WHEREAS, traditionally, timber that has been harvested in a Timber Supply Area has been required to be processed in that area; AND WHEREAS many communities affected by the recent downturn in the forest industry are facing dire economic challenges; AND WHEREAS recent mergers and shutdowns provide a threat that wood harvested in one area will be transferred to another for processing, thus jeopardizing local operations and communities: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the provincial government be lobbied to ensure that sufficient harvested timber remain to be utilized in local processing facilities within the Timber Supply Area.
Ministry of Forests and Range There is no real community stability if the local mill cannot remain competitive. Appurtenancy and timber processing rules never prevented the closure of an uneconomic mill. In fact, they made forestry operations less competitive, which is why these rules were removed in 2003. By removing appurtenancy and timber processing requirements, the Province enabled timber to flow to its highest and best use in B.C., creating jobs where the economics support it. This addressed a long-standing complaint about a lack of access to timber. The Province has increased community control of local timber by issuing new community forest agreements and First Nations agreements. To date, 28 new community forests have been offered or issued, with another 24 involved in earlier phases of the process. As well, forestry agreements have been signed with 160 First Nations, providing access to over 33 million cubic metres of timber. Whenever a forest licence is transferred, the Province reviews it to ensure there is no undue restriction in competition for standing timber, logs and chips.