My intent for this project was to evaluate a spatial decision underway within the forestry sector in British Columbia.  I learned that the North Peace Clean Air Association (NPCAA) is very concerned about the location of a Slocan-Louisiana Pacific Oriented Strand Board (OSB) plant partially within the City of Fort St. John.  Oriented Strand Board uses lower-grade and scrap lumber, compressed into boards.

The City of Fort St. John supports the location of an OSB plant in the vicinity for several reasons.  These include:

• the creation of jobs during construction and operation;
• economic diversification in the area;
• generation of revenue

However, the NPCAA has several concerns regarding the location of the plant, including:

• negative community and environmental health effects from particulate pollution and toxic chemicals, such as phenol and formaldehyde;
• an increase in logging traffic, and the ensuing air pollution and traffic problems for Fort St. John and environs;
• negative effects on the Fort St. John airport, located just to the east of the proposed development site.  It is possible that the humidity from the plant could exacerbate fog conditions at this airport, which could result in the prevention of MedEvac operations, preventing routine visits by medical specialists, and inconveniencing others travelling by airplane.

The locational requirements of the Slocan-LP Corp.  include access to:

• aspen and lower grade timber
• rail and road
• electricity
• a labour pool

The environmental and health concerns of the NPCAA are particularly compelling, and a common point of contention concerning industrial location.  Therefore, my spatial question became:

Given the spatial and infrastructural requirements of the Slocan-LP Corporation, and the concerns of the NPCAA, what are some possible alternative locations for an OSB plant in the Fort St. John area?
 
 

1. Spatial Question
2. Data Collection
3. Methodology
4. Spatial Analysis
5. Methodological and Operational Problems

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