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
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