LAST-DITCH CRISIS SITUATION
Please phone, fax, and email on behalf of your organization
and on your own behalf.
The provincial government can support the Capital Regional District with $2,000,000 to buy private forest land and protect it from development near Victoria. But here along the East Coast, where we are boxed in between massive private forest land and the sea, the government is unable to protect even Crown land (the few pieces that we have) from logging devastation.
The government agencies involved in the fate of DL33, about 150 acres (60 hectares) of Crown Land in the Nanoose District, have overlooked its classification as a sensitive wetland area and an endangered CDF forest, and are within a week going to rubber stamp it for logging.
DL33 is a precious last remnant of intact forest with a marvelous trail system through it. Although it was lightly and selectively logged perhaps 100 years ago or more, it has retained many old growth characteristics including many ancient trees and is a fine example of the Moist Maritime Coastal Douglas Fir ecosystem declared as endangered by the Forest Practices Board. It is large enough to provide important habitat. It is presently surrounded by development on one side, by a large gravel pit on another side, and by Island Timberlands clearcuts on most of the remaining two sides.
The extensive wetland with many streamlets and vernal pools stores water in the winter and supports stream flow during the summer months in Nanoose Creek, a fish-bearing stream. The attachment above, DL 33 Log Plan, does not capture all of the standing water at the site. If the DFO's 30-meter reserve were imposed on all the water pools and courses in DL33, and flagged in the field, it is likely there would be little left for industrial logging.
Have a look at the attached Google Earth map of DL33 showing clearcutting right up to the edges of the block in question. And note there is one remaining and highly valuable 'green zone' which joins DL33 with upper Nanoose Creek to create a wildlife corridor to the sea.
It's time to flood the airwaves, folks. We are told today by Calvin Ross, Acting District Manager, BC Forest Service, that he is currently receiving the harvest submission documents and logging could commence at DL33 within the next week. Please tell Mr. Ross, Mr. Zinovich and your political leaders (see contact info below) that you want this block and all remaining CDF crown forest preserved.
Demand a delay until a full public hearing is held on the fate of DL33.
Tell them you agree with your Regional District Board, who asked for preservation in their letter dated February 12, 2010, to the Minister of Forests, following a motion passed at an RDN Board Meeting which dealt with DL33 and other remnants of Coastal Douglas Fir forest:
[ ... ] the Board of Directors of the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) has additional comments with respect to the protection of Coastal Douglas Fir and other forests on the east coast of Vancouver Island.
The RDN Board supports this initiative and has an interest in preserving each of the Bowser, Little Qualicum and Nanoose Bay old growth plant communities which fall within its jurisdiction. The objective is consistent with Board direction and policy in the RDN Board’s Strategic Plan, the Regional Growth Strategy and in the electoral area official community plans to maintain rare and environmentally sensitive areas.
[ ... ] For more, see the letter in full attached above.
Please email and phone -- BOTH please, folks -- even if the phoning is just leaving a voicemail with your concern and your name -- to all of the following -- and see the bottom of my message for a handy collection of email addresses which you can copy and paste all-in-one-string into the TO-bar of your email for your own mass mailing:
Tell them all: "No logging without a full public hearing."
Hon. Pat Bell
Minister of Forests and Range and
Minister Responsible for the Integrated Land Management Bureau
Mr. Bill Zinovich
Integrated Land Management Bureau
Suite 142, 2080 Labieux Road
Nanaimo, BC V9T 6J9
Phone 250-751-7032
Mr. Calvin Ross
Acting District Manager
South Island Forest District
BC Forest Service
4885 Cherry Creek Road
Port Alberni, BC
Phone 250-731-3015
Fax 250-731-3010
Hon. Barry Penner
Minister of Environment & Stewardship
PO Box 9047 Stn.Prov.Gov.
Parliament Buildings
Victoria, BC V8W 9E2
Honourable Steve Thomson
Minister of Agriculture and Lands
Room 027
Parliament Buildings
Victoria, BC V8V 1X4
Phone 250-387-1023
Fax: 250-387-1522
Mr. Ron Cantelon, MLA
Parksville-Qualicum
501 Turner Road
Nanaimo, BC V9T 6J4
Phone 250-951-6018
Fax: (250) 951-6020
Toll Free: (250) 488-7041
Victoria office:
Phone 250-356-6171
Fax: (250) 356-6176
Mr. Scott Fraser, MLA
Alberni Pacific-Rim
3945B Johnston Rd
Port Alberni, BC V9Y 5N4
Phone 250-720-4515
Fax: (250) 720-4511
Association of Vancouver Island Coastal Communities
c/o Councillor Barry Avis
Copy and paste the following 'paragraph' into the TO-box of your email message:
Visitors and new members welcome to our group!
Meetings are held every Thursday 5pm
at Trillium Lodge, Multipurpose Room
401 S. Moilliet
Parksville, B.C.
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