Mackenzie Gets Support on Two Requests

Friday, April 03, 2009 03:58 AM

Mackenzie, B.C.- The Ministry of Forests and Range is on the record as agreeing with two recommendations from the District of Mackenzie. The recommendations are aimed at encouraging local processing and investments in small forest-dependent communities.

The District of Mackenzie's proposals are:

The least cost point of appraisal be maintained as the closest forest processing plant, regardless of operational status, to encourage investments in local manufacturing facilities and ensure the security and long-term existence of small forest-dependent communities.
Review the timber pricing system to identify possible improvements and efficiency gains in delivering wood to Mackenzie.

"Mackenzie is heavily dependent on forestry - no community has been hit as hard as we have by the downturn," says District of Mackenzie Mayor Stephanie Killam. "While the Province has been instrumental in providing additional supports for displaced workers and resources for us to maintain local services, we also need to plan ahead so that Mackenzie bounces back when markets improve."

Mackenzie’s fibre basket is recognized as being one of the best remaining in the province. Killam says it shouldn’t be forgotten that the timber licences were issued on the basis that processing facilities be built in the area of the licence. She wants to ensure that the mills are in turn tied to the area. This would prevent the sale of a mill to a company that would harvest the fiber attached to that mill and ship it elsewhere.

Minister of Forests and Range, Pat Bell says the Mackenzie ideas are good ones "Mackenzie mills will remain the least cost point of appraisal, and we'll review the timber pricing system.” Stumpage rates will be set this summer, it is expected this work will also identify opportunities to improve timber pricing across the Interior.

"I'm pleased Minister Bell will address these issues so that when markets recover, the benefits don't bypass Mackenzie," said Killam. "We want to do everything we can to make sure our mills are among the first to re-start and continue to provide benefits for our community over the long term."

The two proposals will also be sent to the North Central Municipal Association's annual convention this May for support from other northern community delegates.

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Posted on Friday, April 03, 2009 03:58 AM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: woodwoman on April 3 2009 6:18 AM

The Mayor speaks of Pat Bell highly - I wonder if she is now a Liberal card carrying member - things sure have changed since she was a public school employee and a staunch supporter of the NDP - how politics can change one.

Posted by: beesknees on April 3 2009 7:05 AM

woodwoman, when you have a cart that has to be pulled up the hill, you go to the person who has the biggest horse in his hand.

You don't go to the person who only promises to find a big horse for you, and maybe two or three years from now, you'll get your cart pulled up the hill.

Posted by: dirtcheap on April 3 2009 8:04 AM

The timing for all this B.S. and smoke and mirrors just means someone wants votes.At the "Save our Community" rally Mr. Minister of Forests was the one saying that no logs would be leaving Mackenzie,so wasn't this already taken care of, or was someone just blowing smoke?

Posted by: DPJ on April 3 2009 8:45 AM

At least Pat Bell is trying his darndest to keep McKenzie afloat. Kudo's goes out to him from me at least.

Posted by: diplomat on April 3 2009 10:10 AM

There we go again. The topic is about fiber supply, timber harvest and where it should be processed - scientific, economical, environmental and community issues.

With the first post already the tone is promptly hijacked into wandering off to the usual partisanship priority: Liberals vs NDP.

Posted by: lost it all on April 3 2009 10:52 AM

Mr Bell is a true politician, with all the rallies last summer, media attention this community had expressed there was nothing from Mr Bell until, an election is only 6 weeks away.
Then all of a sudden Mr Bell can look at appertunance, something that has been the theme of this community's plight.
I wonder if the votes that are residing in Mackenzie mean something to Mr Bell now that his job on the line in 6 weeks.

Posted by: Palopu on April 3 2009 11:04 AM

To assume that the trees in the area of Mackenzie are for the processing of that City only is somewhat interesting.

Does that mean that all timber in the Mcbride area should be milled in Mcbride, the same for Vanderhoof, Burns Lake, Quesnel,. etc;. Where does the wood that is being processed in Prince George come from???. Maybe the mills in Prince George ie; Rustads, Lakeland, Carrier, etc; should all be shut down, and the trees processed elsewhere.

Posted by: thereasonableman on April 3 2009 11:29 AM

I don't see this as any type of solution.
It won't put people back to work. I too, feel this is an election-type hype. It sounds like good news, but it really isn't news at all. It isn't going to change anything. If they could get everybody back to work with stumpage rate changes and such, they would have done it long ago.

Posted by: Windigo on April 3 2009 11:34 AM

Good for Mayor Killam and Mr. Bell for exploring this option....I believe it to be to little to late and I believe this to be a strongly politically motivated response by Mayor Killam and Mr Bell related to what has happened in Mackenzie. It is very easy to satisfy those who have gone hungry for a period of time, all you have to do is throw them a crumb or two and those who are in the loop will jump in and grab all they can.
Regardless of how this plays out...all the people residing in the community of Mackenzie need to benefit from this, not just the few that have the money, power or political motivation to push this through.
This issue, needs to involve all the the stake holders in Mackenzie IE: perhaps a community meeting of sorts is required,(perhaps this has already happened), this will ensure that the final decision is bullet proof, if that is possible and allows residents to have their say. I look forward to also reviewing the details of this agreement before the final decisions are made, you never know what you will find when there are underlying political agendas attached to a these types of situations.
The future of your town rest's in your hands Mackenzie, don't be satisfied with just a few crumbs, it's game seven and the Stanley cup can be yours.....go for it.

Posted by: lost it all on April 3 2009 11:51 AM

Thats a great idea Palopu, if there is no resource left for the mills in an area as you suggest they should be shut down. Just like there is no cod fishery industry in Prince George cause there is no ocean in Prince George therefore do not truck the cod to PG to process.
Now if only our politicians could think as you do Papolu.

Posted by: displaced on April 3 2009 12:58 PM

A couple of thoughts in reagrds to Mackenzies request.
1. The Interior appraisal manual already states that:
The point of appraisal that when used in the calculation of the operating cost estimate
produces the least cost total development, harvesting and transportation determination
of the operating cost estimate unless:
a. five years have passed from the date that a milling facility was permanently
rendered incapable of producing lumber and chips, and
b. it was the only milling facility associated with that point of appraisal.

This being said Mackenzie has 4 more years at a minimum to get going. Also I understand that East Fraser in Mackenzie is still chipping therefore until that is stopped the "5 year clock" doesn't even start.

Point number 2 about reviewing Timber pricing. This is done on a continual basis, Timber pricing policies are updated at least quarterly. I would suggested that anything specific to Mackenzie is unliky but general changes could effect Mackenzies viability.

I think as long as politicians are still speeking about Mackenzie they have a hope. I use to live there and loved it. I miss the town and the people, best of luck.