Committee Struck to Examine Mid Term Timber Supply
Wednesday, May 16, 2012 @ 3:02 PM
Prince George, B.C. – A Special Committee on Timber Supply has been established to examine and make recommendations about mid-term timber supply in B.C., as a result of the mountain pine beetle infestation.
The committee will be conducting public consultations and has been asked to deliver a report by Aug. 15 this year.
The committee’s terms of reference are to specifically consider recommendations that could increase timber supply, including direction on the potential scope of changes to land-use objectives, rate of harvest and conversion of volume-based tenures to area-based tenures. The committee will also consider whether any changes to legislation are required.
In making its recommendations, the committee will need to consider the Province’s commitment to balance the budget and maintain competitive electricity rates; the need to maintain high environmental standards and protect critical wildlife habitat; orderly transition for communities to lower harvest levels; maintain a competitive forest industry; First Nations’ titles and rights; and the softwood lumber agreement and other trade agreements.
The committee is expected to hold its first meeting this week to elect its chair, develop a work plan and a schedule for public consultations.
The members of the Special Committee on Timber Supply are:
* John Rustad, MLA Nechako Lakes (convenor)
* Donna Barnett, MLA Cariboo-Chilcotin
* Eric Foster, MLA Vernon-Monashee
* Ben Stewart, MLA Westside-Kelowna
* Harry Bains, MLA Surrey-Newton
* Norm Macdonald, MLA Columbia River-Revelstoke
* Bill Routley, MLA Cowichan Valley
The committee will be supported by a technical advisory committee that will include former provincial chief foresters Larry Pedersen and Jim Snetsinger.
Comments
Cut it all and export it as raw logs. Split the profit between the provincial government and the logging shows. The government should have their share all pissed away within a year and the companies take all invested outside of Canada. By all means do not leave a stick for future generations.
“maintain competitive electricity rates” considering the eletrical rates are going up to pay those golden contracts to fiberal friends. Hydro is being forced to spill this springs high water flows, lower its much cheaper generation and forced to buy from the IPP’s. Free enterprise at its best, having fiberal friends.
The only question I have is why did it take this long?
Why did two plants have to explode and be put out of commission first?
Why has OBAC not dealt this with yet?
Study,Study,Study….the BC Liberals will study this problem till they get the answer they want!
Seems to be a constant theme with this government…..start with the answer they want thn form a commitee to come to that answer. I think Charles Jago was given the answer the BC Liberals want….it is now his job to produce it.
This Liberal stacked committee is designed to come back with one conclusion keep logging everything till its gone.Save BC forest vote out every Liberal!
OK gus here is a little job to find the statistics that count in this debate.
The pre MPB harvest AAC and the uplifted MPB AAC is one part but the actual harvest levels of the last couple of years is more important.
To my knowledge we are not and have not cut the full uplifted MPB AAC. If that is in fact the case then the “sky is falling” AAC reductions proposed will not actually translate exactly as the proportional mill closures feared.
The other part of this debate is just as important in that just because a mill has a capacity of XXX doesn’t mean it cannot survive and succeed with a lesser amount of timber. How much is enough?
Some clown wrote a book about “Peak Oil”. No book about “Peak Trees?” What a province!
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