December 11th, 1998

Shane Berg, Manager Kispiox Forest District Hazelton, B.C.

Re: Upper Kispiox Special Management Zone SCI Road Access
Plan to Cut Block 392 – 64

Shane,

As promised at our November 16 meeting, we have reviewed the proposed road design in relationship to the requirements of the Special Management zone, as per pages 39 to 48 of the Upper Kispiox Land Use Plan. Section 8.3.1 Access Management, lists the objectives and lists seven specific requirements, stating that "All roads constructed in the Special Management Zone must meet all of the above objectives." The design we have seen for CP 392, West Kispiox Main, does not address any of these objectives, as it was design in August 1995, prior to the formation of this zone.

Has there been any work done to identify and maintain critical and important Grizzly habitat? The only report we are aware of was done in 1994 from forest cover mapping, with very limited field review. It did rate the grizzly habitat in the area as ’high’ in a Provincial context, and made specific recommendations in regard to roads layout and access that have been incorporated into the zone requirements.

Is natural ecosystem function being maintained? We are not aware of any surveys done in that regard.

Is water quality being maintained? We gather there is some concern regarding proposed use of culverts that your staff have raised. We also refer you to our general concern, as expressed in the letter dated December 9, that there may be a lack of appreciation for what a natural water course should look like following timber harvesting.

Fish and Fish habitat -There is concern that the classification of some steams is not accurate, and that others that appear to be fish bearing have yet to be sampled. In that regard please note item SM -F, e) on page 46, "Emp1oy available fisheries expertise as a regional priority for this area."

Cultural and Heritage Sites - the ones we are aware of are the ancient villages of Gitangwalkw, somewhere quite close to the north end of 392-64, Laxdidar,** between Swan Lake and Williams Lake, and Gunsnaat, which we understand to be somewhere below Swordgrass Lake. Some of these sites may require protection under the Heritage Act, as they pre-date 1846.

Visual Quality Objectives – some of the proposed cut blocks would seem to have to accommodate these objectives, as per Figure 10 in the Plan.

Please continue to keep us advised as to the progress of the planning and decision making in these areas

With Regards,

Fred Roisum, President Kispiox Watershed Protection Coalition

cc: Paul Veltmeyer, SCI, Rob Stewart, MOE

PS: regarding the Monitoring Committee, the attached went to the Ministers.

** The ancient name "Laxdidax" roughly translates to "fish with dry back" as the canyon below Williams Lake was so full of fish there was not sufficient water to cover them all. We find the concept very appealing.