News Environment & Sustainability Forestry
Lake Babine Nation, West Fraser sign joint agreement for sustainable forest management

West Fraser has signed a Joint Development Agreement (JDA) with Lake Babine Nation Forestry Limited Partnership (LBN Forestry), the forestry company of Lake Babine Nation, located in Burns Lake B.C. Under the JDA, both parties are agreeing to combine portions of their 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 the Lake Babine Nation.

“The Joint Development Agreement and the associated FNWL will empower Lake Babine Nation and LBN Forestry to manage the forests and conduct forestry in keeping with our stewardship priorities and contribute to our Nation’s prosperity,” said Chief Murphy Abraham. “This agreement will contribute to the durability of forestry in our region and deliver employment and long-term benefits to the Lake Babine people, other residents, and the regional forestry sector.”

“This agreement recognizes the central role the Lake Babine Nation has in stewarding resources in its traditional territory, while providing a measure of fibre security for West Fraser,” said Sean McLaren, president and CEO, West Fraser. “Partnerships like this one will be key to restoring a thriving forest sector in the province.”