Lake Babine Nation Forestry Signs Log Supply and Forest Management Agreement with West Fraser
We’re pleased to share that earlier today, Lake Babine Nation Forestry (LBN Forestry) announced that it recently signed a long-term Log Supply and Forest Management Agreement (LSFMA) with West Fraser. LBN Forestry will supply logs to our Pacific Inland Resources Sawmill in Smithers, B.C., from their First Nations Woodland Licence (FNWL).
The LSFMA also provides for West Fraser to work with LBN Forestry in the sustainable long-term management of the new FNWL, consistent with Lake Babine’s traditional values.
This agreement builds upon the announcement last April that LBN Forestry and West Fraser had signed a Joint Development Agreement (JDA). That JDA marked a commitment to come together to finalize this agreement to combine portions of our tenure volumes from the Bulkley and the Morice Timber Supply Areas and transfer them into a single First Nations Woodland Licence (FNWL) to be held by LBN Forestry.
Like the Joint Development Agreement, this LSFMA is a first of its kind for West Fraser.
This agreement is an important step in creating a path to long-term stability in the forest sector and for communities through the recognition of Lake Babine Nation’s role as the resource steward in its traditional territory.
Sean McLaren, President and CEO, West Fraser
“It marks the start of a new relationship in terms of the management of B.C.’s forestry resource while providing a measure of fibre security for West Fraser. We are hopeful to create more partnerships like this one to help restore a thriving forest sector in the province.”
Lake Babine Nation is one of the largest Indigenous nations in B.C., with over 2,500 members. Located in the Northwestern-Central Interior of British Columbia, its territory is centred around Babine Lake, the Province’s longest natural lake. The Nation established LBN Forestry in 2016 to grow Lake Babine’s role in forestry and forest management—a key priority for the Nation.
This agreement is a significant milestone marking the implementation of the Lake Babine Nation Foundation Agreement that was signed with the Province on September 18, 2020.
Wilf Adam, Chief, Lake Babine Nation
“Forestry is a major pillar of the Foundation Agreement and this agreement with West Fraser provides us with the foundation for increased economic opportunity with participation in the forest sector through business development and long-term employment opportunities for our members. This new FNWL will also provide for increased governance over our territory’s resources, which supports improved fibre security to forest sector businesses in the region.”
Now, with the LSFMA in place, the next step is for the Province of British Columbia to proceed with the tenure disposition for the new FNWL. It is expected that this will be completed this spring.
