Timber harvesting on North Thompson 1

Simpcw First Nation is applying to Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) for a Section 5 Timber Permit on the North Thompson IR #1 to widen the right of way on the power line that serves the community. The project overlaps non-CP lands within IR#1 and provincial forest land within Woodlot 380. The project area is 14.0 ha, varies in width from 30m to 40m over a distance of approximately 4.4 km and is adjacent to the BC Hydro powerline that serves the community.

The project will remove all trees that could reach the powerline and water treatment plant. The project is in response to; increasingly higher wind events; increasing tree heights; increasing tree mortality from bark beetles; and increasing risk of loss of power to the water supply for the fire department during extreme wildfire weather conditions. Despite ongoing maintenance by BC Hydro falling contractors, falling trees do contact the powerline leading to loss of power to the community or to ignition of wildfires. On April 2, 2024 a high wind event caused a tree to contact the powerline which started a wildfire within 400m of residences and the community center. A wildfire this early in the year caused a lot of apprehension in the Simpcw First Nation community and adjacent ranches, especially in light of the catastrophic wildfires in nearby communities the previous summer. There is a high level of support by the community for this project to be implemented as soon as possible.

The project has been formally approved by Simpcw First Nation

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Latest update

Notice of intent to make a determination

Harvesting of  timber, road building activities to widen a right of way adjacent to a powerline on North Thompson 1 – Public Comments Invited

January 8, 2025 – Indigenous Services Canada must determine whether the proposed  harvesting of timber on North Thompson1 located in the vicinity of Barriere, BC is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

To help inform this determination, Indigenous Services Canada is inviting comments from the public respecting that determination.

The Proposed Project: forestry road building, timber harvesting, timber processing, load and haul.

Written comments must be submitted by February 7 2025 to:

Alexandre Vignola

Alexandre.vignola@sac-isc.gc.ca.

Participate

Contacts

ALEXANDRE VIGNOLA
600-1138 Melville Street
Vancouver, BC.
Vancouver, British Columbia V8B 0X4
Telephone: 604-363-2763
Email: alexandre.vignola@sac-isc.gc.ca


Disclaimer

This map is for illustrative purposes. The markers represent the approximate locations based on available data. More than one marker may be identified for a given assessment.

  • Location

    • North Thompson IR #1 (British Columbia)

  • Nature of Activity

    • Forestry

  • Assessment Status

    In progress

  • Start Date

    2025-02-07

  • Proponent

    Simpcw First Nation

  • Authorities

    • Indigenous Services Canada

  • Assessment Type

    Project on federal lands

  • Reference Number

    89162

Nearby assessments

...within 200 kilometres
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