Comments on other ongoing government processes in the Okanagan Timber Supply Area are summarized here to indicate perspectives on issues that may influence timber supply in the future.
Protected Areas Strategy
Respondents comments vary regarding the best way to incorporate the impact of the Protected Areas Strategy. Some suggest the Protected Areas Strategy should be reviewed and included in the Forest Service analysis immediately; others note that in five years a more realistic assessment of its impact can be made.
Some submissions express a concern that there are not enough protected areas in the timber supply area and, in particular, the headwaters of the Seymour River should be developed into a provincial park. It is suggested that the Central Okanagan Regional Board’s policies should be factored into the Protected Areas Strategy study areas and that all Protected Areas Strategy proposals should be factored into the allowable annual cut decision (including Upper Shorts Creek area, McDougall Rim, Greystokes and Upper Little White area).
Several respondents believe the Protected Areas Strategy is too restrictive and that too many restrictions have been made without a proper impact assessment. A cost/benefit analysis is needed before any further reduction in the land base or the allowable annual cut occurs.
Forest Renewal Plan
Seventeen respondents provide the following comments on the Forest Renewal Plan:
• implementation of the plan will encourage healthier forests and shorter rotations
• the plan will assist in replacing jobs lost to reductions in harvest levels
• the plan will not produce jobs for laid-off workers, instead it will produce another level of government and more bureaucrats
• existing silviculture workers will be displaced by newly trained silviculture workers
• keep harvesting at present level to keep people working and put more revenue into the Forest Renewal fund
• in keeping with the plan, small operators should be permitted to salvage waste wood left by the major licensees
• increase Forest Renewal Plan funding 50 to 65 per cent for intensive silviculture
• effort is required in reforestation and up-keep of new forests
Forest Practices Code
Seven respondents comment on the Forest Practices Code. Some want to see the scope of the Forest Practices Code expanded. Others want to see a final draft of the Forest Practices Code to determine its objectives. A few comment that the Code along with the Commission on Resources and Environment restrict opportunities for earning a living in the forest industry.
One respondent maintains that the Code and other guidelines do not compensate for the environmental degradation which will result if harvesting is continued at the current rate.
Some submissions state a preference for enactment of the Code and completion of a land use planning process for the Shuswap Okanagan before any changes are made to the allowable annual cut. Others suggest the Forest Practices Code should have been included in the Timber Supply Review and are concerned that waiting five years until the next determination will result in the loss or degradation of important natural areas and wildlife habitats.
Timber Supply Review process
Several comments are made on the Timber Supply Review process:
• more time is needed for review and further studies
• the chief forester should release a proposed allowable annual cut determination, along with a rationale report, for public comment prior to the final determination
• hold open houses in more locations (e.g., in Penticton as well as Kelowna). Contact key respondents and groups that have continually shown interest in the process
Other comments
Comments are made on a wide range of other topics:
• need to assess the impact of technology on the future requirements for wood products
• need further studies on the mid-years of tree growth (20 to 60 years)
• land claims need to be considered
• industry should be open to input from the public about alternative uses for harvested timber
• prohibit the export of raw logs
• continue the operation of a log market
• continue the use of intensive silviculture practices
