A notice to proceed has been issued for the transfer of a forest tenure in the Fort Nelson Timber Supply area from Canadian Forest Products Ltd. (Canfor) to Peak Fort Nelson Properties Ltd.

Katrine Conroy, Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development, approved the transfer of Replaceable Forest Licence A17007 from Canfor to Peak Fort Nelson Properties Ltd. The licence has an allowable annual cut of 553,716 cubic metres.

The transfer follows comprehensive engagement and considered input from the public, local governments and Indigenous Nations. It is supported by Fort Nelson First Nation, which has been working with Peak Fort Nelson Properties Ltd. to institute a land management framework that will guide operations under the licence.

The tenure transfer positions Peak Renewables to continue pursuing the commissioning of a wood-pellet facility in Fort Nelson in partnership with the Fort Nelson First Nation.

Expectations of the decision are that Peak Fort Nelson Properties Ltd. will continue engagement with all area First Nations. Harvesting will occur, with the objective that each part of the total forest-stand profile will be used for its highest and best use. Fibre will be made available to local wood-product producers to the extent local demand exists.

Since 2019, any transfer of forest tenures must be approved by the minister, who considers the effect of the transfer on the public interest and the marketing of wood fibre in B.C.