I am one of a group of people who, starting in the early '90s, tried to have a reasonable area of Mount Elphinstone primary forest protected from destruction.
We provided guided nature walks in the area above Roberts Creek for over 10 years to show people the beauty and ecological value of the low elevation primary forest. We did this on our own time and expense; we got no grants from the government.
During the protected area strategy talks of 1995, we were given less than 10 per cent of the minimum area required to preserve the ecological integrity of the forest.
I have heard that a Trails Society has now been formed that says they will "maintain and improve" the trails on Mount Elphinstone. They plan to share the trails with motorized dirt bikes and ATVs.
These trails never needed maintenance, they needed protection. They needed protection from the logging industry and from the people who are now taking them over.
Motorized vehicles totally destroy not only the trails, but also the peace and serenity which an ecologically intact forest provides. To suggest that these vehicles have an equal right to be in the forest as anyone else is exactly like saying an armed bank robber should have an equal right to enter a bank and take out money, just as anyone else does.
The destruction of our forests and streams is a far more heinous crime than stealing money. The money can be replaced; our land and our water cannot be replaced.
Any grant money from governments should be used to enforce the law against these vehicles in the forest.
Rick O'Neill
Roberts Creek
