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Current Part 13 Old Growth Deferral Areas

Last updated on May 29, 2025

Crown land can be established as "designated areas" under Part 13 of the Forest Act. This allows Government to issue Ministerial orders to direct activities within the designated area, including suspending forestry operations. Deferrals under Part 13 are legally enforceable. There are currently 6 designated areas under three Part 13 orders.

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Old Growth Designated Area No. 1

In September 2020, the Province implemented ten Part 13 deferrals in partnership with First Nations on 196,000 hectares of old growth forests throughout B.C. under Old Growth Designated Area No.1, which included the following areas:

  • Clayoquot Sound
  • Crystalline Creek
  • H'Kusam
  • McKelvie Creek
  • Seven Sisters
  • Skagit-Silver Daisy
  • Stockdale Creek
  • Upper Southgate River
  • Central Walbran Area
  • Incomappleux Valley (north)

In January 2023, Incomappleux Valley (north) was removed from Old Growth Designated Area No. 1 and the Incomappleux Valley (south) Designated Area No. 1 was established.

In March 2024, five of the Old Growth Designated Area No. 1 areas transitioned to voluntary deferral status with agreement from First Nations and industry:

  • Clayoquot Sound
  • H’Kusam
  • Upper Southgate River
  • Seven Sisters
  • McKelvie Creek

The remaining four areas that are part of Old Growth Designated Area No. 1 have been extended as a Part 13 deferral until September 2026 while long-term stewardship conversations continue.

Central Walbran Area: 1,489 hectares (1,150 hectares of old growth)

The Central Walbran Valley on southern Vancouver Island, located next to the Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park, is home to grand old-growth coastal rainforest, including majestic and culturally important western red cedar.

Crystalline Creek: 9,595 hectares (921 hectares of old growth)

A tributary of the south fork of the Spillimacheen River, an intact watershed with wetland complexes and old and mature forests.

Skagit-Silver Daisy: 5,745 hectares (1,486 hectares of old growth)

Largely intact transition forest between coastal and interior types, with species representative of both, including sub-alpine fir, western and mountain hemlock, western red and yellow cedar and Douglas fir, home to wildlife including spotted owls.

​Stockdale Creek: 11,515 hectares (1,093 hectares of old growth)

Old and mature forests in an intact watershed, an important wildlife corridor with high-value grizzly bear habitat.

Chronology of Old Growth Designated Area No. 1:

Fairy Creek Watershed Designated Area No. 1

In June 2021, the Fairy Creek Watershed Designated Area No. 1 was established on the request of the Hereditary Chiefs of Pacheedaht, Ditidaht and Huu-ay-aht First Nations to defer logging in Fairy Creek.

The Fairy Creek watershed, located northeast of Port Renfrew on Vancouver Island, is home to beautiful coastal old growth rainforest and marbled murrelet.

It is 1,184 hectares in size, of which 883 hectares are old growth.

Chronology of Fairy Creek Watershed Designated Area No. 1

Incomappleux Valley South Designated Area No. 1

In January 2023, the Incomappleux Valley (south) Designated Area No. 1 was established.

It is inland rainforest with intact riparian habitats, more than 250 lichen species, lowland forests and old-growth forests estimated to be between 800 and 1,500 years old.

It is 16,400 hectares, of which 2,679 hectares is old growth.

Chronology of Incomappleux Valley South Designated Area No. 1

Contact information

Email
oldgrowthbc@gov.bc.ca