B.C.’s deputy chief forester has determined the new allowable annual cut (AAC), for Tree Farm Licence (TFL) 30 in the Omineca region.
According to the province, it is the maximum amount of timber that can be harvested each year.
The new cut, takes effect today (Friday), and is 340,000 cubic metres, a 17.6 per cent reduction from the previous benchmark.
TFL 30 comprises approximately 180,000 hectares approximately 50 kilometres northeast of Prince George in the Prince George Natural Resource District.
The decision helps ensure forests remain healthy and productive over the long term, including protecting archeological and cultural heritage sites, recognizing areas that are not suitable or uneconomic for harvesting and considering the potential effects of climate change.
TFL 30 overlaps the territory of the following First Nations:
* Lheidli T’enneh Nation
* McLeod Lake Indian Band
* West Moberly First Nations
* Tsay Keh Dene Nation
The determination considered issues raised by First Nations, including maintaining habitat for moose and protecting streams, riparian areas and fish habitat.
Lheidli T’enneh First Nation was one of a number of First Nations consulted for the determination.
The host first nation are part of the Canfor-Lheidli T’enneh Stewardship Working Group, for discussions around stewardship issues, including the timber supply review that helped to determine the new AAC level.
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