Moola, F.M., Martin, D., Wareham, B., Calof, J., Burda, C., Grames, P.David Suzuki Foundation, 2211 West 4th Avenue, Vancouver B.C., Canada, V6K 4S2
The Central and North Coast and Haida Gwaii/Queen Charlotte Islands regions of British Columbia (B.C.) contain the world's largest remaining areas of intact coastal temperate rainforest. The region has been the focus of intense conflict among environmentalists, forestry companies, First Nations and other interests over the management of these high conservation value old growth forests. Recently completed land use planning processes have recommended increasing protection and improving forest practices on the rest of the landbase to more environmentally responsible methods defined by the guiding principles of Ecosystem Based Management (EBM). Based on an audit of logging plans (silvicultural prescriptions) approved between January 15, 2002 and February 24, 2003, The David Suzuki Foundation recently assessed current logging practices in the region. While forestry companies are not legally obliged to use the recommended EBM standards at this time, our assessment underscores how current logging practices fail to meet agreed-upon EBM standards. Firstly, clearcutting remains the dominant method of logging and where alternative methods have been attempted, in-block retention levels are low. Secondly, little effort has been demonstrated that would protect small fish-bearing streams (including salmonid bearing streams) or their tributaries within managed forest stands.
