Vernon

Licences are now available for three new woodlots in the Okanagan-Shuswap area as part of the Province's effort to create new forestry opportunities for individuals, groups and First Nations.

Forests and Range Minister Pat Bell made the announcement earlier this week.

He says woodlot licences create employment for forest workers while promoting a long-term relationship with the land.

B.C. has about 830 active woodlots which generate jobs in planning, harvesting, road construction and maintenance, reforestation, silviculture and small-scale timber processing.

“We are helping our forest sector recover by establishing new markets, new wood products and building a stronger role for small tenure holders and forest communities around British Columbia,” says Bell.

He says the largest woodlot licence consists of almost 1,200 hectares near Cherryville, with an allowable annual cut of about 3,250 cubic metres.

“Another available woodlot east of Tappen, near Salmon Arm, is 1,110 hectares, with an allowable annual cut of about 2,000 cubic metres, while the third is northwest of Malakwa, 1,128 hectares in size with an allowable annual cut of almost 3,000 cubic metres. All of the licences may also include private land contributed to the woodlot by the successful applicant.”

Bell says the licences are part of more than 60 the Province will offer over the next few years.

Woodlot licences are small, area-based tenures that combine private land with up to 800 hectares of Crown land on the Coast or 1,200 hectares in the Interior. They are managed by individuals, groups or First Nations and they are usually replaceable tenures, awarded for 20 years.