News Release

Environmentalists commend City for standing against contentious cutblocks

VICTORIA – Environmental activists are congratulating the City of Victoria for passing a motion against controversial logging in the central Walbran Valley, a nationally significant old-growth forest outside Victoria. A motion passed last night by City Council asks Mayor Lisa Helps to write to BC’s Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations requesting protection for the Walbran Valley.

“We’re thrilled with this environmental leadership from the City of Victoria,” said Torrance Coste, Vancouver Island Campaigner with the Wilderness Committee. “The Mayor’s letter will add to over 1,600 letters sent by British Columbians in the last month to the provincial government, which has been completely silent on the issue.”

The Motion, submitted by Councillors Jeremy Loveday and Ben Isitt, was drafted in response to short-sighted logging plans by Surrey-based Teal Jones Group. Last month, the Wilderness Committee obtained plans from Teal Jones that outlined eight cutblocks to be logged in the most ecologically sensitive part of the Walbran Valley. To date, the company has applied for one cutblock but hasn’t yet received a permit.

“I’m really glad that Council voted to stand up for the Walbran Valley and old-growth forests on Vancouver Island,” said Councillor Loveday. “Old-growth forests have an inherent majestic value; they are also good for tourism, the economy and they are an important carbon sink.”

“Teal Jones is set to destroy one of the rarest and most important forests in BC, and has proven it isn’t concerned at all about the environment or recreational values,” Coste explained. “The City of Victoria understands that rare and endangered old-growth like this is far more valuable as standing forest, and now it’s time for the Premier and the Minister of Forests to pull the permits for logging in the Walbran.”

The Wilderness Committee has requested an emergency meeting with the Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, but the Minister refused.

The central Walbran Valley is located on southwestern Vancouver Island, on unceded Nuu-chah-nulth territories. Across the Island, less than ten per cent of old-growth forest remains.

The Wilderness Committee and other organizations will continue to maintain a presence and monitor any activity in the Walbran, and work to mobilize concerned citizens.

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For more information, contact:

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

Jeremy Loveday | Victoria City Councillor
250-634-2327, jloveday@victoria.ca

Photo: WC's Torrance Coste (right) and Emily Hoffpauir in the unprotected central Walbran Valley, summer 2015 (Ty Jones).