Whereas high value forest product producers represent a critical component of the local economy in the Kootenay Boundary Regional District and associated southern interior regions and whose future is seriously at risk because of unintended consequences associated with historical forest policy decisions combined with environmental outcomes resulting in dramatic reductions in provincial allowable annual cut from the Mountain Pine Beetle or other environmental constraints: Therefore be it resolved that the provincial government take immediate action to encourage and incent the distribution of existing provincial timber supply to optimize the Right Log To The Right Mill ensuring maximum opportunity for economic growth and the creation of jobs.
Ministry of Forests, Lands, and Natural Resource Operations The Ministry is aware of the challenges the forest sector and forestry dependent communities face in light of changing timber supply, and are committed to actions to maximize opportunities for economic growth. Our forest sector competitiveness agenda released in August 2016 details 49 strategic actions to ensure the forest sector remains a key economic driver in B.C. that supports rural forest communities and creates more opportunities for First Nations to become full partners in the forest industry. A key component of the competitiveness agenda is ongoing, proactive engagement with communities and all areas of the forest industry across the province as we work to keep communities strong and stable. The Province is exploring options to ensure smaller mills have access to needed timber types that meet their needs of quality.