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WETZIN’KWA COMMUNITY FOREST CORPORATION. Background Purpose Community Support Application Requirements Where we are at. BACKGROUND.
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WETZIN’KWA COMMUNITY FOREST CORPORATION. Community Open House
Background • Purpose • Community Support • Application Requirements • Where we are at Community Open House
BACKGROUND • 1998 – a community economic development strategy was completed for the Town of Smithers, Village of Telkwa, and the surrounding Bulkley Valley within the Bulkley Timber Supply Area Community Open House
January 2001 – Mayor and Council directed the establishment of the Bulkley Valley Forest Community Economic Development Group to address the crisis facing the community as a result of the Skeena Cellulose situation • Mill Diversification Feasibility Study, Request by the community for control of the Skeena Cellulose tenure in the Bulkley TSA Community Open House
December 2002 – supported the transfer of the SCI license to West Fraser • Fall 2003 – application to the Softwood Industry Community Economic Adjustment Initiative to develop a community forest business plan • March 2004 – engaged Lynx Forest Management to assess community forest models and volume requirements for profitability Community Open House
September 7, 2004 requested that the Minister invite us to apply for a community forest tenure of 100,000 m3 per year • On April 11, 2005, the Town of Smithers, Village of Telkwa, the Office of the Wet’suwet’en, NEWPRO, and Pacific Inland Resources were invited to apply for a probationary community forest agreement for 30,000 m3. Community Open House
PURPOSE • To manage a profitable forest tenure business that generates revenue for community benefit through local management of forest resources and sales of timber to local manufacturers, emphasizing contract employment of local workers Community Open House
OBJECTIVES • Establish a long lasting relationship, based on mutual respect, between all parties • Make a positive contribution to the long term economic, environmental, and social sustainability of the Bulkley Valley • Expand the employment base in the Bulkley Valley Community Open House
Increase the security and stability of fibre flow to existing local logging contractors as well as local primary and secondary processing facilities • Facilitate greater community input into forest management decisions and control over local resources Community Open House
Community Support • The partners were unanimously and wholeheartedly supported by: • Bulkley Valley Credit Union • Northwest Community College • Chamber of Commerce • Bulkley Valley Woodlot Association • Independent logging contractors Community Open House
Business, technical and financial expertise and support from NEWPRO and Pacific Inland Resources • Strong entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to community sustainability, economic vibrancy, and cultural and social well-being inherent in the Town of Smithers, Village of Telkwa, and Office of the Wet’suwet’en Community Open House
Application Requirements • Description of the legal entity that will be the tenure holder • Description and map of the community forest land base • Written confirmation from the District Manager that the land base is suitable and available • Evidence of broad community support • Business plan • Forest Resource Management plan Community Open House
INITIAL FUNDING • $45,000.00 Western Economic Diversification • $5,000.00 BVCU Economic Development Committee • Working capital from NEWPRO or other financial partner for implementation phase ~$150,000.00 Community Open House
ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE 7 person Board of Directors Technical Advisory Committee Wetzin’kwa Community Forest Corporation 0765119 BC Ltd Community Open House
INITIAL BOARD COMPOSITION Community at large directors: Richard Overstall Andrew George Jr. Dean Daly Village of Telkwa: Ron Bowles Town of Smithers: Clair Lee Office of the Wet’suwet’en: David De Wit NEWPRO: Richard Norton Community Open House
CORE VALUES Community Open House
PROPOSED AREA • The primary area being considered includes the existing Smithers Community Forest area (west of Seymour Lake) and westward to McDonell Lake. • The total timbered land base area will consist of 30,490 hectares, 22,369 productive forest, and 15,717 thlb • The annual allowable timber harvest (AAC) will be 30,000 cubic metres Community Open House
Community Input Community Open House
WHERE ARE WE AT? Community Open House
NEXT STEPS Community Open House