Nicola Valley logging contractors reach out to forestry minister on various issues
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MERRITT, B.C. — A group of Nicola Valley Logging Contractors, community members and business representatives have written a letter to the Ministry of Forests.
“The majority of logging contractors have not worked since February 2023, with no foreseen work in the near future,” reads the letter. “This affects employees, local businesses and the basic way of life for many, as well as providing regular revenue to the Province of B.C. and the First Nations communities.”
The group who wrote the letter met on May 31 to discuss many forest industry related issues and to try to understand the timber permitting process. With industries in the Nicola Valley not having permits for some time now there are lots of employees out of work and equipment waiting to be used.
“There have been very few permits issued in the Merritt Timber Supply Area in the last six months, which is causing great concern from a financial standpoint and the mental health of the employees affected,” said the release. “An estimated $100 million in logging machinery is sitting idle and therefore, approximately 350 direct employees are not receiving paycheques.”
