through the medium of air photographs; first of the areas
of known potential, as set forth above, and later of areas
that are now completely unknown. Such detailed mapping
would be of immense value to prospecting and geological
parties, the number of which should be greatly increased.

Forests

Next to mining, the forests, directly and indirectly, |

have perhaps the greatest ultimate economic possibilities.
Indirectly, because not only is the fur industry—until
now the major industry of the Pacific Northwest—
dependent on the existence of the forests but, so, in a large

measure is the tourist industry, which is likely to play an-

important part in the future economy of the Northwest.
Broadly, the forests of the North Pacific Region may be
discussed in the following divisions:

The Coast forests, including those of the Queen
Charlotte Islands.

The forests of the British Columbia Plateau.

The Liard Valley and the Slave River forests.

The forests of northern Alberta (within the North
Pacific Region).

The forests of Yukon.

The Coast forests, corresponding with the Prince Ru pert
forest district, constitute one of the great forest areas of the
continent. With the important forests of southern Alaska,
substantially comprised in the Tongass and Chugach
National Forests, here, on this North Pacific Coast, is one
of the great continental concentrations of timber and
pulpwood. Plans are currently under way for the estab-
listment of industries using this timber under a system of
controlled cutting that will perpetuate the stands. It is

fortunate that the climate of this coastal zone is such as
to minimize the fire-hazard.

The reverse is the case in the forests of the interior,
where the rainfall is comparatively light, the distances
great, and means of access, except by air, over large areas
non-existent. The forested areas and areas capable of
regeneration and reforestation are so vast as to suggest
that in this interior area, stretching from the Coast Range
to the Rockies and from the Blackwater and Dean Valleys
south of the Canadian National Railways to the Yukon
border, Canada has the genesis of what can be made to
be one of the world’s greatest reserves of softwood timber.

The present figures for forest reserves over this area
are not impressive. Uncontrolled fires have taken and
still take their toll, It has been said that the growth here
just about keeps pace with the fire loss. Contrary to
general belief, lightning is the prime offender rather than
human agencies, though the latter were responsible during
the war for much forest destruction.

Only a portion of the great interior is capable of forest
production, since much of the area is mountainous and

barren; there are many lakes and great areas of grassy

meadows. However comparable obstacles are found in
Norway and Sweden, whose entire forest areas have been
placed 6n a managed basis of sustained yield. Over large
sections the rainfall is comparatively low, increasing east-
ward toward the Rockies, but in all except minor localities
it is sufficient to support a vigorous forest growth.

A new spirit of public appreciation of the value of this
great possession is abroad. Constructive steps are being
taken for the protection, conservation, and regeneration
of these forests. Youth movements have been organized
and juveniles enlisted in protective measures. But the
population is so small and, in the north, so scattered, and the
claims on provincial resources are so heavy that the best
protective and development measures possible fall far below
needs. Here we have a matter that is the concern of the
nation and hence of concern to the Dominion Government.

This would apply with even more force in the protection
and conservation of the forests of the Liard Valley. Here
we have something of an anomaly—a great river basin,
its tributary valleys for the most part steep and precipitous
but supporting, in the more favoured situations, a dense
forest growth with individuals of surprising size and
quality in view of the high latitude. This is the only
large source of timber situated to serve directly, with a
minimum of transportation, the vast and less-favoured
tracts of the Mackenzie basin. What mineral wealth there
may be in that great expanse and what industries may de-
velop there is not known, but, except for some forest growth
along the main streams, such as the Slave, the Liard Valley
timber is the only timber that would not have to be trans-
ported from other regions to meet the needs of such mines
and industries. Already some fires have burned through
sections of these precious stands. Some formula for
unified provincial and federal conservation must be found.
Such, for example, as is being worked out on the east slope
of the Rocky Mountains farther south.

Some of the Liard basin timber is in Yukon.
Yukon’s timber is in the river bottoms and sl
the level ‘of its high, treeless peneplain.

Most of
opes below
Only a small
proportion of Yukon timber can be regarded as immediately
accessible. :

In the chapter on forests, only very rough estimates are
offered for the merchantable timber in northern Alberta
(within the North Pacific Region) and such figures as
could be arrived at are thought to be much too low. Much
of this timber is so situated that it could readily be brought
within the limit of accessibility. In view of the expected
continued high demand for lumber, plywood, pulp and
paper, and cellulose products through the great central
plain of North America and the development of techniques
in the modern employment of deciduous species such as
white birch and the poplars, which reach a good develop-
ment in the Peace River basin, the establishment of inte-
grated, wood-using industries here is indicated. A com-
prehensive survey of the timber of northern Alberta
similar to that recently undertaken in New Brunswick, is

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