B.C. forms independent old-growth advisory panel to guide logging management
The B.C. government says it's putting together an independent Old-Growth Technical Advisory Panel to guide the province's next steps in old-growth management.
Five people will make up the panel, which will use science and data to form its recommendations, particularly surrounding old-growth logging deferrals.
Each of the five members on the panel have decades of forest management or policy-making experience under their belts,
The five members include Garry Merkel, is an experienced forester and member of the Tahltan Nation in northwest B.C., Rachel F. Holt (PhD), an ecologist based in Nelson, Lisa Matthaus, provincial lead for environmental group Organizing for Change, Karen Price (PhD), an ecologist based near Smithers, and Dave Dust (M.Sc., RPF), a landscape analyst based near Smithers.
"This new technical panel will ensure we’re using the best science and data available to identify at-risk old-growth ecosystems and prioritize areas for deferral," said Minister of Forests Katrine Conroy in a release Thursday.
"We are committed to a science-based approach to old-growth management, and our work with the advisory panel will help us break down barriers between the different interpretations of data that are out there," she said.
Earlier this month, the province agreed to a two-year deferral of old-growth logging in the Fairy Creek and central Walbran valley areas of Vancouver Island, after it was requested by three local First Nations.
The province says there are currently 11 old-growth areas where logging has been deferred, including the two most recent deferrals.
Protesters in the Fairy Creek area, who are still manning blockades in the region, say they want old-growth logging to stop across the province in perpetuity.
Meanwhile, the province says it is still working on 14 old-growth management recommendations that were presented to B.C. in September 2020.
The province has committed to adopting all 14 of the recommendations, and recently laid out a rough timeline for when the measures will be addressed, which can be found below.
(Province of B.C.)
(Province of B.C.)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.