A long promised pellet plant operated by a First Nations consortium is expected to be one step closer with the start of logging this fall.

Mike Lebourdais, chief of the Whispering Pines Indian Band who is heading the business group, said foresters are now planning to start logging on a 200,000 cubic metre, 15-year licence.

The consortium of High Bar, Whispering Pines, Shuswap and Little Shuswap Indian Bands will oversee the logging and is planning for the pellet plant. Lebourdais said logs cut this fall will be sold on the open market, providing jobs for First Nations people and a small amount of revenue.

Lebourdais said loggers will take 20,000 to 25,000 cubic metres of wood, about a quarter of which is green.

The ultimate goal, and reason for the licence of beetle-kill wood, is to supply a pellet plant that will export the fuel to Europe.

“We’re right in the middle of a distribution agreement with our investors,” he said.

Lebourdais said announcement of a firm contract and plans for construction could be made this fall.

The favoured location is within Kamloops, due to its proximity to rail.