As part of National Aboriginal Day, the Province has announced a new First Nations' woodland licence to support increased First Nations participation in the forest sector.
The new First Nations woodland licence is a long-term, area-based tenure.
First Nations' woodland licence holders are required to prepare both management and operational plans to ensure compliance with the environmental values and standards of the Forest and Range Practices Act.
The First Nation woodland licence was a recommendation of the Working Roundtable on Forestry.
The First Nations woodland licence includes:
* Exclusive rights to harvest timber on Crown land.
* The right to harvest, manage and charge fees for botanical forest products.
* The ability to practice Aboriginal stewardship.
Only First Nations that sign a Forest Tenure Opportunity Agreement with the Province are eligible for the licence. The licence is awarded without competition and the First Nation is required to follow all provincial regulations and policies including the payment of stumpage and other fees.
"This is something First Nations have been specifically asking for," said Steve Thomson, Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations in a news release. "We've been working closely with them to develop a licence that meets their specific needs and supports their participation in the forest sector."
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