The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) has agreed in principle to a draft communication protocol with B.C. Timber Sales (BCTS) - but directors want to take their concerns about watershed protection to the top of the provincial chain.
The decision came after directors reviewed the draft BCTS protocol during the May 16 planning and development committee meeting.
The protocol was drawn up following the controversial BCTS timber sale near McNeil Lake earlier this year. In February, BCTS agreed to withdraw the cutblock closest to the lake from its logging plans after Sechelt Nation Chief Garry Feschuk and regional district directors raised strong objections during a site visit.
Described by planner Teresa Fortin as "a step in the right direction," the draft protocol does not include operational conditions - such as a commitment by BCTS to provide site visits, limit operational hours and set yearly harvesting thresholds -but "does achieve a community goal in increasing transparency and communication between BCTS and the SCRD."
Directors amended the draft document by adding the Gibsons aquifer recharge zone and all of West Howe Sound to the "community interface areas" and specifying that meetings with BCTS will be held at least twice a year to review operational plans, which are to be provided to the SCRD "in a timely manner."
On community watersheds, however, board chair Garry Nohr said directors' concerns should be heard by Premier Christy Clark and the new Liberal cabinet in Victoria.
"We should take the initiative. There's a new government in place. I think this is the time to hit," Nohr said.
He suggested directors "put all the gripes we have together and present it. It might cost us a thousand dollars. We've got to do it, in my view."
Directors supported the idea, approving a motion authorizing Nohr to write a letter requesting the meeting.
"We are interested in being consulted and I don't disagree about going to Victoria," Roberts Creek director Donna Shugar said.
The revised BCTS protocol will come back to next month's planning and development committee for further consideration.
Speaking from the gallery, Sunshine Coast Conservation Association chair Jason Herz said it disturbed him that the SCRD had to go to BCTS for a protocol agreement, when BCTS has stopped providing information about its activities to the public.
"We get no information anymore," Herz said.
Shugar noted the draft agreement says the SCRD can share information from BCTS with internal committees and members of the public, "but they would like your comments to come back through the SCRD."
When the board sits down with BCTS officials, Nohr said, one of the first subjects he will raise is the need for BCTS to start presenting its logging plans to the public.
