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?
Thursday, August 2, 2007
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)