The annual allowable cut for the Robson Valley Timber Supply Area will decrease from 481,000 to 400,000 cubic meters, effective May 22. The decision had been expected in March.
The province’s deputy chief forester Diane Nicholls announced the decrease last week, saying in a statement she is confident the new cut can sustain the timber supply to the mid-term and contribute to local economies while taking other resource values in the area into account.
Marc von der Gonna, Manager of the McBride Community Forest, along with the Valemount Community Forest and both village councils had recommended in January the cut be decreased. Von der Gonna says he doesn’t expect the decision will have any effect on the potential transfer of Carrier’s forest licenses to the community forests.
The province says the reduction reflects the creation of new wildlife habitat conservation initiatives, includes a geographic partition for areas that are considered to be more easily accessible, and will ensure that these areas are not over-harvested.
Nichols was scheduled to be in McBride on Wednesday morning (May 28) for an information session on the next step in the review of the Timber supply area, which is deciding which license holders get how much of the cut.
