B.C.’s Forest Practices Board has denied an appeal of a decision to allow logging on Spallumcheen’s Rose Swanson Mountain. In an Aug. 15 decision, the board declined to appeal amendments to the BC Timber Sales forest stewardship plan – but it is encouraging public discourse on reaching an acceptable compromise. That comes in response to public concern over the potential logging from the Friends of Rose Swanson Ecosystem Society (FORSES) and others. While timber harvesting will now go ahead, the board says “the local community has a significant interest in the future of the Rose Swanson Mountain area, with many people opposed to any timber harvesting there.” Forest Practices Board chair Keith Atkinson continues: “The government has an opportunity now to address the public’s concerns by developing a new management plan that takes the local community’s knowledge and input into account.” …Spallumcheen residents have been fighting the proposed logging since at least 2021.

Additional coverage: Forest Practices Board open letter response to a request from a member of the public to appeal a decision made by government.