The Discussion Paper states that the results of decisions from the East Kootenay Land-Use Plan and from implementation of the Forest Practices Code are not included in this Timber Supply Review. However, two submissions from the East Kootenay Environmental Society declare these initiatives must be considered. Otherwise, conclusions will be based on outdated information and management practices.
Two submissions note that the effects of timber supply reductions could be modified through changes in the tenure system, making more wood available to small manufacturers and woodlots.
Several comments were made on the process of the Timber Supply Review:
• more information should be available to the public about the impacts of various constraints
• the proposed allowable annual cut determination and rationale should be released for comment prior to the final determination
• environmental concerns and impacts were mentioned rather than addressed, and the analysis was based more on volumes of wood to be harvested than on biological integrity
• the review shows a bias for biological conservatism over social conservatism. The latter means that given the uncertainties in the analysis, timber supply levels should be maintained and human hardship avoided
• an immediate start to improving inventories and process tools for the next Timber Supply Review is needed
