Downie Timber Ltd. CEO Nick Arkle on old growth review process

Revelstoke Mountaineer Podcast

The B.C. government's ongoing strategic review of old growth forest practices in the province has generated considerable interest in Revelstoke, an area whose harvesting and milling sector has significant dependence on old growth forests. In November, 2021, the provincial government announced another round of temporary deferrals of old growth harvesting in B.C. It followed an announcement of regional old growth deferrals in the Incomappleaux Valley area in September, 2020. In addition, there have been several protests in the Revelstoke region, including a forest service road blockade in the Apring In April of this year, the B.C. government updated on its progress to reach agreements with First Nations governments on its old growth review plans. In late April following the announcement, we reached out to Nick Arkle, CEO of the Gorman Group, which operates Selkirk Cedar and Downie Timber Ltd. in Revelstoke. In an audio interview that spans just under 30 minutes, we sought Downie's perspectives on the B.C. policy changes and how the major local employer is responding.