Citizens Peacefully Oppose Watershed Logging in British Columbia
6/30/97
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RELAYED TEXT STARTS HERE:
Jun 30, 1997
CITIZENS PEACEFULLY OPPOSE WATERSHED LOGGING IN BC
Strong Support for Ecosystem-based Planning in Slocan Valley
By Candace Batycki
The citizens of the Slocan Valley in British Columbia, Canada have been
around. We went to the CORE process. We went to Victoria with over $4000
worth of value-added products made from one cedar tree, in order to
illustrate to the government that we are ready to create real transition.
We've gone to "public input" meetings, to demonstrations, and to the
limits of personal sarifice when we blockaded road construction in Hasty
Creek in 1991.
We have a world-class alternative in the Ecosystem-Based Plan for the
Slocan Valley, designed by the Silva Forest Foundation. An Angus Reid
poll showed that over 90% of Valley residents support the concepts
underlying this plan. Yet we are now facing a summer of potential civil
disobediance:
Slocan Forest Products has never been closer to building logging roads
into the sensitive watersheds of the Slocan Valley.
Almost every watershed is threatened. Road-building and cutting permits
have been issued for New Denver Flats. Road permits have been applied for
in Bonanza, Climax, and Hasty (again) Creeks. A permit to build a road
into the Elliot-Anderson watershed complex is expected to be submitted to
the Ministry of Forestry any day now, and a road permit for Silverton
Creek isn't far off. And the Ministry is accepting bids for road-building
and woodlot licenses in Perry Ridge.
The Slocan Valley is full of steep, unstable slopes. The severe
landslides we are experiencing this spring, many associated with past
road-buidling and logging, illustrate clearly the high levels of risk
associated with industrial development in areas like this. Respected
hydrologist Al Isaacson has written reports for many Slcan Valley
watersheds, in most cases predicting hydrological disaster if cutting
plans proceed as proposed.
The citizens of the Slocan Valley are being held hostage to a corporate
agenda which places profits well ahead of people, ecosystems, and healthy,
diverse economies. Many of us believe that once Slocan Forest products
clearcuts our watersheds they will leave town anyway. The trees in the
watersheds are all they have left, and they will cut and run.
WE NEED YOUR HELP!! Water-user groups are preparing to peacfully protest
the road-building. A non-violence training workshop and a peacekeeper
workshop were recently held in the South Slocan Valley, and water users in
the North Valley are preparing to do the same. The South Valley is
planning a peace camp, similar to the Clayoquot Sound peace camp, where
people can come to stay, do non-violence trainings, learn about the
issues, and participate in protests.
ROAD CONSTRUCTION COULD BEGIN ANY DAY!!
WHAT YOU CAN DO
1) Write to Premier Glen Clark and send copies to Forest Minister David
Zirnhelt and Nelson-Creston MLA Corky Evans. Tell them you are
disappointed that the government refuses to heed the wishes of the people
and negotiate with the Slocan Valley Watershed Alliance towards
implementation of a sustainable economy and ecology.
2) Send donations of material goods and money for the South Valley peace
camp. Contact Jivan or Candace (contact info below) to receive a wish
list. Anything you can send will be gratefully appreciated. Make cheques
payable to P.E.A.C.E.
3) Prayers and good wishes help us keep our spirits up and bring about
change on useen levels. Every Wedneday evening from 7 pm to 8 pm has been
designated as a time to spend in meditation or prayer for the forests and
wildlife of the Slocan Valley. Blessed be.
4) WE WANT YOUR BODY!! If you don't already live here, plan to spend some
time in the beautiful Slocan valley this summer. We have wonderfully
diverse culture, great organic food, a beautfiul river and lake,
incredible forests and alpine meadows, and the best water in the world.
Come prepared to camp (self-sufficient except for meals) and participate
in peace camp and protests on the roads and in the streets. SEE YOU SOON!
This article will appear in BC Environmental News.
PLEASE NOTE: The peace camp has an extensive wish list. If you are
travelling to the Slocan Valley, know people who are, or are able to send
donations, please contact the organizers for the wish list.
General Information:
Kathy Loxam, Cordinator, Slocan Valley Watershed Alliance, 250-359-7185
(phone/fax), gellox@netidea.com
South Valley Peace Camp:
Jivan Vasant, 250-355-2793 (to donate for peace camp)
Candace Batycki, 250-355-2327 (phone/fax) grizzly@netidea.com, PO Box
957, Nelson, BC V1L 6A5 Canada
Peace Camp Mailing Address:
P.E.A.C.E.
c/o Jivan Visant
RR#1, G-8, C-26
Winlaw, BC V0G 2J0 Canada
In Nelson, BC Contact Jen at Earth Matters, 352-2140.
May you never thirst
-Starhawk
Posted by:
Native Forest Network
Yellowstone Branch
PO Box 6151
Bozeman, MT 59771
(406) 586-3885
pknight@wildrockies.org
Phil Knight
Native Forest Network Yellowstone
PO Box 6151
Bozeman, MT 59771-6151
(406) 586-3885
pknight@wildrockies.org