diane Nicholls –

“After reviewing all of the facts and information presented while taking into consideration recommendations from the Clayoquot Sound Scientific Panel, I am satisfied that my decision reflects sustainable forest management practices for Tree Farm Licence 57 over the next 10 years .”

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 Forest Act, the chief forester must determine the allowable annual cut 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 this allowable annual cut decision is available online: http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hts/tfls.htm