Data and assumptions
Many submissions express concern about the quality and interpretation of the data used to create the Forest Service base case timber supply forecast. Of foremost concern is the possibility that the Forest Service methods overly constrain timber supply forecasts.
Some respondents state that forest inventories are outdated and must be updated before the Forest Service is able to make sound decisions. It is also suggested that the estimate of annual tree growth and the proposed harvest age used by the Forest Service are too low, given the high proportion of spruce-balsam forests in this timber supply area. The use of spatial analysis to illustrate future harvesting patterns is suggested.
Timber harvesting land base
Fourteen respondents made suggestions regarding the size of the timber harvesting land base:
• establish a smaller land base for timber harvesting in order to protect the diverse ecology in the timber supply area
• increase the land base to lessen the impact of harvesting in special areas and to increase sustainability
• set limits on the timber harvesting land base; only expand it if the timber companies perform well
• determine timber supply by individual watershed in order to have a truly responsible ecosystem approach
• divide the timber supply area into three sustainable units, one for each district
• incorporate the former Public Sustained Yield Unit into the timber supply area
