Employment and community impacts
The Community Task Force maintains that, apart from any adjustments to timber supply in the Mackenzie Timber Supply Area, the local industry is feeling the effects of a shrinking wood supply outside the timber supply area. The task force’s analysis indicates that one of the four sawmills in Mackenzie may be at risk, which could threaten the pulp mill also. It points out this would have serious impacts on a community highly dependent on the forest industry.
The forest industry workers’ union submission questions whether rationing of older forests until previously harvested areas become merchantable will occur and what effect that would have on mills.
The union also questions the statement in the Forest Service analysis that all pulp mill and sawmill workers are local residents, noting that some commute to homes and families in Prince George.
Non-timber values
The Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks is concerned that the extensive use of uncertain data results in an overly optimistic projection of timber supply. The agency says this has the potential for significant negative impacts on biodiversity, wildlife and recreation. Specific concerns are:
• the amount of older forests needed to meet biodiversity requirements is underestimated in the Forest Service analysis
• a one per cent reduction for riparian areas is insufficient
• the measures proposed for wildlife protection are inadequate; more areas of restricted harvesting to protect wildlife values will likely be sought by this agency
• the area identified as visually sensitive is very small
An individual submission agrees with the Forest Service analysis that the Wasi Valley is a visually sensitive zone, but outlines other concerns:
• loss of security for private property with increased logging road access
• negative effects on high quality wildlife habitat from road access
• impacts of logging on fish-bearing streams and lakes
This individual asks that logging be deferred in visually and environmentally sensitive areas until harvest methods are developed and proven to reduce or eliminate impacts on other values.
First Nations
One First Nation submission notes no treaty was ever signed regarding their homeland and emphasizes their interest in managing their land for the perpetual yield of natural resources. The submission states that overall timber supply may or may not be reduced by the settlement of land claims, since settlement may or may not involve land. About 125 people have hereditary ties to this homeland; an economic base is needed to bring them home from the city, so the availability of a timber supply for First Nations licences and woodlots is important.
This submission also points out that Mackenzie is only 30 years old and expresses the opinion that people living there come and go, with no long-term roots in the community. The opinions of stakeholders whose past and future are tied to the land should take precedence over others, including major licensees.
