Region Archives: Canada West

Things got a bit messy at the B.C. premier’s constituency office on Wednesday morning, when old growth logging protesters delivered a rather unsightly gift. Activists from the group Save Old Growth dumped five bags of fresh manure outside the front entrance of John Horgan’s community office in Langford. Misha Gervais, who works at a hair salon two doors down from Horgan’s office said she was appalled to see manure being dumped on the sidewalk. “We have people who come here in wheelchairs constantly. This is a hazard. We work here and this is absolutely disgusting and uncalled for,” she said. …“There’s no doubt in my mind that they go too far,” said Paul Quirk, a UBC political science professor… Quirk says protesters who take extreme measures are not always looking for public support. …Quirk added demonstrations that interfere with the public continue because of a lack of political will.

Logging happening on Coldstream Ranch lands is happening to address fire risk in the area. While some residents of the Brewer Road area in Lavington are complaining about noise from the helicopter logging operation, spokesperson Trish Balcaen of Balcaen Consolidated Contracting says all residents of the area were contacted prior to work beginning, and “95% of them are happy and relieved we are doing this.” The ranch is owned by Balcaen’s father, Keith, but the logging arm of the family business is undertaking the work following fir beetle infestation in the forest above the homes that has left many trees dead. Balcaen says about 10 hectares is involved, on steep terrain that can’t be logged from the ground. “The beetle kill poses a fire threat to the ranch and to the area,” says Balcaen. “We are looking at it as a community safety issue.”

VICTORIA – During the week of May 30, 2022, the Forest Practices Board will examine the activities of the BC Timber Sales (BCTS) program and timber-sale licence holders near Williams Lake, in the Cariboo-Chilcotin Natural Resource District. Auditors will examine whether timber harvesting, roads, bridges, silviculture, fire protection activities and associated planning carried out between June 1, 2020, and June 3, 2022, met the requirements of the Forest and Range Practices Act and the Wildfire Act. The audit area is located in the Williams Lake Timber Supply Area (TSA), which includes the communities of Williams Lake, Anahim Lake, Tatla Lake, Alexis Creek, and Horsefly. The TSA overlaps the traditional territories of the Secwepemc, Tsilhqot’in, and the Southern Dakelh Nation Alliance. There are many resources in the TSA, including timber, recreation, tourism, ranching, and wildlife.

Additional coverage in My Cariboo Now: Audit To Be Done In The Cariboo-Chilcotin Natural Resource District

The City of Winnipeg is seeking input on its urban forest strategy. The strategy is a long-term planning document that will guide the long-range protection, preservation and management of Winnipeg’s tree canopy, the city says. “Development of the strategy is crucial and timely as the urban forest faces increasingly significant loss due to insects and disease as well as mounting pressure from climate change and urban development,” a city news release reads. “Now is the time for all of Winnipeg to play a part in defining plans to protect our trees and ensure our urban forest can grow into the future.”

Jesse Zeman

The government of BC has abandoned science-based wildlife with its decision to curtail hunting in the Peace-Liard region under the guise of reconciliation, says the BC Wildlife Federation.  Caribou hunting will be banned and moose hunting severely curtailed over roughly 22 per cent of the province under new regulations.  What the government press release omits is that BC has also negotiated a deal that will see 195 forestry, oil and gas projects proceed in the traditional territory of the Blueberry River First Nation. Another 20 industrial projects in Blueberry territory are still up for negotiation….“The government has allowed Treaty 8 territories to be damaged by industrial development, but rather than address that problem, BC has opted to imposed hunting regulations that have no basis in science,” said Jesse Zeman. 

NANAIMO — The campaign to save Cable Bay Trail has earned a major win. An initially proposed 50 metre buffer of forested land west of the beloved Cable Bay Trail will instead be 100 metres, staving off development immediately next to the pathway and ensuring the future and health of the area for years to come. Paul Sadler, CEO of Harmac Pacific, announced during a Nanaimo City Council meeting on Monday, May 16, his company heard loud and clear on the wishes of not only Council to address the issue now, but also those who have campaigned to preserve the land from development. “It’s evidently clear to us at Harmac that Council wishes to define the Cable Bay buffer now, during the OCP process. To that end, NFPL will support the OCP policy of an average 100 metre buffer, which is estimated at 27 acres of property, will be allocated to the Cable Bay Trail adjacent to our lands.”

FORT NELSON, B.C. – The province is looking for residents to provide feedback on a draft of a Boreal Caribou Protection and Recovery Plan specific to Northeast B.C. The province says boreal caribou are listed as “threatened” in Schedule 1 of Canada’s Species at Risk Act and are red-listed in B.C. According to the province, recent population trends from herd monitoring activities and Indigenous and local knowledge have documented a long-term decline in local boreal caribou populations. …The 47-page draft plan outlines a recovery path for four of B.C’s five boreal caribou herd ranges. …The draft plan seeks to replace the existing Implementation Plan for the Ongoing Management of Boreal Caribou in British Columbia, which has been in place since 2011. …Residents can provide their feedback until May 20th.

In partnership with First Nations, the B.C. government is making changes to hunting regulations to support reconciliation and improve wildlife stewardship and habitat conservation. The changes affect the hunting of elk, moose, mountain sheep, bighorn sheep and mountain goat, and are the outcome of provincial regulation changes that occur every two years. …These decisions were informed by extensive engagement with the public, First Nations, the Guide Outfitters Association of British Columbia and the BC Wildlife Federation. The hunting regulation changes in northeastern B.C. are an interim measure and part of broader actions to improve wildlife stewardship, uphold Treaty rights and enhance habitat conservation. The Province, regional First Nations and affected stakeholders will continue to work together to develop an approach to wildlife co-management that improves shared understanding and management of the wildlife resources in a manner consistent with the Together for Wildlife strategy.

There is 20 times more carbon in a mature Kootenay forest than in a five-year-old clear-cut in the same area. This is one of the conclusions following research carried out by four students of forestry professor Dr. Suzanne Simard in an area known as the Argenta-Johnsons Landing Face in the Purcell Mountains north of Nelson. …Their results confirmed recent research from around the world showing that when a forest is clear-cut it becomes a net emitter of carbon, rather than a storehouse of it. …About 65 per cent of the carbon in harvested logs is turned into toilet paper, short-term cardboard or other short-lived products that end up in the waste stream almost immediately and release CO2, Simard says. …Other research by Simard found that about 60 per cent of forest floor carbon is lost when conventional logging is used. …Simard said the work of her students shows a need to re-think clear-cutting. 

For years, residents of West Kootenay have campaigned to have an important landscape on Kootenay Lake, included in the Purcell Wilderness Conservancy. But now, a portion of this locally cherished area is slated to be logged. Logging activities were set to begin last week when a group of protesters blocked the Salisbury Forest Service road near Argenta. This logging is slated to begin during the start of the nesting and migratory bird season. Migratory birds and their nests are protected under the federal Migratory Birds Convention Act. …Cooper Creek Cedar must delay logging until at least after the nesting period, and allow time for a resolution of the conflict that will spell the fate of this important forest that connects mountains to the shores of Kootenay Lake.

Kelly Kitsch shared this picture of a Pacific tree frog (Pseudacris regilla) on her LinkedIn profile, saying, “People very much underestimate the value of coarse woody debris and the habitat, moisture and nutrients it provides on the ground after harvesting. It supports a variety of amphibians, birds, beneficial insects and of course a new generation of healthy forests.”

VICTORIA – The Cheakamus Community Forest Limited Partnership (CCF) has met almost all requirements of the provincial Forest and Range Practices Act, the Wildfire Act and related land-use orders, with the exception of a requirement to address fire hazards following logging activity. In one cutblock with two piles of logging debris … the CCF did not meet the requirements of the Wildfire Act to dispose of the piles to reduce wildfire hazards. Eight additional slash piles were also not disposed of but were located within the boundaries of the Resort Municipality of Whistler, where municipal bylaws supersede some sections of the Wildfire Act. However, Whistler’s bylaws do not include a requirement to address debris left after industrial activities. “Leaving this slash created a significant wildfire risk,” said Kevin Kriese, chair of the Forest Practices Board. …Adding, “the board is recommending the municipality update its bylaws to create a requirement equivalent to the Wildfire Act.”

Additional coverage in Pique News Magazine, by Brandon Barrett: Audit determines fire hazard wasn’t handled properly at Cheakamus Community Forest

Molly Hudson

The Cortes Islanders smiling, singing, and snacking outside the community hall might have been gathered for a spring picnic — if it weren’t for the anti-logging protest signs pitched across the lawn. …anger bubbled up in the crowd when Mosaic Forest Management representatives began to outline draft plans for logging operations on the small B.C. island over the next three years. Since Mosaic announced its plans in January, many of the community’s 1,000 residents have been mobilizing to prevent the return of logging operations. Gary Lawson, Mosaic’s North Island general manager of operations, said following community input last month, the company still plans to log 7.5 hectares, or approximately 5 to 6,000 cubic metres of timber, this year. But the company has made changes — deferring this year’s cut in some blocks where islanders expressed specific concern… Mosaic aims to work on a similar scale to the Cortes Community Forest, said director of sustainability Molly Hudson. 

The Comox Valley Land Trust has been granted $3.5 million from Environment and Climate Change Canada to support three projects in the Puntledge River watershed. The projects will protect critical habitat and environmentally sensitive areas at risk from logging. Two of the projects are to purchase land and protect it with conservation covenants. The third involves buying the timber reservation on BC Hydro land. Federal funds must be matched 1:1 and raised by March 31, 2023. “These projects include over 1,000 acres of the most critical and sensitive habitat in the Comox Valley,” said CVLT executive director Tim Ennis. “This is a fantastic opportunity to protect mature forests, wetlands, and riparian areas on eastern Vancouver Island.” …“CVLT has strong strategic partnerships and a successful track record,” Ennis said. “We’re seeking partners to match the federal grant and are hopeful the groups we are speaking with will come to the table and be generous.”

Smoke was not the only thing that polluted the sky when several wildfires burned in the West Kootenay last summer. Noise pollution from helicopters was also a problem and — along with several complaints from regional district residents — the board of the Regional District of Central Kootenay has petitioned federal MP’s with a plan. RDCK board chair Aimee Watson has written a letter to South Okanagan-West Kootenay MP Richard Cannings (NDP), Kootenay-Columbia MP Rob Morrison (Conservatives) and Transport Canada about helicopter noise pollution in the regional district. The concern over the noise of helicopters — working in the region for heli-logging — was district-wide, Watson noted in her letter. …“Of particular concern is the ability for heli-logging operations to operate outside daytime hours and over built up areas.”

An evolving forestry industry was one discussion Castlegar City Councillors brought back from the recent Annual Kootenay Boundary Local Governments convention. One presentation asking “are we ready to modernize the Forestry Industry?”seemed to have hit close to home for Councillors Dan Rye and Sue Heaton-Sherstobitoff. “Forestry is important in our economic development and government thinks there’s going to be 4500 people without jobs. The forest industry itself is saying 18,000 people plus all the secondary jobs. So that’s something that we really have to pay attention to because it really could impact our community.” says Councillor Heaton-Sherstobitoff. “I don’t think we realize just how much it may affect us in our area, and it was interesting listening to other Mayors and other Councillors from areas around us that I would consider to be sort of on the green side, basically saying ‘wow this is going to hurt us’….” shared Councillor Dan Rye.

A group of people protesting logging plans in an area north of Nelson were arrested by RCMP on Tuesday (May 17) morning for violating a court-ordered injunction by a West Kootenay timber company.  The group Last Stand West Kootenay set up camp in April on a logging road in the Argenta-Johnsons Landing Face, a stretch of forested mountainside between the east shore of Kootenay Lake and the Purcell Wilderness Conservancy near the small community of Argenta.  RCMP said in a statement that the 17 people were arrested for civil contempt of court. Of those, nine were taken into custody while eight people were released on the condition of attending a July 19 court date in Nelson.  Vancouver Island-based lawyer Noah Ross, whose firm is providing legal advice to the people detained, said he believed approximately 20-30 people had been arrested.

Additional coverage in the Vancouver Sun, by Joseph Ruttle: Police arrest 17 protesters at logging blockade near Kaslo

Backcountry road users are advised that the roads closed in October 2021 across the Thompson Okanagan region, following 15 severe wildfires, will remain closed. The closures were established under the Motor Vehicle Prohibition Regulation of the Wildlife Act and apply to backcountry roads across approximately 536,000 hectares. Roads were closed to allow areas to recover from wildfire impacts including: erosion of charred soils and impacts on fish habitat; increased vulnerability of wildlife due to migration disruptions, habitat loss and loss of vegetation cover; and increased open areas due to construction of approximately 2,900 kilometres of fire guards. Closure boundaries follow landmarks such as roads, rivers and streams near wildfire perimeters.

Vancouver, B.C. – The BC Council of Forest Industries (COFI) is pleased to announce that it is now accepting applications for the 2022 Forestry Scholarship. This year, COFI is awarding 13 $2,000 scholarships, including three COFI Indigenous Forestry Scholarships in continued partnership with the New Relationship Trust Foundation. “COFI is pleased to continue to support the next generation of foresters, biologists, technicians and more, as they advance their educational goals and work towards a career in the forest industry,” said Susan Yurkovich, President and CEO of COFI. “These bright young minds will contribute to the future growth and sustainability of our sector, including the Indigenous students that will be supported through our continued partnership with the New Relationship Trust Foundation.”

The We Wai Kai First Nation has partnered with Mosaic Forest Management to harvest a Mosaic-owned tree farm licence on Quadra Island. A new organization has been formed by the First Nation and forestry contractor Roga Contracting called Way Key Ventures that will provide harvesting services for Mosaic. According to a release from Mosaic, the partnership will “benefit the continued employment and careful management of the working forests of Quadra Island.” The harvest area is within Mosaic’s Tree Farm Licence 47, and Way Key ventures will provide harvesting services to the We Wai Kai First Nation as well. “This new partnership is a significant opportunity for our Nation to experience economic, social and cultural benefits of forests within our traditional territory,” said We Wai Kai Chief Ronnie Chickite. “We all benefit from a thriving sustainable forest sector.”

See Mosaic Forest Management press release.

In the year since RCMP began enforcing an injunction against protests near the Fairy Creek watershed on Vancouver Island, 403 people have been charged with contempt of court, 49 people have either pleaded or been found guilty and one person has been acquitted, a CBC analysis has found. The numbers are based on the latest information provided by the RCMP and the B.C. Prosecution Service. They come as summer approaches and protest organizers begin calling for activists to return to blockade sites on Crown land near Port Renfrew, where police have been enforcing a court injunction won by logging company Teal Cedar since May 17, 2021. …As of Dec. 2, the last date on which anyone was arrested, RCMP say there have been a total of 1,188 arrests… Of the 919 arrests for contempt, police have recommended charges for 451 people. The Crown says it has assessed 438 of those files so far, approving 403 charges. 

The BC First Nations Forestry Council invites First Nations, industry and Government to join us at the 3rd annual BC First Nations Forestry Conference – CONNECTING FIRST NATIONS TO FOREST SECTOR OPPORTUNITIES on June 22nd and 23rd (Virtual Event). This annual event provides an opportunity for First Nations to come together with each other, alongside industry and government partners, to discuss current changes in the BC Forest Sector. During this 2-day virtual event, attendees can take part in panel discussions on relevant policy and legislation changes in BC, celebrate the growing BC Indigenous forestry workforce and learn more about how we can connect that workforce to forest sector opportunities.

From data about wildfires and floods to natural resource and tech-sector insights, finding a wide variety of key information has become easier and more secure for British Columbians with the launch of an improved and updated BC Data Catalogue. People, businesses and organizations can access the BC Data Catalogue to find provincial government data, applications and web services that can be used to make informed decisions and create opportunities for British Columbians. …There are more than 3,000 sets of data in the catalogue, allowing businesses to easily make knowledgeable decisions, build new products or services, and develop new business models. …Leon Medema, manager of geographic information systems at Williams Lake-based Consus Management, which specializes in forestry and utilities management, has been using the BC Data Catalogue for several years.