AG - The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, December 10, 2003 Farming could be the key to our region’s prosperity An open letter to: Roger Harris, Skeena MLA, Dear Mr. Harris: 1 would like to propose a use for the forests devas- lated by the pine beetle. Some will be replanted, of course, but the continua- tion of such infestations is likely, Rather than appor- tion all the Jands-to refor- estation, I] propose we re- plant only the most suit- able and turn, over the rest to agriculture. Perhaps we should turn over even more, but that is a sepa- rate issue. The logic for agriculture is the value addilion in not only land yield but also in the development of exist- ing communities and the construction of new. The consumer and tax base would increase and be more secure as a result. But that is only if agricul- turally based, note (industry, historically, follows). To turn over the crown land and licenses to pri- Vate and corporate agricul- ture would require. some negotiation, but the bene- fits are mutual, so an easy purpose exists to compel. . the negotiation, In B.C., we really are facing the settler paradigm played out in the east of the continent 100 to 150 years ago, where, after the forests were logged, the . settlers moved in; indeed, the forests were cut for the settlers, and by them, when the governments of the day recognized the benefit of the economic shift. Forestry remains, but farmed as other crops (as also in Europe); our forest practices are like ‘sustain- ing wild salmon: we're running out of habitat, so we have to optimize loca- tion and growth to maxi- mize yield in both quantity and quality, and then adapt the rest to modified forms that promise greater benefit. ae Opening parcels of land lo agriculture, especially. -- in the interior and toward our region, would open the province to, I believe, considerable population growth, if the incentives ‘to seltlement are similar to those of the past. Of course, First Nations have to be consulted on- this: the incentive for land claims settlement will be | enhanced, as value placed in arable land puts people quickly at the table to de- termine necessary controls and desirable benefits. International as well as transprovincial immigra- tion both need considera- tion as well. In southwest- ern Ontario, for example, many Dutch, Swiss, and German farmers have been buying farms for about 20 years now as prices and — conditions in Europe make Canada more attractive to them. We have the further is- We must export for now Dear Sir: As an owner of a log- ging company that has - managed to keep a number of employees working in © -: these devastating times, I have a real concern with Les Watmough's solution {letter to the editor, Nov, - 26, 2003) for dealing with log exports, A 27 per cent export tax on logs would curtail all the harvesting operations presently working in the northwest. Exports are a symptom of an ailing forest industry. Until the provincial gov- ernment restructures the forest indusiry, log exports are needed to keep some people employed in the mills and forests of the northwest. - * Robert Wood, Terrace, B.C, CORRESPONDENCE FOR THE TERRACE STANDARD The Mail Bag sue in B.C. of no farms to buy, of the need to home- stead, but 2Ist century homesteading is. not like the 19th century's. Immi- gration would be sought from areas similar to BC as well as generally, In- centives to settle would likely be needed, as is the case in all sectors of the economy. A further consideration is options on mineral, gas and oil, and water rights, all of which are determi- . |. nable. Forest licenses would need renegotiation, but in the present climate, such renegotiation may in- terest forest companies. There are many further. considerations, of course, none, however, prohibitive, There are enough peo- ple willing to move. The question is, do we want to offer settlement of these lands or preserve them in perpetuity for forestry? Some, definitely, yes; the rest is apen for discussion, If the government alrea- dy has such an proposal in the works, [ would like to know about it. [f no such discussion exists at pres- ent, please raise the ques- tion with the party to de- termine a position. The Minister of Agriculture would certainly be inter- ested, as would the min- isters associated with job growth and and community development, Dr David Heinimann, Terrace, B.C. FRESH B.C Coburn Christmas Tree U-CUT Douglas Fir « Grand Fir Scots Pine ¢ White Pine Friday, Saturday & Sunday * Dec. 5,67 © 1Oam-4p my Friday, Saturday & Sunday * Dec. 19 & 20 ¢ 1om-4pm Bring a hand saw & rope °30.00 ea 4 a a) ae recommended good Fa snow lite or chains Cars, Old Raine Bd | Bring the family Select d tree! . 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