Comments on other ongoing government processes in the Sunshine Coast Timber Supply Area are summarized here to indicate perspectives on issues that may influence timber supply in the future.
Protected Areas Strategy
Many concerns about the effect of the Protected Areas Strategy on the allowable annual cut are raised. Several respondents contend that the impacts of the Protected Areas Strategy should have been included in the review and that special management considerations are needed.
Remove protected areas such as the Tetrahedron Wilderness Protected Area from the timber harvesting land base (approximately 0.4 per cent of the timber harvesting land base).
Protected areas must be designated to ensure balanced and sustainable use of the forested land base in keeping with the diversity of values represented.
The Protected Areas Strategy, biodiversity requirements and multiple use management should be sufficient to address preservation concerns. That portion of the forest left as working forest should be managed to maximize forest product yields.
First Nations
Five submissions state that before any activity takes place on Crown Lands it must be determined whether or not the proposed activity will infringe aboriginal rights and land claims.
Forest Renewal British Columbia
Two submissions state that Forest Renewal British Columbia is a step in the right direction.
Forest Practices Code
Many respondents contend that the effects of the Forest Practices Code should have been incorporated into the review.
More than twenty-five respondents are concerned that riparian zones and requirements for wildlife habitat under the Forest Practices Code were not included in the analysis. One respondent maintains that the harvesting of timber adjacent to riparian areas will negatively affect many wildlife species. A buffer of 15 metres on each side of a stream is totally inadequate for maintenance of habitat. Moreover, reduction of large-diameter snags will result in negative impacts on dependent species.
One industry submission recommends that all possible options be explored to accommodate full implementation of the Forest Practices Code while maintaining the current harvest level.
