Editor:
I would like to thank and congratulate the community forest for their excellent and well run presentation about the state of the Wilson Creek watershed (Coast Reporter, Aug. 31). The presentation was informative, interesting and presented by qualified people in a great venue.
I understand the study was very costly in monetary terms (lost opportunity) and I think it is important to acknowledge the lengths they have gone to address community concerns, mainly expressed by individuals who range from concerned property owners to some I politely refer to as cynical.
It is refreshing to hear a scientific and objective analysis. It dispelled many myths, downright exaggerations, fabrications and embellishments being touted by some folks as the "enlightened" view.
One has to soberly wonder if the community forest can withstand the onslaught of requests from people who have nothing at all to lose by demanding endless studies and reviews on every inch of the tenure - far above and beyond accepted and normal procedures.
I support the community forest in its mandate and wish them success this year. I think it's a great thing for the community, but it can only survive if people are reasonable. The organization is blessed with a number of progressive individuals who bode well for the future, but frivolous requests will sink the ship eventually if they are tolerated.
There are always those who don't want any logging anywhere, and we have heard from them ad nauseam. For those with genuine concerns and issues, by all means do everything we can to address them within the mandate.
Paul Tingley
Gibsons
