Photo Courtesy: Canadian Press

By Veronica Beltran

Cariboo First Nations work together to increase wood-fibre use

Aug 6, 2020 | 10:38 AM

WILLIAMS LAKE—A million dollar grant from the Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC) to Central Chilcotin Rehabilitation Ltd. will increase the use of waste wood fibre, bringing more wood products to market and supply forestry jobs in the Cariboo Chilcotin region.

The first phase of the project began in early 2017, when a $3.4 million grant from the FESBC allowed the company to reduce wildfire risks and rehabilitate forests affected by the mountain pine beetles. Central Chilcotin Rehabilitation Ltd. is a joint venture company owned by the Tŝideldel First Nation and the Tl’etinqox government.

The million dollar grant provided by the FESBC in 2019, funds the second part of the project. In the fall of last year the company began recovery of a 200,000 cubic metres of waste wood fibre that accumulated during the first phase of the project.

“First Nations leadership has reduced wildfire risks and rehabilitated forests, and now the company is ensuring that the residual fibre is also put to good use.”—Doug Donaldson, Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development

Normally the waste wood is burned on-site as wildfire prevention, however, the grant allows Central Chilcotin Rehabilitation Ltd. to use the fibre for other purposes while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The province says that the grant is estimated to support the full-time equivalent employment of nine loggers, truckers and other forestry workers.

city council

'Slap in the face': Senior citizens ask Council for equal support and Mayor pivots

2h ago

On Demand

December 15, 2025: CKPG News on Demand

3h ago

Education

CNC's Faculty Association seeks public support amid potential layoffs

6h ago

Recovered pulp-grade logs are being hauled to Cariboo Pulp in Quesnel. The remaining material is being ground up by Tsi Del Del Ltd. and shipped to either Pinnacle Renewable Energy’s pellet plant or sent to Atlantic Power to generate electricity, both located in Williams Lake.

Since the project started in September of 2019 the recovery effort has resulted in 200,000 cubic metres of residual fibre being used, generating between $7 million and $8.5 million in sales.