A range of input was received regarding the timber supply analysis conducted by the Forest Service. The input is summarized under the following topics:
coniferous volume estimate
A forest industry submission states the coniferous volumes used in the timber supply analysis are conservative. The company agrees with the inventory audit that volumes in mature pine stands are generally underestimated in the existing inventory. The significant coniferous component existing in mixed-wood and "pure deciduous" stands is noted. As well, the submission maintains that improvements in reforestation (reduced regeneration delay, expanded planting programs, improved survival rates) point to increasing long-term volumes.
With regard to problem forest types (i.e., stands of small lodgepole pine), the same respondent expresses confidence that the volume identified in the analysis is being harvested and utilized. The company says harvesting and milling technology has adapted to changes in the type and size of timber available, and notes that higher pulp prices increase the industry’s ability to utilize these forests.
Another submission contends that small pine stands have not been adequately surveyed to confirm volumes or merchantability. Another respondent claims small pine stands in most cases are not stagnated or overmature, but simply slow-growing due to soil conditions and other factors. He contends that any plan to liquidate these forests would be insensitive to environmental, wildlife and other users’ concerns.
deciduous volume estimates
An industry submission maintains deciduous volumes are underestimated in the Forest Service analysis. The company says its records over the past 10 years show an average productivity of more than 220 cubic metres per hectare, much higher than the 140 cubic metres per hectare used in the Timber Supply Review.
mixed stands
The question of minor components of deciduous volumes within forests labelled as coniferous (and vice versa) is raised in two forest industry submissions. Both say the volume of the minor component should not be allocated to the major component, as is the current practice. For example, deciduous volumes within a largely coniferous stand should contribute to the overall estimate of deciduous volume.
size of the timber harvesting land base
An industry submission questions whether sufficient area was removed from the timber harvesting land base in the timber supply analysis. The company believes some areas (such as the Narraway River) should be excluded because they are not economical to harvest.
Another industry respondent concurs with the Forest Service analysis including all deciduous areas in the timber supply analysis, rather than just those covered by pulpwood agreements. In addition, the company says deciduous lands within tree farm licenses and woodlots should also be included, particularly since pulpwood agreements overlap on tree farm licenses and those licenses do not have the right to harvest deciduous volumes and do not manage for that resource.
The company also points out that the majority of not-satisfactorily-restocked lands classified as coniferous are fully stocked with deciduous, yet this factor is not considered in estimates of the deciduous land base. With respect to mixed stands, the company says the assumption that leading conifer stands will develop into pure conifer stands is not true. Mixed stands resulting from the natural progression of these forests can provide substantial deciduous volumes.
The perspective of another industry submission is that all deciduous areas in the timber supply area should not have been considered in the analysis. The company says only current management practices were to be assumed in this analysis, and there has not been demonstrated performance in all deciduous areas. This performance and current management must be verified prior to including all deciduous areas in the timber supply analysis.
timber productivity estimates
An industry respondent states the estimates of annual growth used in the Forest Service analysis are low for deciduous (1.8 cubic metres per hectare per year). The company estimates annual growth as closer to 2.3 cubic metres per hectare per year. This would produce a 30 per cent increase in deciduous volume. The company notes a lack of adequate information about the productivity and processes of deciduous forests due to the relatively recent development of harvesting in these forests.
reliability of inventory data
An industry respondent says re-inventory is a high priority for the next Timber Supply Review, particularly given the results of the inventory audit. Another submission says the data used in the analysis is not backed by adequate re-inventory data. Surveys and/or inventories of wildlife, wildlife habitat, user concerns and logged/planted areas are needed.
regeneration delay
One respondent says current regeneration delays are unacceptable, pointing to many areas still unstocked 20 years after harvesting. Concern is expressed that large burned areas may not regenerate or, if they do, they will produce extremely dense lodgepole pine forests.
Two forest industry submissions support the use of chemical herbicides to accomplish successful vegetation management, both on old unstocked areas and on brushed-in sites.
harvest flow
An industry respondent contends that the harvest flow strategy for this timber supply area must consider the existence of the large inventory of old-growth timber. This is necessary, according to the company, to maximize future timber volumes and quality.
unsalvaged losses
Another industry submission is of the opinion that estimates of unsalvaged losses are overstated and should be reduced by 25 per cent for the next timber supply analysis. The company says this reduction in losses is due to more effective fire suppression, improved salvage of damaged timber and better access due to expanding road networks. Another respondent notes that volumes lost to wildfires and to managed fires used to improve wildlife habitat should be subtracted from available timber volumes.
