Editor:
The Cariboo-Chilcotin Land Use Plan was developed as a compromise over many years of public involvement by industry, conservationists, recreationists, and others, and must continue.
A large proportion of B.C.’s businesses are small enterprises. Therefore, it is important to keep encouraging this sector, and the many jobs found in small business. The official Cariboo-Chilcotin Land Use Plan does provide a balanced way of using forest resources, and encouraging a variety of small businesses, while respecting the unique wildlife found here. It’s important to keep these opportunities open for all.
Yes, there is a place for community forests, smaller ranches and forest-related businesses in B.C. These enterprises don’t come at the expense of large forest corporations, but actually develop a greater share of the forest resource.
It is critically important to continue the land use plan’s positive arrangements, which are made for a wide range of resource groups, and have been proven to work.
Let’s continue to make it operational, and not take cheap short cuts that would undermine the Cariboo-Chilcotin Land Use Plan.
It is paramount that we have true, authentic consultations and involvement of our First Nations neighbours, to work out greater sharing of our resources. Also, area-based forest tenures, and the long-term availability of water, must be part of our future deliberations.
George Atamanenko
150 Mile House