BC Reduces Kispiox Timber Supply Area Annual Cut by Nearly 50%

BC’s chief forester has set a new allowable annual cut (AAC) of 496,000 m³ for the Kispiox timber supply area (TSA) in the Skeena region. The new AAC took effect July 2 and is nearly 50% below the previous level.

Although the AAC was reduced, BC said the new level is about 39% higher than the average annual harvest of 356,378 m³ recorded between 2019 and 2023.

The chief forester considered changes affecting the legal and economic timber harvesting land base since the last AAC determination. Factors included harvest performance in remote areas and on steep slopes, new ungulate winter ranges for moose, the impact of western balsam bark beetle on timber supply, and management practices protecting cultural heritage resources.

The Kispiox TSA overlaps the territories of the Gitxsan Nation, Gitanyow Nation, Lake Babine Nation, Tsetsaut Skii km Lax Ha Nation, Kitselas First Nation, Wet’suwet’en Nation, and Witset First Nation. All were consulted during the timber supply review process.

Under BC’s Forest Act, AACs must be reviewed at least once every 10 years for all 37 timber supply areas and 34 tree farm licenses in the province.