In late 2023, Klahoose First Nation completed a “landmark deal” to purchase a total tenure of 181,036 cubic metres of allowable annual cut (AAC), on forest lands located on the Sunshine Coast in the Nation’s traditional territory. This makes KFN the largest logging tenure holder within the Nation’s traditional landbase.
Klahoose already owned tenure of 115,000 cubic metres AAC, so this purchase brings their total allowable cut to 296 thousand cubic metres per year, or over 140 million board feet. Chief Steven Brown told reporters that “Klahoose Nation is a forestry nation. We see a bright future for forestry, and it is time for us to manage the resources in our territory so the benefits come to our members,”
Although tenure rights do not confer title to Crown land, they do enable the First Nation to set its own rules for management of the logging operation.
Logging companies in the past have notoriously clearcut right across riparian zones. These zones help protect water quality by regulating the flow of water and nutrients between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Logging near fish-bearing streams, for example, has been shown to increase water temperatures and raise the risk of algal growth and eutrophication. Chief Brown, who studied Environmental Science at the University of Victoria, expressed his intention to improve existing conventional practise.
“If we want to increase the distance of harvest from the fish-bearing streams or [improve] old growth management, we dictate that on all of our tenure, and it means that contractors we hire to do the work have to follow those standards,” Brown said. “We can also plan for old growth management to ensure it’s done sustainably and that we’re promoting an increase in old growth in the territory.”
Chief Brown foresees economic and social benefits for Klahoose First Nation as a result of expanded tenure ownership. “Klahoose is embarking on a sustainable journey, creating a circular economy through our forestry initiatives,” he said. “Timber from our tenures will be processed at the Klahoose mill and utilized in constructing cabins at our resorts. This integrated approach—from logging and milling to construction and tourism—generates employment for Klahoose members, keeps profits within our community and benefits the entire region’s economy. These profits will be invested back into vital areas such as health, education, and housing. This initiative marks a proud and promising chapter for the Klahoose, with lasting benefits for future generations.”
The tenure purchase was widely announced; reprints of a Campbell River Mirror article appeared on logging industry websites including Canadian Forest Industries, Forest Economic Advisors, and ResourceWorks. Meanwhile, four other First Nations on Vancouver Island are in negotiation to acquire a 34 percent stake in a partnership with Western Forest Products on tenures totaling 900 thousand cubic metres AAC; and the Province is including First Nations delegates in a trade mission to Japan to promote BC forest products.
Sources:
CFI: Klahoose First Nation Purchase Majority of Tenures
ResourceWorks: First Nations Reach Historic BC Forestry Deal
IndigiNews: Klahoose Celebrates Forestry Deal
Allowable Annual Cuts, BC: Timber Supply Areas
[All images by Midjourney, prompts by author]