BC Lowers Allowable Cut for TFL 49 in the Thompson-Okanagan Region

On Friday, British Columbia’s chief forester announced a new allowable annual cut (AAC) for Tree Farm License (TFL) 49 near Vernon in the Thompson-Okanagan region. The AAC is now set at 150,500 m³, a 26.2% reduction from the previous level.

BC said the decision reflects a return to sustainable harvest levels following wildfire impacts in 2021 and 2023, updates to the land base including the removal of the Brown’s Creek area, and adjustments for expanded riparian reserve buffers.

To help prevent overharvesting on lower-slope areas, the AAC includes three partitions:

• A maximum of 67,500 m³, 44.9% of the AAC, may be harvested from stands defined as old forest.
• A maximum of 83,000 m³, 55.1% of the AAC, may be harvested from stands not defined as old forest.
• No more than 128,000 m³, 85% of the AAC, may be harvested from stands on slopes less than 40%.

The province noted that TFL 49 overlaps the territories of 29 First Nations, all of which were consulted during the timber supply review. The new AAC reflects current forest-management practices such as enhanced riparian buffers and retention of areas with cultural heritage resources.

The chief forester’s determination is an independent professional judgment informed by technical forestry analysis, First Nations consultation, public input, and the government’s social and economic objectives. Under the Forest Act, AACs must be reviewed at least every 10 years for all timber supply areas and tree farm licenses in British Columbia.