CALGARY, ALTA. — Alberta lawmakers are looking to modernize the province’s Forests Act, its first overhaul since the 1970s.
Officials say the Growing Alberta’s Forest Sector Amendment Act would enhance the responsiveness and transparency of timber due, increase timber supply access and the timber quota system to support long-term supply, continue sustainable forest management practices and cut red tape.
“A properly managed forest protects wildlife habitat, supports tens of thousands of jobs and reduces the risk of disease and forest fires which threaten our communities,” said Devin Dreeshen, minister of agriculture and forestry, in a statement. “These common-sense changes will empower our forest sector, creating jobs for Alberta families at a time when they need it most. Our forest sector is leading Alberta’s economic recovery by creating safe everyday wood products through sustainable forest management practices so that Albertans can enjoy our forests for generations to come.”
Specific changes include:
- Adding a preamble to the Forests Act that demonstrates Alberta’s commitment to the sustainable management of forests and a sustainable timber supply for the forest industry.
- Increasing the transparency and responsiveness of Alberta’s timber dues by making their calculation methods available to the public and by providing regular updates to promote sector competitiveness.
- Providing greater flexibility for the forest industry to respond to market and environmental conditions by allowing 10-year harvest control periods as another option to the existing five-year option for timber quota holders.
- Eliminating the unnecessary red tape for forestry companies to hold a timber license in addition to their timber quota by adjusting quotas to provide all of the necessary oversight by today’s forest management planning standards.
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