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Write Wild - Protect the Juan de Fuca Forestlands from Development

Submitted by sven on Tue, 01/04/2011 - 22:57

good_waterfall_bute.jpgIn an incredible display of public opposition, we were able to stop a proposed 260 vacation home resort right next to the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail. Now we need permanent protection for these lands in the form of a park!

It's time for the province of BC to step up and fix the mess they created when they deleted these lands from Tree Farm Liscence 25 without consultation. They need to find the approximately five million dollars needed to purchase the land from developer Ender Ilkay and add it to the park.

Please add your voice to this call, and write a letter to Premier Clark today.

Some points to consider:

  • The Juan de Fuca forest lands are a vital piece of Vancouver Island’s wilderness and recreation values. People from all over Vancouer Island, and the world, have a deep connection to these lands. The public opinion is clear - these areas deserve permanent protection.
  •  For years Western Forest Productions benefitted from Tree Farm License 25 which gave them the exclusive rights to log on crown land in return for ensuring that lands would be managed as forest land in perpetuity. In 2007, the Provincial Government let Western Forests remove 28,000 hectares of private land from the TFL, and keep their rights to log on crown lands. This decision was made with no consultation, and no public benefit - even through Western Forest Productions was little benefiting from public lands. The province of BC made this mess in the first place, and the province needs to fix it.
  •  The CRD has moved a motion to ask the province to purchase the lands in question. The province should take heed of this request, and purchase the lands.
  •  The Juan de Fuca forest lands are home to some of the world’s largest trees. The Red Creek Fir and the San Juan Spruce, along with Avatar grove need permanent protection. Expanding the Juan de Fuca Park creates an opportunity to permanently protect these places, including the Muir Creek Watershed.

 

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