Williams Lake Timber Supply Area
What was this engagement about?
The public was invited to review and provide comments on a public discussion paper released as part of a comprehensive timber supply review for the Williams Lake Timber Supply Area.
Public feedback on the discussion paper will be considered by the chief forester before setting the new allowable annual cut. The discussion paper describes the geography, natural resources, forest management and land use plans of the Williams Lake Timber Supply Area. It also provides the results of the timber supply analysis, including a base case harvest forecast.
The Williams Lake Timber Supply Area covers about 4.9 million hectares, with approximately 1.8 million hectares available for timber harvesting. The City of Williams Lake is the largest community in the timber supply area. Smaller communities include Horsefly, Likely, Miocene, Alexis Creek, Anahim Lake, Tatla Lake, Riske Creek, Big Creek, Nimpo Lake, 150 Mile House, Big Lake and Mcleese Lake.
As part of the timber supply analysis, a habitat supply assessment was conducted on three wildlife species—pine marten, moose and grizzly bear—to determine the implications of timber harvesting on wildlife. Results show pine marten habitat requires connected tracts of mature and old forest while grizzly bear habitat is linked to human activity and the availability of road free areas. Moose habitat requires forest cover next to feeding areas. However, in wetter parts of the region, feeding areas can be temporarily enhanced through timber harvesting.
How did my contribution make a difference?
The chief forester’s allowable annual cut determination is an independent professional judgment based on information such as technical forestry reports and input from First Nations and the public.
Under the Forest Act, the chief forester must determine the maximum amount of wood that can be harvested in each of the province’s 38 timber supply areas and 34 tree farm licences at least once every 10 years. However, a new allowable annual cut may be determined earlier in response to abnormal situations, or postponed for up to five years if an allowable annual cut level is not expected to change significantly.
Citizens were invited to give feedback on the discussion paper which was considered by the chief forester before setting a new allowable annual cut.
Details of the Engagement:
Date: March 17, 2014
Status: Closed with results
Location: Cariboo
Category: Natural Resources
Types: Email, Mail