The lost opportunities in the current practice of creating and burning large roadside logging residue piles raises the question as to the appropriateness of this practice.
Logging residue-opportunities lost discusses the issue and provides an opinion regarding the argument of maintaining the status quo.
The recent Confidence and Supply Agreement between the BC NDP and the BC Greens includes three (3) forestry related items. These are discussed (NDP-BC Greens forestry agreements) relative to the previous community recommendations.
The US organization Walk in the Woods forest education organization has produced a useful description of the various forest management systems that might be of interest to non-foresters. Although clearcutting and single tree selection are the most common in BC, some foresters have chosen others to best achieve the objectives for the area being harvested. 
The results of the May 9, 2017 Provincial election suggest there is a high potential for a Minority Government with the BC Greens holding the deciding vote on legislative issues and supporting retention of power by either the BC Liberals or NDP. Negotiations are on-going between the BC Greens and both the BC Liberals and NDP regarding key issues of each Party. Forestry-related Party negotiations-recommended priorities are provided.
Here is an interesting article from a US economist that sheds light on the SLA issue and other trade issues http://tinyurl.com/l9vkft2
I (Bill Bourgeois) have learned over my career in the forest industry that the Softwood Lumber Agreement (SLA) with the US is complex involving detailed legal issues. My view is that if you are not directly involved you should be cautious in what you say due to, in effect, not knowing what you are talking about. However, a basic understanding of the issue is worthwhile. The US lumber broker A&A has published a good basic information piece that might be of interest http://tinyurl.com/los5w5s
The forestry and tourism sectors operating in the Discovery Islands located near Campbell River have developed a tool to improve communications regarding forest harvest planning http://tinyurl.com/n4oqp5k The tool was developed by the Discovery Islands Working Group to “build effective working relationships and improve communication between the forestry and tourism sectors in the Discovery Islands. The site includes an interactive map, definitions, contacts, harvest plans, planning data and maps, etc. This may be an option for use in other areas of BC.
An update comparison of the current (April 24th) BC Liberals, BC NDP and BC Greens election platform commitments regarding forestry are presented in Political forestry commitments-2017 election-update. Overall, the commitments are a major disappointment but the BC NDP and BC Greens have a few interesting suggestions. The BC Liberals have adopted a status quo approach. In summary:
The BC Liberals, BC NDP and BC Greens have identified:
The long-term forest stewardship commitments vary between the Parties:
Communities have asked for influence on the strategic management of local forests. A description of the background and methodology to capitalize on opportunities exists in Community influence-local forest decision-making info. Forest management certification is one of the tools that communities can use to influence the forest practices in their local forests. Much of BC has been certified by one or more of three certification systems. Communities are encouraged to learn about forest management certification and become involved in the process, which is briefly outlined in Forest management certification in BC.
Western Canada Sustainable Forestry Committee (SFI) was a contributing supporter to the forest management certification in BC graphics.
A comparison of the current (April 17th) political party election platform commitments regarding forestry are presented in Political forestry commitments-2017 election. Overall, the commitments of both the BC Liberals and the BC NDP are a major disappointment. They are too general, lack meaningful actions and overall do not reflect the recommendations from BC concerned citizens. They are grossly deficient in dealing with the major issues such as forest sector infrastructure, forest management practices, community involvement in strategic decision-making regarding their local forests and adequate forest management compliance and enforcement. Comments and a recommendation regarding refining their election platforms are provided.
