March 10, 1999 For Immediate Release

The particular needs and contributions of small forestry companies in north-central BC have been outlined in research that's being conducted by UNBC professor Heather Myers and graduate student Kyle Whiting.

"Small-scale forestry enterprises rarely get political or public attention, and this research has been conducted to ensure their needs are recognized," says Dr Myers. The small-scale sector includes furniture makers, horse-loggers, log-home builders, family-operated sawmills, and art and instrument builders. The research was conducted throughout 1998 and included interviews with 67 small-scale forestry entre-preneurs from Prince George, Quesnel, Likely, Williams Lake, 150-Mile House, McBride, Valemount, Fort St James, Fraser Lake, Fort Fraser, Burns Lake, Houston, Telkwa, Smithers, and Francois Lake. Together they employ about 160 people and contribute $6 million to the economy through wages.

A workshop at UNBC allowed these northern BC entrepreneurs to discuss the issues they face and suggest solutions. Highlights of the 10-point plan they developed include:

• More inclusion of all forest industry sectors in resource planning with the Ministry of Forests and others, at the District level, to ensure all industry needs are recognized.
• Adjusting appraisals, bidding, and stumpage to reflect operating costs, employment levels, usage of low-grade wood, and the economic/ social contributions of small-scale industry.
• Developing better public and political understanding of the social and economic impacts and benefits of the small-scale forestry sector.
• Refining the woodlot system allowing small-scale foresters to exercise greater stewardship over the land.
• Alternative marketing of specialty wood products. The Wood Enterprise Centre in Quesnel is a good example. Many par-ticipants also support development of a private log-sort yard.
• Making certification and training courses accessible to residents of small communities.
• Enhancing research of effective small-scale logging methods.

The 10-point plan is an interim report and will be sent to study participants, the Ministry of Forests, and other agencies. The final results of the study will be presented in the Fall. The research has been supported by a $78,000 investment from Forest Renewal BC.