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'.

Monday, April 7, 2008

THE LATEST...AND IT AIN'T MUCH

April 7th...there has been NO activity in the forest along Eagle River lately...unless you take into consideration the movement of hummingbirds and cougars and bears and stuff like that...salmonberry flowers are up...that's always good news...less cheery is that much of the forest to the east of the Corridor has been harvested, as they say...the substantial collateral damage (ex-forest) has been piled into those large beaver dam things...burn piles, maybe...or work for firewood contractors...you can see for miles now...haven't heard a peep from Island Timberlands about their plans...not one...nada...we have been refused an audience with the Corporate Advisory Group this week...so, really, who knows what is going on? Not a clue...which is tricky, but that's also life...Green/Community groups are joining hands to work together through this crisis...FoER, Stillwater, Myrtle Creek, the Grannies...it's growing...more brains, more ideas, more support, more enthusiasm...that's kinda cool...it is pretty clear, in the end, in this sickening and pathetic political climate, that we have to find a way to purchase the lands in question...but that's a long term job...the trick is getting the time to pull it off...well, that's one of the tricks...meanwhile, back at the river, we are prepared for just about anything...ciao.

p.s. there are 2 articles in this months' immanence magazine
http://immanence.ca/

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

That's good, I guess. Any new people to pressure? Specific helpful actions to take?