Provincial officials continue to evaluate the amount of timber lost in this year’s massive wildfires in the area and how it might affect logging in the years ahead.
The evaluation is part of a review of the annual allowable cut (AAC) for the Lakes Timber Supply Area (TSA) that was underway before the fires broke out in July.
The current AAC, set in 2016 stands at 1.6 million cubic metres a year.
The Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development (FLNRORD) plans to release a public discussion paper on the Lakes TSA early in 2019, a Ministry spokesperson told Lakes District News.
That paper will summarize the results of the timber supply analysis and will be available for at least 60 days for public review and First Nations consultation.
Based on public feedback and relevant data, the chief forester is expected to determine the AAC sometime later in 2019.
The AAC is a hot topic in the Lakes District and last summer discussions on the issue drew big crowds to public meetings.
LOOK BACK: Large turnout to discuss annual allowable cut in Burns Lake
The main concern on many people’s minds in the region, which depends heavily on the