by
Arrowsmith Parks and Land-Use Council (APLUC)
The Arrowsmith Parks and Land Use Council (APLUC) reports that Island Timberlands has made clear its intention to harvest on the borders of Cathedral Grove and the boundary of MacMillan Park.
Hikers have found ribbons on huge, old growth Douglas Firs on the slope overlooking the park, indicating that the forest company intends to log on the land which lies to the north of MacMillan Park, between the park and the old railway right of way.
Marked
trees on Island Timberlands property overlooking boundary of MacMillan
Park
Photo: Richard Boyce, Oct. 16, 2011
APLUC is calling for resistance to logging in this area, which is immediately adjacent to, and drains directly into, the park itself.
“A rise in the water table along the floodplain below is the chief cause of root rot and blowdown, a serious threat to the beautiful old growth Douglas Firs along the Cameron River,” said Berni Pearce of APLUC.
The same slope was under threat of logging in 2000, when the lands were owned by Weyerhaeuser. The public outcry brought an end to the plan at that time. Now the new owner is attempting it again, very quietly and without public consultation.
APLUC member Richard Boyce, well-known film-maker, conservationist and backcountry hiker, visits the area frequently and has reported his findings. On October 4 this year, he walked in the area just to the northwest of Cathedral Grove and saw no tape or markings. “But when I returned Sunday October 16, I found approximately 20 pink ribbons marked with IT#1-20 around giant Douglas fir trees. I suspect that Island Timberlands plans to heli-log this area immediately in the hope they can complete the whole process quickly and avoid public scrutiny.”
Berni Pearce, member of Friends of Cathedral Grove and APLUC, is asking for citizens to join in resisting this plan. “So many people have worked hard over many decades to save the Grove and the area around it. Cathedral Grove is not only an endangered ecosystem, it is also the most important, globally-known and admired, natural feature on Vancouver Island – the beacon of our tourist industry in this area. Anyone who cares about saving our best places will want to protect this forest from even the smallest risk.
This logging will proceed unless we resist. There could be chainsaws in there next week.”
