Features Forestry Management Harvesting
Quesnel timber supply rises

It was announced that as part of the Mid-Term Timber Supply Action Plan, a new silvicultural strategy analysis has been completed that identifies a 600,000 cubic metre increase in mid-term timber supply over previous projections in the Quesnel timber supply area.

As part of the type 4 silviculture strategy for the Quesnel timber supply area, new inventory data has been used which identifies opportunities for harvesting, reforestation, planting and fertilization that can have the greatest effect on timber and other forest values.

The main reasons for the higher mid-term forecast in this analysis, as compared to the previous mid-term analysis conducted in summer 2011, are due to the incorporation of new information that indicates lower pine mortality estimates in young stands, more live pine remaining in older stands and new managed stand site productivity estimates that these stands will grow faster than previously thought.

The new analysis reflects the past four years of harvest activity, new forest cover information from the eastern portion of the timber supply area, as well as Landscape Vegetation Inventory information for the western portion. Landscape Vegetation Inventory analysis is a new efficient and cost-effective method that takes advantage of satellite imagery, high resolution digital aerial photography, and software applications for managing very large data sets.

Ministry staff met with Quesnel timber supply area licensees to discuss the analysis results. While the new forecast shows an increase in potential mid-term timber supply, this does not mean the current allowable annual cut will change. The chief forester will be considering this, and other new information, in the next redetermination of the allowable annual cut.

“Between now and the end of March 2013, ministry staff are working closely with licensees to finalize comprehensive silviculture strategies to encourage healthy resilient forests. The final strategies will also help prioritize investment decisions on the land base,” said Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson.

According to the provincial government, to achieve improved timber supply projections, licensees will need to closely follow the harvesting assumptions identified within the analysis. The final analysis, expected in March 2013, will also identify key silviculture practices and investments for the future.