British Columbia’s ministry of forests is seeking public input into a timber supply analysis public discussion paper.
According to correspondence from the ministry’s Powell River office, a timber supply review (TSR) on the Sunshine Coast timber supply area (TSA) was initiated in October 2020. First Nations, forest licensees, and the public were invited to review and provide comments on the data package (DP) between December 13, 2021 and February 25, 2022, according to the letter. “We are now inviting you to review and provide comments on the timber supply analysis public discussion paper (PDP) between March 1 and May 1, 2023,” stated Jillian Tougas, assistant district manager.
The correspondence states that the Sunshine Coast TSA comprises approximately 1.7 million hectares (440,414 forested hectares) along the southwest coast of British Columbia. It extends from Howe Sound in the south to the end of Bute Inlet in the north. The current allowable annual cut (AAC) is 1,204,808 cubic metres per year, which includes a deciduous partition of 98,000 cubic metres per year, according to the correspondence. The TSA is administered by the ministry of forests Sunshine Coast natural resource district (DSC) office in Powell River.
The DP provided a general description of the TSA, a brief history of the TSA, and a draft of the data and management assumptions that are being applied in timber supply analysis, according to the correspondence.
The timber supply review is now moving into completion of its second main component, the timber supply analysis, summarized in the PDP. The PDP provides a general description of the TSA, harvest projections and alternative timber projections, the correspondence stated. It provides the province’s chief forester with information required to determine the AAC — the maximum volume of timber to be harvested from the TSA each year — for the next 10 years, according to the correspondence.
The DP and PDP, along with links to additional information on both the North Island TSA and the TSR process can be found at the following website: Sunshine Coast TSA
The correspondence stated that concurrent with this TSR, and in the coming years, a new framework for operational planning in British Columbia is being piloted in the TSA, with a goal of completing a forest landscape plan (FLP). FLPs are intended to replace forest stewardship plans and allow greater cooperation and consensus-seeking approaches with Indigenous peoples, while balancing provincial social, economic, and environmental objectives. After completion of the FLP, the chief forester will revisit the AAC determination for the Sunshine Coast in consideration of the management strategies identified in the FLP, the correspondence stated.
The PDP may also be reviewed by appointment only between 8:30 am and 4:30pm at the ministry of forests district office, 7077 Duncan Street, 604.485.0700.
The ministry of forests intends to host online information sessions giving an overview of the Sunshine Coast TSA PDP, the TSR and AAC process. Readers can respond to the email address below, as soon as possible, indicating their interest if they would like to attend a session. To express interest in attending an information session, please RSVP, prior to March 15, with the subject line Timber Supply Review Public Information Session to: [email protected]
Meetings to review the data package may be held via phone or video conference, as per the ongoing health restrictions due to COVID-19.
Email or mail written comments to: Jillian Tougas, RPF, assistant district manager, 7077 Duncan Street Powell River, BC, V8A 1W1. Email can be sent to: [email protected]
Comments will be accepted until prior to May 1. The chief forester will consider public input, and other information required under the Forest Act when a new AAC is determined.
