Nelson City Council passes 'Forest tenure review' resolution

The following resolution was passed by Nelson City Council on June 13th, and will be forwarded to the Union of BC Municipalities conference in September for debate:

Resolution Title: Forest tenure review

WHEREAS B.C. communities rely on local forests to support their economic, social and environmental well-being;

AND WHEREAS there is widespread and growing public concern about the current and future health of B.C.'s forests, and the adequacy of the future timber supply;

AND WHEREAS the current regulatory environment and mix of tenure arrangements does not allow for adequate community participation in decisions that affect local forests, especially in community watersheds;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Union of British Columbia Municipalities call for the provincial government to undertake a comprehensive review of the forest tenure system, aimed at developing a blueprint for reform that will:

• Guarantee long term environmental sustainability for our forests
• Allow for more community control in decisions about forest management
• Ensure more of the benefits from developing forest resources stay in local communities initiative!