Comments on other ongoing government processes and issues in the Quesnel Timber Supply Area are summarized here to indicate perspectives on issues that may influence timber supply in the future.
Cariboo-Chilcotin Land Use Plan
Several submissions suggest that it is imperative to consider the recent land use decisions made for the Cariboo-Chilcotin in the determination of an allowable annual cut.
One person comments that the Cariboo-Chilcotin Land Use Plan targets for other resources such as fish and wildlife appear to be flexible while timber targets are not.
The Quesnel River Watershed Alliance commented that the Cariboo-Chilcotin Land Use Plan has resulted in protection of one third of the Quesnel River watershed and this has not been recognized in the Timber Supply Review process. The alliance input also states that the land use plan does not adequately protect all ecosystems in the Quesnel River watershed.
Forest Practices Code
Consideration of the implications of the Forest Practices Code Act is raised as an important issue in several of the submissions.
The Quesnel River Watershed Alliance indicates the Forest Practices Code Act will contribute to the conservation of habitats if it is promptly and properly implemented.
The Quesnel Timber Supply Association states that some of the regulations described in the Forest Practices Code Act have been modelled in a manner consistent with its intent during the Timber Supply Review.
Forest sector employment
Several of the submissions propose that more employment should be created from each cubic meter of timber harvested. Suggestions to increase the ratio of jobs created ranged from using more labour intensive harvesting methods and increasing value-added manufacturing to restoring environmentally degraded lands. One submission also indicates the importance of guide-outfitting, trapping, mid- and backcountry recreation and tourism to a diversified economy
Other input
The Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks states they were not brought into the Timber Supply Review process and that decisions may have been made in the analysis that do not reflect their agency's resource management objectives.
