So...no good news here...just more crap...Island Timberlands returned to Eagle River this past week and clear cut a significant chunk out of the heart of the forest...it's a bloody mess...at the moment they have left a decorative strip of trees along the ocean...good luck to those trees this winter when the winds kick up...even better luck to them when IT returns to finish the job later on.
The Friends of Eagle River were completely sandbagged by this resumption of logging...we had no idea this was imminent...even though, you know, we are the community representatives for the river...even though Makenzie Leine of IT promised the Regional District recently that she would contact concerned locals...well, we can't find anybody local who was contacted...not a frickin' soul...pretty easy to find concerned locals...but, contacted? Nope, still looking...which is kinda interesting 'cause Timberlands has promised several times in the past to communicate directly with the group about logging plans... Bill Waugh, a senior executive with IT, even admitted so with sweet sounding words to the Peak (Nov. 2007) when his lot surprised the community with an unannounced cut along the river...and I quote the relevant paragraph, "Waugh agreed that the company had committed to letting the group (FoER) know before logging took place in the area. 'We did drop the ball on that'."
Dropped the ball...neato...and what about picking that ball up and trying again? Hasn't happened.
As for what comes next, well, that's a puzzle...so many trees are lying on the ground at the moment...and at a time when the salmon are starting to return to the river...and the bears were to fatten up on them...and so on and so forth...the place looks buggered..but there's always tomorrow and fresh ideas and renewed optimism, I guess...but that's tomorrow...today we get to mourn the loss...and regret trusting peoples words...stay tuned.
Oh, if you wanna read the crap offered as an explanation by Timberlands PR flack then read the October 1st Peak article.
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
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
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'.
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'.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
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