North Cowichan council reaffirmed its commitment to the development of a co-management plan for the 5,000-hectare municipal forest reserve with the Quw’utsun Nation at its meeting on Nov. 19, and to prioritize ecological and conservation principles in response to public feedback [see North Cowichan Council Press Release]. In August, council adopted a direction to pursue five new strategic priorities … which included resuming forestry harvesting in the MFR, were endorsed in a 4-3 vote… In May, a consultant was selected to lead the North Cowichan/Quw’utsun Nation co-management framework process, but Quw’utsun Nation members signalled a pause in this process following the August announcement regarding the resumption of forest harvesting in the MFR. The decision to make harvesting one of the strategic priorities without consulting the Quw’utsun Nation … raised concerns. …Following a discussion, council voted to complete the co-management framework and plan in partnership with Quw’utsun Nation prior to reconsidering forest harvesting as a strategic priority.

Additional coverage, letter by Bryan Senft, Ladysmith-Chemainus Chronicle: Logging to offset taxes will not work