The main issue raised in the Discussion Paper that prompted public input was the allowable annual cut.
The licensee review states that the allowable annual cut should remain at the current level, and points to the opportunity to increase timber supply through Forest Renewal B.C.’s enhanced silviculture programs. The industry is confident in the timber supply analysis, and believes the outcome is based on well-founded information not estimates.
The District of Houston also supports maintenance of the allowable annual cut at the current level. Its submission says this will maintain the status quo and assure the future and stability of forestry-related industries, services and employment opportunities. The district believes the base case is a conservative portrayal; current initiatives (harvesting lower volume stands, intensive silviculture through Forest Renewal B.C., etc.) and better information (definition of visually and environmentally sensitive areas, etc.) suggest the land base and its productivity have been underestimated in the Forest Service analysis.
The individual respondent makes the point that, in setting the allowable annual cut, it is important to consider the impacts of different rates of cut on other economic sectors, such as tourism and fisheries. This individual is also of the opinion that the allowable annual cut should be based on a conservative estimate of what land base might be available in the future, given anticipated changes resulting from protected areas, First Nations treaty negotiations, etc.
