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Fibre Recovery Harvesting projects typically create residuals known as slash or wood waste. In British Columbia, forest operators have a legal obligation to reduce fire hazards post-harvest and one of the ways to do this is to make big piles of slash at the roadside and burn it at lower risk times of year. Many forest operators would prefer to utilize this wood fibre rather than burn it but one of the biggest challenges is that the value of the wood waste is lower than the cost to haul it to a facility like a pellet plant, co-generation electrical plant, or pulp mill. Through grants that help cover transportation costs, we support organizations and companies who want to use the leftover wood fibre. This means that instead of burning slash piles, the wood fibre is put to good use and supports our province’s bioeconomy and climate change goals. Here are a few of the exciting projects from across B.C. that we have funded to increase fibre utilization.
“ In today’s climate, every piece of available fibre must be utilized. Through the support of FESBC, uneconomical, non-sawlog material north of Mackenzie is now available for greater utilization; as well, it will reduce greenhouse gases by not burning. We are very grateful and proud to be a part of this movement and this change and we hope to continue down this path for the future.” • John-Paul Wenger, K & D Logging Ltd.
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