Help Save Eagle River

The Friends of Eagle River are working to help protect this river, and the forests that surround it, from devastating logging, development and water use practices. Eagle River flows through the heart of so many of us in this community and it needs YOUR support and action now. Please join us in the struggle to preserve this cherished piece of our natural heritage.

This site will keep you up to date on the latest news.
or email us at:
eagleriver02@gmail.com
or phone us at:
604.487.0168

Map of Proposed Greenway Corridor

Map of Proposed Greenway Corridor

THE VISION

This is a map of the Greenway Corridor along the Eagle River...this plan was developed by FoER after open consultation with the local community...it runs from the powerhouse to the dam roughly following boundaries created
by existing logging roads...the width varies from 50-175 metres...this would provide wildlife with an unobstructed passageway between the ocean and the wild(er) areas above the dam...it would also leave the impression of wilderness for all of us who visit the river. Although we are asking for precious little in the whole corporate scheme of things, we are insisting on more than a so-called buffer...buffers are an illusion and serve no meaningful purpose other than to create the impression that everything is, you know, fine.

Island Timberlands owns much of the land along the river...for two years now they have been ready to log...while we have slowed their march towards the water's edge, they plan on returning in the Spring to do what they do best...for visual evidence of their logging practices just scroll down this page and look at the snaps of Horseshoe River...or take a drive towards Saltery Bay...or maybe a hike in the back country.

The community has strongly stated that they do not want the forest along the river harmed...ultimately this may become a debate for lawyers...or it may mean some tough decisions for all of us.

Stillwater Bluffs is also under Island Timberland's umbrella...we have decided to join those who oppose the destruction of that wondrous landmark...FoER has worked long and diligently to persuade this company to respect our community’s wishes by preserving the Greenway Corridor and the Bluffs in perpetuity...but frankly we haven't much hope without your strong and continued support...your voices count...your voices have kept those trees standing for the past two years...nice goin'.

Sunday, January 27, 2008

Gordon Campbell presiding over destruction of BC forest industry say Steelworkers

Jan 17, 2008
CNW Group
By Stephen Hunt

United Steelworkers' (USW) Western Canada
Director Stephen Hunt said Thursday that BC Premier Gordon Campbell is
presiding over the destruction of the province's most important employer and
economic engine - the forest industry.

Campbell, who is to make a keynote address to the Truck Loggers'
Association's 65 Annual Convention on Friday, promised the revitalization of
the BC forest industry at the same convention five years ago. Since then,
permanent closures of wood-processing facilities and woodlands operations have
spun out of control.

This week another major coastal woodlands contractor, Munns Lumber of
Duncan, declared it could no longer operate on the BC Coast. It was the fourth
major contractor on the Coast within the last year to declare that it could no
longer meet costs.

"Since Gordon Campbell took power in May 2001, there have been over
20,000 industry jobs lost in the mills and woods, including the permanent
closures of at least 43 wood-processing facilities in province. Another
6 mills are down indefinitely," said Hunt. "The unwritten future legacy of the
Campbell government promises to be the hollowing out and destruction of the BC
forest industry."

In the same seven-year period, some 30 million cubic meters of raw logs
have been exported from BC, assisting competitors in the U.S. and economic
development in foreign countries.

"We agree with the TLA that Campbell's forest policies have transferred
too much power to the few major licensees that operate on the BC Coast," said
Hunt. "TLA member companies and USW members have paid a high price for a
distorted market system, uncontrolled log exports, unprecedented wood waste
and high-grading, the loss of cut control and appurtenance provisions, and
uncontrolled tenure transfers.

"We also agree with the TLA that non-timber values are driving government
policy. Without any public scrutiny, BC Forest Minister Rich Coleman, who is
under investigation by the Auditor-General's office, has allowed the removal
of private lands from tree farm license administration to be used for real
estate development.

"Unfortunately the destruction of the province's most vital industry has
been portrayed in the mainstream media as a result of the rising Canadian
dollar and low lumber prices. Meanwhile, the premier refuses government
intervention and allows the backbone of many BC communities to be demolished
at the same time as it pockets refunded border taxes from the Harper-Bush
softwood lumber agreement."

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Great work.