Island Timberlands Logging Steep Slopes of Cathedral Grove’s Last Ancient Forest with No Community Consultation
By WCWC (mid-island)
 Qualicum Beach, British Columbia – Vancouver Island’s Cathedral Grove is the location of one of Canada’s most internationally famous and beloved oldgrowth parks. The protective ancient forest canopy on the steep slope above the park, is falling to Island Timberlands’ saws this week, as the off-shore company’s week-long logging of the world-famous ancient giants continues without community consultation.
Image: Tree sits saved the grove the axe a few years ago, but the loggers are back.
"Island Timberlands is logging the last of Cathedral Grove’s world famous Ancient Forest,” explains Annette Tanner, spokesperson for the Western Canada Wilderness Committee’s Mid Island chapter.
“This arrogant and aggressive act by such a bold new off-shore company dismisses the community concerns that for over 100 years have been supported by huge public and international outcry to see all of Cathedral Grove protected,” continues Tanner.
"These fights will only continue again and again in this region and across the province until the BC Liberal government undertakes a comprehensive provincial old-growth strategy to inventory and protect what remains," explained Tanner.
“Numerous invitations over the past six years to Environment Minister Barry Penner to see the Cathedral Grove Canyon and its headwaters, have gone unanswered,” Tanner continued.
Cathedral Grove’s Labour Day Lake Headwaters and its canyon, where Island Timberlands have flagged the biggest ancient giants, are the drinking water sources for the Town of Qualicum Beach and surrounding communities.
Previous company owners of Cathedral Grove, such as MacMillan Bloedel and Weyerhaeuser have respected the more than one hundred years of community voices working to protect the Grove.
“I am still waiting to hear that Island Timberlands is engaged with our provincial government in addressing this community, provincial, national and global priority,” concluded Tanner.
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Wilderness Committee, Mid-Island
Box 442, Qualicum Beach, BC, V9K lS9,
ph. 250 752-6585, fax: 250 752-7085 email: wcwcqb@shaw.ca
cathedralgrovecanyon.com
Press Release
Saturday, October 24, 2009- for immediate release -
for more information contact Annette Tanner 250 752-6585, - cell 240-7470
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