Quesnel, British Columbia – Representatives of Tolko Industries (Tolko), Nazko First Nations (Nazko) and Pacific BioEnergy Corporation (PBEC) today announced an innovative partnership for the Quesnel Timber Supply Area. The agreement will provide additional log supply for Tolko’s Quest Wood sawmill, harvesting work for Nazko Logging LP and additional fibre for PBEC’s wood pellet manufacturing plant in Prince George. The timber will come from PBEC’s mountain pine beetle salvage licence in the Quesnel Timber Supply Area (TSA).
Tolko Manager External and Stakeholder Relations, Tom Hoffman said “This agreement provides our Quest Wood sawmill with additional log supply for at least five years. The agreement also allows Tolko to invest in a new ‘Biomass Processing Facility’. We will be able to convert low-value mountain pine beetle-killed logs into pulp chips and biomass fibre for use at facilities in the area. Tolko would like to thank both Minister Coralee Oakes and Mayor Mary Sjostrom for their hard-work and support to make this innovative partnership agreement a reality”
Nazko Economic Development CEO Gerry Powell stated “This agreement provides certainty for Nazko Logging LP over the next few years. Our logging company is the largest employer in our community and generates much needed revenue for community services. The mountain pine beetle has ravaged most of the pine forest in our traditional territory and we now have an opportunity to salvage the beetle-killed fibre, deliver logs to the Quest Wood mill for production, and use the low-value wood in Tolko’s new ‘Biomass Processing Facility’. This agreement highlights the benefits when three different businesses work together to achieve a positive outcome.”
PBEC Vice President Brad Bennett said “More harvesting of beetle-killed stands clears the way for reforestation and new trees for the future. We’re pleased this agreement sees continued involvement of the Nazko First Nation in the region’s forest industry and additional log supply to help keep the Quest Wood mill operating. This agreement generates on-going economic benefits for Quesnel and is a model for cooperation and collaboration that others in the forest industry can learn from. We also want to acknowledge the support and hard-work of Minister Oakes and Mayor Sjostrom to help make this happen”
