British Columbia’s chief forester has set a new allowable annual cut (AAC), the maximum amount of timber that can be harvested each year, for Tree Farm Licence (TFL) 49 near Vernon in the Thompson-Okanagan region.

The new AAC, which takes effect immediately, is 150,500 cubic metres, a 26.2% reduction from the previous AAC. This decision reflects a return to sustainable harvest levels following wildfire impacts in 2021 and 2023, considers updated land base and ecological considerations, including the removal of the Brown’s Creek area from the TFL, and reflects adjustments for increased riparian reserve buffers.

To support sustainable forestry and avoid overharvesting in lower sloped areas, the new AAC includes three partitions:

• A maximum of 67,500 cubic metres, 44.9% of the AAC, may be harvested from stands defined as old forest.
• A maximum of 83,000 cubic metres, 55.1% of the AAC, may be harvested from stands not defined as old forest.
• No more than 128,000 cubic metres, 85% of the AAC, may be harvested from stands on slopes less than 40%.

TFL 49 overlaps with the territories of 29 First Nations, all of which were consulted during the timber supply review process. The new AAC considers current forest-management practices being implemented on the TFL for enhanced riparian buffers and retention of areas containing cultural heritage resources.

The chief forester’s AAC determination is an independent, professional judgment based on information ranging from technical forestry reports, First Nations consultations, input from the public and the government’s social and economic objectives.

Under the Forest Act, AACs must be reviewed at least once every 10 years for all 37 timber supply areas and 34 tree farm licences in the province.