Written by Gordon Hoekstra
Citizen staff
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Thursday, 05 November 2009 |
Salvage logging of beetle-killed pine in north-central B.C. is creating unexpected, large openings in the forest that need to be addressed, says the province's forest watchdog.
The B.C. Forest Practices Board report found that at least seven very large openings -- of 10,000 hectares or more -- have emerged in the Prince George and Quesnel areas. Two are northwest of Prince George, four are west of Quesnel and another is northeast of Quesnel. (The exact locations can be found at page 27 in the report at www.fpb.gov.bc.ca/news.aspx?id=4936).
The openings emerged as a result of relatively isolated but well-intentioned decisions about where to place individual salvage cut blocks, noted the board.
The large openings have much less old-forest reserved from logging that was recommended by B.C.'s chief forester.
“There is enough old forest remaining in the area to meet the chief forester’s recommendations,” said Forest Practices Board chairman Bruce Fraser. “But government needs to act quickly to ensure it is not logged as the salvage effort proceeds, and as other uses for the wood, like bioenergy, are developed," said Fraser.
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 05 November 2009 )
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