Features Forestry Management Harvesting
B.C. cuts AAC for Merritt Timber Supply Area

March 31, 2016 - The new allowable annual cut (AAC) for the Merritt Timber Supply Area will be 1.5 million cubic metres, effective immediately, and will decrease to 1.2 million cubic metres on March 24, 2021, chief forester Diane Nicholls announced in a recent press release from the Government of B.C.

“Now that we have nearly completed salvage harvesting of mountain pine beetle-affected stands in the Merritt Timber Supply Area, my new determination signals a return to more sustainable harvesting practices that will support and ensure the long-term timber supply,” Nicholls said.

The decrease will bring the AAC back to levels comparable to the AAC prior to the harvesting of mountain pine beetle-killed trees. In 2010, the AAC was increased to 2.4 million cubic metres to encourage the harvesting of MPB-killed trees.

The Merritt Timber Supply Area covers 1.13 million hectares with approximately 590,000 hectares available for timber harvesting.

Communities in the timber supply area include Merritt, Princeton, Tulameen, Douglas Lake and Spences Bridge, as well as the First Nations communities of Coldwater, Cooks Ferry, Nooaitch, Shackan, Upper Nicola, Lower Nicola and Upper Similkameen. Dominant tree species within the timber supply area include pine, Douglas-fir and spruce.

The AAC determination is available from the Merritt Natural Resource District office, or online at: https://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hts/tsa/tsa18/index.htm.

March 31, 2016  By  Andrew Snook