British Columbia Government on Fast-Track to Log Spirit Bear Park
3/12/97
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GREAT BEAR FOUNDATION PRESS RELEASE
March 12, 1997
B.C. GOVERNMENT ON FAST-TRACK TO LOG PROPOSED SPIRIT BEAR PARK
BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA -- A critical part of the proposed wilderness
sanctuary to protect the rare spirit bear is being fast-tracked for
logging by the B.C. government. This April, Western Forest Products Ltd.
is expected to start clearcutting the ancient forests of the Green Inlet,
a hidden fiord along B.C.'s famous Inside Passage and home to the spirit
or kermode bear.
Spirit bears are a unique race of rainforest North American black bear in
which about one in ten is white. According to bear biologist, Wayne
McCrory of the B.C.-based Valhalla Wilderness Society, the Green Inlet is
home to one of the densest concentrations of white spirit bears in the
world. "I am shocked that the B.C. government would allow any logging in
the home of the spirit bear," stated McCrory. "The Green Inlet system is
one of a very few coastal estuaries which remain ecologically intact and
support a significant population of kermode (spirit) bears, as well as
populations of grizzlies and salmon. For nine years we have documented
the high value of a park in this area and put the information before the
B.C. government ... and what has the government done to protect it? --
absolutely nothing!"
"The proposed park was designed to connect the intact habitats of the
islands, the fiords and the mainland coast," said McCrory. "Scientists
are learning that this kind of preservation is critical, yet B.C. doesn't
have this kind of connectivity in any of its current parks. It's all
getting cut into fragments too small to support many terrestrial and
marine species."
The Spirit Bear Wilderness Park Proposal has received overwhelming
support both in Canada and abroad. Emily Williams, coordinator of the
spirit bear program for the Great Bear Foundation, a Montana-based bear
conservation organization, states that "members and supporters of the
Great Bear Foundation have delivered an estimated 5,000 letters to the
B.C. government in support of a 655,000-acre Spirit Bear Wilderness
Park." " The Green Inlet is an undeniably integral component of this
proposal," continued Williams, " letters opposing any logging in that
area are absolutely crucial at this time."
According to McCrory, the proposed park is also key to the traditional
and cultural survival of the indigenous Kitasoo people. Hereditary Chief
Archie Robinson feels "disgusted" that the government would allow
logging, especially since the Kitasoo people are currently in treaty
negotiations to gain back their traditional lands.
"Only a large public outcry can save this area from logging," urges
McCrory,"we need everyone to speak out immediately, before it's too
late!"
It is critical to write letters to: 1) Premier Glen Clark; 2) Honorable
Cathy McGregor, Minister of Environment; and 3) Honorable David Zirnhelt,
Minister of Forests; @: Parliament Buildings, Victoria, B.C., V8V 1X4,
Canada.
For more information contact the Great Bear Foundation, Bozeman, Montana
at: 406-586-5533, or The Valhalla Wilderness Society, B.C., Canada
at: 250-358-2333.