The controversy surrounding B.C. Timber Sales (BCTS) cutblock A87124 continued to mount last week when it was revealed that Elphinstone Logging Focus (ELF) began construction of a protest site on a logging road into the area.
The sale of A87124 has been set for Feb. 29.
The group has called the site Elphin-stone Outpost, and ELF president Ross Muirhead confirmed that it could form the centrepiece of a protest should logging proceed in the cutblock.
When asked if he was concerned about the legality of such action, Muirhead stated: "We [the board of directors] have a policy that we don't break the law. So if an injunction is served then we walk away.
"We can't take responsibility for what the other members decide to do," he added.
This has local foresters like Warren Hansen worried that organizations like ELF could prevent the harvesting of the cutblock, setting a precedent of what he called complacency in dealing with protest groups.
In an open letter to forestry officials dated Feb. 20, Hansen lamented the possible safety risks, pollution and obstruction that could be wrought by a protest camp in the cutblock.
"I believe these structures must be removed/destroyed immediately before they become occupied," stated Hansen.
A request to the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resources confirmed that BCTS had been informed about the structure.
"BCTS is unaware of the intended use of the shed; however, the shed itself is not viewed as an impediment to future road construction activities," said spokesperson Vivian Thomas, who also confirmed that compliance and enforcement staff were planning to visit the location.
On Feb. 21, ELF held a meeting at the Roberts Creek Hall to discuss actions related to their proposed 1,500-hectare park expansion on the slopes of Mount Elphinstone.
It was an opportunity for the group to share its worries about the harvesting of A87124, a cutblock that straddles the 160-hectare Columbia National Investments clearcut.
Also among ELF's concerns is the age of the cutblock, which due to a historic fire had largely been ignored by the logging community until this point. The group wants to preserve the block, bolstered by optimism that their proposal to expand Mount Elphinstone Provincial Park will eventually be accepted.
On Feb. 16 a delegation from BCTS that included executive director Mike Falkiner and timber sales manager Don Hudson appeared before the Sunshine Coast Regional District's (SCRD) planning and development committee to address their concerns regarding logging on Mount Elphinstone.
The group reiterated that the sale of A87124 will go ahead, but also announced their intent to preserve three other controversial cutblocks, including two on the slopes of Dakota Ridge that contain old growth forests.
A recent archeological study of the Dakota cutblocks revealed that there were no culturally modified trees in the area, Hudson said, but the plan is still to preserve them.
"Those three areas total about 57 odd hectares combined, and as I said, they'll be protected as old growth management areas for the long-term," Hudson said. "Hopefully, that's some demonstration that we are listening."
The sales manager also addressed the SCRD's concerns surrounding the cumulative impacts of logging in the area and their worries about multiple licensees operating in the area.
"We do keep apprised of what each other is doing," he said.
Falkiner addressed the community's response to the sale of A87124, acknowledging that BCTS has received a significant number of communications from both sides of the argument.
He echoed his confidence in BCTS' ability to balance environmental sustainability with economic prosperity.
"What we don't do very well is come out and speak to people like you and explain ourselves, and so we're trying," he said.
MLA Nicholas Simons commented that he would like to dispel rumours of his unequivocal support for the park proposal.
"I offered to assist [Hans Penner] and Mr. Muirhead in contacting the appropriate authorities, which I did," he said. "However, I recognize the importance of the forest industry to our communities, the SIB's traditional territory and the other competing interests on Mount Elphinstone."
