Public Asked For Input On Timber Supply Review For The TSA

The public is invited to get involved in the timber supply review for the North Island Timber Supply Area (TSA) by submitting comments before Feb. 20, 2023.

Under the Forest Act, to ensure that B.C.'s forests are managed sustainably, the chief forester must determine the allowable annual cut (AAC) in each of the province's 37 TSAs and 33 tree farm licenses at least once every 10 years.

As part of this public review, a discussion paper has been released that provides the results of the timber supply analysis. It also describes the geography, natural resources and current forest-management practices in the North Island TSA, all of which will be used by the chief forester in a future AAC determination.

This review will also be used to continue government support for putting First Nations front and centre in the development of modernized forest policy and furthering the province’s stated goal of getting more value for its forests.

The North Island TSA covers approximately 1.7 million hectares on northern Vancouver Island.

The regional service centre in the TSA is Campbell River.

Several other communities are included in the TSA, including Courtenay, Comox, Gold River, Port McNeill, and Port Hardy.

The chief forester's AAC determination is an independent, professional judgment, based on information ranging from technical forestry reports, First Nations' and public input, and the government's social and economic goals.