B.C.'s chief forester has set the allowable annual cut for the Sunshine Coast timber supply area at 1,197,949 cubic metres, unchanged from the previous level.
The Sunshine Coast timber supply area covers about 1.6 million hectares, ranging from Howe Sound in the south to the head of Bute Inlet in the north. However, only 223,000 hectares are suitable for timber harvesting.
The chief forester set the allowable annual cut following a comprehensive review, including public input received during the summer and fall of 2011.
"I am grateful to the many First Nations, local residents, forestry experts and other organizations who provided input," said Jim Snetsinger, chief forester in a news release. "In reviewing all submissions and applying all the technical data available, I am confident maintaining the existing allowable annual cut is in the best interests of Sunshine Coast communities and the sustainability of the forest."
The chief forester's determination is an independent professional judgment based on information ranging from technical forestry reports, First Nations and public input to the government's social and economic goals.
Under the timber supply review, the chief forester or deputy chief forester must determine how much wood can be harvested in each of the province's 38 timber supply areas and 34 tree farm licences at least once every 10 years.
A new allowable annual cut may be determined earlier in response to abnormal situations, or postponed for up to five years if an allowable annual cut level is not expected to change significantly.
For a copy of the rationale for the Sunshine Coast allowable annual cut determination see http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hts/.
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