Elphinstone Logging Focus (ELF) says that about 10 individuals have blockaded vehicle access on the spur road leading to BC Timber Sales (BCTS) TA0521 area, which is also known as the Joe Smith Creek cutblock.
According to ELF spokesperson Hans Penner, the blockade was in place shortly after 10 a.m. on April 2 and will remain in place until further notice. He said there may not be personnel at the site, protesting BCTS' planned auction of harvest rights to the cutblock, throughout the full day or evening hours but that ELF will check BCTS’ website daily for tendering details. Should TA0521 be listed, which BCTS stated it planned to do sometime after April 1, ELF will then step up its presence.
The cutblock has not yet been listed for auction by BCTS.
Penner said that once occurs, harvesting work at the cutblock could proceed within a month.
He said ELF’s action is to demonstrate support for what it has heard from the community: the view that “this block is not for sale." He stated ELF contacted Coast Reporter to ensure BCTS and any interested contractors were aware of the presence of a protest group, blocking access to the area.
In March, the Sunshine Coast Regional District board was notified of BCTS’s plans to proceed with the sale of TA0521. Earlier in 2024, the local governments requested that effort be delayed until further review and plans for mitigation of the impacts of logging on the slopes of Mt. Elphinstone were in place.
Coast Reporter has reached out to BCTS for comment.
