Editor:
We recently had the opportunity to hike through a section of first growth forest on the slopes of Mount Elphinstone, which is slated to be sold by BC Timber Sales (BCTS).
Elphinstone Logging Focus refers to the area as the Clack Creek Gallery Forest. BCTS refers to it simply as Block 87126. The forest contains numerous large Douglas firs, 165 known species of mushrooms and the largest known patches in the province of the blue-listed endangered plant, snow bramble (Rubus nivalis).
In addition it contains part of the nationally recognized Trail Fest Wagon Bike Trail. Much of this would be lost or permanently altered if the forest is clearcut.
Mount Elphinstone has been extensively logged over the past decades, so there are now only pockets of first-growth forest remaining. These trees are up to 700 years old. While logging them would generate some short-term economic gain, leaving them standing would generate much more over the long term.
The proposed area is in Roberts Creek’s back yard and is highly used recreationally.
If you feel that there has been enough clearcut logging on Mount Elphinstone and that Block 87126 should not be next, please write to BCTS senior planner Norm Kempe at [email protected] to express your concerns.
Norm and Loni Funnell, Roberts Creek
