Huu-ay-aht First Nations to Honor Major Portion of B.C. Government’s Old-Growth Forestry Deferral

The Bamfield-based Huu-ay-aht First Nations have agreed to honor a major portion of the B.C. provincial government’s recent decision on old growth forestry deferral. The determination is preliminary and only refers to Huu-ay-aht First Nations interests, not those of any other First Nations. Huu-ay-aht First Nations Chief Councilor Robert Dennis Sr. noted that much of the area set aside for deferral is already protected under existing conservation measures or not planned for harvest within the next two years.

After reviewing maps provided by the provincial government to the Nation, Huu-ay-aht leadership determined 33% of old growth remains in their Hahuulthi (traditional territory) and TFL 44. Old growth refers to forests greater than 250 years old.

Huu-ay-aht will defer harvesting for two years of 96% of the Technical Advisory Panel’s (TAP) proposed area, but they intend to harvest the remaining four percent. Anything less could adversely affect the nations’ economic development. Huu-ay-aht expects to make a final determination on its deferrals by mid-January 2022.

Beginning in 2023, Huu-ay-aht’s long-term stewardship decisions will be informed by the outcome of Huu-ay-aht’s two-year Hišuk ma cawak Integrated Resource Management Planning process.