Time to focus on forestry
We are in the midst of National Forestry Week and it is a great time to remember that much of what we have in Stikine, and in the province, came from revenues generated by our forests.
It is also time to talk about the important role forestry still plays, and will play in the future, and what government can do to improve the current situation.
The fact that we are not devoting appropriate resources to silviculture and forest health has been pointed out by forestry experts. This is really a case of shooting ourselves in the foot when it comes to future employment in rural areas. Silviculture contractors estimate there will be 170 million fewer seedlings planted in this province compared to peak years, and the Western Silviculture Contractors Association figures there will be another 30 million fewer planted next year. This at a time when at least 13 million hectares of mountain pine beetle-impacted lands have not been sufficiently restocked. We are not planning well for our future in remote, rural, northern communities.
It isn’t just pine-beetle areas that need attention. Many plantations in the Northwest are 15-20 years old but have been ignored and are in dire need of work such as spacing to reach their full potential more quickly.
Meanwhile the government, through the Nechako Lakes MLA, announced to local governments in early August an intensive silviculture strategy to be phased in this fall. Six weeks later, communities have heard nothing. Winter is looming just around the corner. I have written to the Forests Minister to emphasize the need for this program to begin right away, especially as it was a very thin year for government silviculture contracts in the Northwest and people desperately need the work.
There is hope in forestry. A great example is the reopening of Kyah Wood Products in Moricetown, which is now employing more than 40 people. I toured the finger joint plant last week and the mill’s new technology and the pride people have in the product it is producing are impressive.
We could see more on the value-added side in our area if government reformed the tenure system. Such reforms could make it easier for local wood to benefit local communities, and foster more entrepreneurial efforts on the production end.
It all can be done if forestry gets the attention it deserves.