Local logging contractors reach out to forestry minister on various issues

MERRITT – A group of Nicola Valley Logging Contractors, community members, and business representatives have wrote a letter to the forestry minister.

“The majority of logging contractors have not worked since February 2023, with no foreseen work in the near future,” reads the letter. “This affects employees, local businesses and the basic way of life for many, as well as providing regular revenue to the Province of B.C. and the First Nations communities.”

The group who wrote the letter met on May 31 to discuss many forest industry related issues and to try to understand the timber permitting process. With industries in the Nicola Valley not having permits for some time now there are lots of employees out of work and equipment waiting to be used.

“There have been very few permits issued in the Merritt Timber Supply Area in the last six months, which is causing great concern from a financial standpoint and the mental health of the employees affected,” said the release. “An estimated $100 million in logging machinery is sitting idle and therefore, approximately 350 direct employees are not receiving paycheques.”

Aside from permits, another key issue mentioned is the high stumpage rates within the province. Stumpage is a fee that businesses or individuals pay when they harvest timber from Crown land.

“High stumpage rates and low lumber markets have created a perfect storm, which has handcuffed licensees from moving forward with their business as usual. Our neighbour in Alberta is averaging at $4.00/meter stumpage rate, compared to B.C. averages $65.00/meter,” mentioned in the release.

Getting back to work, helping the economy, and maintaining safety of the community, through environmental concerns, are the driving factors in the letter sent to the forestry minter.

“As you drive through our Thompson-Nicola region there are multiple areas, that equate to 3.9 million meters of burnt timber, that could be harvested and are now rotting and falling to the ground. This could create substantial amount of revenue for this community, First Nations, and the Province, but with the broken system we have, nothing is being done. This is not only a financial issue, but a safety issue.”

The full letter can be read on the most recent City Council agenda.