Forestry
 |
Past Logging Site
|
Three BC Forest Districts overlap areas of the Muskwa-Kechika Management Area. The Mackenzie Forest District, overlaps the west, the Fort Nelson Forest District , the largest forest district in BC overlaps the north, and the Peace Forest District overlaps the south-east area of the M-KMA.
While much of the M-KMA has low timber values, for example in alpine and wetland areas, there are high forestry values in some parts of the M-KMA. Many areas are not easily accessible and will result in operating challenges for forest companies.
Importance
Forestry is a main economic driver for the local resource-based economies of Fort St. John, and especially Mackenzie and Fort Nelson. Forest harvesting is an allowable activity and is expected to take place in parts of the M-KMA in the future.
Forestry Resources
The foothills and mountains of the M-KMA support forests of Engelmann spruce, white spruce, lodge pole pine, aspen, black spruce and sub-alpine fir.
Forestry Practices in the M-KMA
Forest management, including harvesting, in the M-KMA is intended to be conducted in a manner that will conserve non-commercial forestry values including wildlife habitat, wilderness recreation, biological diversity, visual quality, and spiritual and cultural values.
Landscape Unit Objectives are plans required to guide forestry activities, and must be in place for activity to occur in the M-KMA.
The Ministry of Forests and Range is responsible for administering and managing forest and range regulations and licence agreements, and some compliance and enforcement to ensure that the regulations are being followed. The Forest and Range Practices Act regulates forestry activity within the M-KMA.
|
