Lake Babine Nation Signs Joint Development Agreement with West Fraser

On April 8, 2024 the Lake Babine Nation, located in Burns Lake B.C., announced that its forestry company, Lake Babine Nation Forestry Limited Partnership (LBN Forestry), signed a Joint Development Agreement (JDA) with West Fraser. 

Under the JDA, West Fraser and LBN Forestry will combine portions of our 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. BC Timber Sales will also contribute volume to the new FNWL.
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“This agreement recognizes the central role the Lake Babine Nation has in stewarding resources in its traditional territory, while providing a measure of fiber security for West Fraser. Partnerships like this one will be key to restoring a thriving forest sector in the province.”
_{Sean McLaren, President and CEO, West Fraser}

 
This is the first Agreement of its kind for West Fraser and is expected to be finalized by the fall of 2024. 

“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.” 

Lake Babine Nation is one of the largest Indigenous nations in B.C., with over 2,500 members. Its Territory is centred around Babine Lake, the Province’s longest natural Lake. Lake Babine has five communities: Wit’at (Fort Babine), Nedo’ats (Old Fort), Tachet, Donald’s Landing/Pinkut and Woyenne.

Lake Babine will be the owner of the tenure and will engage West Fraser to co-manage their tenure interests. We believe it enhances the long-term fiber supply and security for West Fraser.