Community Forest Expansions

Whereas communities could increase public safety and benefit economically with the expansion of existing Community Forests; And whereas the long-awaited amendments to the Community Tenures Regulation regarding existing Community Forests expansion would support the development and diversification of efficient and economically viable forest and wildfire mitigation practices that would maximize benefits to local economies and reduce the wildfire risks to communities; And whereas support for Community Forest agreement holders to invest in wildfire hazard reduction, rehabilitation, intensive silviculture and economic diversification would create more resilient communities and forests: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM lobby the provincial government to create changes to the Community Tenure Regulations to allow for the expansion of Community Forest Agreements that will foster self-reliance, build capacity and promote a prosperous, healthy, and sustainable future for all Community Forests to meet the provincial governments rural development mandate.