Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations B.C. streamlines permit process for community forests

VICTORIA — The B.C. government is introducing a single cutting permit procedure to make it easier for local governments, First Nations and other non-commercial organisations throughout the province to harvest timber from community forests. Right now, organisations that manage community forest agreements have to apply for a permit for each site in their licence area where they want to cut down trees, a system which often leads to the need for multiple permits.
The change means that eligible organisations will only need a single cutting permit, good for up to four years, for the entire community forest. It’s a simpler process, which allows community based forestry operations to be more responsive to community need and market demand. The streamlined process supports the government’s forest sector strategy commitments to improve access to forest tenures for a range of users and identify and pursue community forest agreement opportunities
Steve Thomson, Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations said: “The B.C. government is a strong supporter of the community forest concept. Community forests support local social, economic and environmental priorities. They help maintain jobs and recreational opportunities, foster long-term environmental stewardship and build a stronger sense of community.”
Kevin Davie, president of the British Columbia Community Forest Association said: “This process will allow greater flexibility for community forests to support the needs of small, value-added manufacturers in rural communities. Small, value-added manufacturers and community forests help support local economies by providing employment. This announcement comes at a critical time in our economy, and we are proud to have been able to work with Minister Thompson’s staff in achieving this important goal.”
• Community Forest Agreements are long-term, area-based licences designed to encourage community involvement in, and management of, local forests. There are 47 agreements in place throughout the province with an annual allowable cut of 1.3 million cubic metres of timber a year.
• A community forest is a forestry operation managed by a local government, community group or First Nation, for the benefit of the entire community.
• Community forests provide revenue to support local priorities.
•  First Nations consultation remains a critical part of the permitting process, and government needs to be satisfied that adequate consultation has occurred before it will issue a cutting permit.

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