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By Caden Fanshaw

Forestry

Mackenzie AAC cut down, policy the real problem says Mayor

May 25, 2023 | 5:03 PM

MACKENZIE — Once every 10 years, BC’s Chief Forester embarks on a process to redetermine the annual allowable cut (AAC) in all 37 timber supply areas and 33 tree farm licences across the province.

After lengthy consultations the AAC for the Mackenzie Timber Supply Area was released in early May resulting in a 20% reduction of available fibre, not a surprise according to the Mayor.

“We were expecting this, it’s a reduction, but it’s not huge, some other areas have been hit much harder,” said Mayor of Mackenzie Joan Atkinson.

What is a surprise according to Atkinson is the problem at hand. The longtime Mayor argues the issue in BC is not fibre supply in some areas, it is forestry policy. According to stats provided by the District of Mackenzie roughly two-thirds of the AAC will be rolled down the highway away from the community.

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“I think it really solidifies my argument with the government, that we are not in the situation we are in right now because of fibre supply, we are in the situation we’re in right now because of poor, poor forest policy,” said Atkinson.

Of the 2.39M cubic metres under the AAC for the Mackenzie TSA, the local production accounts for 800k cubic metres, meaning approximately 2.3M will likely be hauled to other production centres such as Prince George or Dunkley.

Pre-2003 when appurtenancy was still law in BC, forestry companies had logs tied to local communities. When that clause was thrown out, it opened the door to the situation we have now.

The BC Liberal government of the day was the one behind the move, one now brought to the forefront 20 years later.

The Mayor of Mackenzie is calling for the government to stop talking and start real action for communities in need.

CKPG News reached out to the BC Minister of Forests for comment but has not received a response.

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Twitter: @CadenFanshaw

Email: Caden.Fanshaw@pattisonmedia.com