The B.C. government welcomed today's news that Hampton Affiliates Ltd. is committed to rebuilding its Babine Forest Products mill in Burns Lake.
In September, the company announced that it intended to rebuild the mill subject to certain conditions being met and that a final decision would be made in December.
One of the conditions was assurance of adequate timber supply.
To that end, ministry staff worked collaboratively and transparently with Hampton, the area's six First Nations, the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako, Village of Burns Lake and other forest licensees to identify timber supply to support a manufacturing facility.
Since September, the ministry has extended formal offers for a community forest agreement and for a non-replaceable forest licence to the six First Nations and the local governments.
They have until March 31, 2013, to formally respond to the offers and submit their applications.