Editor:
Re: Elphinstone Logging Focus ad in the Coast Reporter, July 29.
Elphinstone Logging Focus (ELF)’s advertisement in Coast Reporter last week named local business owners who bid on a recent timber sale on Mt. Elphinstone. What is ELF’s goal with this tactic? It looks like bullying and intimidation to me.
Timber harvesting on Mt. Elphinstone’s slopes creates jobs for Sunshine Coast residents and supports other local businesses. The roads built in a working forest are used by mountain bikers, hikers and horseback riders to access trails throughout the backcountry.
While I respect Roberts Creek’s official community plan, Mt. Elphinstone’s forests are part of the provincial forest resource and owned by all British Columbians. As Roberts Creek residents, we are fortunate to be able to share this working forest for many uses. Portions of the forest will be harvested over time, replanted and grown into another healthy forest to be shared and then harvested again.
Independent timber harvest contractors create local jobs, support forest trail access and deliver forest products we all use daily. From my perspective, these loggers are unsung heroes in our community.
David Elstone, RPF, Roberts Creek resident and Truck Loggers Association Executive Director
