Forests
Summary
- A new non-replaceable forest licence will support a yearly harvest of approximately 445 truckloads of logs per year for five years
- Box Lake Lumber Products will use the wood to produce split-rail fencing for use in parks, farms and home gardens
- Located 50 kilometres from Nelson, the forest licence will strengthen the regional forestry supply chain in the Kootenay region
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A non-replaceable forest licence has been awarded to Box Lake Lumber Products, enhancing its operations and the sustainable use of local timber.
The opportunity is targeted to boost B.C.’s value‑added wood sector, putting to work unlogged timber.
“A stable supply of wood to small-town forestry companies is a win for everyone in the community,” said Ravi Parmar, Minister of Forests. “This means more wood, 445 truckloads yearly, for manufacturing companies, logging contracts for haulers and another boost to our value-added wood manufacturing sector. Our independent wood manufacturers put B.C. on the map as the global leader in high-quality wood products, and this licence is one more way to support that work.”
Turning tough timber into top‑tier value
A competitive opportunity provided specifically to value-added wood manufacturing companies, the non-replaceable forest licence will provide a consistent and stable supply of wood to Box Lake Lumber Products in the Kootenays.
The company can use the new non-replaceable forest licence to access unlogged wood from steep mountain slopes and to salvage wood damaged by recent wildfires or pests, supporting the use of material that may otherwise go unused. The non-replaceable forest licence was developed from unlogged volume in Tree Farm Licence 3, held by Interfor.
“We are thankful to be the successful bidder of this forest licence,” said Daniel Wiebe, president, Box Lake Lumber Products. “This licence will help us secure logs to keep our mill operating. We look forward to working with the ministry and Interfor, and are very appreciative of their support.”
Momentum mounts for made-in-B.C. manufacturing
The non-replaceable forest licence opportunity was identified by the Value-Added Accelerators, the Province’s collaborative initiative designed to grow and strengthen B.C.’s value-added wood-manufacturing sector, as a licence to be marketed to Kootenay-area value-added wood-manufacturing facilities. The Kootenay region is emerging as one of several competitive value-added wood-manufacturing hubs in the province.
Box Lake Lumber Products is one of the largest manufacturers of split-rail fencing that is shipped throughout North America and Europe. This forest licence supports the growth and expansion of the local made-in-B.C. wood manufacturing sector, bolstered by several initiatives underway to diversify B.C.’s forestry sector.
“Rural communities across British Columbia depend on forestry as a major economic driver,” said Steve Morissette, parliamentary secretary for rural economic development. “This licence supports local value-add, meaning strong paycheques for workers in Nakusp. It ensures that previously unused timber will now translate to forestry jobs, world-class wood products, and rural economic growth.”
Actions add value advantage to auctions
The Province has been taking steps to grow B.C.’s value-added wood-manufacturing sector.
In addition to the work of the Value-Added Accelerators, BC Timber Sales (BCTS) established the Value-Added Manufacturing Program in 2024 to provide a dedicated supply of wood fibre for small and medium-sized forestry companies that manufacture value-added wood products in B.C.
In 2025, the program was doubled to 20% of BCTS’s available timber sale licence auctions.
Quick Facts:
- Value-added wood manufacturing is the process of increasing the value of a product by modifying it during the manufacturing process.
- Examples of value-added wood manufacturing include mass timber, engineered wood products, plywood, veneer, posts, poles, mouldings, pallets, furniture, lumber and flooring.
- There are more than 900 value-added wood manufacturing facilities in B.C., and this sector brings in $1.4 billion in gross domestic product (GDP) in 2024, showing how local companies benefit communities throughout the province.
Learn More:
- To learn more about the company and its products, visit: https://www.boxlakelumber.com/
- To view a map of where the logging from the licence can occur, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/farming-natural-resources-and-industry/forestry/timber-tenures/tree-farm-licence/maps/tfl-03-location.pdf
- To learn more about forest licences in B.C., visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/forestry/forest-tenures/timber-harvesting-rights/forest-licences
- To learn more about the work to grow B.C.’s value-added wood-manufacturing sector, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/forestry/competitive-forest-industry/value-added-wood-manufacturing
