Community-Based Initiatives
Announced For Oil And Gas
It was recently announced that a package of innovative, community-based initiatives related to oil and gas development has been created to enhance community life and improve relations between landowners and industry in northeastern B.C. Several program and regulatory areas, including those identified in the BC Energy Plan, have been developed. See the News Release.

BC Strengthens Position Against
Uranium Development
Following a request by the Province's Environment and Land Use Committee, the Lieutenant-Governor in Council has issued an order-in-council to prevent permits from being issued for uranium and thorium exploration and development in B.C. See Order in Council 208 and the Information Bulletin.

Amendments Strengthen Community
and Woodlot Tenures
Changes to the Forest Act will cut red tape for woodlots and improve operating certainty for community forests, it was recently announced. Under 2009 Bill 13, the Forest Amendment Act, 2009, community forest agreements will be issued for a replaceable term of 25 years, and five-year probationary community forest agreements will be eliminated. Current probationary agreement holders will be able to transition to a 25-year term at any time prior to the expiry of their agreement. See the News Release.

Net Earnings For Canadian Forest
and Paper Industry Drops Even Further
The Canadian forest, paper and packaging industry has not been immune to the economic downturn. Aggregate fourth quarter 2008 net earnings of 13 of the largest Canadian FPP companies plummeted to -C$1.3 billion from -C$226 million in Q3 2008 and -C$438 million in Q4 2007. See the News Story as published by CNW Group.

Low Blend Bio-diesel to be
Mandatory in 2010
BC’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction (Renewable and Low Carbon Fuel Requirements) Act will have a five per cent minimum annual average renewable content in gasoline and diesel, beginning in 2010. This means people can expect to be buying diesel next winter that has some level of bio diesel content. According to Paul Landry, CEO of the BC Trucking Association, in areas where winter climates don’t allow for 5% bio content, it will probably be 2%, which has been successfully tested for winter use in Alberta. That means that other areas of the province will likely have a higher proportion, in order to maintain the provincial average of 5%. See the News Story in "Rumblings".

Fish Passage at Stream Crossings -
Special Investigation Report
This Forest Practices Board report presents the results of an investigation of fish passage at stream crossings in 19 watersheds in the central and northern interior and on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. In total, 1,110 crossings of fish-bearing streams were examined. Each watershed had a mix of crossings built before the implementation of the 1995 Forest Practices Code of British Columbia Act (the Code), after the implementation of the Code, and also after the replacement of the Code with the Forest and Range Practices Act (FRPA) in 2004. See the Full Report.

Plants: A Source Of "Green" Plastic?
Most plastics are derived from fossil fuels, but new research suggests that soon it may be possible to "grow" plastics. With around 100 million tonnes of plastics used each year worldwide, finding a renewable and biodegradable source of plastics could help reduce both carbon emissions and landfill waste. See the News Story as reported by "Environmental Expert".