Early in November I helped haul a dead eagle out of, oddly enough, Eagle River...I doubt the poor bird appreciated the irony...for me though it was a pretty interesting experience...naturally, I would have far preferred to see it swooping down on a salmon or something...but such was not my lot on this day...my hiking partners and I looked for clues as to what have might have killed the thing...nothing obvious presented itself...no bullet holes, no signs of disease or hunger...other than being, you know, dead it looked gorgeous and healthy...well, being stumped for a probable cause (and sentimental) we gave it a decent burial and moved on.
It has since occurred to me that we missed the most obvious cause of death...suicide.
This happened the very week that logging began along the Eagle River...Island Timberlands contractors brought in their machines and trees were falling at an impressive rate...and in my dark heart I can picture this glorious eagle soaring high above, surveying the carnage...not only along the river, but far into the back country (where all hell has broken loose) and saying, "oh, bugger it."
Island Timberlands made a cut into the Greenway Corridor...then backed off when FOER protested...but they'll be returning to cut down the rest of it, the whole enchilada, in the Spring...though they refuse to define what Spring actually means to them...could be the sight of the first daffodil...could be the vernal equinox, March Break or maybe just the warmest, driest day in February...hard to say...I guess there's no point making a real commitment 'cause then they'd have to live up to it...you know, like I teach my kid to do.
Anyway, interesting times...personally, I'm not ready to say. "oh, bugger it" just yet...ever, actually...so...if solutions can't be found, if the community is not respected (and fat chance of that), I'm willing to put myself in front of the machines (and hopefully not pee my pants)...what's another year in court? I wouldn't ask anybody else to do it...but it would be good if it did come down to that last desperate stand that there were witnesses...it's your river, not theirs...the government stole it from us and gave it away...cheers.
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'.
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1 comment:
Powerful post about the Eagle Kevin. I would have never considered suicide.
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