Implications of Current Concerns for Improved Forest Environments

Because of their great importance to managers of forest land in Canada many questions are asked about what is likely to influence land management in the United States. Recent responses to environmental issues in Canada are described. There is some justification to worries about "overcutting" since the very high rates of increase in timber harvests in the West during the 1960's probably cannot be sustained beyond several decades even in British Columbia. It is concluded that increased use of Canada's forest lands should proceed only on terms which can preserve environment and satisfy national as well as North American economic and social goals. Much study is needed to determine the optimum distribution of investments to improve land management in comparison with those to enhance environmental quality in North America.