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, August 4, 2008

Frogspotting...

My boy and I have been camped out here and there along the river for much of the summer...just hanging out and enjoying the opportunity really...that kinda thing...and the other day, after our early morning swim, we were sitting on the rocks toasting ourselves in the first rays of the sun...well, I was sitting...the boy, being just seven, couldn't possibly keep still and was scampering around hither and yon looking for adventure...and, being seven, he found it...in a frog...a frog doing the same thing that we were doing, I guess...toasting...but, as you'll see, I don't know much about frogs.

Anyway, this frog didn't seem too put out at having a curious kid for company...though every now and then, usually when the kid put the wee fellow too close to his mouth, the frog would leap away into the water...but it always came right back...which is to say that we had a real good look at the fellow...as did a friend who showed up later on...we spent maybe a half hour in total with this particular amphibian...which is a little embarrassing to admit now (even more embarrassing is that we had a camera with us and didn't take a snap) because our little three inch long companion was an endangered species...a Red Legged frog...Blue Listed...officially recognized by even the government as a species that needs to be protected...a rare thing...at one point it even jumped into my lap...go figger...and I didn't even clue in to the possiblities until the day after...well, no offense, frog.

Now I have to find that damned frog again...we need a photo...to catalogue it...to prove it to doubters...so, if you're a Frog-Hugger and you see one out there in your travels on the river (and if you have, say, a camera) please send us a shot of it...but be gentle...if you're gonna touch its skin make sure your hands have been cleaned in the water...they breathe thru their skin and bug spray or sunblock could do some harm.

So, how cool is that...an endangered species right there beneath the falls...of course, the whole river is threatened...but that's a story for another day.