Editor:
In a June 19 Coast Reporter article, “Calls to defer Elphinstone Highlands cutblock TA0519 auction supported,” we note that BC Timber Sales (BCTs) is quoted as saying, that the block which was scheduled to go to auction on April 1, has been delayed due to an ‘”administration error.” That comment from BCTS begs the question what exactly was the said error. This type of official statement meets the definition of “obfuscation”: to make something less clear and harder to understand, especially intentionally.
I think we can read this comment from BCTS that they are slowly backing away from this logging operation located in the headwaters of Chaster Creek Watershed. The Elphinstone Community Association has done an excellent job in tracking this block since it appeared on the BCTS sales schedule. They even convinced BCTS staff, those responsible for planning this block, to appear before them at the Frank West Hall. ELF notes that this is the first time we’ve seen BCTS conduct a public meeting on the Sunshine Coast to discuss their on-going logging plans. When the meeting did begin they refused to allow the media to attend, and then on introduction refused to provide their last names, so not exactly being warm and welcoming.
In a detailed report, ELF explained to BCTS that their logging plan had a high probability of failing to meet their objective of a “commercial thin,” because there is no way a big, hulking feller buncher machine could nimbly move through the thick stand of low value second-growth trees (aka pecker poles) without damaging the majority of the adjacent small trees marked for retention. We also documented that the plan called for turning the popular High Road Trail (link to Summit Trail and the Elphinstone Peak) into a logging road which is unacceptable for recreational users of these backcountry forests. Here’s hoping that BCTS’ administrative error is their way of saying that we’re “pulling this block.”
Ross Muirhead
ELF
