Successful pilot in Powell River leads to province-wide implementation

BC’s government has introduced a single cutting permit procedure for community forests throughout the province.

by Laura Walz | editor@prpeak.com

Published: Wednesday, October 17, 2012 10:33 AM PDT go to article http://www.prpeak.com/articles/2012/10/18/news/doc507dfbd8b8f77671812292.txt

BC’s government has introduced a single cutting permit procedure for community forests throughout the province.

The pilot for the streamlined permit process occurred in the Powell River Community Forest Ltd. tenure.

The change means that eligible organizations will only need a single cutting permit, good for up to four years, for the entire community forest. The process allows community-based forestry operations to be more responsive to community need and market demand.

Chris Laing is the owner of Results Based Forest Management Ltd., the company which has the contract to manage Powell River’s community forest. He said the new process is designed for smaller operators, such as woodlots and community forests. “The purpose is to streamline paperwork, reduce approval timelines and process for both licensees and government and provide more flexibility,” he said.

For example, Laing said, the new process helped the community forest respond to a bark beetle infestation that occurred throughout the Powell River area. “We were able to instantly go out and set up bait trees and salvage dead and infected trees that still had beetles in them,” he said. “It helps us with blowdown. When we have it, we can go out and access it without a whole bunch of paperwork.”

As well, there are more opportunities to provide custom logs for local manufacturers and mill operators, Laing said.

Powell River Community Forest was established in 2006 and has an annual allowable cut of 25,000 cubic metres from Haslam Lake and Lang Creek watershed area, encompassing about 6,500 hectares. The sole shareholder is the City of Powell River and it is governed by a volunteer board of directors. Profits are returned to the community. Dividends from 2007 to 2010 total approximately $1.4 million.

Steve Thomson, Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, said the BC government is a strong supporter of the community forest concept. “Community forests support local social, economic and environmental priorities,” he said in a statement. “They help maintain jobs and recreational opportunities, foster long-term environmental stewardship and build a stronger sense of community.”