A community group states its expectation that the chief forester will consider the importance of protecting and preserving natural values within the timber supply area, and that a fair and representative measure of these same values will remain intact for future generations.
Six individual submissions and one community submission call for diversification of the economies of communities in the Prince George Timber Supply Area. Emphasis is placed on development of both value-added industry and tourism. It is suggested lower harvest levels will allow greater development of both industries.
Two forest industry submissions express concern about regional disparity, noting the economic hardships faced by some communities when fibre extracted in one district is removed and processed elsewhere. An example cited is the Fort St. James District, where local facilities have curtailed operations and reduced employment while resources are transported away for processing by larger out-of-district companies. Both submissions call for careful consideration of the impacts of harvesting policies on resource-dependent communities within individual districts, to ensure their survival and prosperity prior to the removal of any fibre from their district.
A labour submission supports the processing of timber within the Fort St. James and Vanderhoof districts so long as it does not seriously conflict with the economies of scale offered by processing facilities in Prince George.
One labour submission quotes Minister of Forests Andrew Petter as saying, "Our responsibility goes well beyond science," and declares his words an important acknowledgment that should be heeded by the chief forester in his determination of all allowable annual cuts in the province. A community submission maintains the chief forester should determine an allowable annual cut that will not limit future employment options and diversity. One individual cautions against the use of "person-years of employment" in justifying policy.
A labour submission stresses the importance of the "culture" of forestry to provincial resource-providing communities. Culture is described as an "intangible element," but one equally as important as visual quality objectives, for instance." Accordingly, the submission asks that the allowable annual cut be considered carefully in view of its impact on the viability of small resource-providing towns and on northern British Columbia’s culture.
