THE ANNUAL TIMBER HARVEST from British Columbia forests should be raised from the current 69 million cubic metres to "100 million cubic metres or beyond," says provincial Liberal leader Gordon Campbell. The proposal is just one of several controversial points in his party's new forest industry policy. Speaking to the B.C. Truck Loggers Association on Jan. 13, Campbell promised to support a wide range of demands by the Council of Forest Industries , including more access to timber, less "red tape," and compensation for "losses" resulting from the present NDP government's land use policies. One key change by a Liberal government would be to introduce a so-called "results- based" Forest Practices Code, aimed at producing "desired environmental results" rather than compliance with regulations. Environmental groups warn that such a shift could mean a widespread return to logging practices which damage spawning streams and other natural habitat areas. The Liberals want a 42% increase in the allowable annual cut, which they claim... http://www.billkath.demon.co.uk/cw/bri/bri.html
