Forest Ecosystems
The Quesnel River Watershed Alliance suggests that the timber supply analysis does not incorporate an understanding of the interconnected and interdependent characteristics of forest ecosystems. The analysis results do not predict risks to conservation values. They suggest an approach that ensures that human community values are maintained and determines how forests are able to support those values.
One individual submission supports this view and specifies that the influence of changes in soil quality, micro-climate, global climate, biodiversity and hydrology are key areas of uncertainty in predicting future forest growth. Another person indicates that extended rotations or increased deferrals of harvest are beneficial to biodiversity conservation.
Wildlife habitat
The Quesnel River Watershed Alliance states that the current areas of wildlife habitat excluded in the timber supply analysis are not credible because they are positioned to include inoperable and non-merchantable forest types and are based on out dated wildlife data. Their input also suggests that populations of sensitive wildlife species are threatened because of shifts from older, more diverse forests to younger simpler plantations and the impacts of other human activities.
Problem forest types
C&C Wood Products Ltd. suggests that proper management after initial harvest of sites which are currently classed as problem forest types would effectively double future yields as compared to the present volumes found on these sites. They base this conclusion on harvesting experience in these stands since 1986.
Roads, landings and skid trails
One individual indicates that the land base reduction for roads and landings was underestimated by a factor of three or four times.
Site productivity loss
Concern was expressed that future reduction in site productivity caused by soil compaction and pollution was not adequately recognized in the analysis.
Utilization standards
The C & C Wood Products' submission states that utilization standards should be the same on all tenures. Their company standards were suggested to be the best alternative. The submission suggests that implementation of these standards could increase the volume recovered from each hectare harvested.
