Clayoquot Sound Homepage

October 22, 1993

New Scientific Panel Will Ensure Forest Activities
in Clayoquot Stand Up to World Scrutiny

VICTORIA, B.C. - Premier Mike Harcourt today announced the creation of a scientific panel for Clayoquot Sound, which will build on the improved forest practices set for the area last June by his government.

Harcourt said the Scientific Panel for Sustainable Forest Practices in Clayoquot Sound - along with other initiatives undertaken or planned for the area - will help B.C. meet the forest stewardship standards required for designation of the Sound as a U.N. Biosphere Reserve.

"When my government announced improved forest practices for Clayoquot Sound last June, I said we had to go even further," said Harcourt.

"The creation of this independent panel is another major step toward providing a sustainable future for Clayoquot, and ensuring that forestry activities in the Sound stand up to world scrutiny."

Harcourt said the 19-member panel will consist of scientists from B.C. and Washington State who are internationally-recognized leaders in their respective fields of expertise, and four members designated by the Central Region of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council. Stephen Owen and the Commission on Resources and Environment - who worked with the government in creating the scientific panel - will also designate an observer to the process.

Harcourt said the panel - whose expertise includes biodiversity, fisheries and wildlife, forest harvest planning and scenic resources - will provide progress reports on January 31 and March 31, 1994. The panel's final recommendations on new forest practices for Clayoquot is due on June 30, 1994.

"To achieve our goal of ensuring sustainable forest practices, it's crucial to put the task in the hands of an impartial panel of recognized experts," said Harcourt. "Through the work of this panel, British Columbians can be assured of the most current and effective forest standards for Clayoquot-Sound."

Harcourt added the panel's first task will be to review the improved forest practices for Clayoquot introduced last June, which include ending large-scale clearcuts, and ensuring stricter engineering standards for road construction. As well, the decision increased protected areas to 33 per cent, and protects forever more than half the old growth in the Sound's untouched watersheds.

The Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council representatives - Dr. Richard Atleo, Ernest Lawrence Paul, Roy Haiyupis, and Stanley Sam - will serve on the panel to provide First Nations' perspectives on the value of forests to their way of life. As well, Dr. Atleo will provide an all-important link between the scientific community and the First Nations elders.

Clifford Atleo, co-ordinator of Clayoquot Sound issues for the Central Region Tribes of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council said, "First Nations are encouraged by the creation of the Panel and are grateful for the opportunity to participate. First Nations see it as an opportunity to begin the process of changing how we manage and harvest the forests and providing an awareness that forests need to be viewed more in a holistic sense."

Harcourt said the panel will be chaired by Dr. Fred Bunnell, Professor of Forest Wildlife Ecology and Management at the UBC Centre for Applied Conservation Biology. Dr. Bunnell's work extends worldwide, including service on more than 70 provincial, national, and international committees dealing with resource management.

"I'm very pleased Dr. Bunnell has agreed to take on this challenge. He is widely respected on an international level and has extensive experience and knowledge on the many biological aspects of forest management in this province," said Harcourt.

"This is a huge opportunity to do something worthwhile," said Bunnell. "There is serious talent on this panel, and together we can bring good information into the process, reduce inconsistencies in existing and proposed standards, and ensure B.C. leads the way in forest resource management."

The January 31, 1994 progress report will detail the panel's review of forest management standards and provide recommendations for forest harvesting, road construction and engineering, access, slope stability, and hydrology. The March 31, 1994 report will make recommendations on silviculture systems, soil conservation, second growth management, biodiversity, fish and wildlife habitat, scenic resources, and cultural resources.

To enable the government to act on the panel's recommendations, the deadline for submission of all forest industry five-year development plans for Clayoquot Sound will be extended to April 1,.1995, with approval by June 30, 1995. In the short term, industry will be required to prepare and submit an interim development plan which will be available for public scrutiny by July 30, 1994.

In addition to Dr. Bunnell, the scientific panel members are:

Biodiversity	Dr. Ken Lertzman, Assistant Professor, Forest Ecology, Simon Fraser University Dr. Chris Pielou, Ecologist, Denman Island Laurie Kremsater, Consultant, Forest Management and Wildlife Biology, Vancouver
Ethnobotany	Dr. Nancy Turner, Professor, Environmental Studies, University of Victoria
Indigenous Human Resources	Dr. Richard Atleo, hereditary chief UMEEK, researcher, consultant, New Westminster, B.C.
Hesquiaht Elder	Ernest Lawrence Paul, expert in Hesquiaht history, culture, traditional resource use and language
Ahousaht Elder	Roy Haiyupis, expert in Ahousaht history, culture, language and traditional use of resources
Ahousaht/Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations Elder	Stanley Sam, expert in First Nations history, language, culture and traditional resource use
Fisheries	Dr. Gordon Hartman, Consultant, Fisheries Biology, Nanaimo
Forest Harvest Planning	Keith Moore, Registered Professional Forester, Consultant, Environmental Forestry, Queen Charlotte City
Hydrology	Dr. Mike Church, Professor, Fluvial Morphology, Department of Geography, UBC
Roads and Engineering	Dr. Peter Schiess, Professor and Head of Forest Engineering, University of Washington, College of Forest Resources, Seattle
Scenic Resources	Catherine Berris, Consultant, Landscape Architecture and Land Use Planning, Vancouver
Silviculture	Dr. Jerry Franklin, Professor, University of Washington, Systems College of Forest Resources, Seattle
Slope Stability	Dr. June Ryder, Consultant, Terrain Analysis, Vancouver
Soils	Dr. Terry Lewis, Consultant, Soils and Land Use, Courtenay
Wildlife	Dr. Alton Harestad, Associate Professor, Wildlife, Simon Fraser University
Worker Safety	Jim Allman, Regional Manager, Workers' Compensation Board, Victoria

 

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