The District of Squamish is looking to get into the forest industry in partnership with the Squamish Nation.
On Tuesday (May 13), council at Committee of the Whole voted in favour of securing a community forest from the Ministry of Forest, Lands and Natural Resource Operations. Officials also approved steps toward an agreement between the district, Squamish Nation and a general partner to manage the forest.
Nine years ago, the ministry offered the district the opportunity to submit a formal application for a community forest with an annual cut of 10,000 cubic metres, district general manager of business Randy Stoyko said. In 2013, municipal staff met with provincial officials again. The British Columbia Community Forest Association (BCCFA) strongly recommended that the district not pass the opportunity by, Stoyko said.
“No community forest has ever been turned back,” he said.
A partnership between the district and Squamish Nation could increase the size of the community forest from 10,000 to 20,000 cubic metres or larger, significantly improving the viability of the operation, stated the report to council. The municipality could structure a limited partnership arrangement with Squamish Nation and a general partner, in which the municipality receives profits from the community forest without being responsible for any losses, Stoyko said. The general partner would manage the operation.
A community forest has been talked about for 15 years, Coun. Ted Prior said. This will make foresters happy, he said.
The idea has benefits on many levels, Mayor Rob Kirkham said. There is the business component and the collaboration with Squamish Nation, he noted. The report to council states the community forest could provide opportunities for education and research, as well as providing local-level community economic development and local employment.
