Houston’s forest industry is gearing up for the announcement of the Morice Timber Supply Review (TSR) this month.
The review will determine how much timber can be harvested in the Morice Timber Supply Area, which runs from Babine Lake to Ootsa and Whitesail Lakes.
By setting the annual allowable cut (AAC), it has the potential to significantly impact the forest industry in Houston.
“This is probably one of the more important TSR decisions the Morice has had. It will set the harvest level for the next five years,” said Houston Councillor Jonathan Van Barneveld.
“Since the mountain pine beetle, the dead pine could potentially limit the amount of timber available in the future, which could drop our annual harvest levels…
“It’s been projected that if the cut does have to drop, it may only decrease by 20 percent, but we have to wait to find out.”
The review process started January 2013. That data package was released July 2013 and the public discussion paper went out April 2014.
The final Morice TSR announcement was expected last week Monday, but delayed for up to ten days.
Vivian Thomas, Communications Director for Ministry of Forests, says they expect the annual allowable cut decision before the end of the month.
Houston Canfor is hosting a Public Advisory Group meeting on April 2 to discuss the Timber Supply Inventory Updates and Canfor’s shadow analysis.