District of Wells gets its' own Community Forest

Courtesy of the BC Government:

(L-R) John Massier, Hon. Coralee Oakes, Virginia Wilkins,
Robin Sharpe and Hon. Steve Thomson)

The Province and the District of Wells have signed a community forest agreement, enhancing economic opportunities and forest stewardship in the Central Cariboo, Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson announced today.

The agreement covers 4,530 hectares with a total allowable annual of 5,000 cubic metres.

This is the third community forest established in the Cariboo this year. In March, the province signed a community forest agreement with the City of Williams Lake and the Williams Lake Indian Band, which covered a total of 29,000 hectares and an allowable annual cut of 40,000 cubic metres. In May, Clinton was granted a 62,000 hectare community forest, with an allowable annual cut of 20,000 cubic metres.

Community forest agreements are long-term, area-based tenures designed to encourage community involvement in, and management of, local forests. A community forest is managed by a local government, community group or First Nation for the benefit of the entire community.

Thomson and Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development and Cariboo North MLA Coralee Oakes congratulated the District of Wells during the Union of British Columbia Municipalities annual convention.

BC’s Forests Minister Steve Thomson said:

“Community forests help support regional economies and give communities a say in the management of local forests. This is a great opportunity to create jobs in Wells while helping to make more timber available and diversifying B.C.’s forest sector.”

While local Cariboo-North MLA Coralee Oakes stated:

I know the District of Wells has been waiting a long time for this community forest. This provides a great opportunity for the district in terms of jobs and revenues to support local priorities.”

Finally, Wells Mayor Robin Sharpe stated:

“The people of Wells have been working hard to diversify the local economy, and take steps to ensure the long-term vitality of our town. This forest agreement is a great step forward, and adds another dimension to our rich and diverse community and will add needed local jobs, as well as, income for our infrastructure and public works.”