WHEREAS the transfer of forest resources from licensed tenure holders tree farm licences to British Columbia Timber Sales has distanced local communities from the source of their local wealth: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the UBCM petition the Ministry of Forests and Range to require that British Columbia Timber Sales ensure that local, small-scale mills and value-added forestry businesses have access, at open market value, to an adequate supply of wood to ensure the sustainability of their operations and, thus, of the local economy.
Ministry of Forests and Range The Ministry of Forests and Range is committed to an increase in value added benefits derived from publicly owned resources. We are beginning the process of consultation with industry on how best to manage the competing interests for timber volume. Government supports the value added industry while maintaining the balance of current economic activity and need for future growth. In order for smaller lumber mills throughout the Province to have access to timber supply, BC Timber Sales has had to take into consideration new conditions such as the Mountain Pine Beetle. The Beetle epidemic has an impact on current and future timber supply that is reflected in BC Timber Sales BCTS policy and has an impact on volumes available to small, local mills throughout the Province. Government has recently changed the definition of standing dead trees Grade 3, which evaluates Mountain Pine Beetle wood to better reflect market conditions and the true price for the resource. By moving to a more market-focused pricing system on beetle-affected standing timber, more volume will be available for smaller mills.