With a new management team and vision plan, representatives from the Sunshine Coast Community Forest appeared at the May 12 Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) planning and development committee meeting.
President Bob Sitter and operations manager Dave Lasser spoke before the committee, emphasizing their desire to establish an improved working relationship.
"We are very much in the mode of building bridges," Lasser said.
Directors raised concerns over the community forest's plan to log in the upper Roberts Creek area, also known as area EW002
Roberts Creek director Donna Shugar asked why any logging needs to take place in the area and expressed her concern over potential impact to the nearby watersheds.
"Our concern is not timber production. Our concern is drinking water. I'm not sure how your management will be good to the watershed," Shugar said.
Elphinstone director Lorne Lewis was candid about his dismay with community forest operations.
"We feel you are a threat to our good drinking water," Lewis said."
But Sitter said he felt the watersheds were in better hands as part of the community forest over other stakeholders.
"I would rather personally have the watershed inside the community forest than outside, because it is going to be completely well taken care of in the community forest," Sitter said. "We feel as passionately as you do about water."
West Howe Sound director Lee Turnbull told Sitter and Lasser she appreciated their appearance.
"I feel you're coming from a different place. It's very important for us to come together on this issue," Turnbull said.
Sechelt director Keith Thirkell told the committee Sechelt council would most likely ask Sechelt Community Projects, the community forest's operating company, to put harvest cuts on hold.
Directors agreed on the need for further meetings in order to set up joint watershed management agreements and protocols, and that both community forest and Sechelt Indian Band officials participate in discussions in order to stave off future conflicts.
Further timber talk
Leading into further talk on forestry issues, directors discussed various recommendations made by SCRD staff regarding BC Timber Sales (BCTS). Recommendations included inviting BCTS to the SCRD to discuss old growth and the Mount Elphinstone operating plan, as well as the interest of BCTS using alternative harvesting practices.
Also recommended was the provision of recreation information from the SCRD to BCTS, regarding Dakota Ridge and the Suncoaster Trail.
