Allowable Annual Cut Increased in the Morice TSA

February 1 , 2008

The Ministry of Forests and Range (MOFR) announced on February 1st that the Allowable Annual Cut (AAC) for the Morice Timber Supply Area (TSA) will be increased to 2.165 million cubic metres, an increase of 204,000 metres. In a separate but parallel decision the MoFR Regional Manager increased the AAC of Forest Licence holders in the Morice based upon beetle mitigation actions being taken by participants in the M&L IFPA.

The M&L IFPA had recommended a 1 million cubic metre AAC increase to minimize timber losses to deteriorating dead pine trees, and requested half of the increase for IFPA companies in its Forestry Plan submitted to the MOFR in January of 2007. Based upon extensive analysis the Forestry Plan details long term commitments to sustainable forest management and outlines a harvest strategy to optimize the salvage of beetle-killed timber. The SFM commitments and beetle strategy represent the basis for the request for an AAC increase in the Morice TSA. The plan also details innovative practices and activities that the M&L IFPA partners have committed to within the TSA to ensure sustainable management of local forests.

“The plan provides both the rationale for an AAC increase using principles of sustainable forest management and provides partner companies with the means to deal with the mountain pine beetle epidemic,” said M&L IFPA manager Jim Burbee . Statutory decision makers have many factors to consider beyond the biophysical factors driving the M&L IFPA recommendations. Only time will tell if the conservative AAC decision will be a lost opportunity.

See newsletter #15 for more information