Hmm, I seem to have got a tad behind in my postings. One important fact I learned when we were trying to protect Egmont Point from the chainsaws was that leading a protest required either that you be retired with a guaranteed income or be independently wealthy. Well, since I am neither and since I could not find someone to lend a hand with this blog (it really isn't very difficult, dear friends), this blog was put on hold. For those who have returned on a regular basis looking for new information, I do apologize.
I will not be posting anything today; however, I am expecting some important information regarding the proposed logging in the Waugh Lake Watershed to come my way in the days ahead. As soon as it arrives, I will set aside a day and try to do a condensed update of events during theses past few months.
Monday, November 26, 2007
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Blair Wilson's Town Hall Meeting
Mr. Wilson, who now sits as an independent in the House of Commons, has taken a leave of absence from this blog page.
(this one is for you, John)
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
B.C. Almanac to cover Watershed Issue
CBC's noon hour show, BC Almanac, will cover the watershed logging issue tomorrow (Wed) . Mark Forsythe's guest will be Andrew Gage, a lawyer with West Coast Environmental Law (WCEL). Gage has made logging in watersheds his specialty. The show will be accepting calls beginning at 1 pm. Here are the phone numbers:
Toll free: 1-800-825-5950
Lower Mainland: 604-669-3733
It has been a busy day for media coverage of our regional government's steps to halt logging in the Chapman Creek watershed using the Health Act. The latest Vancouver Sun story covered Western Forest Products attempts to make an application for a 'stay' of the Local Health Board order. We have heard from the Concerned Citizens for the Sunshine Coast that the application was denied by the judge and the request held over until next Tuesday or Wednesday when the application will be heard. Someone should take that judge out to lunch.
Earlier in the day, the Sun's Jonathan Woodward put together a good piece illustrating how the SCRD's action is resonating throughout the province. The Globe and Mail made an attempt to cover the issue; but, unfortunately they came up a bit short. No, Mr. Hume, the Chapman Creek Watershed does not service the whole Sunshine Coast. We, here in Egmont have our very own watershed that is threatened by logging. It's the Waugh Lake Watershed Reserve.
Toll free: 1-800-825-5950
Lower Mainland: 604-669-3733
It has been a busy day for media coverage of our regional government's steps to halt logging in the Chapman Creek watershed using the Health Act. The latest Vancouver Sun story covered Western Forest Products attempts to make an application for a 'stay' of the Local Health Board order. We have heard from the Concerned Citizens for the Sunshine Coast that the application was denied by the judge and the request held over until next Tuesday or Wednesday when the application will be heard. Someone should take that judge out to lunch.
Earlier in the day, the Sun's Jonathan Woodward put together a good piece illustrating how the SCRD's action is resonating throughout the province. The Globe and Mail made an attempt to cover the issue; but, unfortunately they came up a bit short. No, Mr. Hume, the Chapman Creek Watershed does not service the whole Sunshine Coast. We, here in Egmont have our very own watershed that is threatened by logging. It's the Waugh Lake Watershed Reserve.
Monday, August 13, 2007
SCRD Releases Update on LBH Order
This afternoon, SCRD Acting-Chief Administrative Officer, Paul Fenwick, released the following update regarding the Local Board of Health Order to Western Forest Products:
Update to Complainants
Discussions are sensitive at this time and more information will be provided once known and as appropriate. In the meantime the company is continuing to freeze all logging activity in the watershed.
Thank you for your patience at this critical stage in the process.
GM Community Services A/CAO
Western Painted Turtle
The Friends of Egmont has just learned that the Western Painted Turtle has been placed on Schedule 1 of the Species at Risk by the federal government. This was announced in Canada Gazette this past Saturday (August 11th). This turtle is found in both North and Waugh Lakes here in the Egmont area. Now, when we see one of those turtles on Egmont Road, we should stop, get out and move it to a safer spot.
Today's Times Colonist out of Victoria has an article ('At-risk species risk grows by 36') giving the full details of the federal government's announcement and the reasons for it.
The Western Painted Turtle - Pacific Coast Population is on the BC Ministry of Environment's 'Red List'; however, there doesn't seem to be a great deal of data about the turtle on the site.
Today's Times Colonist out of Victoria has an article ('At-risk species risk grows by 36') giving the full details of the federal government's announcement and the reasons for it.
The Western Painted Turtle - Pacific Coast Population is on the BC Ministry of Environment's 'Red List'; however, there doesn't seem to be a great deal of data about the turtle on the site.
Welcome FSEEE Members!
The Friends of Egmont would like to welcome members of the 'Forest Service Employees for Environmental Ethics' to our blog. The FSEEE has posted story links concerning logging in BC in its 'World News' section and one of those links is to our recent 'Hike into the Waugh Lake Watershed' posting.
This blog is now being followed by major environmental organizations and we welcome the worldwide attention to our fight to stop logging in the drinking water watershed reserves here on the Sunshine Coast and throughout British Columbia. If our provincial government refuses to listen to cries of its citizens, then maybe they will listen to words of condemnation from those beyond our provincial and national borders.
With that in mind, I would like to send the following message to those from the BC Legislature visiting this blog; "The world is watching!" Perhaps, you might like to consider that when you put your together your 'Global Warming Policies.'
This blog is now being followed by major environmental organizations and we welcome the worldwide attention to our fight to stop logging in the drinking water watershed reserves here on the Sunshine Coast and throughout British Columbia. If our provincial government refuses to listen to cries of its citizens, then maybe they will listen to words of condemnation from those beyond our provincial and national borders.
With that in mind, I would like to send the following message to those from the BC Legislature visiting this blog; "The world is watching!" Perhaps, you might like to consider that when you put your together your 'Global Warming Policies.'
Kudos to the SCRD
The follolwing letter was sent to the SCRD Board of Directors on Sunday, August 12, by Dan Bouman, Executive Director of the Sunsbine Coast Conservation Association. The SCCA and the Concerned Citizens of the Sunshine Coast both made major submisstions to the SCRD Local Board of Health during a 5 day marathon of hearings regarding logging in the Chapman Creek Watershed.
Ed Steeves, Chair, SCRD and Local Board of Health,
Good Morning!
I am writing today to express my appreciation for the work of the SCRD board as a "local board of health" in regard to complaints that WFP's activities in the Chapman Watershed constitute a health hazard. I am completely satisfied that these complaints have been addressed in a diligent and intelligent manner and that the resulting Order is effective, far reaching, president-setting and defendable in every way.
This is a major event in the community's long struggle over drinking water; I'm sure that communities all over the province will also find your Order to be compelling. I believe that the SCRD, it's chair and each member of the Board richly deserves the recognition of the public for a job well done.
While the issue of management authority in drinking water source area is yet to be resolved, I look forward with renewed optimism and confidence that the will of the public for the watersheds is being reflected in the policy and decisions of the Sunshine Coast Regional District.
Thank you,
Daniel Bouman
The Local Board of Health's ruling on logging in the watershed as it pertains to Western Forest Products can be read in a posting below (SCRD Issues Order to Western Forest Products, Aug 11, 2007).
Ed Steeves, Chair, SCRD and Local Board of Health,
Good Morning!
I am writing today to express my appreciation for the work of the SCRD board as a "local board of health" in regard to complaints that WFP's activities in the Chapman Watershed constitute a health hazard. I am completely satisfied that these complaints have been addressed in a diligent and intelligent manner and that the resulting Order is effective, far reaching, president-setting and defendable in every way.
This is a major event in the community's long struggle over drinking water; I'm sure that communities all over the province will also find your Order to be compelling. I believe that the SCRD, it's chair and each member of the Board richly deserves the recognition of the public for a job well done.
While the issue of management authority in drinking water source area is yet to be resolved, I look forward with renewed optimism and confidence that the will of the public for the watersheds is being reflected in the policy and decisions of the Sunshine Coast Regional District.
Thank you,
Daniel Bouman
The Local Board of Health's ruling on logging in the watershed as it pertains to Western Forest Products can be read in a posting below (SCRD Issues Order to Western Forest Products, Aug 11, 2007).
Sunday, August 12, 2007
The Sunshine Coast's Sensitive Ecosystems
I was on the hunt for some information and found myself in the BC's Ministry of Environment website. Now, this is site to get lost in! Eventually, I found my way to "The Ecological Reports Catalogue" which in turn to me to a report titled "Sensitive Ecosystems Inventory of the Sunshine Coast and Adjacent Islands." How many of us know this exists? Would anybody care? This report was published in October 2005 and I would like to quote from its first page:
"The Sunshine Coast, with its small population and limited urban development, provides the last opportunity in the Georgia Basin to conserve viable representation of the diverse ecosystems and species which occur here."
Now, given the way the coast is developing and the methods the developers are using, one has to wonder if anyone is even remotely aware of this extensive report and its maps despite the fact this is the very reason the report was undertaken: "The goal of the SEI is to encourage informed land-use decisions that will conserve sensitive ecosystems." According to this report, these ecosystems that are being completely erased from the face of the earth "regulate climate, clean water, generate and clean soils, recycle nutrients and pollinate our crops. To protect these areas, sensitive ecosystems must be located, identified and mapped." Was this done here on the coast? Have these areas been flagged for the APCs, and planning personnel of our towns and regional government? Or, does this fall on the shoulders of concerned citizens once again?
The report raises the question "What can be done to protect sensitive ecosystems?" and proceeds to list the following:
1) Retaining or creating vegetated buffers around sensitive ecosystems to isolate them from outside disturbance;
2) Controlling land and water access to fragile ecosystems;
3) Controlling invasive species;
4) Allowing natural disturbances to occur;
5) Maintaining water quality
That last point is interesting, isn't it? The report also makes suggestions for individuals depending on what 'hat' they are wearing. For example:
A developer: consider a design for your project that is creative and flexible enough to protect and enhance sensitive ecosystems. Treed lots and neighbourhood greenspaces can increase market values. (Hmmm, not many developers in and around Sechelt heeded that advice judging by their now totally cleared building sites).
Further roles are outlined for planners, decision-makers (i.e. politicians or resource manager), advocacy group member, etc. But, to what avail? So much tax money and effort went into this report and who is taking its message to heart? Yes, Sunshine Coast Conservation Association does but this is only one group of dedicated people who can only stretch themselves so far. It really is up to us to become involved and learn what is in our own backyard and make the effort to save these ecosystems while they still exist.
(If you would like to see what sensitive ecosystems exist near you or that have been lost to the Sunshine Coast, follow the blue link above. Scroll down until you get to the bottom of the list under 'Image Document' and download the 'SEI Map Index.' Find the number for the area of interest and download the map listed in that same column.)
"The Sunshine Coast, with its small population and limited urban development, provides the last opportunity in the Georgia Basin to conserve viable representation of the diverse ecosystems and species which occur here."
Now, given the way the coast is developing and the methods the developers are using, one has to wonder if anyone is even remotely aware of this extensive report and its maps despite the fact this is the very reason the report was undertaken: "The goal of the SEI is to encourage informed land-use decisions that will conserve sensitive ecosystems." According to this report, these ecosystems that are being completely erased from the face of the earth "regulate climate, clean water, generate and clean soils, recycle nutrients and pollinate our crops. To protect these areas, sensitive ecosystems must be located, identified and mapped." Was this done here on the coast? Have these areas been flagged for the APCs, and planning personnel of our towns and regional government? Or, does this fall on the shoulders of concerned citizens once again?
The report raises the question "What can be done to protect sensitive ecosystems?" and proceeds to list the following:
1) Retaining or creating vegetated buffers around sensitive ecosystems to isolate them from outside disturbance;
2) Controlling land and water access to fragile ecosystems;
3) Controlling invasive species;
4) Allowing natural disturbances to occur;
5) Maintaining water quality
That last point is interesting, isn't it? The report also makes suggestions for individuals depending on what 'hat' they are wearing. For example:
A developer: consider a design for your project that is creative and flexible enough to protect and enhance sensitive ecosystems. Treed lots and neighbourhood greenspaces can increase market values. (Hmmm, not many developers in and around Sechelt heeded that advice judging by their now totally cleared building sites).
Further roles are outlined for planners, decision-makers (i.e. politicians or resource manager), advocacy group member, etc. But, to what avail? So much tax money and effort went into this report and who is taking its message to heart? Yes, Sunshine Coast Conservation Association does but this is only one group of dedicated people who can only stretch themselves so far. It really is up to us to become involved and learn what is in our own backyard and make the effort to save these ecosystems while they still exist.
(If you would like to see what sensitive ecosystems exist near you or that have been lost to the Sunshine Coast, follow the blue link above. Scroll down until you get to the bottom of the list under 'Image Document' and download the 'SEI Map Index.' Find the number for the area of interest and download the map listed in that same column.)
Saturday, August 11, 2007
SCRD Issues Order to Western Forest Products
The Sunshine Coast Regional District sitting as a Local Board of Health reached a decision earlier today regarding logging in the Chapman Creek Watershed. For those looking for a complete shut down of logging in the Chapman Creek Watershed there is disappointment; however, others believe the ruling has put Western Forest Products into "an impossible money losing situation." The latter view is held by Dan Bouman, Executive Director of the Sunshine Coast Conservation Association who presented the major submission seeking to end logging in watershed.
The SCRD Board produced a Media Release and a 5-page "Order Under the Health Act." (These are .pdf files and we recommended a right click and save to your hard disc for perusing at your leisure). From this writer's quick read through of the documents, the SCRD hedged its bets by banning any further logging by WFP on slopes 60% or greater (Block WC-043, Block WC-043P); although, WFP will be able to remove the trees already felled and already prepared for removal by helicopter. The Board has also banned any road work plans by WFP in cutblock WC-043 and set road work restrictions during periods of heavy rain. It has also ordered WFP to perform daily water sampling at locations both parties must agree to. While the Board felt there was no compelling hazard to health evidence presented that could lead to a ban on logging in the more gentle slopes of WC-021 and WC-023, it did find enough evidence to support a hazard to the 'quality' of drinking water posed by steep slope logging.
This would appear to close one chapter in the battle to stop industrial activity in a watershed. Bouman says the SCRD went as far at they could acting as a Local Board of Health and now the issue will likely return to the BC Supreme Court if WFP seeks to over turn the Board's Order. As well, there will be the Ministry of Forests reaction to this move by a local government into its 'jurisdiction.'
Now, what are all those pesky protestors going to do in the meantime? Rumour has they might go wild blue berry picking. After all, it is that time of year here on the Sunshine Coast.
The SCRD Board produced a Media Release and a 5-page "Order Under the Health Act." (These are .pdf files and we recommended a right click and save to your hard disc for perusing at your leisure). From this writer's quick read through of the documents, the SCRD hedged its bets by banning any further logging by WFP on slopes 60% or greater (Block WC-043, Block WC-043P); although, WFP will be able to remove the trees already felled and already prepared for removal by helicopter. The Board has also banned any road work plans by WFP in cutblock WC-043 and set road work restrictions during periods of heavy rain. It has also ordered WFP to perform daily water sampling at locations both parties must agree to. While the Board felt there was no compelling hazard to health evidence presented that could lead to a ban on logging in the more gentle slopes of WC-021 and WC-023, it did find enough evidence to support a hazard to the 'quality' of drinking water posed by steep slope logging.
This would appear to close one chapter in the battle to stop industrial activity in a watershed. Bouman says the SCRD went as far at they could acting as a Local Board of Health and now the issue will likely return to the BC Supreme Court if WFP seeks to over turn the Board's Order. As well, there will be the Ministry of Forests reaction to this move by a local government into its 'jurisdiction.'
Now, what are all those pesky protestors going to do in the meantime? Rumour has they might go wild blue berry picking. After all, it is that time of year here on the Sunshine Coast.
Sunshine Coast MP - Town Hall Meeting
Blair Wilson, our MP in Ottawa, is undertaking a series of Town Hall Meeting throughout his riding. Wilson will be in Pender Harbour next week. Wilson is apparently lobbying for a national drinking water policy and is looking for input from his constituents. We strongly encourage everyone to attend and let him know how strongly we want to see him fight for our watersheds. Rides can be arranged for anyone needing to get to the Harbour (contact FOE). The meeting details are:
"On Safeguarding Our Coast and Our Water"
Pender Harbour Town Hall Meeting
Wednesday, August 15
7:00 to 8:30 pm
Pender Harbour Community Hall
Pender Harbour Town Hall Meeting
Wednesday, August 15
7:00 to 8:30 pm
Pender Harbour Community Hall
Sechelt Nation Members Speak Out
Band Members of the Sechelt Nation have spoken out on logging in the Chapman Creek watershed and their views can be heard in the video below produced by 'digitaldebbie' and posted to YouTube. Band Members Robert Joe, Willard Joe and Anthony Paul explain the Band's historical relationship to the lands of the watershed and it's significance to the Sechelt Nation today. What is encouraging to hear is Robert Joe's comments that the Band will stand up for "the protection of the drinking water of the Sunshine Coast."
Once again, we are making that video available on this blog. The video is 8 minutes long and will take some time to download for those on dial-up but it is worth watching.
Once again, we are making that video available on this blog. The video is 8 minutes long and will take some time to download for those on dial-up but it is worth watching.
Sunshine Coast Waits Ruling on Watershed
The Sunshine Coast Regional District sitting as Local Board of Health wrapped up three days of hearings regarding logging in the Chapman Creek Watershed. During those hearings, the Board heard submissions from Western Forest Products' legal team, the Sunshine Coast Conservation Association, and the 'Concerned Citizens of Sunshine Coast.' The hearings ended at 3:00 pm Friday and the Board immediately went 'in-camera' to debate amongst themselves the merits of those submissions. The Board did not reach a decision by late last night and have resumed its deliberations this morning. The Board says it will sit until it makes ruling on whether logging in the watershed is a threat to human health and will make their decision public as soon as it is reached. The whole of the Sunshine Coast now waits to see if the battle lines will be drawn over logging in community watersheds not only here on the Sunshine Coast but throughout BC.
Friday, August 10, 2007
SCRD Local Board of Health
The regional government will wrap up hearings today in its role as our Local Board of Health. At the end of the hearings, the Board will deliberate and make its ruling on whether or not logging in the Chapman Creek watershed poses a risk to human health. The 'Concerned Citizens of the Sunshine Coast' are asking everyone who can attend today's session to do so. It is felt a strong public presence will hopefully give the Board the courage to rule in our favour.
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Hike into the Waugh Lake Watershed -Part 4
As we moved east along the southern side of the ponds, we left the large 20-odd year old regrowth of the 1990's clearcut and moved into the mature second growth forest. Wildlife biologist, Dave Stiles believed some of the trees in this area could be from 200 to 600 years old. He felt this forest had re-established itself and we definitely found it easier to hike in this area without the debris left behind from recent clear-cutting. After resting for a while, we decided to head up the valley side and look for Tsain Ko's road location tapes in this older section of the forest. It didn't take too long to find them.
As you can see, the ferns are well established on this very old logging road bed. We had actually entered IR 27 by this point and as we travelled back towards our starting point we passed through more old growth.
Once we were back under a full forest canopy, it wasn't long before we came to some very large and obviously old cedars.
Dave says there are many more of this large cedars around the far side of the ponds. It would be very interesting to check the trees in the proposed cutblock EG273 which butts against the old growth management area along the park's southern edge. I noticed many of large cedars were quite close if not almost on the proposed road location and therefore will be removed if the road goes ahead. After alsmost three hours, we soon found ourselves back where we started.
After this hike, I have a greater appreciation of some of our long term residents grave concern over the proposed road activation and building in this part of the watershed. Above all, the fact that it is being proposed that this should be a permanent road through the watershed boggles the mind. As mentioned earlier, once the road skirts North Lake it enters and travels through the very heart of the Waugh Lake Watershed. I would like to repost the last two points of pathologist Dr. Lee Hutton's comment to this blog.
"2) logging roads increase human access which is a well known risk to watersheds used for human consumption. This is why Seattle, Vancouver, and Portland legally prohibit public trespass into their watersheds.
3) logging causes compaction of the soils and so that the forest floor no longer absorbs and filters water as it does in an undisturbed area. Roads where compaction is worst, are used for travel by animals and people which often leave their wastes which now wash off the road unfiltered, into a culvert and directly into drinking water sources. "
As you can see, the ferns are well established on this very old logging road bed. We had actually entered IR 27 by this point and as we travelled back towards our starting point we passed through more old growth.
Once we were back under a full forest canopy, it wasn't long before we came to some very large and obviously old cedars.
Dave says there are many more of this large cedars around the far side of the ponds. It would be very interesting to check the trees in the proposed cutblock EG273 which butts against the old growth management area along the park's southern edge. I noticed many of large cedars were quite close if not almost on the proposed road location and therefore will be removed if the road goes ahead. After alsmost three hours, we soon found ourselves back where we started.
After this hike, I have a greater appreciation of some of our long term residents grave concern over the proposed road activation and building in this part of the watershed. Above all, the fact that it is being proposed that this should be a permanent road through the watershed boggles the mind. As mentioned earlier, once the road skirts North Lake it enters and travels through the very heart of the Waugh Lake Watershed. I would like to repost the last two points of pathologist Dr. Lee Hutton's comment to this blog."2) logging roads increase human access which is a well known risk to watersheds used for human consumption. This is why Seattle, Vancouver, and Portland legally prohibit public trespass into their watersheds.
3) logging causes compaction of the soils and so that the forest floor no longer absorbs and filters water as it does in an undisturbed area. Roads where compaction is worst, are used for travel by animals and people which often leave their wastes which now wash off the road unfiltered, into a culvert and directly into drinking water sources. "
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Hike into the Waugh Lake Watershed -Part 3
Once we made it down the mountain side into the three ponds valley, we were rewarded with quite a beautiful sight...
The area surrounding the ponds is marshy but as you can see that didn't stop a logging company from venturing into the area. We next headed east following the ponds which took us towards the old second growth area. Once back into the woods, it wasn't long before Dave's experienced eyes caught sight of one of his field subjects...
In Dave's gloved hand, is the red-legged frog (he was being very gentle with this rare creature, believe me!). In Canada, the red-legged frog is located only in British Columbia and it is now considered at 'species at risk.' The Environment Canada website has a good write up and an excellent map here on this shy amphibian. It is worth noting that this frog is protected under the 'Species at Risk Act' (SARA). In BC, the frog is on the Ministry of Environment's 'Blue List.' Now, it is interesting to note that on the MOE website, it says that the red-legged frog is protected under the 'Wildlife Act.' It goes on to say "Under the Identified Wildlife Management Strategy of the Forest Practices Code, Wildlife Habitat Areas can be established for important breeding habitats."
The site also encourages us to be ambassadors for the frogs in Council meetings and other planning meetings. Therefore, dear members of the 'Egmont and Area Advisory Committee on Logging', we hereby appoint you as Ambassadors for the endangered Red-legged Frog in your talks with Chaskin, the management arm of Tsain Ko Forest Development Corporation. Your first priority should be to establish the extent of the wildlife habit that will be set aside for the frog. Of course, this will entail extensive field studies to establish the overall range of the frog's breeding area. This could take some time given the number of creeks feeding the area. No doubt, though, you will have the full support of the Ministry of the Environment and the Sechelt Band Council in this endeavor.
(Dave Stiles says he was quite surprised to find the frogs so well represented up at this end of the Sunshine Coast. He strongly suggests their range should be established as soon as possible in and around the Waugh Lake Watershed Reserve and particularly in the ponds area).
The area surrounding the ponds is marshy but as you can see that didn't stop a logging company from venturing into the area. We next headed east following the ponds which took us towards the old second growth area. Once back into the woods, it wasn't long before Dave's experienced eyes caught sight of one of his field subjects...
In Dave's gloved hand, is the red-legged frog (he was being very gentle with this rare creature, believe me!). In Canada, the red-legged frog is located only in British Columbia and it is now considered at 'species at risk.' The Environment Canada website has a good write up and an excellent map here on this shy amphibian. It is worth noting that this frog is protected under the 'Species at Risk Act' (SARA). In BC, the frog is on the Ministry of Environment's 'Blue List.' Now, it is interesting to note that on the MOE website, it says that the red-legged frog is protected under the 'Wildlife Act.' It goes on to say "Under the Identified Wildlife Management Strategy of the Forest Practices Code, Wildlife Habitat Areas can be established for important breeding habitats."The site also encourages us to be ambassadors for the frogs in Council meetings and other planning meetings. Therefore, dear members of the 'Egmont and Area Advisory Committee on Logging', we hereby appoint you as Ambassadors for the endangered Red-legged Frog in your talks with Chaskin, the management arm of Tsain Ko Forest Development Corporation. Your first priority should be to establish the extent of the wildlife habit that will be set aside for the frog. Of course, this will entail extensive field studies to establish the overall range of the frog's breeding area. This could take some time given the number of creeks feeding the area. No doubt, though, you will have the full support of the Ministry of the Environment and the Sechelt Band Council in this endeavor.
(Dave Stiles says he was quite surprised to find the frogs so well represented up at this end of the Sunshine Coast. He strongly suggests their range should be established as soon as possible in and around the Waugh Lake Watershed Reserve and particularly in the ponds area).
Hike into the Waugh Lake Watershed -Part 2
The North Lake logging road was deactivated following the clear-cutting in the watershed in the 1990's. Basically, what the logging company did was remove all the culverts and let the road grow over naturally. We met up with Dave Stiles at North Lake Road and then drove in as far as we could and then suited up for the hike. It poured rain in the early morning so we were resolved to the fact we would be getting wet one way or another. It wasn't long before we met with the major creek that feeds the ponds which I mentioned at the end of the post below. 
Once past this creek, we were on the old decommissioned road and had a great view of the three ponds valley.
The hiking was easy following this old road. Logging companies use lots of different coloured plastic tape each with its own special meaning. Red tape which you see hanging in the tree below means "road location." This is the route Tsain Ko wants to take, too.
We walked along this old road until we reached its end and then it was time to head down through the bush to the three ponds areas. 
This hike down into the valley was a bit of a slog despite the fact we were following a route used by Dave on a regular basis. He is conducting field studies of amphibians, bats and other forest critters that we tend not to see or tend to ignore. Dave's research will be use to update and build upon the the work of Kye Goodwin, John Field and John Dafoe who mapped out the sensitive ecosystems on the Sunshine Coast. That earlier research was put to good use in the SCRD's habitatAltlas. Dave's research will go to updating this Atlas; in addition, it will be used at the Iris Griffith Interpretive Centre located south of Ruby Lake.
Once past this creek, we were on the old decommissioned road and had a great view of the three ponds valley.
The hiking was easy following this old road. Logging companies use lots of different coloured plastic tape each with its own special meaning. Red tape which you see hanging in the tree below means "road location." This is the route Tsain Ko wants to take, too.
We walked along this old road until we reached its end and then it was time to head down through the bush to the three ponds areas. 
This hike down into the valley was a bit of a slog despite the fact we were following a route used by Dave on a regular basis. He is conducting field studies of amphibians, bats and other forest critters that we tend not to see or tend to ignore. Dave's research will be use to update and build upon the the work of Kye Goodwin, John Field and John Dafoe who mapped out the sensitive ecosystems on the Sunshine Coast. That earlier research was put to good use in the SCRD's habitatAltlas. Dave's research will go to updating this Atlas; in addition, it will be used at the Iris Griffith Interpretive Centre located south of Ruby Lake.
Hike into the Waugh Lake Watershed -Part 1
This morning myself and three other area residents joined Sunshine Coast wildlife biologist, Dave Stiles, on a hike into a very special area of the Waugh Lake watershed: the three ponds. I had heard about the ponds area from other residents and because of its proximity to Tsain Ko Forest Development Corporation's proposed logging road reactivation and extension and its planned cutblock EG273, I felt the opportunity to see this area through the eyes of a biologist shouldn't be missed. The area we would be visiting can be seen on this map.
The large mossy green area at the top of the map is the Skookumchuck Provincial Park. Each year, thousands of visitors to the Sunshine Coast follow the trail through the park to the famous Skookumchuck Rapids, the largest saltwater rapids in North America. You can see the three ponds area to the south of the park. The green areas represent old growth management areas which should protect them from logging. The large pink area to the right of the ponds is the forested Indian Reserve 27. IR 27 belongs to the Sechelt (Shishalh) Nation. The purple dotted line represents the reactivated and extended logging road proposed by Tsain Ko. That logging road would give Tsain Ko access to the band's land which it plans to log for the band and access to cutblock EG273. The green dotted line is the Waugh Lake Watershed boundary and the logging road, a portion of IR27 and half of EG273 are within the watershed. In fact, the logging road runs right through the heart of the watershed and not only does Tsain Ko want to reactivate it but they propose it become a permanent route to IR 27.
To give you another perspective, I have prepared a Google Map of the same area.
At the top of the this shot is Brown Lake which is in the provincial park. Below this can be seen the pond area with its old growth management area in dark green and around that is the old 1990's cutblock that took out a huge swath of the watershed right to Waugh Lake at the upper left of the image. Waugh Lake is where the village of Egmont gets its drinking water. Following this clear-cutting, many residents vowed to fight future logging in the watershed. Here is a close up view of the ponds, again, using Google Maps.
At the bottom of this image, you can make out the deactivated logging road from that 1990's clear-cutting. Where the road takes a dip down is located a major creek that feeds the ponds. Today, we hiked that old road, crossed the creek and headed through the old cutblock down to the ponds. We then moved into the old second growth to the right and then back up to where Tsain-Ko plans to build the road extension. The next postings will show you pictures from our trek.
The large mossy green area at the top of the map is the Skookumchuck Provincial Park. Each year, thousands of visitors to the Sunshine Coast follow the trail through the park to the famous Skookumchuck Rapids, the largest saltwater rapids in North America. You can see the three ponds area to the south of the park. The green areas represent old growth management areas which should protect them from logging. The large pink area to the right of the ponds is the forested Indian Reserve 27. IR 27 belongs to the Sechelt (Shishalh) Nation. The purple dotted line represents the reactivated and extended logging road proposed by Tsain Ko. That logging road would give Tsain Ko access to the band's land which it plans to log for the band and access to cutblock EG273. The green dotted line is the Waugh Lake Watershed boundary and the logging road, a portion of IR27 and half of EG273 are within the watershed. In fact, the logging road runs right through the heart of the watershed and not only does Tsain Ko want to reactivate it but they propose it become a permanent route to IR 27.To give you another perspective, I have prepared a Google Map of the same area.
At the top of the this shot is Brown Lake which is in the provincial park. Below this can be seen the pond area with its old growth management area in dark green and around that is the old 1990's cutblock that took out a huge swath of the watershed right to Waugh Lake at the upper left of the image. Waugh Lake is where the village of Egmont gets its drinking water. Following this clear-cutting, many residents vowed to fight future logging in the watershed. Here is a close up view of the ponds, again, using Google Maps.
At the bottom of this image, you can make out the deactivated logging road from that 1990's clear-cutting. Where the road takes a dip down is located a major creek that feeds the ponds. Today, we hiked that old road, crossed the creek and headed through the old cutblock down to the ponds. We then moved into the old second growth to the right and then back up to where Tsain-Ko plans to build the road extension. The next postings will show you pictures from our trek.
Advisory Committee on Logging
Tick, tock, tick, tock. Well, we have our Advisory Committee that will sit down and "work" with Chaskin the management arm of Tsain Ko Forest Development Corportation. Tick, tock, tick, tock. One local resident was heard to say on Monday, "Well, I guess I am on it because it says so in the newspaper." (Coast Reporter, Friday, Aug 3, 2007). When asked if she had any idea when the Committee would first meet, she said no. Tick, tock, tick, tock. So let's see, it is Wednesday, August 8th and the road building and logging is to get underway in early September. This looks really promising, doesn't it? Tick, tock, tick, tock. Our Area Director, who is setting up this Committee under the auspices of the SCRD is now tied up for three days in those local Board of Health meetings mentioned below. Tick, tock, tick, tock. Well, someone on the Committee better assume temporary leadership and call a meeting and begin planning a strategy. It is this writer's opinion that the first priority should be to meet with the Sechelt Band Council and ask if they will respect this community's logging concerns otherwise these meetings with Chaskin are nothing but a complete waste of time. Tick, tock, tick, tock.
According to the newspaper article, the following residents will make up the Advisory Committee: George Connell, Ron Fearn, Kim Foster, Doug Imbeau, Norma Martin, Catherine McEachern, Martin Mees, Maureen Parrott.
According to the newspaper article, the following residents will make up the Advisory Committee: George Connell, Ron Fearn, Kim Foster, Doug Imbeau, Norma Martin, Catherine McEachern, Martin Mees, Maureen Parrott.
Western Forest Products to address Health Board
The Sunshine Coast Regional Government resumes its role as a Local Health Board for three days of hearings beginning today. At the end of these three days, the Board is to rule on the following: "Does logging in the watershed pose a threat to human health?" Something to bear in mind is that drinking water from the Chapman Creek watershed is chlorinated. Therefore, we would like to post a comment submitted to this blog on August 5th.
"It is too bad that our government fails to address or talk about the adverse effects of watershed logging from a real scientific perspective.
The real problems are:
1) logging is well known to increase peak runoffs (mainly because of decreased evapotransiration) and thereby increasing water turbidity making disinfection more difficult as organisms are able to "hide" in the particulates. When using chlorine, increasing turbidity increases the production of trihalomethanes and other carcinogens. There is an accepted link between chlorination and bladder cancer.
2) logging roads increase human access which is a well known risk to watersheds used for human consumption. This is why Seattle, Vancouver, and Portland legally prohibit public tresspass into their watersheds.
3) logging causes compaction of the soils and so that the forest floor no longer absorbs and filters water as it does in an undisturbed area. Roads where compaction is worst, are used for travel by animals and people which often leave their wastes which now wash off the road unfiltered, into a culvert and directly into drinking water sources."
Dr Lee Hutton, Pathologist, Nelson
Saturday, August 4, 2007
Chapman Creek Protest Postponed
Today's planned protest at the Chapman Creek Bridge in Davis Bay has been postponed with Western Forest Products' decision to halt logging in the watershed. Instead, organizers are inviting everyone to attend "A Family Day" event in Brookman Park which is just behind the bridge. Everyone is invited and it will get underway at 11:00 am.
Friday, August 3, 2007
The People Fighting for Chapman Creek
No one can underestimate the role people have played both individually and collectively in this small victory for protection of the Chapman Creek watershed. When it became known there would be an emergency meeting today of the SCRD Board, word spread and people prepared.
It did not matter that this meeting was for Board members only to debate the pros and cons of issuing a stop work order against WFP; the people would wait. For seven hours, they kept vigil.
And, when the doors of the building were closed for the day, the people moved outside and continued to wait.
They waited to let the Board know that they believed in this cause; that this was a worthy fight. They wanted the Board to know they expected them to have the courage to act.
This are the people who set up and manned the barricades; who have stood on the street corners trying to convince their fellow citizens that this was an issue important to everyone. These are the people who wrote to the politicians and when that failed were willing to face the courts.
This battle to save the Chapman Creek watershed began with our senior citizens. People in the sixties, seventies and eighties have led the way. They have been joined by young mothers bringing along their children while their husbands worked. Now, our youth has joined the cause and while our seniors continue to stand and wait for our politicians to act, the young have been in the watershed at the logging sites. They have been watching every tree fall and now understand the message our seniors have been trying to deliver these many weeks: it is life, itself, they are fighting for.
It did not matter that this meeting was for Board members only to debate the pros and cons of issuing a stop work order against WFP; the people would wait. For seven hours, they kept vigil.
And, when the doors of the building were closed for the day, the people moved outside and continued to wait.
They waited to let the Board know that they believed in this cause; that this was a worthy fight. They wanted the Board to know they expected them to have the courage to act.
This are the people who set up and manned the barricades; who have stood on the street corners trying to convince their fellow citizens that this was an issue important to everyone. These are the people who wrote to the politicians and when that failed were willing to face the courts.This battle to save the Chapman Creek watershed began with our senior citizens. People in the sixties, seventies and eighties have led the way. They have been joined by young mothers bringing along their children while their husbands worked. Now, our youth has joined the cause and while our seniors continue to stand and wait for our politicians to act, the young have been in the watershed at the logging sites. They have been watching every tree fall and now understand the message our seniors have been trying to deliver these many weeks: it is life, itself, they are fighting for.
Western Forest Products Halts Watershed Logging
Western Forest Products has voluntarily halted its logging operation in the Chapman Creek Watershed. Sunshine Coast Regional District Chairman Ed Steeves made the announcement at 5:00 pm this afternoon to demonstrators waiting outside the Board's meeting room. The SCRD called an emergency meeting at 10:00 this morning to discuss in camera the public's increasing vocal demand that the Board of Health issue an immediate stop work order to WFP. Demonstrators believe the motion passed by Gibsons Town Council earlier in the morning imploring the SCRD Board to immediately iissue a stop work order had an impact. According to demonstrators, the SCRD alternated its role as regional government and as a Health Board throughout the 7 hour meeting.
Western Forest Products will now halt all logging operations in the watershed until August 11th when the SCRD Board of Health will meet to make a final ruling as to whether logging in the watershed is a threat to public health. It is felt by many that the young people who have gone up into the logging operation on a daily basis regardless of the injunction has influenced WFP's decision.
This first major victory will be celebrated at tomorrow's demonstration at the Chapman Creek Bridge. That demonstration gets underway at 11:00 am. Everyone is encouraged to attend.
Western Forest Products will now halt all logging operations in the watershed until August 11th when the SCRD Board of Health will meet to make a final ruling as to whether logging in the watershed is a threat to public health. It is felt by many that the young people who have gone up into the logging operation on a daily basis regardless of the injunction has influenced WFP's decision.
This first major victory will be celebrated at tomorrow's demonstration at the Chapman Creek Bridge. That demonstration gets underway at 11:00 am. Everyone is encouraged to attend.
Bay St Watching Chapman Creek Protests...
The Chapman Creek Watershed protests have caught the eye of Brookfield Asset Management, Inc (formerly known as Brascan). BAM has its investments spread far and wide and one of those investment vehicles is Island Timberlands which is the the second largest holder of private timberlands in British Columbia; the largest holder is TimberWest. Island Timberlands was formed following Brascan's acquisition of Weyerhaeuser's BC Coastal Timberland assets. You can be sure some of those private timberlands include watershed reserves. It is interesting to note that Island Timberlands has holdings in the Port Alberni area and the valley began fighting to protect its watershed last year after three boil waters advisories. In addition, Island Timberlands is a large exporter of raw logs to Asia and that is something else the valley has been protesting as they watch their mills closing.
BAM has a fifty percent stake in Island Timberlands with the remainder owned by two leading Canadian institutional investors. Who might these institutional investors be? Pension funds? There is the reality and irony of it; we protest logging in our watersheds and yet hold mutual funds that along with pension funds invest in companies that are logging our watersheds. Nothing in life is simple.
Well, it wouldn't be a surprise to learn that some discreet phone calls are being made right now to our provincial forestry minister or to the premier asking if these protests are annoying little bug bites or if there needs to be concern. In turn, some more discreet calls will be made to our local politicians offering some advice along the lines... "Well, now you know that funding you were looking for? Well, it might get delayed or spent somewhere else if this doesn't stop." Then we will find out how committed our local politicians are to protecting the watersheds.
Of course, one can get carried away, and perhaps this is only a case of a bored employee at Trisura taking a few minutes to read the news on the internet. That must be the case; but, look at the nice trees on their website. I think they took that picture in a watershed.
BAM has a fifty percent stake in Island Timberlands with the remainder owned by two leading Canadian institutional investors. Who might these institutional investors be? Pension funds? There is the reality and irony of it; we protest logging in our watersheds and yet hold mutual funds that along with pension funds invest in companies that are logging our watersheds. Nothing in life is simple.
Well, it wouldn't be a surprise to learn that some discreet phone calls are being made right now to our provincial forestry minister or to the premier asking if these protests are annoying little bug bites or if there needs to be concern. In turn, some more discreet calls will be made to our local politicians offering some advice along the lines... "Well, now you know that funding you were looking for? Well, it might get delayed or spent somewhere else if this doesn't stop." Then we will find out how committed our local politicians are to protecting the watersheds.
Of course, one can get carried away, and perhaps this is only a case of a bored employee at Trisura taking a few minutes to read the news on the internet. That must be the case; but, look at the nice trees on their website. I think they took that picture in a watershed.
Gibsons Supports Protesters' Demands
Gibsons' Town Council held a special meeting at 8:30 this morning on the Chapman Creek Watershed. Council members passed the following motion:
"That under section 59 of the Health Act, the Town of Gibsons implore the Sunshine Coast Regional District to issue a stop work order immediately to Western Forest Products regarding active logging in the Chapman Creek Watershed."
"That under section 59 of the Health Act, the Town of Gibsons implore the Sunshine Coast Regional District to issue a stop work order immediately to Western Forest Products regarding active logging in the Chapman Creek Watershed."
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Facebook visitors....Welcome!
To everyone arriving at this blog via Facebook postings, welcome to Save Our Watershed! The battle you will read about involves one of the most contentious issues facing our coastal communities: the BC government's sanctioning of logging in our drinking water watersheds. Not only is this happening here on the Sunshine Coast but all over Vancouver Island. It involves both private lands and public tenure. It involves old growth forests and aging second growth. It involves regional governments hamstrung by legislation that denies them the means to protect drinking water supplies while forcing them to be responsible for ensuring clean drinking water to its citizens. This policy will only change if pressure can be brought to bear on Gordon Campbell's government. We here in Egmont and those in Sechelt and Gibsons who are fighting to protect our water supplies ask you to spread the word. Support us and email our provincial government leaders.
Protestors Confront SCRD Board Chairman
About 200 protesters surrounded SCRD Board Chairman Ed Steeves and CAO John France this morning and refused to let them into the Field Road office. They demanded that the SCRD acting as a Health Board file an immediate 'stop work' order against Western Forest Products and its logging in the Chapman Creek Watershed. Steeves told the vocal crowd that the Health Board is waiting for scientific evidence that the watershed is being impacted. He also said the Board is waiting for WFP's hydrologist's report This brought angry cries from the protesters who demanded that the SCRD hire its own independent hydrologist and prepare its own report. The crowd refused to part for Steeves and France and they had to use a back entrance into the SCRD building.
Protesters say they will return to the regional government Field Road office tomorrow morning at 11:30 to once again demand the stop work order. They are asking residents to show support and join them. Bring your signs!
According to one demonstrator, there was no sign of any WFP official telling them their demonstration in the SCRD parking lot was impeding WFP's logging operations. There was also no police presence enforcing injunctions.
The demonstrators are building up to Saturday's protest at the Chapman Creek Bridge between 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. Everyone is encouraged to attend with their signs and be prepared to make noise.
Protesters say they will return to the regional government Field Road office tomorrow morning at 11:30 to once again demand the stop work order. They are asking residents to show support and join them. Bring your signs!
According to one demonstrator, there was no sign of any WFP official telling them their demonstration in the SCRD parking lot was impeding WFP's logging operations. There was also no police presence enforcing injunctions.
The demonstrators are building up to Saturday's protest at the Chapman Creek Bridge between 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. Everyone is encouraged to attend with their signs and be prepared to make noise.
Egmont Logging Update...
We now have some idea of a time line for when our "logging events" will get underway. Road building into the Ruby Lake Watershed cutblock will start at the beginning of September. The Ruby Lake cut will go first.
At the same time, Tsain Ko plans to work on the reactivation of the North Lake logging road that traverses the heart of the Waugh Lake Watershed and extend that road into SIB land that butts the south end of the Skookumchuck Provincial Park. Maybe while they are there, they will tackle the cutblock next to the park in addition to logging the band's holding?
At the same time, Tsain Ko plans to work on the reactivation of the North Lake logging road that traverses the heart of the Waugh Lake Watershed and extend that road into SIB land that butts the south end of the Skookumchuck Provincial Park. Maybe while they are there, they will tackle the cutblock next to the park in addition to logging the band's holding?
Friends of Egmont Supports Protesters
This blog is devoting a lot of space to the protests surrounding the logging in the Chapman Creek Watershed. It will continue to do because the decisions and actions taken in that watershed will impact the planned logging in our watershed.
Closer to home, a strategy meeting was held Monday evening regarding our own logging issues. Area A Director John Rees came to that meeting apparently of his own volition to explain the role of the Advisory Committee he would like to see established that would 'sit down and work with' the loggers. However, he first took the Friends of Egmont to task after reading this blog and noting our criticism of how he went about notifying this community. We stand by that post and say he should have called a community meeting himself and discussed this issue with everyone. As it is, he is asking those interested in sitting on this committee to email him. He informed us that he has received two emails expressing interest but said he was not at liberty to say who those emails were from. Why? He is afraid they will be unduly influenced before the committee meets? Is this how an open and democratic system operates? Right, carry on.
We were also informed of all the steps the SCRD Board has taken on this watershed issue. Obviously, our Director never went beyond that one post because we noted all the motions proposed and carried by the Board back on July 5th. Well, protesters down south are now sayiing, "Big Deal!!" as they watch the Chapman Creek watershed stripped of 1000 year old cedars. The SCRD is patting itself on the back for what?
Yes, we do have a unique and "delicate" issue up here with the logging to be carried out by Tsain Ko Forest Development Corporation; but, a watershed is a watershed regardless of who is doing the logging.
Closer to home, a strategy meeting was held Monday evening regarding our own logging issues. Area A Director John Rees came to that meeting apparently of his own volition to explain the role of the Advisory Committee he would like to see established that would 'sit down and work with' the loggers. However, he first took the Friends of Egmont to task after reading this blog and noting our criticism of how he went about notifying this community. We stand by that post and say he should have called a community meeting himself and discussed this issue with everyone. As it is, he is asking those interested in sitting on this committee to email him. He informed us that he has received two emails expressing interest but said he was not at liberty to say who those emails were from. Why? He is afraid they will be unduly influenced before the committee meets? Is this how an open and democratic system operates? Right, carry on.
We were also informed of all the steps the SCRD Board has taken on this watershed issue. Obviously, our Director never went beyond that one post because we noted all the motions proposed and carried by the Board back on July 5th. Well, protesters down south are now sayiing, "Big Deal!!" as they watch the Chapman Creek watershed stripped of 1000 year old cedars. The SCRD is patting itself on the back for what?
Yes, we do have a unique and "delicate" issue up here with the logging to be carried out by Tsain Ko Forest Development Corporation; but, a watershed is a watershed regardless of who is doing the logging.
Gibsons Council To Meet on Watershed...
Gibsons Town Council has called a special meeting for 8:30 Friday morning (August 3). There is only one item on the agenda: the Chapman Creek Watershed. There are two issues to be discussed and these are 'Stoppage of Active Work' and 'Confirmation of Participation in Legal Proceedings.' The 'Concerned Citizens of the Sunshine Coast' asks everyone who can attend to do so particularly Gibsons residents. Show your support for a council that has continuously demanded no industrial activity in the Chapman and Gray watersheds!
Protest Moving to SCRD Building
Protesters are taking their signs to the doors of the SCRD Thursday morning (Aug 2) at 11:30. According to the 'Concerned Citizens' group, the SCRD acting as a Board of Health has the power to issue a stop work order and if Western Forest Products does not comply then they could be fined 200 thousand dollars a day and/or up to a year in jail. As well, they group says it appears legally that the Health Board Directors are not liable even if any of their decisions are reversed. The group adds that they received this advice from a lawyer connected to a highly prestigious Canadian law firm and that this advice was reviewed by and agreed with by at least two other lawyers.
Protesters say they cannot understand why the SCRD in its role as a Board of Health has only issued a "request" to stop logging or why their lawyer has not given the Board the same advice. The group will demand the SCRD reconvene immediately and issue the stop work order. They are asking for as much support as possible from all residents of the coast.
Protesters say they cannot understand why the SCRD in its role as a Board of Health has only issued a "request" to stop logging or why their lawyer has not given the Board the same advice. The group will demand the SCRD reconvene immediately and issue the stop work order. They are asking for as much support as possible from all residents of the coast.
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
CBC Covers Chapman Creek Protest
The CBC covered today's logging protests at Field Rd and the highway. The report aired on the 6:00 pm news. There is also a write-up on the CBC website and you can read it here. As you can see in that CBC report, one of our own from Egmont was helping the cause. She and others who have headed down that way are sure this support will be reciprocated when the time comes. The public driving by is definitely showing far more enthusiasm than when these protests first began. I think the message and images of what is taking in the watershed is finally beginning to sink in. That message has reached younger residents and they were out in number adding a new dynamic to the protest.
They certainly had the attention of the police. The RCMP are a definite presence at protests since the BC Supreme court upheld Western Forest Products' injunction. The freelance journalist who was arrested yesterday didn't step foot off the IGA parking lot. So much for the freedom of the press. There is talk among the protesters that entrapment tactics were used leading up to her arrest.It was hoped the CBC would be able to get some footage of the watershed but police would not allow them into the area. It appears they have tightened the reins after the events of Monday and Tuesday shut down the logging.
That freelance journalist has taken her video work and combined it with the video taken by Will Koop of the BC Tap Water Alliance. Koop managed to get into the watershed area last week and got shots of the heli-logging operation. Those combined videos have been posted to YouTube and you can watch it below (if you are on dial-up it will take some time to load but it is worth viewing.
For more information about the Western Yew, click here.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
2 Arrested at Chapman Creek Watershed
Two individuals were arrested Tuesday at Chapman Creek. Both were women and one a freelance journalist. The other woman was taking food to the young protesters who have joined the fray. Apparently, Western Forest Product's operations were shut down as a result of all the activity: protestors blocking the helilogging landing area, people driving in and out and police trying to enforce the injunctions. No doubt, a good time was had by all. This is starting to get really interesting.
Word has it this is the second day WFP was shut down. On Monday morning, young protesters headed up the logging roads intent on stopping the logging only to be met with a barricade. This barricade had been set up by the striking unionized loggers trying to stop the non-unionized loggers working for Western from getting to work. The police arrived, spoke politely to the union workers, left and returned with an injunction and the the strikers left but apparently some time had passed and WFP called it a day.
Well, it is little surprise then that WFP's lawyers are visiting our blogs and websites. No doubt they are looking for names that they can slap injunctions on. Now, get this. Word has it that WFP officials are telling people that the injunction that brought down the barricade two weeks ago applies to protesters meeting in the IGA parking lot at the corner of Field Road & Hwy 101. A group was informed that their presence in the lot was impeding WFP's operations and therefore in violation of the junction. I've never seen a logging truck drive through the IGA parking lot. If WFP tries to broaden the scope of that injunction, they will soon find the whole population of the Sunshine Coast standing not only in the parking lot but up and down Field Road and Highway 101.
Word has it this is the second day WFP was shut down. On Monday morning, young protesters headed up the logging roads intent on stopping the logging only to be met with a barricade. This barricade had been set up by the striking unionized loggers trying to stop the non-unionized loggers working for Western from getting to work. The police arrived, spoke politely to the union workers, left and returned with an injunction and the the strikers left but apparently some time had passed and WFP called it a day.
Well, it is little surprise then that WFP's lawyers are visiting our blogs and websites. No doubt they are looking for names that they can slap injunctions on. Now, get this. Word has it that WFP officials are telling people that the injunction that brought down the barricade two weeks ago applies to protesters meeting in the IGA parking lot at the corner of Field Road & Hwy 101. A group was informed that their presence in the lot was impeding WFP's operations and therefore in violation of the junction. I've never seen a logging truck drive through the IGA parking lot. If WFP tries to broaden the scope of that injunction, they will soon find the whole population of the Sunshine Coast standing not only in the parking lot but up and down Field Road and Highway 101.
Western Forest Products is getting nasty...
It looks like all our senior citizens protesting against Western Forest Products logging foray into the Chapman Creek Watershed is getting on WFP's nerves. WFP got wind of this morning's plans to take a CBC reporter into the recent cutblocks and lo and behold if WFP didn't rouse its employees and make them set up their own logging road blockade. In addition, WFP invited the RCMP to watch the action. My source who drove into the watershed managed to avoid the blockade and escape with a warning but he wasn't certain what happened to those who went in on foot. He says the RCMP convoy included a 'paddy wagon' so it is possible the large group walking in were given an escorted ride out all the way to RCMP headquarters.
Apparently, our seniors were joined by much younger coastal residents this morning. At last! Our seniors have been carrying the torch on this issue and it is finally time those much younger step forward to help with this cause. Our seniors have set an incredible example for everyone. They have been willing to put their own security on the line for a something they believe strongly in and they have been fighting for all of us.
By the way, WFP's lawyers have been into this blog twice this morning. They are searching for something.
Apparently, our seniors were joined by much younger coastal residents this morning. At last! Our seniors have been carrying the torch on this issue and it is finally time those much younger step forward to help with this cause. Our seniors have set an incredible example for everyone. They have been willing to put their own security on the line for a something they believe strongly in and they have been fighting for all of us.
By the way, WFP's lawyers have been into this blog twice this morning. They are searching for something.
Monday, July 30, 2007
Democracy
When political decisions are made behind closed doors, through private conversation or correspondence with a select few, the democratic process suffers...we all suffer. True democracy, true freedom involves all the people even those who views go against the majority. That is the purpose of the debates in the House of Commons - to give the minority a voice; to let dissension be heard. When one individual feels he or she knows best and attempts to rule authoritatively and stifles debate, you have a dictatorship. When that individual includes only a select few in the decision making process, you have an oligarchy; neither one is pleasant nor democratic. Be vigilant and never fear expressing your opinion even if you stand alone.
1000 year old cedars...gone
The following pictures arrived today from Sechelt. These are before and after shots of 1000 year old cedars logged in the last few days in the Chapman Creek Watershed by Western Forest Products.
How can this be sanctioned?
How can this be sanctioned?
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Egmont & Area Strategy Meeting
Have you taken the time lately to stop by our two lakes (Waugh & North) early in the morning just to stand there and take in the view. If you haven't, you should. While you are there peer into the water and notice something we are taking for granted: how clear and clean the water it is. It is like looking through a lightly tinted window. Is this worth protecting? If so, how and to what degree? What are the community's answers to these questions? This is a reminder about Monday's night strategy meeting for residents of Ruby Lake, Earls Cove, and Egmont at 7:00 pm at the Heritage Centre. For more details, click here.
August 4th Logging Protest
'Concerned Citizens of the Sunshine Coast' will hold a logging protest this upcoming Saturday at the bridge spanning the mouth of the Chapman Creek. They ask all citizens throughout the coast who want to see a stop to logging in watersheds to join the protest for whatever time can be spared. Get your family together to make signs and exercise a right denied to many citizens of the world - the right to peaceful protest. If we don't use it, we, too, may lose it.
Saturday, August 4th, 2007
11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Chapman Creek Bridge
11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Chapman Creek Bridge
(The bridge is located just before Davis Bay when heading north from Gibsons and just after Davis Bay when heading south.)
British Columbia - Olympics - Logging
British Columbia will welcome the world to its doors for the 2010 winter games. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) says the games are going "green." What does that mean? Does going "green" mean they will turn a blind eye to a hosting country that allows logging in watersheds that in turn jeopardize the drinking water of thousands of people? The wood cut down by Western Forest Products over the last few days in the Chapman Creek watershed could well end up in the building materials used at British Columbia's 2010 Olympic Winter Games venue sites. No, these games won't be 'green'; they will be as brown as the water coming out of our taps.
Bittersweet Celebration...
Last night, residents throughout the Sunshine Coast came together to show give their support and thank you to the five individuals named in the Western Forest Products injunction. That injunction to end a blockade preventing WFP from building its logging roads to cutblocks in the Chapman Creek Watershed was upheld by the BC Supreme Court and these five individuals were left with a very large legal bill. The 'Five' who were the only individuals named in the injunction graciously acknowledged the help from the coastal community and thanked the many individuals who manned the blockade with them but who were not singled out by Western Forest Products. The fund raising still continues and donations submitted to the Friends of Egmont using PayPal continue to be forwarded to the Watershed Legal Defense Fund.
Friday, July 27, 2007
Advisory Committee on Logging
I just took a look at the Coast Reporter. Well, at least our concerns about the watershed took higher priority than news about the Thrift Store. I am not slamming the reporter; but, I had expected better from our District A Director and the SCRD. So, this is how they will help us and this is how they will notify us, is it? At the very least, I would have expected a letter sent to all residents from Ruby Lake to Egmont with an explanation as to why this decision was made and the overall impressions of their meeting with Tsain-Ko's consultants.. Personally, I think the way this has been handled is pathetic.
If you can't beat 'em, join 'em
It appears the SCRD has come to the conclusion that the only way to get the provincial government's attention on the watershed issue is to find a good lobbyist. Last week, the SCRD placed a notice on BC Bid for (and I quote) a "professional public affairs advocacy and communications services" company to "bring about effective legislation for watershed protection on crown land and private managed forests land within watersheds." One can hardly blame the SCRD for going this route when the issue fails to be be picked up by the major media outlets to be debated in the public arena. With all due respect to the Coast Reporter, one doubts it is being read in Victoria. You can read the details here on the Public Eye Online blog.
Fitz & Patagonia
American mountain climber, freelance journalist and photographer, Fitz Cahall is helping to spread the word about the logging in our area. He has added our blog to his list of links on his blog "The Dirtbag Diaries" (check out the right column). We have also been linked via a story on the Patagonia blog "The Cleanest Line" (see 'The First Time - Part 2'). The podcast link features Tanya Shuman a pro kayaker who began her search for the perfect wave here at the Skookumchuck. Thank you, all.
Stripping & Flipping in Beautiful BC
Welcome to the new BC : the "Greatest Place on Earth" where forest companies and developers dictate land use policy. Where the forests are cleared and good paying jobs are disappearing to be replaced by pavement and land strata developments peopled with retirees and where the only jobs are in the service sector at $ 10/hour if you're lucky. Read this Globe & Mail article and weep.
("Greatest Place on Earth" is the new header appearing on this year's automobile licence plates; the plate with the Olympic logo on it. It makes me think of China and its slogans papered everywhere. Say it enough and they will believe.)
("Greatest Place on Earth" is the new header appearing on this year's automobile licence plates; the plate with the Olympic logo on it. It makes me think of China and its slogans papered everywhere. Say it enough and they will believe.)
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Strategy Meeting in Egmont
Help set our community's strategy towards future logging in our area.
Friends Of Egmont (FOE) has been busy speaking out at watershed meetings and working with the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD).
On May 29th, four FOE members joined 50 protesters in a rally that took place in downtown Sechelt and then moved outside the SCRD offices.
On June 11th, five FOE members represented Egmont at a meeting of 350 people in Robert's Creek where the community at large decided that it was time to take the Provincial government to court to stop them from granting permits to log in our watersheds.
On June 12th, ten FOE members participated in an SCRD committee meeting where the following 3 resolutions were adopted:
1. That the SCRD work on a way to place a moratorium on all clear-cut logging on the Ruby Lake, North Lake and Waugh Lake watersheds.
2. That the SCRD work with the Sechelt Indian Band (SIB) to extend the Chapman Creek Watershed Agreement to protect all other coastal watersheds (including ours!).
3. That the SCRD work to establish permanent watershed reserves on lakes such as Ruby Lake and Waugh Lake.
On June 18th, 35 people attended a presentation at the community hall to hear about Three Points Properties' plans to find parking in Egmont to serve a new development across the narrows, as well as their future logging plans.
On July 5th, FOE hosted at the Egmont Community Hall, an Eco-Forestry presentation by Jay Rastogi, site manager for Wildwood, the oldest eco-forest on the west coast of North America.
On July 23 & 24th, FOE participated in the new Local Health Board (LHB) meetings at the SCRD offices in Sechelt. The SCRD has taken on the role of a LHB and is holding public meetings to address logging in the watersheds and the risks to our drinking water.
Please participate in the upcoming strategy meeting on Monday night at 7 pm. There will be a lot to talk about including the following two items in the agenda:
1. Finding Egmont residents who would like to form an Advisory Committee of the SCRD in order to hold meetings with Tsain-Ko Forestry Development Corporation reps. Members of this committee will meet on a regular basis and review all areas of proposed logging around Egmont.
2. If the SCRD fails us, and if Tsain-Ko starts road building and logging in our watersheds as planned for September 2007, WHAT SHOULD WE AS A COMMUNITY DO ABOUT THIS? Should we hold peaceful protests? Should we physically try to stop them? Should we blockade the road? What do you think?
Stay informed and help out!
Monday, July 30, 2007
7:00 pm
Egmont Heritage Centre
(on the deck)
7:00 pm
Egmont Heritage Centre
(on the deck)
Friends Of Egmont (FOE) has been busy speaking out at watershed meetings and working with the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD).
On May 29th, four FOE members joined 50 protesters in a rally that took place in downtown Sechelt and then moved outside the SCRD offices.
On June 11th, five FOE members represented Egmont at a meeting of 350 people in Robert's Creek where the community at large decided that it was time to take the Provincial government to court to stop them from granting permits to log in our watersheds.
On June 12th, ten FOE members participated in an SCRD committee meeting where the following 3 resolutions were adopted:
1. That the SCRD work on a way to place a moratorium on all clear-cut logging on the Ruby Lake, North Lake and Waugh Lake watersheds.
2. That the SCRD work with the Sechelt Indian Band (SIB) to extend the Chapman Creek Watershed Agreement to protect all other coastal watersheds (including ours!).
3. That the SCRD work to establish permanent watershed reserves on lakes such as Ruby Lake and Waugh Lake.
On June 18th, 35 people attended a presentation at the community hall to hear about Three Points Properties' plans to find parking in Egmont to serve a new development across the narrows, as well as their future logging plans.
On July 5th, FOE hosted at the Egmont Community Hall, an Eco-Forestry presentation by Jay Rastogi, site manager for Wildwood, the oldest eco-forest on the west coast of North America.
On July 23 & 24th, FOE participated in the new Local Health Board (LHB) meetings at the SCRD offices in Sechelt. The SCRD has taken on the role of a LHB and is holding public meetings to address logging in the watersheds and the risks to our drinking water.
COME TO THE MEETING!
Please participate in the upcoming strategy meeting on Monday night at 7 pm. There will be a lot to talk about including the following two items in the agenda:
1. Finding Egmont residents who would like to form an Advisory Committee of the SCRD in order to hold meetings with Tsain-Ko Forestry Development Corporation reps. Members of this committee will meet on a regular basis and review all areas of proposed logging around Egmont.
2. If the SCRD fails us, and if Tsain-Ko starts road building and logging in our watersheds as planned for September 2007, WHAT SHOULD WE AS A COMMUNITY DO ABOUT THIS? Should we hold peaceful protests? Should we physically try to stop them? Should we blockade the road? What do you think?
Stay informed and help out!
SCRD-Egmont-Tsain Ko FDC
The SCRD Board of Directors met behind closed doors with Tsain-Ko Forest Development Corporation's logging consultants on Thursday, July 19th. Area A Director John Rees says he was impressed with Tsain-Ko's presentation. That's nice. One can only assume the consultants polished it up a tad since they met with our community at the end of May. I spoke with Director Rees on Monday, July 23rd after the Board of Health marathon. I wanted to know if the consultants indicated when they planned to start road building and logging. Rees said no but that Tsain-Ko doesn't appear to be in a hurry. That's nice. Jeez, did no one think to ask them when they were going to start?!! But the good news, according to Rees, is that an advisory committee will be established comprised of area residents who will sit down with the logging consultants and work together to make the logging as painless as possible. Yep, the chickens and wolves will be sitting down at the table together. Perhaps, my dad would have said at this point, "Well, it is better than a kick in the ass with a frozen boot."
Anyways, Rees sent this information to the Coast Reporter's stringer - not to the community. The reporter has kindly shared the information with us and it will be appearing in this Friday's newspaper. Here is what Bev Saunders has written about this advisory committee:
"Our Area A Director John Rees has been listening to our concerns about logging here in Egmont. With the support of the SCRD Board, John is looking for local residents in our area to join an advisory committee that will work with Tsain-Ko's management group, Chaskin. Members of this committee would meet on a regular basis and review all aspects of proposed logging around Egmont. Meetings could also include field trips. He is looking for ten committee members from North, Waugh, and Ruby Lake areas plus a chairman. Anyone who is interested in joining this committee should contact Rees at jarees@dccnet.com. This is a great opportunity for our community to have some real input in how our forest are logged. Please consider joining to represent our community."
Gosh, isn't that wonderful? Do I sound cynical? You bet. So, let's see now. According to the the posting below while the SCRD is holding a Board of Health meeting and WFP's reps and lawyers are in attendance and while WFP is preparing to state its case to the board, damn if WFP isn't out logging its cut in the watershed. And, if I remember correctly, I heard that back when Pinnacle Ventures (pre-PNR) was doing its logging at Lake Cowichan one partner was talking to the Boy Scout Camp manager about the nice spot they were going to move the Scouts to and lo and behold if the other partner wasn't out logging that very same spot. Yep, lots of jawing while the trees are falling. Oh, but I am sure that won't happen here because we will have real input on how the trees in our watershed will be logged.
Anyways, Rees sent this information to the Coast Reporter's stringer - not to the community. The reporter has kindly shared the information with us and it will be appearing in this Friday's newspaper. Here is what Bev Saunders has written about this advisory committee:
"Our Area A Director John Rees has been listening to our concerns about logging here in Egmont. With the support of the SCRD Board, John is looking for local residents in our area to join an advisory committee that will work with Tsain-Ko's management group, Chaskin. Members of this committee would meet on a regular basis and review all aspects of proposed logging around Egmont. Meetings could also include field trips. He is looking for ten committee members from North, Waugh, and Ruby Lake areas plus a chairman. Anyone who is interested in joining this committee should contact Rees at jarees@dccnet.com. This is a great opportunity for our community to have some real input in how our forest are logged. Please consider joining to represent our community."
Gosh, isn't that wonderful? Do I sound cynical? You bet. So, let's see now. According to the the posting below while the SCRD is holding a Board of Health meeting and WFP's reps and lawyers are in attendance and while WFP is preparing to state its case to the board, damn if WFP isn't out logging its cut in the watershed. And, if I remember correctly, I heard that back when Pinnacle Ventures (pre-PNR) was doing its logging at Lake Cowichan one partner was talking to the Boy Scout Camp manager about the nice spot they were going to move the Scouts to and lo and behold if the other partner wasn't out logging that very same spot. Yep, lots of jawing while the trees are falling. Oh, but I am sure that won't happen here because we will have real input on how the trees in our watershed will be logged.
Support the Chapman Creek Five
It's party time in Roberts Creek! This Saturday night, the Robert's Creek Community Hall welcomes the Sunshine Coast to a benefit concert and dance to raise funds for the Watershed Legal Defense Fund. There will also be a Live Services Auction with the opportunity to bid and out-bid on such items as 'A night at a beautiful B&B.' 'Two hours of with an Accountant.' 'Two hours of quilting lessons for beginners (yeah, Three Ducks on a Roof in Egmont!). The event is also a celebration of the uniting of the Coast from Port Mellon to Egmont over an issue that affects us all - logging in our watersheds. Here are the details:
"Winning the Watershed Benefit"
Saturday, July 28, 2007
7:30 pm
Roberts Creek Community Hall
featuring
The Billy Hillpicker Band
Trudy Diening Groupl with Graham Ord & Blaine Dunnaway
Dance 10 pm - midnight with Fat Fish Creek
Saturday, July 28, 2007
7:30 pm
Roberts Creek Community Hall
featuring
The Billy Hillpicker Band
Trudy Diening Groupl with Graham Ord & Blaine Dunnaway
Dance 10 pm - midnight with Fat Fish Creek
The Chapman Creek Five lost their bid to block Western Forest Products' injunction in the BC Supreme Court on the 17th. You can read the Coast Reporter story here or you can read the details on the 'Protect Chapman Creek Watershed' website. The next hope to prevent WFP from moving ahead with its logging rested with the SCRD assuming the role of a Board of Health. It did so on early this week and accepted public submissions on both Monday and Tuesday. As a result of these exemplary submissions, the SCRD in this adopted role issued a 'stop work' order against WFP; however, the motion was too late. After punching through the logging road into the watershed, WFP headed straight for the watershed portion of its cutblock and brought the trees down. You can read the details here. We are all waiting to see what decisive action the SCRD undertakes next.
Saturday, July 14, 2007
THE CHAPMAN CREEK FIVE
If I can take liberties with Winston Churchill's famous speech "The Few," it may one day be said about the battle to save the Chapman Creek Watershed, "Never...was so much owed by so many to so few." I am writing here about The Chapman Creek Five: Hans Penner, Ron Neilson, Germaine Wilson, Ken Dalgeish and Michael Sidal.
One month ago, these five individuals put up the initial barricade to block Western Forest Products from beginning its road building in the Chapman Creek Watershed. These same individuals are now named in an injunction filed by WFP in the BC Supreme Court. Their first court appearance was last Monday, July 9th and they and their lawyer were granted an additional week to prepare their defense. They will return to court on Tuesday, July 17th.
Due to their convictions and the convictions of others who have since joined them, our regional government and local health agencies have been given the breathing room to take steps that will hopefully result in the complete shut down of logging in our coastal watersheds. However, these five individuals of whom four are senior citizens now face a legal bill of $10,000; the cost of challenging Western's injunction application in court.
Therefore, a plea is going out to all citizens of the Sunshine Coast to help cover these court expenses. An account, Watershed Legal Defense Fund, has been established at the Sunshine Coast Credit Union and you can deposit at or mail contributions to any SCCU branch. If you would like an acknowledgement for donations, send your cheque to:
As well, as of this date, any contributions made through this FOE site and the ravagedegmont.com site using the PayPal Donate button will be forwarded to the Chapman Creek Five's 'Watershed Legal Defense Fund.'
One month ago, these five individuals put up the initial barricade to block Western Forest Products from beginning its road building in the Chapman Creek Watershed. These same individuals are now named in an injunction filed by WFP in the BC Supreme Court. Their first court appearance was last Monday, July 9th and they and their lawyer were granted an additional week to prepare their defense. They will return to court on Tuesday, July 17th.
Due to their convictions and the convictions of others who have since joined them, our regional government and local health agencies have been given the breathing room to take steps that will hopefully result in the complete shut down of logging in our coastal watersheds. However, these five individuals of whom four are senior citizens now face a legal bill of $10,000; the cost of challenging Western's injunction application in court.
Therefore, a plea is going out to all citizens of the Sunshine Coast to help cover these court expenses. An account, Watershed Legal Defense Fund, has been established at the Sunshine Coast Credit Union and you can deposit at or mail contributions to any SCCU branch. If you would like an acknowledgement for donations, send your cheque to:
c/o Dale Peterson
Watershed Legal Defense Fund
141 Forbes Rd. Gibsons, BC. V0N 1V6
Watershed Legal Defense Fund
141 Forbes Rd. Gibsons, BC. V0N 1V6
As well, as of this date, any contributions made through this FOE site and the ravagedegmont.com site using the PayPal Donate button will be forwarded to the Chapman Creek Five's 'Watershed Legal Defense Fund.'
Coast Watershed Map
Friends of Egmont gained access to a new map of the watersheds recently produced by the SCRD's Planning & Development Department. Seaweed, ravagedegmont.com's webmaster, has put this .pdf file up on the server so readers can access it. The file is a good size at 1.7 MB so I would recommend anyone on dial-up to do a right click on the link below and click "Save link as..." or "Save target as..." and save the file somewhere on your hard drive. You can zoom in quite a bit on the map. Here is the link:
We thank Kim Tournat, our MLA Nicholas Simon's Constituency Assistant, for forwarding that map to us.
We would also like to thank SCRD Area D Director (Roberts Creek), Donna Shugar, for adding our blog to her 'links' page. Donna's website is a good resource for coast and creek issues and I would recommend bookmarking it to keep it handy.
We thank Kim Tournat, our MLA Nicholas Simon's Constituency Assistant, for forwarding that map to us.
We would also like to thank SCRD Area D Director (Roberts Creek), Donna Shugar, for adding our blog to her 'links' page. Donna's website is a good resource for coast and creek issues and I would recommend bookmarking it to keep it handy.
Sunday, July 8, 2007
Welcome Ground Truth Trekking Visitors!
I ran into a young American couple the other day at the Green Rosette Bakery on the Skook Trail. Erin and Hig are a month into a 4,000 mile trek that will take them from Seattle to False Pass at the tip of Alaska's Aleutian Archipelago. They are travelling by foot, packrafts and skis and anticipate completing their incredible journey by next March. They updated their blog from our Heritage Museum and you can read what they have written about our area here. I will place a link to their blog under "Site Worth Visiting" to the right. I think it will be interesting to follow their journey up the BC coast and see our province and country through their eyes. All the best to you both, Erin and Hig, in the days and months ahead.
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Ecoforestry Meeting on July 12 in Egmont
The Friends of Egmont are inviting all Sunshine Coast Residents from Port Mellon to Egmont to attend a Public Meeting on Ecoforestry. We are fortunate to have two guest speakers from Vancouver Island:
Wildwood on Vancouver Island is the oldest ecoforest on the west coast of North America. Founded by Merve Wilkinson in 1938 and now owned by the Land Conservancy of BC, Wildwood continues Merve's practices of true selective logging ensuring forest survival for future generations.
Barry Gates is manager of 400 hectare private forest at Shawnigan Lake. Both Barry and Jay are members of the Ecoforestry Institute and will share their experiences and views on alternatives to clear-cut logging. The Public Meeting will take place at:
For further information, click on Wildwood and the Ecoforestry Institute under "Sites Worth Visiting" in the column to the right.
Jay Rostogi
Site Manager for Wildwood
Land Conservancy of BC
Site Manager for Wildwood
Land Conservancy of BC
Barry Gates
Malahat Ecoforestry Products
Malahat Ecoforestry Products
Wildwood on Vancouver Island is the oldest ecoforest on the west coast of North America. Founded by Merve Wilkinson in 1938 and now owned by the Land Conservancy of BC, Wildwood continues Merve's practices of true selective logging ensuring forest survival for future generations.
Barry Gates is manager of 400 hectare private forest at Shawnigan Lake. Both Barry and Jay are members of the Ecoforestry Institute and will share their experiences and views on alternatives to clear-cut logging. The Public Meeting will take place at:
7:00 pm
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Egmont Community Hall
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Egmont Community Hall
For further information, click on Wildwood and the Ecoforestry Institute under "Sites Worth Visiting" in the column to the right.
"Our Ancerstors Are Watching"
The following letter appeared in this past week's Coast Reporter. It was sent to both the newspaper and to Western Forest Products.
"My name is Willard Joe, and I am a member of the Sechelt Indian Band. My family name is well known amongst our Band, and my family has a long history with our traditional territories.
I wish to advise your company that I visited your company's logging roads that have been built in the Chapman Creek watershed, and there I sang a song for protection over my traditional lands.
The late Chief Dan George's song was taught to me by a Squamish band member and the song reaches out to my ancestors and asks for their protection over the watershed.
My singing and drum sounds went deep into the forest and the ancestors knew my presence. I ask your company to respect my traditional lands and mot continue with your plans to build roads and log trees in the watersheds."
That is a beautiful letter Mr. Joe. Now, we ask with deep sincerity that you come to our watersheds here in Egmont to sing Chief Dan George's song and to drum. We ask that you reach out to your ancestors for their protection against the clear-cutting and road building planned in our watersheds and in this territory, too.
"My name is Willard Joe, and I am a member of the Sechelt Indian Band. My family name is well known amongst our Band, and my family has a long history with our traditional territories.
I wish to advise your company that I visited your company's logging roads that have been built in the Chapman Creek watershed, and there I sang a song for protection over my traditional lands.
The late Chief Dan George's song was taught to me by a Squamish band member and the song reaches out to my ancestors and asks for their protection over the watershed.
My singing and drum sounds went deep into the forest and the ancestors knew my presence. I ask your company to respect my traditional lands and mot continue with your plans to build roads and log trees in the watersheds."
That is a beautiful letter Mr. Joe. Now, we ask with deep sincerity that you come to our watersheds here in Egmont to sing Chief Dan George's song and to drum. We ask that you reach out to your ancestors for their protection against the clear-cutting and road building planned in our watersheds and in this territory, too.
SCRD & Our Watersheds
The following are the motions passed by the SCRD at it's June 21, 2007 meeting. They show the direction the SCRD is taking in regards to logging on the watersheds throughout the coast and towards Egmont's Waugh Lake Watershed and the Chapman Creek Watershed in particular.
331/07
THAT the Planning and Development Committee recommendations No 1-4, 16, 22-24, and 32 of June 21, 2007 be received, adopted and acted upon as amended at follows:
Recommendation No1 - Waugh Lake Watershed
That with respect to the proposed logging by Tsain Ko in the Waugh Lake Community Watershed, that staff review the requests from the Egmont community, and prepare information as to what the Regional District can so to support their requests and concerns, including the status of the a Watershed Reserve on Waugh Lake;
AND THAT staff request information from Tsain Ko on their proposed logging plans, environmental studies andother supporting documents;
AND FURTHER THAT staff send a letter to Tsain Ko inviting them to meet with the SCRD Board to explain thier plans, and that the invitation to participate in the meeting include representatives from the Ministry of Forests, Dr. Pau Martiquet and Tim Adams, and that a copy of the letter of invitation be forwarded to SIB Chief and Council.
Recommendation No 2 - Logging Within Watersheds
THAT staff provide information on all watersheds and proposed cutblocks with watersheds with active water licenses (for the purpose of indentification), timber licences holders within them, location of chart areas of the licences, and terms of tenure;
AND THAT the SCRD request a meeting with the Minister of Forests and Range to discuss information on logging within watersheds, and an invitation be extended to the SIB to participate in the meeting with the Minister.
Recommendation No. 3 - Watershed Reserves
THAT staff investigate the process required to establish Watershed Reserves on lakes providing a source of community drinking water such as Ruby Lake and Waugh Lake.
Recommendation No. 4 - UBCM Resolutions Re: Community Watersheds
THAT the SCRD send a letter to UBCM requesting that they work with the SCRD in recommending strategies to address forestry activity in community watersheds;
THAT SCRD and Sechelt Indian Band meet at a mutually convenient time to discuss broadening the Joint Watershed Management Agreement to include all drinking water watersheds on the lower Sunshine Coast;
AND THAT the Squamish Indian Band be invited to attend.
CARRIED
324-07
THAT given the workload generated by concerns related to the Chapman Creek, Wilson Creek and Egmont Watersheds, staff be authorized to retain consultants to obtain information the Board is requesting regarding watersheds, cutblocks, jurisdictions, etc.
CARRIED
325-07
THAT a meeting be scheduled with Stuart MacPerson of the Private Managed Forest Council.
CARRIED
326-07
THAT a letter be sent to the Premier outlining the situation concern the approval of Western Forest Products cutblocks in the watershed, and including the history of water surveying and the service provided to 23,000 people, and the SCRD's frustrations and the cost of the water treatment plant;
AND THAT the letter put the province on notice that the SCRD will cosider them negligent for any risk or incident in the watershed due to Western Forest Products logging, noting that the quality and quantity of water will be monitored;
AND FURTHER THAT the letter be copied to Nicholas Simons, MLA, and the Ministers of Forests, Health and Community Services.
CARRIED
327-07
THAT a copy of the letter to the Premier be hand-delivered to the Honourable Rich Coleman, Minister of Forests.
CARRIED
328-07
THAT staff consult with SCRD legal counsel and if they are amenable, contact West Coast Environmental Law for advice about who in the legal community would best be able to meet our needs on the watershed issue.
CARRIED
330-07
Recommendation No. 2 - Letter to Ombudsman re: Logging in Watersheds
THAT the SCRD, as a Sunshine Coast water purveyor, write a letter to the Ombudsman asking that mining and logging in the Chapman Creek watershed be halted due to the threat to drinking water quality and request that consideration be given to all community watersheds with the Sunshine Coast Regional District.
Recommendation No. 3 - Logging in Chapman Watershed
THAT a letter be sent to Western Forest Products expressing the Sunshine Coast Regional District's concerns regarding logging in the Chapman watershed and that Western Forest Products be asked to inform the SCRD of their intentions in this regards.
Recommendation No. 4 - Columbia National Investments
THAT a letter be sent to Columbia National Investments (CNI) asking for clarification on the following comments that were made at a recent Public Open House:
THAT the Board, pursuant to Section 13 of the Drinking Waters Protection Act (DWPA), notify the Drinking Water Officer that logging and road building underway in the Chapman Watershed presents an imminent threat to the drinking water supply;
AND THAT the Board, pursuant to Section 25 of the Drinking Water Protection Act (DWPA) request the Drinking Water Officer to stop all logging and road building within the Chapman Watershed until such time as a Drinking Water Protection Plan is in place;
AND THAT the Board request that the Drinking Water Officer begin the process of developing a Drinking Water Protection Plan for the Chapman Creek watershed;
AND THAT the Board request a letter of support from the Sechelt Indian Band, District of Sechelt and Town of Gibsons in recommending a moratorium on all logging and road building in the Chapman Creek watershed until such time as a Drinking Water Protection Plan and Assessement Response is completed.
AND THAT the Board send a letter to Western Forest Products, Ministry of Forests, and the District and the District Forest Manager requesting that a moratorium on all logging and road building in the Chapman Creek watershed until such time as a Drinking Water Protection Plan and Assessment Response Plan is completed;
AND THAT the Committee, given the sensitive nature of the issues, direct staff to send these letters as soon as possible, and before the next Board meeting;
AND THAT a letter be ssent to Triton Environment Consultants Ltd. requesting writeen confirmation that there is an immenient threat to the Chapman Creek watershed and Sunshine Coast drinking water due to logging activity by Western Forest Products.
AND FINALLY THAT the Committee consider a press release advising the public of these actions.
CARRIED
336-07
THAT the following resolution be adopted and forwarded to the Union of British Columbia Municipalities for consideration at the 2007 convention:
Bill 11
WHEREAS Bill 11 amends the Local Government Act to allow the Lieutenant Governor in Council to designate a resort region and establish a resor municipality without the consent of residents within that area and without consultation and support of the affected Regional District;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Bill 11 be amended so that the designation of a resort region and the establishment of a resort municipality is contingent upon the support of the affected Regional District by resolution and the consent of residents and property owners within the Regional District by referendum.
CARRIED
331/07
THAT the Planning and Development Committee recommendations No 1-4, 16, 22-24, and 32 of June 21, 2007 be received, adopted and acted upon as amended at follows:
Recommendation No1 - Waugh Lake Watershed
That with respect to the proposed logging by Tsain Ko in the Waugh Lake Community Watershed, that staff review the requests from the Egmont community, and prepare information as to what the Regional District can so to support their requests and concerns, including the status of the a Watershed Reserve on Waugh Lake;
AND THAT staff request information from Tsain Ko on their proposed logging plans, environmental studies andother supporting documents;
AND FURTHER THAT staff send a letter to Tsain Ko inviting them to meet with the SCRD Board to explain thier plans, and that the invitation to participate in the meeting include representatives from the Ministry of Forests, Dr. Pau Martiquet and Tim Adams, and that a copy of the letter of invitation be forwarded to SIB Chief and Council.
Recommendation No 2 - Logging Within Watersheds
THAT staff provide information on all watersheds and proposed cutblocks with watersheds with active water licenses (for the purpose of indentification), timber licences holders within them, location of chart areas of the licences, and terms of tenure;
AND THAT the SCRD request a meeting with the Minister of Forests and Range to discuss information on logging within watersheds, and an invitation be extended to the SIB to participate in the meeting with the Minister.
Recommendation No. 3 - Watershed Reserves
THAT staff investigate the process required to establish Watershed Reserves on lakes providing a source of community drinking water such as Ruby Lake and Waugh Lake.
Recommendation No. 4 - UBCM Resolutions Re: Community Watersheds
THAT the SCRD send a letter to UBCM requesting that they work with the SCRD in recommending strategies to address forestry activity in community watersheds;
THAT SCRD and Sechelt Indian Band meet at a mutually convenient time to discuss broadening the Joint Watershed Management Agreement to include all drinking water watersheds on the lower Sunshine Coast;
AND THAT the Squamish Indian Band be invited to attend.
CARRIED
324-07
THAT given the workload generated by concerns related to the Chapman Creek, Wilson Creek and Egmont Watersheds, staff be authorized to retain consultants to obtain information the Board is requesting regarding watersheds, cutblocks, jurisdictions, etc.
CARRIED
325-07
THAT a meeting be scheduled with Stuart MacPerson of the Private Managed Forest Council.
CARRIED
326-07
THAT a letter be sent to the Premier outlining the situation concern the approval of Western Forest Products cutblocks in the watershed, and including the history of water surveying and the service provided to 23,000 people, and the SCRD's frustrations and the cost of the water treatment plant;
AND THAT the letter put the province on notice that the SCRD will cosider them negligent for any risk or incident in the watershed due to Western Forest Products logging, noting that the quality and quantity of water will be monitored;
AND FURTHER THAT the letter be copied to Nicholas Simons, MLA, and the Ministers of Forests, Health and Community Services.
CARRIED
327-07
THAT a copy of the letter to the Premier be hand-delivered to the Honourable Rich Coleman, Minister of Forests.
CARRIED
328-07
THAT staff consult with SCRD legal counsel and if they are amenable, contact West Coast Environmental Law for advice about who in the legal community would best be able to meet our needs on the watershed issue.
CARRIED
330-07
Recommendation No. 2 - Letter to Ombudsman re: Logging in Watersheds
THAT the SCRD, as a Sunshine Coast water purveyor, write a letter to the Ombudsman asking that mining and logging in the Chapman Creek watershed be halted due to the threat to drinking water quality and request that consideration be given to all community watersheds with the Sunshine Coast Regional District.
Recommendation No. 3 - Logging in Chapman Watershed
THAT a letter be sent to Western Forest Products expressing the Sunshine Coast Regional District's concerns regarding logging in the Chapman watershed and that Western Forest Products be asked to inform the SCRD of their intentions in this regards.
Recommendation No. 4 - Columbia National Investments
THAT a letter be sent to Columbia National Investments (CNI) asking for clarification on the following comments that were made at a recent Public Open House:
- Confirmation that CNI will not be logging in the Chapman watershed
- What CNI considers the "watershed" to be
- CNI's offer to negotiate granting an easement for access to the SCRD water intake
THAT the Board, pursuant to Section 13 of the Drinking Waters Protection Act (DWPA), notify the Drinking Water Officer that logging and road building underway in the Chapman Watershed presents an imminent threat to the drinking water supply;
AND THAT the Board, pursuant to Section 25 of the Drinking Water Protection Act (DWPA) request the Drinking Water Officer to stop all logging and road building within the Chapman Watershed until such time as a Drinking Water Protection Plan is in place;
AND THAT the Board request that the Drinking Water Officer begin the process of developing a Drinking Water Protection Plan for the Chapman Creek watershed;
AND THAT the Board request a letter of support from the Sechelt Indian Band, District of Sechelt and Town of Gibsons in recommending a moratorium on all logging and road building in the Chapman Creek watershed until such time as a Drinking Water Protection Plan and Assessement Response is completed.
AND THAT the Board send a letter to Western Forest Products, Ministry of Forests, and the District and the District Forest Manager requesting that a moratorium on all logging and road building in the Chapman Creek watershed until such time as a Drinking Water Protection Plan and Assessment Response Plan is completed;
AND THAT the Committee, given the sensitive nature of the issues, direct staff to send these letters as soon as possible, and before the next Board meeting;
AND THAT a letter be ssent to Triton Environment Consultants Ltd. requesting writeen confirmation that there is an immenient threat to the Chapman Creek watershed and Sunshine Coast drinking water due to logging activity by Western Forest Products.
AND FINALLY THAT the Committee consider a press release advising the public of these actions.
CARRIED
336-07
THAT the following resolution be adopted and forwarded to the Union of British Columbia Municipalities for consideration at the 2007 convention:
Bill 11
WHEREAS Bill 11 amends the Local Government Act to allow the Lieutenant Governor in Council to designate a resort region and establish a resor municipality without the consent of residents within that area and without consultation and support of the affected Regional District;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Bill 11 be amended so that the designation of a resort region and the establishment of a resort municipality is contingent upon the support of the affected Regional District by resolution and the consent of residents and property owners within the Regional District by referendum.
CARRIED
Friday, June 29, 2007
SCRD begins building its war chest
The following email arrived this morning from Dan Bouman, Director of the Sunshine Coast Conservation Association. It announces that the SCRD took its first tentative steps in a new battle to stop logging and road building in the Chapman Creek watershed.
"Greetings All!
"Greetings All!
Watershed activists won a small but highly significant victory tonight (Thursday) at the regular meeting of the Sunshine Coast Regional District.
The SCRD agreed that it is a "local board of health" and is obligated to investigate a citizens' complaint that Western Forests Products' activities in the Chapman Watershed are a health hazard.The SCRD will undertake this investigation diligently and without prejudice. The Directors also agreed to send a letter to WFP asking that they voluntarily agree to cease and desist pending the investigation outcome.
As well, the Directors agreed to begin the groundwork of establishing a $1,000,000 fund for use in pursuing watershed protection through the courts, if this becomes necessary.
I feel strongly that SCRD directors and staff deserve our gratitude and support for these measures. I would also like to thank you for your efforts and support as we have struggled to deal with this latest watershed emergency.
It may be cliché to say but it's never been more true; working together, we can make a difference!
Have a great weekend! Next week we will begin proving that Chapman Watershed logging is a threat to public health. Thank you so much!
Cheers, Daniel"
All regional governments particularly on Vancouver Island will be watching how this goal to protect a watershed unfolds since all the watersheds in BC are wide open to logging. We hope it bodes well for us, too, in our goal to stop logging in our own watersheds.
All regional governments particularly on Vancouver Island will be watching how this goal to protect a watershed unfolds since all the watersheds in BC are wide open to logging. We hope it bodes well for us, too, in our goal to stop logging in our own watersheds.
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Vote for the Watershed!
The Coast Reporter is conducting an online poll. The question is:
"Do you support taking legal action to protect our drinking water?"
It seems Coasters are spoiling for a fight with the province because the 'yeas' are leading 10 to 1. Pay the site a visit and vote to save our watersheds!
"Do you support taking legal action to protect our drinking water?"
It seems Coasters are spoiling for a fight with the province because the 'yeas' are leading 10 to 1. Pay the site a visit and vote to save our watersheds!
Friday, June 22, 2007
Ruby Lake Landholders Association Submission
Presentation to Planning and Development Committee
Sunshine Coast Regional District
Thursday June 21, 2007 Meeting
Agenda Item # 30 Tsain-Ko Logging in Egmont, B.C.
Presenter:
BACKGROUND
The Ruby Lake Landholders Association (RLA), is a society formed in 1979 to maintain the ecological nature of
ISSUES:
1. LACK OF NOTICE AND CONSULTATION
I have read the staff report accompanying this agenda Item #30 and want to address one of the most critical concerns of the Landholders Association: lack of proper notice and consultation. Neither Canfor in 2002, nor Tsain-Ko in 2007 have mentioned anywhere that the proposed logging is to take place in the
For this reason we cannot accept the staff conclusion: “ Tsain-Ko have carried out a public consultation…”. Canfor also did not appropriately describe the location of the cutblock in relation to
We are also receiving information that an Area A Water Management Plan is circulating which may involve Sakinaw and
2. INCONSISTENT APPROACH TO WATER QUALITY ISSUES
The SCRD has implemented two significant zoning changes specifically to the
3. CLEARCUT LOGGING: EFFECT ON TOURISM, ENVIRONMENT AND SCENIC APPEAL
4. ACTION REQUESTED
2. Forestry licensees provide to SCRD staff (in a timely fashion and at least two months prior to logging commences) operational plans relevant to logging in watershed and lake or road- visible areas and that the SCRD monitor logging practices in watershed areas (include post-operational inspections) to adequately protect water quality.
3. This Committee confirms its prior resolution opposing logging in community watersheds.
4. The Ruby Lake Landholders Association be provided with notice and be given an opportunity to provide input and involvement of all matters affecting Ruby Lake, the Ruby Lake watershed and its contiguous lands.
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