The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) and the Wilderness Committee are adding their voices to those calling for BC Timber Sales (BCTS) to halt the auction of cutblock A87125 on the slopes of Mount Elphinstone.
The group Elphinstone Logging Focus (ELF) set up a 24/7 camp in the area, known by some as “Twist and Shout Forest” after a popular mountain biking trail, on the Victoria Day weekend. ELF said the cutblock has high ecological value that makes it worth preserving, and it falls within the 2,000 hectare (4,942 acre) zone the group has been lobbying Victoria to include in an expanded Mount Elphinstone Provincial Park.
At its May 26 meeting, the SCRD board unanimously backed a motion that noted the area in question is included in the Roberts Creek Official Community Plan “for preservation of ecological and recreational values” and called on BCTS to “defer the awarding of cutblock A87125.”
The motion was a scaled-back version of the draft that came out of a committee meeting earlier in the day. The first version touched on the importance of thorough consultation with shíshálh and Squamish First Nations on land use in that area, and asked that the auction be suspended until “ongoing discussions are fully realized to the satisfaction of all above parties [First Nations, the province and local governments].”
When it came time to consider the motion at the board level, Roberts Creek director Mark Lebbell said getting straight to the key point would likely be more effective.
The Wilderness Committee has also weighed in, launching an online letter-writing campaign. The Wilderness Committee said the logging plan would leave only a few of the biggest trees standing, and it needs to be stopped to “allow opportunity for expanded protection around Mount Elphinstone Provincial Park.”
A public comment period ended April 18, and the bidding was set to close June 3. The Ministry of Forests Lands and Natural Resources said its senior staff were scheduled to meet with regional district officials June 1.
ELF representative Ross Muirhead was at the May 26 meeting, where he also continued to press the SCRD to make a deal with AJB Investments to buy the company’s land in the Chapman Creek watershed. An ELF blockade stopping loggers from getting into the property came down after AJB won a court injunction in early May.
In a presentation to directors Muirhead said, “The [SCRD] board chair may have been in discussions with the province on a land swap concept, and/or being granted greater control of the surrounding Crown lands; however, taking control of the private lands is what taxpayers want to see happen.”
He also noted that there’s still a window to open negotiations, because the company has so far only removed the timber felled before the blockade went up in February, and hasn’t started any new logging.
Muirhead urged the directors to pass a motion confirming their intent to purchase the land. SCRD Chair Garry Nohr responded with assurances regional district staff are looking into the options.
“Obviously you’re still doing the work you think is important, and I want you to realize also the board thinks the watershed is extremely important too, and we’re working with staff to try to get a resolution that’s positive for the community,” Nohr said.
