The mayor of Clearwater says stakeholders involved in a proposed forest tenure transfer in his region are waiting on the province to make a decision.

Merlin Blackwell says he thinks a decision will come soon on Canfor’s proposed $60-million-dollar transfer of its cutting rights to Interfor.

“That said, unlike Fort St. James, there’s no indication that a mill will come back,” Blackwell says, in regards to a tenure transfer from Conifex to Hampton Lumber, which was approved by the province on Oct. 25, and Hampton’s plan to open a new mill.

“Fort St. James was in a different position with a lot of wood in the bush that hadn’t been cut, about a nine or 10-year timber supply out in the bush waiting to be cut to my understanding. And that’s why a mill is coming along with that process there.”

The transfer was proposed five months ago, and Blackwell says he’s confident forest partners, First Nations and other local stakeholders are ready for a decision to be made.

Canfor proposed the sale in June to Interfor and it needs provincial approval under the newly-created Bill 22.

“I think because of the statuatory decision-making process and the Minister of Forests being in that position, they do have to stand a little bit back on that. But I do have a feeling – this is my personal feeling – that we will have a deal on that, and it won’t be too far off.”