Prepared for:

Skeetchestn Indian Band

 

 

 

 

Prepared By:

 

Cirque Resource Associates Ltd.

Kamloops, BC

 

In Association with:

 

Sunderman & Associates

Kamloops, BC

 

Under the Direction of

A.M. Anderson Skeetchestn Indian Band Natural Resources Manager

 

July 2, 2002

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION 1............................................................................................... 1

1.1���� Background........................................................................................ 1

1.2���� Approach............................................................................................ 1

1.3���� Report Structure................................................................................ 3

DEMONSTRATION FOREST RIPARIAN AREA GOALS 2��� 4

2.1���� Riparian Area Overview........................................................................ 4

2.2���� Riparian Areas..................................................................................... 4

2.3���� Skeetchestn Riparian Area Management................................................. 4

DIRECT LOGGING AND SILVICULTURE ACTIVITIES 3��� 6

3.1���� Overview............................................................................................. 6

3.2���� Direct Logging and Silviculture Costs................................................... 6

3.3���� Direct Logging Employment and Income.................................................. 7

3.4���� Direct Silviculture Employment and Income............................................ 8

3.5���� Scenario Comparisons of Direct Activity................................................ 9

INDIRECT BENEFITS 4��� ..................................................................................... 11

4.1���� Overview........................................................................................... 11

4.2 ��� Indirect Employment and Employment Income........................................ 11

4.3���� Scenario Comparisons of Indirect Activity............................................ 12

GOVERNMENT REVENUES ���� 5............................................................................ 14

5.1���� Provincial Government Revenues......................................................... 14

5.2���� Federal Government Revenues............................................................. 14

5.3���� Scenario Comparison........................................................................... 15

RIPARIAN AREAS AND THE COMMUNITY����� 6.......................................................... 16

6.1���� Community Overview........................................................................... 16

6.2 ��� Community Benefits............................................................................ 16

6.3 ��� Specific Skeetchestn Community Benefits.............................................. 17

RIPARIAN AREAS AND THE ENVIRONMENT ����� 7...................................................... 18

7.1���� Environmental Overview..................................................................... 18

7.2���� Environmental Issues.......................................................................... 18

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS����� � 8..................................................................... 20

8.1���� Summary............................................................................................ 20

8.2���� Conclusions....................................................................................... 22

APPENDIX A � DIRECT HARVESTING METHODOLOGY................................................ A-1

A-1��� Methodology Overview...................................................................... A-1

A-2��� Site Descriptions............................................................................... A-2

A-3��� Log Loading Activities....................................................................... A-3

A-4��� Calculation of Actual Site Labour and Costs...................................... A-3

A-5��� Total Logging Cost Calculations...................................................... A-4

A-6��� Logging Wage Proportions By Activity Type........................................ A-5

APPENDIX B � SILVICULTURE METHODOLOGY........................................................ B-1

APPENDIX C � INDIRECT ACTIVITY METHODOLOGY.................................................. C-1

C-1��� INDIRECT EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS............................................................. C-1

C-2��� Indirect and induced employment income estimates............................... C-2

APPENDIX D � GOVERNMENT REVENUES METHODOLOGY......................................... D-1

D-1��� Provincial Government Revenues........................................................ D-1

D-2��� Federal Government Revenues............................................................ D-2

APPENDIX E � REFERENCES................................................................................ E-1

APPENDIX F � KEY CONTACTS............................................................................. F-1

 

 

 

1.1��� Background

 

Timber volume within riparian areas can represent a significant source of high-quality fibre for the BC forest sector.� In the past these areas have often been by-passed by conventional logging operations because of steep slopes, poor bearing capacity, or generally difficult access.� Conversely riparian areas that have been harvested using conventional logging methods have often sustained significant disruption and unintended impact to the surrounding ecosystem and associated water system.

 

As pressure on BC�s timber supply increases, the question increasingly being asked is how to conduct economically viable operations within riparian areas while protecting the integrity of the riparian ecosystem.� Forest management objectives and practices in BC have changed significantly over the past several years.� Foresters now are incorporating soil characteristics, residual stand growth and health, plant and animal diversity and productivity objectives. Communities and community stakeholders are also insisting their values and uses be properly considered in forestry activities.� These often require incorporation in different ways and magnitudes than can be accomplished using conventional clearcutting systems.� It is in this context that this report explores the horse logging and light impact equipment harvest methods in riparian areas.

 

1.2��� Approach

 

This report follows the principals of Multiple Account Evaluation (MAE) framework.[1]� For the past decade, the provincial government has been using the MAE framework as one of its decision making tools in land use planning processes throughout the province.� In following the spirit of the MAE approach, this report has investigated values associated with the economic development (i.e., income and employment), provincial government finances, environment, community and First Nations concerns.��

�

Through this approach the report outlines the differences between traditional heavy machinery harvesting systems and lighter equipment/horse logging systems. The objective is to demonstrate the case for considering more horse logging and light equipment skidding and falling activities within riparian areas and other sensitive zones in the Skeetchestn Demonstration Forest proposal area.� The Skeetchestn Demonstration Forest is planned approximately 50 kilometres west of the City of Kamloops in south central BC, within Skeetchestn Traditional Territory. and is outlined in Figure 1-1.

 

 

 

FIGURE 1-1:� SKEETCHESTN TRADITIONAL TERRITORY

1.3��� Report Structure

 

This report is organized as follows:

 

�       Section 1 - Introduction

�       Section 2 defines the riparian area and outlines the goals for the Skeetchestn Demonstration Forest and the Cultural and Resource Management Zones

�       Section 3 investigates the economic development impacts from different types of popular logging systems;

�       Section 4 identifies indirect economic impacts and provincial government revenues for the various harvesting systems;

�       Section 5 overviews the environmental values associated with riparian areas and discusses the impacts from the various harvesting systems ;

�       Section 6 explores community preference from the Skeetchestn First Nation prospective;� and,

�       Section 7 provides a summary and conclusions of the report.�

 

The appendices provide detail information on the methodology and data sources used throughout the report.�

 

 

2.1��� Riparian Area Overview

 

As mentioned, the Skeetchestn Indian Band is working on the development of demonstration forest within their traditional territory.� Management of riparian areas has been identified as one of the key priorities in achieving several of the community�s objectives. Before looking more closely at the differences between logging systems, it�s important to confirm the importance of riparian areas and briefly expand on the Skeetchestn Management approach for riparian areas.

 

2.2��� Riparian Areas

 

Riparian areas are an important component of a viable watershed, particularly within the ecosystems of the Skeetchestn Traditional Territory.� Typically a watershed can be divided between the upland and the riparian area, although the two are integrally connected.� Often a riparian area may represent only one percent of the total land area within a watershed; however, its functionality and health is critical to the overall watershed�s viability.

 

A riparian zone has vegetation that, due to the presence of water, is different from the vegetation of adjacent upland areas.� Typically, riparian zones are adjacent to streams or waterbodies, but they also occur adjacent to springs and seeps. Vegetation slows the flow of water on the floodplain, thereby capturing sediment and building banks.� A healthy riparian zone acts as a sponge, which slowly releases water to the stream or wetland over the course of the season, thereby maintaining water flow or water levels.� A stream in a healthy condition should have ready access to its floodplain during high flow periods.[2]

 

Good watershed management will result in a good connection between the uplands and the riparian area and between the stream, wetland, or lake and the floodplain or associated riparian area.

 

2.3��� Skeetchestn Riparian Area Management

 

In the Skeetchestn Demonstration Forest, riparian areas of up to 100 metres on both sides of a water body will be examined. These riparian areas will be known as Cultural Resource Management Zones (CRMZs). Use of CRMZs will maximize economic return by integrating management of timber, water, wildlife, indigenous plants, and fisheries values with traditional ecological knowledge and wisdom.

 

CRMZs will be operated as a linear style research and demonstration area, highlighting low impact forest harvesting techniques, and emphasizing the relationship between continuous forest cover and continuous economic benefit to all forest resource users. After establishment, research protocols will be developed and experimental design determined in partnership with other occupants of the land. Assignment of CRMZs will effectively increase the operable land area, as riparian reserves will be included in the active management areas.� Riparian areas within Reserve boundaries will also be included in the initiative.

 

Some capacity already exists at the Band in horse logging, and this initiative would expand that opportunity, where research and business plans support it.

 

 

3.1         Overview

 

Logging activities are subject to a range of variables that can significantly impact the costs and numbers employed to harvest the site timber volume.� In order to develop comparable cost and employment values for different harvesting systems, the Forest Engineering Research Institute of Canada (FERIC) study of �Date Creek� is used. [3]� This study looks at several ground-based harvesting systems and derives costs, employment and employment income for specific logging activities. This study was supplemented with information from other FERIC reports and actual harvesting information from Kamloops area licensees (See Appendix A for detailed methodology description).

 

For the direct silviculture costs and associated employment and employment income a combination of published Ministry of Forests studies for specific silviculture activities and actual silviculture information from Kamloops area licensees has been used (See Appendix B for detailed methodology description).

 

From the direct logging and silviculture activities, coefficients were developed that compare the three different logging systems and prescriptions in a hypothetical harvest of 6,354 cubic metres from a 20.6 hectare site.�

 

3.2��� Direct Logging and Silviculture Costs

 

Three different logging systems have been developed into three different scenarios.

The logging method and the associated logging and silviculture costs for the three scenarios include:

�       Scenario 1: Mechanical falling and mechanical forwarding systems in a clear-cut silviculture prescription.� The total direct harvesting cost for Scenario 1 was determined to be $13.50 per cubic metre or $85,780 to harvest 6,354 cubic metres.� Total silviculture treatment costs were estimated at $4.75 per cubic metre or $30,180 for the entire site. Total logging and silviculture costs were $115,960.

�       Scenario 2:� Handfalling with the logs forwarded using mechanical forwarding equipment in a selective tree prescription.� The total direct harvesting cost for Scenario 2 was determined to be $25.45 per cubic metre or $161,710 for the entire site.� Total silviculture treatment costs added an additional� $1.00 per cubic metre or $6,355.� Total logging and silviculture costs were $168,065.

�       Scenario 3: Handfalling with the logs forward by using horses in a selective tree prescription.� The total direct harvesting cost for Scenario 3 was determined to be $33.67 per cubic metre or $213,940.� Total silviculture treatment costs estimated at $1.00 per cubic metre or $6,355 for the total site.� Total logging and silviculture costs were $220,295.

 

3.3��� Direct Logging Employment and Income

 

Direct Logging Employment

 

Employment coefficients were developed for each of the scenarios.� Direct logging employment coefficients are based on person-years (PYs) of employment per 1,000 cubic metres of timber harvested.[4]

 

The employment coefficients in this section are based on all on-site direct logging activities and the labour required to undertake the planning and block layout.� From the employment coefficients the associated PYs of employment created by the harvest of 6,354 cubic metres has been developed.� The employment required for the three scenarios varied as follows:

�       Scenario 1 had a total employment coefficient of 0.062 PYs per 1,000 cubic metres, which would generate approximately 0.39 PYs of employment on a harvest of 6,354 cubic metres. Overall, this would be equivalent to a six person logging crew being employed for just over 14.5 workdays on the site.

�       Scenario 2 had a total employment coefficient of 0.181 PYs per 1,000 cubic metres, which would create approximately 1.15 PYs of employment on the site.� This is equivalent to 43 days of work for a six member logging crew.

�       Scenario 3 had a total employment coefficient of 0.421 PYs per 1,000 cubic metres, which would generate approximately 2.67 PYs of employment.� This is equivalent to 100 days of work for a six member logging crew on the site.

 

Direct Logging Wage and Benefits

 

The direct wages and benefits for the scenarios are driven by the wage percent associated with the total harvesting costs.� Typically, the more heavily mechanized a harvest site is, the lower the overall wage component will be. Table 3-1 outlines the wages and benefits per cubic metre and total income associated with a harvest of 6,354 cubic metres.

 

Table 3-1: Direct Logging Wage and Benefits from a Harvest of 6,354 cubic metres.

	Scenario 1		Scenario 2		Scenario 3
	($/m3)	Total	($/m3)	Total	($/m3)	Total
Total Wages		$16,200		$63,018		$111,305
Total Benefits		$8,725		$33,932		$59,935
Total Wages and Benefits	$3.92	$24,925	$15.26	$96,950	$26.95	$171,240

 

 

 

3.4��� Direct Silviculture Employment and Income

 

Direct Silviculture Employment

 

Direct silviculture employment has been derived from the total wage and benefit income calculations by dividing the total wages by average day rates.� Total PYs of employment and total days worked for the silviculture treatment activities have been calculated for the harvest of 6,354 cubic metres.� The employment required for the three scenarios varied as follows:

�       Scenario 1, with a silviculture coefficient of 0.046 PYs per 1,000 cubic metres, would generate direct silviculture employment of approximately 0.29 PYs of employment on the site.� This is equivalent to creating silviculture work for one person for just over 64.5 work-days.

�       Scenario 2 has a silviculture coefficient of 0.009 PYs per 1,000 cubic metres and could generate total direct silviculture employment of approximately 0.06 PYs.� This would be equivalent to 13.5 days of work for one worker.

�       Scenario 3 also with a coefficient of 0.009 per 1,000 cubic metres would generate 0.06 PYs.� This would be equivalent to 13.5 days of work for one worker.

 

Direct Silviculture Wage and Benefits

 

The direct wages and benefits for the scenarios are driven by the wage percent that have been generated from average area and costs for silviculture treatments in the Kamloops Forests Region in 1999/2000. Table 3-2 outlines the wages and benefits per cubic metre and total income associated with a harvest of 6,354 cubic metres.

 

Table 3-2: Direct Silviculture Wage and Benefits from Harvest of 6,354 cubic metres.

	Scenario 1		Scenario 2		Scenario 3
	($/m3)	Total	($/m3)	Total	($/m3)	Total
Total Wages		$10,200		$2,150		$2,150
Total Benefits		$5,495		$1,155		$1,155
Total Wages and Benefits	$2.47	$15,695	$0.52	$3,305	$0.52	$3,305

 

 

3.5��� Scenario Comparisons of Direct Activity

 

Direct Activity Summary

 

Table 3-3 summarizes the direct logging and silviculture costs and the associated employment income from the harvest of 6,354 cubic metres.

 

Table 3-3: Direct Logging and Silviculture Costs and Wages.

	Scenario 1		Scenario 2		Scenario 3
	($/m3)	Total	($/m3)	Total	($/m3)	Total
Direct Costs
�        Logging	$13.50	$85,780	$25.45	$161,710	$33.67	$213,940
�        Silviculture	$� 4.75	$30,180	$� 1.00	$��� 6,355	$� 1.00	$��� 6,355
Total Costs	$18.25	$115,960	$26.45	$168,065	$34.67	$220,295
Direct Wages and Benefits
Logging	$3.92	$24,925	$15.26	$96,950	$26.95	$171,240
Silviculture	$2.47	$15,695	$� 0.52	$� 3,305	$� 0.52	$ ���3,305
Total Wages & Benefits	$6.39	$40,620	$15.78	$100,255	$27.47	$174,545

 

Table 3-4 summarizes the direct logging and silviculture employment associated with the harvest of 6,354 cubic metres.

 

Table 3-4: Direct Logging and Silviculture Employment.

	Scenario 1		Scenario 2		Scenario 3
	(PYs/m3)	Total PYs	($/m3)	Total	($/m3)	Total
Direct Employment
�        Logging	0.062	0.39	0.181	1.15	0.421	2.67
�        Silviculture	0.046	0.29	0.009	0.06	0.009	0.06
Total Direct	0.108	0.68	0.19	1.21	0.43	2.73

 

Direct Activity Comparison

 

Several observations can be made between the three Scenarios including:

�       Scenario 3, which utilized horses and hand falling under a selective tree prescription,� generates 6.8 times the labour and 7.1 times the employment wages and benefits as Scenario 1, during the logging phase. Scenario 1 was harvested completely by mechanical means using a clear-cut prescription.�

�       Silviculture activities for Scenario 1 generate more labour than Scenario 3.� However, in total (direct logging and silviculture) Scenario 3 creates 4.1 times the employment and 4.3 times the employment income as Scenario 1 at, 1.9 times the cost.�

�       In total (logging and silviculture) Scenario 2 costs 1.5 times more than Scenario 1, but generates approximately 1.8 times the employment and close to 2.5 times the employment wages and benefits.

�       In total (logging and silviculture) Scenario 3 costs 1.3 times more than� Scenario 2.� However, Scenario 3 would 2.3 times the labour and 1.7 times the employment wage and income as Scenario 2.

In terms of labour force utilization and employment duration, direct log harvesting of 6,354 cubic metres and the associated silviculture employment varies as follows:

�       Scenario 1 generates slightly less than three weeks work for a six person logging crew and a full three months of silviculture activity for one person.

�       Scenario 2 creates just over two months direct logging work for a crew of six workers and a further 2.5 weeks of work for one individual in silviculture.�

�       Scenario 3 creates approximately five months of direct logging employment for a crew of six. �Silviculture activities would generate an additional 2.5 weeks of work for one individual.

 

INDIRECT BENEFITS �� 4

 

 

4.1��� Overview

 

Besides the direct employment and income derived from the three scenarios, other employment benefits accrue to the province from the direct logging and silviculture activities.� This section explores the indirect and induced (referred to as indirect from here on) employment and income benefits.

 

4.2 �� Indirect Employment and Employment Income

 

Direct logging and silviculture employment would generate additional indirect employment both locally (within the Kamloops area) and elsewhere in the province.� Table 4-1 outlines the direct employment and the associated indirect employment at the local and provincial level.� This activity is based on the logging and silviculture for the three scenarios at a harvest level of 6,354 cubic metres. [5] For the purposes of this report, all direct employment has been assumed to come from the local area (See Appendix C for methodology on multipliers).

 

Table 4-1: Total Direct and Indirect Employment.

	������ Scenario 1		����� Scenario 2		������ Scenario 3
	(Person-Years)
	Local	Provincial	Local	Provincial	Local	Provincial
Direct Logging Activities
�        Direct Employment	0.39	0.39	1.15	1.15	2.67	2.67
�        Indirect Employment	0.23	0.50	0.68	1.47	1.58	3.43
Total Logging Employment	0.62	0.89	1.83	2.62	4.25	6.10
Direct Silviculture Activities
Direct Employment	0.29	0.29	0.007	0.007	0.007	0.007
Indirect Employment	0.16	0.16	0.003	0.003	0.003	0.003
Total Silviculture Employment	0.45	0.45	0.01	0.01	0.01	0.01
Total Direct and Indirect Employment	1.07	1.34	1.84	2.63	4.26	6.11

 

Similarly the direct wage income (benefits are excluded for calculation of indirect impacts) from the logging and silviculture activities would also multiply within the local and provincial economies.� Table 4-2 outlines the direct and associated indirect employment wage income that would be anticipated for the three Scenarios.

 

Table 4-1: Total Direct and Indirect Employment Wage Income.

	������ Scenario 1		����� Scenario 2		������ Scenario 3
	( $Total)
	Local	Provincial	Local	Provincial	Local	Provincial
Direct Logging Activities
�        Direct Wage Income	$16,200	$16,200	$63,020	$63,020	$111,310	$111,310
�        Indirect Wage Income	$7,365	$15,980	$21,650	$46,965	$50,380	$109,295
Total Logging Wage Income	$23,565	$32,180	$84,670	$109,985	$161,690	$220,605
Direct Silviculture Activities
Direct Wage Income	$10,205	$10,205	$2,150	$2,150	$2,150	$2,150
Indirect Wage Income	5,230	5,230	$�� 110	$�� 110	$�� 110	$�� 110
Total Silviculture Wage Income	$15,435	$15,435	$2,260	$2,260	$2,260	$2,260
Total Direct & Indirect Wage Income	$39,000	$47,615	$86,930	$112,245	$163,950	$222,865

 

 

4.3��� Scenario Comparisons of Indirect Activity

 

Figure 4-1 highlights the direct and indirect employment and employment income associated with the three scenarios.

 

Table 4-1:� Scenario Comparison of Total Direct and Indirect Activities.

Person-Years of Employment	Employment Income

 

 

 

 

From the direct and indirect activities associated with the three scenarios the following observations include:

 

�       At the local level, Scenario 3 creates direct and indirect employment of 4.25 PYs with associated direct and indirect employment (wage only) income being generated of almost $164,000.� At the corresponding provincial level, the total direct and indirect employment is estimated at 6.11 PYs and total wage income climbs to $386,815.�

�       At the local level, Scenario 3 creates almost 4 times the direct and indirect employment and 4.2 times the wage income as Scenario 1.� When compared to Scenario 2, Scenario 3 creates 2.3 times the total employment and almost 1.9 times the employment wage income.

�       At the provincial level, Scenario 3 creates 4.6 times the total employment and 8.1 times the employment wage income as Scenario 1.� Scenario 3 also creates 2.3 times the employment and 3.5 times the employment wage income as Scenario 2.

 

 

5.1��� Provincial Government Revenues

 

Table 5-1 outlines the provincial government revenues developed for the three scenarios at a theoretical harvest of 6,345 cubic metres. Provincial revenue from forest activity in BC comes primarily from three sources including stumpage and rent, industrial taxes, and direct and indirect employment income tax.�

 

The government revenues are based on stumpage rates from the Kamloops Forest District.� Appendix D provides details on the methodology used to derive government revenues.

 

Table 5‑1:� Provincial Government Revenues for the Three Harvest Scenarios.

	�������� Scenario 1		�������� Scenario 2		������� Scenario 3
	($/m3)	($ Total)	($/m3)	($ Total)	($/m3)	($ Total)
Stumpage and Rent:	$25.82	$164,060	$25.82	$164,060	$15.82	$100,520
Industry Taxes:	$7.60	$� 48,290	$7.60	$� 48,290	$7.60	$� 48,290
Direct, Indirect Employment Taxes:	$0.63	$��� 3,980	$1.49	$��� 9,440	$2.90	$� 27,050
Total Provincial Revenue:	$34.05	$216,330	$34.91	$221,790	$26.32	$167,240

 

5.2��� Federal Government Revenues

 

Table 5-2 outlines the federal government revenues developed for the three scenarios. Federal revenues from forest activities in BC come primarily from personal income taxes.� However, the federal government also derives corporate income taxes and employment insurance income from the industry.� Based on PrinceWaterhouse Coopers, this can be significant totally over $350 million for corporate income taxes and $187 million for employment insurance in 1999.

 

Table 5‑1:� Federal Government Revenues for the Three Harvest Scenarios.

	������ ��Scenario 1		�������� Scenario 2		������� Scenario 3
	($/m3)	($ Total)	($/m3)	($ Total)	($/m3)	($ Total)
Direct Employment Taxes	$0.78	$4,655	$1.92	$12,225	$3.35	$21,285
Indirect Employment Taxes:	$0.49	$3,125	$1.09	$� 6,940	$2.54	$16,125
Total Federal Revenue:	$1.27	$7,780	$3.01	$19,165	$5.89	$37,410

 

 

 

5.3��� Scenario Comparison

 

Figure 5-1 highlights the total government revenues for each scenario and outlines the contributions from the various components.

 

Figure 5-1:� Government Revenues from Harvest of 6,354 Cubic Metres.

 

 

The following observations can be made concerning government revenues including:

 

�       The greatest proportion of the provincial government revenue comes directly from the stumpage and rent paid for harvesting timber on Crown lands.

�       Industry taxes remain constant over the sceanrios

�       Scenario 2 generates the greatest total amount of revenue for the combined federal and provincial governments at $240,955.� This represents 15 percent more revenue than Scenario 3, which would generate total revenue of $204,650 for government. .

�       Scenario 3 is within 5% of Scenario 1 when all revenue sources are considered

 

 

 

6.1��� Community Overview

 

From the community context there are several important community benefits that can be derived from the careful management and use of the region�s riparian areas.� Community benefits typically span across social, economic, and community health and well-being.� Timber production is only one component of this vast array of values. The following section explores general community and specific Skeetchestn First Nation values that can be derived from riparian areas if properly fostered and protected.

 

6.2 �� Community Benefits

 

Community Interactions with Water

 

Healthy watersheds and the associated riparian areas are critical to community well-being and health.� A watershed should capture precipitation where it falls, store it in the soil profile and move it slowly downslope to the riparian zone, and then slowly and safely release it into streams, rivers, wetlands, and lakes.[6] There are many benefits that a properly function riparian area can provide to a community including:

 

�       Flood protection;

�       Pure water;

�       Decreased turbidity;

�       Minimizes erosion;

�       Maintenance of habitats;

�       Consistency of water supply; and

�       Broadest plant profile

 

Recent and on-going costs and impacts associated with protecting safe water supplies and guarding against flooding by communities within the Skeetchestn Traditional Territory emphasize the importance of these interests.�

 

Visual Quality Objectives

 

Viewscapes have become increasingly important to communities in recent years.� Residents have become more vocal and concerned about the impacts of altered viewscapes on their community setting.� As well, sectors such as the tourism industry have become increasingly involved in identifying the need to ensure the maintenance of� �natural� viewscapes to support their economic activities.

 

Employment Certainty Impacts

 

Rural communities in the interior of BC have typically experienced the highest unemployment rates within the province.� As is the case in the Skeetchestn Traditional Territory, these areas also face fairly high seasonal employment opportunities.� Efforts to increase the amount and certainty of log harvesting work would be considered a positive development from both a community stability and workforce certainty perspective.� As well, general community attitudes are shifting towards ensuring sustainable economic activities are developed when defining their overall economic goals.�

 

6.3 �� Specific Skeetchestn Community Benefits

 

Besides sharing similar concerns that would be expressed by the overall regional population.� The Skeetchestn Band also has specific concerns that reflect their own development objectives and traditional use of the land.

 

Reestablishment of Salmon Stocks

 

The health of riparian areas has played an important role in the health of the region�s wild salmon stocks.� These riparian areas will also play a critical role in the Skeetchestn Band�s goals of reestablishing salmon production within their Traditional Territory.[7]� Salmon hold cultural significance for the Shuswap people and the Band would like eventually to reintroduce community harvest of salmon to historical levels.�

 

Ensure Sustainable Resource Use and Benefits

 

The Skeetchestn Band wants to encourage local employment and training in sustainable resource extraction activities, including implementing alternative forest harvesting strategies, particularly in riparian areas, that increase local jobs and value.

 

Ensure Traditional Resources are Available�

 

The members of Skeetchestn Band utilize many traditional plants found within the riparian areas, and the community wants to encourage sustainable use of non-timber forest products to increase local jobs and value.� As well, many of these plants are important to traditional sustenance and cultural awareness.

 

 

 

6.17.1��� Environmental Overview

 

Riparian areas are critical environmental habitats.� Over time they have also been subject to a disproportionate amount of human impact.� This section looks at three environmental issues that can benefit from more sensitive logging approaches.

 

7.2��� Environmental Issues

 

Protection of Old Growth and Wildlife Habitat

 

Partial harvesting with light logging system such as horse logging and light equipment has the best opportunity to manage for the distribution of species, age classes and succession levels in a specific riparian harvest area. As the values of old growth forests become better understood, management systems that protect the forest in a more natural condition will help to maintain the overall integrity of riparian areas and the associated watershed. Riparian areas and the associated mature forest types are also critical habitats for the region�s wildlife populations.� With pressures on riparian areas from a range of human activities the remaining riparian areas across BC are becoming home to more of BC�s red and blue listed species at risk.

 

Retention of site and stand productivity

 

In a selectively harvested logging area the site and stand productivity remains high. Not only will there be numerous established trees still growing on the site, but the actual logging activity will have significantly less impact on the overall land base when the harvesting is with horses. A study of a horse logged woodlot in the Kamloops area yield a total of approximately 5 percent of mostly pre-compacted areas of the block were subject to severe site degradation. [8]�� In comparison the Kamloops region allowances for roads and landings within a cut block is 7 percent with a further 8 to 10 percent of the total area usually being subject to machine travel and severe compaction.�

 

Overall, soil displacement and compaction are recognized as common forms of soil degradation caused by ground based skidding and harvesting in BC.� A recent study confirmed the impact on tree growth in disturbed areas and that soil degradation from forestry operations.[9]�� In fact it has been estimated that the annual wood yield in BC has been reduced by over 400,000 m3 over the 10 year period (1976 to 1986) as a result of soil degradation from forestry operations.

 

A reduction in degradation of 5 to 15% will improve the availability of future harvesting land base by the same percentage, with a corresponding long-term addition in annual harvest volumes.

 

 

 

 

 

Protection of Aquatic Habitats

 

The functionality of aquatic habitats is integrally linked to the adjoining forest ecosystems.� Logging methods that can minimize siltation and mitigate modification of stream temperatures and run off rates will stand the best chance of supporting in-stream environment for fish and other aquatic life.� Partial tree removal has been identified as one way to mitigate for these issues, horse logging may further reduce these impacts.�

 

 

 

7.18.1         Summary

 

Table 8-1 summarizes the findings identified in the report for direct costs, employment and employment income for the three Scenarios of harvesting 6354 m3.� Table 8-2 summarizes the findings associated with indirect employment and employment income, government revenues, and community and environmental issues.

 

Table 8‑1: Summary of Direct Costs, Employment and Employment Income for the Three Scenarios.

Issue	Scenario 1				Scenario 2			Scenario 3
Site Description	Mechanical /clear cut				Hand Falling & Mechanical skidding/ Individual Tree Selection			Hand Falling & Horse skidding/ Individual Tree Selection
Direct Logging and Silviculture Costs
	($/m3)		($ Total)		($/m3)	($ Total)		($/m3)		($ Total)
�        Logging Costs	$13.50		$85,780		$25.45	$161,710		$33.67		$213,355
�        Silviculture Costs	$� 4.75		$30,180		$� 1.00	$� ��6,355		$� 1.00		$��� 6,355
Total	$18.25		$115,960		$26.45	$168,065		$34.67		$219,710
Direct Logging and Silviculture Employment
	(PYs/1,000 m3)	(Total PYs)		(PYs/1,000 m3)			(Total PYs)		(PYs/1,000 m3)		(Total PYs)
�        Logging	0.062	0.39		0.181			1.15		0.421		2.67
�        Silviculture	0.046	0.29		0.009			0.06		0.009		0.06
Total	0.108	0.68		0.19			1.21		0.43		2.73
Direct Logging and Silviculture Wage and and Benefit Income
�        Logging	$3.92	$24,925		$15.26			$96,950		$26.95		$171,240
�        Silviculture	$2.47	$15,695		$� 0.52			$� 3,305		$� 0.52		$��� 3,305
Total Wages & Benefits	$6.39	$40,620		$15.78			$100,255		$27.47		$174,545

 

 

 

 

 

 

Table 8‑1: Summary of Indirect, Government Revenues, and Community and Environmental Issues for the Three Scenarios.

�	Scenario 1		Scenario 2		Scenario 3
Total Direct and Indirect Employment
	Local	Provincial	Local	Provincial	Local	Provincial
Logging Employment	(Person-Years)
�        Total Direct and Indirect	0.62	0.89	1.83	2.62	4.25	6.10
Silviculture Activities
�        Total Direct and Indirect	0.45	0.45	0.01	0.01	0.01	0.01
Total Logging & Silviculture	������� 1.07	������ 1.34	������ 1.84	������� 2.63	�������� 4.26	������� 6.11
Total Direct and Indirect Employment Income
Logging Employment Income
�        Total Direct and Indirect	$23,565	$32,180	$84,670