Black Mount reiterated their stance they will gladly back out of block A93884 IF the BC Government would not seek damages in unpaid stumpage
PRESS RELEASE
January 31, 2020
Yesterday, a call was put in to Black Mount Logging, who reiterated their stance that the company would gladly back out of block A93884 IF the BC Government would not seek damages in unpaid stumpage. The Minister of Forests Doug Donaldson and BC Timber Sales Senior Staff have known that this is the position of the company for a while - it is not too late for the Government to now act on this opportunity and do what is right for the Sunshine Coast community and the Clack Creek Forest, part of the Mt Elphinstone Park Expansion effort.
The Squamish logging company was granted an Injunction last Tuesday (January 25) which means they now have the right to remove the roadblock, Elphinstone Logging Focus (ELF) has set up, with the assistance of the RCMP. The logging company could have showed up yesterday, but they didn't. Another day that allows the thousands of towering Douglas-firs to remain standing, and the at-risk forest ecosystem to stay intact, is a good day.
Also, early yesterday, 50 forest lovers showed up for the March of Hearts to Clack Creek Forest. They were led in song by a local choir as they walked to the site of the 2 ½ week long roadblock that's preventing Black Mount logging crews from entering the forest. A 10ft tall heart at the front of the March read "We Need a Change of Heart".
ELF is asking people to call Minister Donaldson at Forest Lands Natural Resources in Victoria to ask him to have a change of heart and to let Black Mount off the hook. They are also asking people to give or leave the same message with the BC Timber Sales Manager who approved the cutting permit.
The Community is still holding out for a miracle. That being said, there's an actual practical solution that could be applied here if the political will exists with the BC Government. One would think they’d be looking for a good news story on the environment.
Lastly, ELF is still maintaining the blockade in the coming days or longer and are requesting that supporters and forest lovers continue to volunteer for a 3 hour shifts or just come up for a visit. Even with the Injunction, ELF is allowed to be there and keep watch, and there is no risk of arrest if people stand aside should the RCMP arrive. There will be an experienced ELF member onsite to lend advice and guidance.
Supporters can call or text 604-764-9913 to volunteer, to access ELF’s lawyers free of charge and/or learn about ELF’s Legal Defence Fund for those who independently choose to be heard through direct action. It’s not over yet!
We will keep you up to date as this campaign continues.
The Clack Creek Forest is situated on unceded shishalh First Nation lands and is currently planned as a BC Timber Sales Cutblock A93884.
Elphinstone Logging Focus (ELF) lost the Judicial Review in July 2019 challenging how the Blk A93884 would destroy an at-risk forest ecosystem (and many other values), and on January 28, 2020 lost an effort to quash the Injunction. Logging is expected to begin any day now.
Page two ELF and LFI Press Release
For further information contact:
Ross Muirhead
loggingfocus@gmail.com
604-741-5392
Sarah Lowis
sarah@seatoskymeetings.com
604.671.2400
For photographs, click on the links below :
March of Hearts, January 31, 2020 photographs
Heart Gathering, January 24, 2020 photographs
https://www.livingforestinstitute.ca/gatherings
For other media stories, click here :
https://www.livingforestinstitute.ca/media