Lot 450 logging protesters accused City of Powell River Council members of being voiceless regarding tree harvesting by Island Timberlands on the in-city property.
Jenny Garden, spokesperson for the Save Lot 450 campaign, said those opposing logging on the lands are not going away, they are not going to be quiet and they want city council to get behind them on the issue.
“Right now, we are hearing nothing from you,” Garden said.
She said it is apparent that Powell River citizens have little protection from laws that exist today. She also said Island Timberlands can show up on Powell River’s door, set up, and do whatever it wants with little recourse or public consultation regarding the company’s activities.
“It is becoming increasingly clear what the devastation is in Lot 450,” Garden said. “Island Timberlands has tagged trees to be logged right up to the edge of the creek, leaving no buffers.”
If logging is to continue unabated, there will be destabilization of banks, increased erosion and removal of the shade over water that protects stream temperature for fish, according to Garden. She added that all the animals in the creek are in serious danger, and this is a potential violation of the Water Act that is set up by the province to protect the area.
“We have no representation from the local government to back us with our pleas to the provincial government,” Garden said. “We, as citizens, had to stand up and say: no.”
The logging leaves serious concerns about property values in Townsite, will have an impact on tourism, and undermines all of the hard work by the city and Tourism Powell River to create a resident attraction campaign, she said.
“If this is allowed to happen, I believe that one by one, people will move out of this town. One by one they’ll sell their homes and one by one, tourists will not come to Powell River. The impact on our town is going to be devastating.
“Who is going to be coming here when the population starts to erode because everyone is leaving?”
Garden said she has approached some city councillors regarding her concerns over the logging of Lot 450 and the response is: “not in my jurisdiction.”
“I don’t want to hear that anymore,” she said. “The people do not understand what that means. They understand that laws are being broken and people are looking to you for guidance. You guys are silent and it’s sending a confusing message.”
The city is advocating to the provincial government regarding ferry issues so council can advocate to the provincial government for environmental issues, too, the protesters contend.
In Port Alberni, where citizens are fighting Island Timberlands, city council has unanimously passed a motion to support the citizens’ group, and that’s what Garden wants to see here.
“I think you have seriously underestimated what the impact of this forest is to our town and what it will do, long term, if it’s allowed to be clear cut. We need to get back to the table and come up with some kind of compromise that takes the public into consideration. Public consultation is paramount. We need you to get behind us.”
She requested a motion similar to Port Alberni’s to support the Powell River group to find a compromise, a better cut plan, or anything better than what is in place now.
“We’re not going to stop,” she added. “Get behind us or get out of the way.”
Mayor Dave Formosa offered to speak outside of the council meeting with Garden about her concerns.
As for her comment about getting out of the way, Formosa said city council is not an obstacle.
“I don’t think we’ve put up any roadblocks in your way,” he said.
Formosa said that where logging is happening now on Lot 450 is private managed forest land and the city has no jurisdiction in there. If rules are being broken, city officials have no rights to demand the company’s environmental studies or anything else.
“That particular land is governed under legislation that we have zero powers over.”
Todd Phillips, a resident in the gallery, said during council’s question period that there are a number of people who do not agree with the Lot 450 protesters. He urged council to listen to all opinions on the matter.
Phillips has contemplated planting a Christmas tree farm. He said, however, that he could not cut the trees down without the city’s permission. He said the community also seems to think that once his property has trees on it, the public has the right to go on it. He said in that instance, he would contemplate charging people with trespassing.
Speaking to the protesters, Phillips said: “There are two sides to every story and I give you the full right to protest, but you do not represent everybody.”
Formosa said he recognized what Phillips was saying.
