The Terrace Standard, We

-_AACs — a guessing game

- North Kalum

w Current annual cut:

1,250,000 cu.m.

w Sustainable cut (a):

410,000 cum,

| = Percentage teduction:. 67.2%

. Projected job loss (b): 473 |

South Kalum

mw Current annual cut:

480,000 cum. w Sustainable cut (a): 400,000 cu.m.

: Percentage reduction:

16.7 %

: - Projected job loss (b): 1. 106

(a) = Timber supply review base case scenario projection. (b) = Direct and indirect across region from. Socio-economic _[ Assessment reports.

IT’S BEEN more than two years since the timber supply review on the North Kalum was

released.

Given all that time, it could be assumed that when chief

forester Larry Pedersen sets the new annual allowable cut — expected any time now — everyone in the industry and those who depend on it will know where they stand.

After all, the theory is AACs are good for five years.

Bul, if his comments on the Fraser Valley timber supply area are anything to go by, the theory may be just that.

In his rationale for the Fraser decision — a 12 per cent reduction in harvesting levels effective April 1 — Pedersen sounds a warning that applies just as much to the northwest.

Noting Forest Service staff in the Fraser were concerned the timber supply review had used figures for the volume of existing standing which overestimated what was actually there, Pedersen added preliminary findings from an invenlory audit ‘indicate a likelihood that these volumes

are indeed overestimated.’”

At the same time, he said the findings were ‘‘not conclusive at this point’’, so had not been factored into his

decision,

However, that could change.

Pedersen explained more sample plots were being established in the Fraser to try and clarify the situation and resulls were expected to be available this year,

If those results confirmed significant overestimation had laken place, “I will request an immediate review of the timber supply analysis and if I consider it appropriate at that time will redetermine the AAC at a level consistent with the

true mature wood volumes.’’

Translated, there is the potential for yet another reduction in the Fraser AAC in the near future,

That warning is important for both the North and South Kalum because district staff up here were critical of the

standing timber estimates for both.

Stories by Malcolm Baxter

~ In the case of the South Kalum, the results of ‘S50 timber

cruises found existing volumes were 18 the figures used in preparing the base case.

per-cent less than

Although the cruises were not a statistical sample of all. forest types found in the TSA, the review conceded, “‘the evidence does suggest that actual harvest volumes may be lower than estimated in the base case.”’ .

And if the trie figure is 20 per cent lower, that would require an immediate reduction in the South Kalum AAC of 10 per cent, more than triple the base case scenario,

In the North Kalum, a 20 per cent overestimate would change the picture dramatically. Instead of maintaining the current harvest for 30 years, the AAC would have to be cut five per cent immediately, then 10.5 per cent every decade -

for the next 100 years,

Another uncertainty acknowledged by Pedersen concems the amount of forest Land that will be available for logging. The Forest Act, he said, required he make a decision based on the current situation, not on what might happen. Therefore, any government decisions to preserve more old. growth or protect areas because of mushroom picking, for example, would change the available forest land and

therefore potentially affect the AAC.

Similarly, changes to rules governing ‘‘visually sensitive”? land — 32 per cent of South Kalum forests fall under that heading — could have a significant short term affect if they reduced how much of those areas can be logged or extended the delay between cutting on adjacent cutblocks,

As the expression goes, it ain’t over until it’s over. And it. :

obviously ain’t going to be over even

announcements are made,

when the AAC.

More logging trucks could fell northern tourism

INCREASING THE annual allowable cut (AAC) in the Cassiar sixfold might help the forest. industry, but it could ‘Kill tourism in the area. “Northern director Dave _ Brocklebank issued that wam- ing at the last meeting of Kitimat-Stikine regional dis- trict.”

‘He said increasing logging to that extent without ac- companying construction of sawmills to process the wood would simply translale to six times as many logging trucks on the road.

Maintaining those vehicles "were already a problem, he added, ‘“They think they’re driving on a logging road,”"

. New Hazelton director Pete Weeber dismissed the sup- posed threat to tourism.

‘He pointed out more than one million cu-m. of wood was ‘trucked along Hwy 16. be- tween Houston and Terrace each year ‘‘and thal doesn’t affect tourism.’”

Weeber also queried what would happen to the economy of the northwest if all logging trucks were banned and the highway reserved for tourists. ~ However, Brocklebank pointed oul Hwy 16 was paved while the stretch of Hwy 37 ‘north he was referring to was gravel. ‘“You can’t compare “apples and = oranges,”’ he added.

' Andy Burton of Stewart was more ‘concerned about what would happen to the wood _ once cut. An increased Cassiar

DESTROYING THE Cassiar is no way to make up for timber shortfalls in areas to the south,

That, says Monty Bassett, one-time executive director of the Spatsizi Association for Biological Research, is the position being taken by a number of groups on the conclusions of the Cassiar timber supply review.

’ Released by the Forest ministry last November, the report suggested the annual allowable cut (AAC) in the northernmost timber supply arca in the province could beincreased six-fold, to 842,000 cu.m.

_ However, Basselt pointed out, ihe review admitted there could be weaknesses in its analysis,

On the question of how

Dave Brocklebank cut could offer the opportunity of economic benefits for the northem part of the province, he suggested.

**T want to see some value- added facilities for my area,”’ he said, not just use the wood to feed southen mills — meaning Terrace, Smithers, elc.

This could be the north’s last

chance to get that type of de-

velopment, he added.

Weeber agreed the economic possibilities presented by an increased cut could not be ig- nored, the alternative being the trees were left to rot, burn or die off from insect infesta- tions.

Ultimately the directors agreed to call for no change to the Cassiar AAC unless it was part of a larger decision cover- ing all timber supply areas in the northwest.

Weeber was the lone op- ponent to the motion,

much wood is up there now, the review noted inventory information used was 20 years old ‘‘and does not contain the detail required for reliable forecasting.”’

Similarly, ‘historical data is not available to substantiate the forest growth estimates.’’

Bassett was also concerned the review did not recognize the very different character of the boreal forest which predominates in the Cassiar.

While there were limited areas of coastal forest in the valleys of the Lower Stikine, Iskut and Taku, most of the trees in the timber supply area (TSA) were very slow growing.

The arctic influence, poor soils and short growing season were all factors, he added, ©

To illustrate the point, he

LOGGING TRUCKS area familiar sight on the highways around Terrace, an indicator of economic activity. However, a Kitimat-Stikine regional district director claims the dust thrown up by hundreds . of trucks using the gravelled roads to the north could suffocate economic growth tourism there,

said a logging truck load of trees on Vancouver Island would represent about 750 growth years,

That same truck coming out of the Cassiar would be carrying 30,000 growth years.

Slow growth and smaller trees also meant a lot more land had to be cleared up north to yield the same volume from, say the Terrace area.

Bassett said a ‘‘generous’’ estimate for the yield from one hectare in the Cassiar would be 250 cu.m. compared to anything up to 600 cu.m. from around here.

And unlike the continuous: cover in this area, forests in the north tended to be scattered. Add that the lower yields and ‘‘you have to apen up four or five times the land base (in the Cassiar) to reach :

the same volume of wood,’’ he explained.

_Bassett is concerned what the effect of such Jarge scale logging would be on the caribou herds which have extensive ranges in the Cassiar.

In a report commissioned by the Northwest Guide Outfitter Association, the timber review is criticized for failing to adequately address wildlife and fisherics issues, specifically the effects of increased logging on caribou and grizzly bears,

Bassett said the suggested cutting levels would be tantamount to the ecological

destruction of the far north simply to protect saw and pulp .. mills here from the effects of.

Aimber shortages in local-

of robbing Peter to pay Paul

Suggested cutting levels would be tantamount to the ecological destruction of the far north.

ing $10,000 to $12,000 so we

vince: and check out how

‘leries, Vi Timmerman On the street Dear Sir:

|. kids and teenagers involved in

. for their activities by working

dnesday, March 15, 1995 - A5

CORRESPONDENCE FOR THE TERRACE STANDARD

The Mail Bag

Frustrating

Dear Sir:

Regarding city council's plan to attend the UBCM con- ference in Vancouver.

Recently members of the Terrace Art Association ap- proached the council request-

could employ an art gallery co-ordinator to keep the gal- lery regularly open to the pub- lic relieve the pressure on volunteers,

City council is not in favour of this bute they and their wives can fly off to Van- couver, be wined and dincd and ‘‘only spend a $100 a night for their rooms”, Why do they necd 12 people to ab- tain the same information?

They are going to spend $13,006 iz one week —- mare Money than we requested to operate the gallery for one year.

This is terribly frustrating. Perhaps councillor McDaniel could travel around the pro-

other cities treat their art gal-

The whole city wants to get

activities so that it keeps them off the street, but when rates gct increased it makes this im- possible for all kids.

Some teenagers have to pay

at part time jobs, If they have to work most of the week, how are they supposed to keep up in (heir activities.

City council is just making it harder for parents to keep their kids in the sports and then they end up on the street.

Jennifer Kuehne, Terrace Skating Club, Skater and Coach,

Confusing | Dear Sirs an

While attending the city council] recreational com- mittee mecting of Feb. 24, I found it interesting that the representative for Thornhill, Peggy Julseth, and the repre- sentative for Area C, Sandy Sandhals, were in attendance as voting members.

The main item on the agenda was the youth user fee increases for the arena and the aquatic centre, proposed to take effect July 1, 1995.

I was surprised to discover that Peggy and Sandy were in favour of the increases,

As a tax-payer of Area C and a representative of our Thornhill members, I found it somewhat confusing as to where these voting represen- tatives get their mandate.

If you are a taxpayer in ¢i- ther Arca C or Thomhill and have children who use these facilities and disagree with. these increases as proposed by this commitiec, perhaps a phone call to Peggy at 635- 3877 or Sandy at 798-2449 would heip to clarify your position.

These are your representa- tives and they do have a vote with regards to what recom- mendations go to city council, You can make a difference,

Candice Kerman, President, Blueback Swim Club,

The Start

| °They say there. is too

|| budget before there Is.

Budget

WILL TAXES go up? How much will the government spend?

We will know on March 28.

That is when the provin- cial government will release its budget.

Some. peeple say the government must cut back.

touch debt. ‘And, this could be the last

‘election.