The B.C. government launched a new website Thursday where oil and gas companies in the Fort Nelson district can auction off timber that’s harvested as part of their development operations.
Forests and Range Minister Pat Bell said in a release that the program minimizes wood waste, helps support forestry jobs and strengthens resource-based communities.
The website is operated by BC Timber Sales, a government entity that manages part of the provincial Crown allowable annual cut. However, all aspects of forestry licences, operations and silviculture remain the responsibility of the company overseeing the harvesting.
According to government figures, between 6,700 and 9,000 hectares are cleared annually from oil and gas activities in the Fort Nelson forest district, resulting in up to 150,000 cubic metres of harvested wood of varying quality.
Currently, oil and gas companies privately arrange sales of some wood to local mills and value-added producers and chip, burn or bury unsold wood or waste.
Once each wood auction closes on the site, BC Timber Sales submits the bids to the seller for its consideration.
Wood sellers that use the website are under no obligation to sell the wood to the highest or to any of the bidders.
The timber is listed and can be bid on at https://www.for.gov.bc.ca/bcts/areas/TPL/wood_opportunities.htm.