In order to carry out a timber supply analysis, the land base available for timber harvesting must be defined. The timber harvesting land base of the Merritt Timber Supply Area was determined by deducting all areas which were considered to be unavailable for harvest at the time of the analysis. Several of the deductions prompted comment.
Roads, landings and trails
The Merritt Forest Licencees believe the 11.3 per cent reduction for roads, landings and trails is conservative. Their examination produced a figure three per cent less for existing losses and 0.4 per cent less for future losses.
Inoperable areas
The Merritt Forest Licencees state that definition of inoperable areas should be completed prior to the next analysis.
Reduction for Stoyoma Mountain
The Merritt Forest Licencees assert that Stoyoma Mountain should not have been removed from the timber harvesting land base in the Forest Service analysis as the area has not been designated as wilderness.
