We felt the world should read one of the many emails we received today. It is an eloquent, heart-felt response that reflects the views and emotions of so many of us who call this beautiful region our home and who now labour to protect its watersheds and forests. It is inspiring to know we are not alone in our views and in our efforts to save the forests of the Skookumchuck. Now, here is that email:
Dear Forestry Representative,
My name is Chris Gallaway, and I'm a whitewater kayaker and filmmaker based in Asheville, North Carolina. I have not yet been able to visit British Columbia (though I'm strongly drawn to it as it's the place where my parents met and one of the prime kayaking destinations in the world); so it may seem odd to you that I am writing from such a remove to address the threat posed to Skookumchuck. But I hope that you will rightly take this as a sign of the far-reaching influence and importance of Skookumchuck.
The Skookumchuck Rapids is one of the most famous whitewater features in the world, and the surrounding natural environment is renowned for its exotic beauty. Having grown up with the stories of my parents, the wilderness of the BC area holds an almost magical appeal in my heart and imagination, and videos that I've seen from other kayakers' experiences there have only confirmed this image. So it is deeply troubling to me that the BC government would contemplate a large scale logging operation that would have grave environmental repercussions on this natural treasure, especially when there is such strong opposition to it from the local community.
This seems to be part of a distressing trend in British Columbian politics in which democracy is trumped by the power of the dollar (I'm referring specifically to the recent rash of high-impact hydro projects on BC rivers, despite local protest). I'm ashamed to say that I would sooner expect such disregard for the environment and the voice of the people from my own government than from Canada, but it seems democracy may be more vibrant in the U.S. than I thought. A community here in Asheville recently opposed plans by a major energy corporation to build an oil-burning power plant, and they won. The power company is now looking into sustainable alternatives with the help of this community. This is an example of how democracy should work and how the World community should strive together to balance the unquantifiable value of natural beauty and health with the constant demand for natural resources.
The people of Egmont are not making an unreasonable demand for total cancellation of logging plans, they are merely asking that an ethic of sustainability be followed, which in this day and age is more than good sense, it's a moral responsibility. Sustainability has been proven to be an attainable goal (especially in logging operations) and not in the least something to stand in competition with economic interests. Though sustainability might not provide as quick a turnaround in income as unrestricted logging operations, the longterm payoff in ecological health and beauty has no adequate price tag.
Please consider the effect that your decisions in this matter will have on not only the bottom line of a large corporation but on the lives of local residents and on the experiences that future visitors to this area will have. It's a sad day when corporations make antagonists of the very people they claim to serve, instead making the dollar their primary ally. But this is why government exists, to be the voice of the people and to defend the public good against private interests.
I passionately hope to visit British Columbia and the Skookumchuck Rapids someday soon, and to find there all of the natural wonder and beauty that I've grown up hearing about. The importance and impact of your decision cannot be underestimated. You have the power to forestall a natural destruction that would take centuries to repair. You have the power to preserve one of Creation's great treasures. You have the power to be the voice of the people, both present and for generations to come. Please use this power wisely, and make a decision that will be part of a new standard for environmental and democratic responsibility.
Sincerely,
Chris Gallaway
159 Reed St.
Asheville, NC 28803
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