EDITOR,
I wish to compliment The Chief and reporter Meagan Robertson on the substantial article on local forest management issues in last week's paper ("Balanced tree harvest becoming more crucial," The Chief, Nov. 19).
The "proactive way of managing the resource" that forester John Howe refers to begins and ends with public awareness and support.
I am quoted in the article as saying, "if B.C. residents don't request significant AAC reductionin the Soo timber supply, local direct and indirect jobs and revenues will be negatively affected." That would be misleading.
Instead, expanding the market for currently under-utilized grades and species (hemlock, balsam) is the solution. There are a number of ways we could demonstrate and encourage new wood products and uses, locally.
The really good news in the Soo Timber Supply Area discussion paper is that the available timber harvest is expected to be increasing over the long term.
Eric Andersen
Squamish
