'Anyone with half a brain would know it's time to stop killing these types of forests'

Environmental protestors and the B.C. Opposition have waded into the fight to protect a Nanoose forest slated for logging by the Snaw-naw-as First Nation.

Western Canada Wilderness Committee head Joe Foy and NDP forestry critic Norm Macdonald have joined the fight to block logging on District Lot 33.

They took part in a tour of the forest west of the Nanoose Bay Petro-Canada station Thursday.

WCWC, known for its high-profile protests to stop logging in old-growth Island forests won't rule out that tactic to protect DL 33.

Macdonald said he will pressure the government to not allow a cutting permit and find other ways to create economic activity for the Snaw-naw-as (Nanoose).

The land is within the boundaries of the Mount Arrowsmith UNESCO biosphere reserve, one of only two such zones on Vancouver Island. Protecting the land has the support of all Island municipalities, which voted to spare it from logging through the Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities Association.

DL 33 is a mixture of old-growth and forests logged in the past century but it is considered rare because of development on both coasts of the Georgia Strait.

"It's a terrible place to log," said Foy. "On the east coast of Vancouver Island this forest is as rare as hens' teeth. Anyone with half a brain would know it's time to stop killing these types of forests."

Norm Macdonald travelled from his Columbia River-Revelstoke constituency to see it. While acknowledging old-growth forests may be more spectacular, he said the government must listen to Islanders wanting to preserve the little remaining coastal Douglas fir.

"I come from a rural community and we feel strongly we should have a say in what goes on in lands around our community," Macdonald said. "I think local government has been very clear about no logging in the area." He plans to write the ministers of forests and environment on the file.

Foy wouldn't rule out a war in the woods.

"Will you see a protest? You will certainly see a protest if moves are made to log it," Foy said. "The real time to protest it was earlier on but whatever, this portion won't go down without a fight."

Alberni-Pacific Rim New Democrat MLA Scott Fraser said all coastal Douglas fir forest is worth preserving because it is "the most endangered ecosystem in Canada." Since it falls within a UNESCO biosphere, he said there are "huge moral and ethical consequences" if government allows logging.

Parksville-Qualicum MLA Ron Cantelon, who represents the constituency, hasn't seen the forest but said he hopes to tour it with a professional forester. He said logging fears are overblown since only 25% will be harvested.

"It's always difficult to get a balance between harvesting and people who want to preserve all the forests," Cantelon said. "There has to be a middle ground and the middle ground seems to be leave three-quarters of it."

Photo: From left to right - Qualicum Beach Councillor Barry Avis, who is also the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities' Second Vice-president; Norm Macdonald, Opposition Forests Critic; Scott Fraser, MLA for Alberni - Pacific Rim and Joe Foy, National Campaign Director for the Wilderness Committee.