News Release

Teal Jones’ cutblock threatens some of the most ecologically significant rainforest in Canada

VICTORIA – Logging company Teal Jones has submitted an application to log old-growth rainforest in the nationally important central Walbran Valley on southwestern Vancouver Island. The move comes less than a month after the company’s preliminary logging plans were obtained by the Wilderness Committee.

“Teal Jones’ plan to log in the heart of the Walbran Valley is our worst nightmare,” said Torrance Coste, Vancouver Island Campaigner with the Wilderness Committee. “This forest is extremely rare and far too valuable to lose.”

The Wilderness Committee went public with Teal Jones’ plans just a few weeks ago, and called on the provincial government to reject any upcoming cutblock permit applications.

In less than two weeks, over five hundred people have written letters calling on the province to deny the permits and work towards permanent protection of the central Walbran Valley.

“The public opposition to Teal Jones’ plans has been fierce, and the provincial government’s continued silence on this is unacceptable,” Coste said. “The province needs to listen to the people and come to the table on this right now, not after part of one of Canada’s most important rainforests is turned into sawdust.”

The cutblock in question – block 4424 – is one of eight preliminary cutblocks laid out by Teal Jones. It sits on a steep slope above the Walbran River, close to important ungulate winter range. Other environmental concerns include the risk of erosion and runoff that could impact the riparian area and water quality.

The Wilderness Committee worries that more cutblock applications will follow, further compromising the ecological integrity of this otherwise intact portion of the Walbran Valley.

“Teal Jones has disregarded the environmental and public concerns over this area, so it’s time for the provincial government to step up,” said Coste. “There just isn’t enough of this type of forest to keep squandering like this.”

The central Walbran Valley is in unceded Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations territories. Intact old-growth forests like those in the Walbran provide habitat for endangered species, irreplaceable cultural and recreational resources and store more climate-changing carbon than younger forests.

– 30 –

For more information, please contact:

Torrance Coste | Vancouver Island Campaigner, Wilderness Committee
250-516-9900, torrance@wildernesscommittee.org

Map and images (click below to download):