British Columbia’s chief forester has set a new allowable annual cut of 150,500 m3 for Tree Farm Licence 49 near Vernon in the Thompson-Okanagan region, according to British Columbia’s chief forester.
The new cut represents a 26.2% reduction from the previous level. The decision supports a return to sustainable harvest levels following wildfire impacts in 2021 and 2023 and reflects updated ecological information, including the removal of the Brown’s Creek area and increased riparian reserve buffers.
The determination includes three partitions. A maximum of 67,500 m3, equal to 44.9% of the total, may be harvested from stands defined as old forest. Up to 83,000 m3, or 55.1%, may come from stands not defined as old forest. Harvesting on slopes less than 40% is limited to 128,000 m3, or 85% of the total allowable cut.
Tree Farm Licence 49 overlaps with the territories of 29 First Nations, all of whom were consulted during the review. The decision accounts for practices that enhance riparian buffers and retain areas containing cultural heritage resources.
The allowable annual cut determination is an independent professional judgment based on technical forestry reports, First Nations consultations, public input, and government social and economic objectives. Under the Forest Act, allowable annual cuts must be reviewed at least once every 10 years for all 37 timber supply areas and 34 tree farm licences in the province.
