maintaining older forests and biodiversity
An individual submission states that keeping 10 per cent of the forest in stands 100 years or older at all times is inadequate to protect biological and genetic diversity.
A forest industry respondent asserts there is no biological basis for retaining aspen clones in a state of "old age" since aspen is an early seral stage of the boreal mixed wood forest. It recommends instead the maintenance of all forest stages on a rotational basis across the landscape, in order to protect wildlife values and permit the harvesting of older aspen forests.
The interest group declares the amount of riparian areas excluded from the harvesting land base may be insufficient, given the extent of the productive land base located within valley bottoms or riparian habitat areas. It also recommends marginal stands in wilderness areas be removed from the land base to protect wildlife, backcountry recreation and tourism values (including guide-outfitting).
A forest industry respondent reports its analysis showed that removal of all age requirements increased the timber supply by only 1.4 per cent, comparable to the increment shown in the Timber Supply Analysis.
environmental implications
The interest group expresses concern that although possible environmental impacts are identified in the analysis, no solutions are proposed, and the impacts of these concerns on timber supply are not calculated. It urges that these measures be undertaken before harvesting is permitted.
employment and community implications
A forest industry submission maintains that, contrary to the Socio-Economic Analysis, the forest sector provides the most stable long-term employment opportunities for residents of the Fort St. John Timber Supply Area.
The interest group notes that the Discussion Paper shows employment generated by tourism (9 per cent) exceeding employment generated by forestry (8 per cent). The group concludes that the value of tourism must be considered more important than that of forestry on a district-wide basis, and much more important in areas of international importance such as the Northern Rockies.
First Nations
According to a forest industry submission, as First Nations gain more experience and expertise, they will become increasingly involved in planning, harvesting, silviculture and manufacturing. This will mean that First Nations will become less dependent on traditional sustenance activities.
