HAZELTON –  

Summary

• B.C.’s chief forester has set the new allowable annual cut for the Kispiox timber supply area at 496,000 cubic metres
• Decision reflects changes on the land base since the last determination, which have affected what is legally and economically available for harvesting
• New allowable annual cut is approximately 39% higher than the average annual harvest of 356,378 cubic metres

B.C.’s chief forester has set the new allowable annual cut (AAC), the maximum amount of timber that can be harvested each year, for the Kispiox timber supply area (TSA) in the Skeena region.

The new AAC, which takes effect Thursday, July 2, 2026, is 496,000 cubic metres, a nearly 50% reduction from the previous AAC. Although the AAC has decreased, it is approximately 39% higher than the average annual harvest between 2019 and 2023, which was 356,378 cubic metres.

The chief forester considered changes on the land base that have affected what is legally and economically available for harvesting since the last AAC determination. The decision examined harvest performance in remote areas and on steep slopes, the creation of new ungulate winter ranges for moose, the impact of western balsam bark beetle on timber supply and management practices protecting cultural heritage resources. Based on these factors, the chief forester decided to lower the AAC.

The TSA overlaps the territory of these First Nations:

• Gitxsan Nation
• Gitanyow Nation
• Lake Babine Nation
• Tsetsaut Skii km Lax Ha Nation
• Kitselas First Nation
• Wet’suwet’en Nation
• Witset First Nation

All these First Nations were consulted during the timber supply review process.

The Kispiox TSA also partially overlaps with the Nass Wildlife Area and the Nass Area, as defined in the Nisga’a Treaty. The determination aligns with legislation defined in the Nisga’a Treaty and considers interests identified by First Nations, including the management of cedar, old forests, wildlife habitat and wildlife tree retention.

Public feedback is part of every timber-supply review process. The Province released a discussion paper about Kispiox TSA and opened public feedback from Feb. 16, 2024, to April 13, 2024. The Kispiox TSA comprises approximately 1.3 million hectares in northwestern B.C., centred around the communities of Hazelton and Kitwanga.

When B.C.’s chief forester makes an AAC determination, it is an independent, professional judgment based on information ranging from technical forestry reports, First Nations consultations, input from the public and the government’s social and economic objectives.

Under the Forest Act, AACs must be reviewed at least once every 10 years for all 37 timber supply areas and 34 tree farm licences in the province.

Learn More:

• To read the Kispiox TSA AAC rationale, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/forestry/managing-our-forest-resources/timber-supply-review-and-allowable-annual-cut/allowable-annual-cut-timber-supply-areas/kispiox-tsa
• To read the information bulletin announcing public input, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2024FOR0007-000209
• To learn more about the timber supply review process, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/forestry/managing-our-forest-resources/timber-supply-review-and-allowable-annual-cut
• To learn more about the Nisga’a Treaty, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/natural-resource-stewardship/consulting-with-first-nations/first-nations-negotiations/first-nations-a-z-listing/nisga-a-lisims-government
• To read the news release on the 20-year anniversary of the Nisga’a Treaty, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020PREM0026-000848