News Release – Wednesday May 6, 2009

Protest camp recruits activists from 20 countries as logging continues at site important to Canadas most endangered species – the spotted owl

Vancouver, BC - The Wilderness Committee has gone global in its attack on BC Environment Minister Barry Penners promotion of "run of river" hydro projects and clearcut logging within critical spotted owl habitat at Fire Mountain and other locations in the Lillooet River Valley. Environmental activists from 20 countries began to congregate at the protest camp in the Lillooet River Valley this past weekend to join forces with the Wilderness Committee to witness the destruction of old growth forest spotted owl habitat and to learn about the impacts of new and planned run of river hydro projects.

The protest camp was erected at several locations in the Lillooet River Valley from May 1-4 to call attention to BC government-sponsored logging and planned run of river hydro development at one of the last active spotted owl sites in BC at Fire Mountain, 75km southeast of Pemberton. The first weekend of protesting attracted environmentalists from the UK and Japan who joined forces with Wilderness Committee staff and volunteers to distribute literature to In-Shuck-ch Nation members and to recreation enthusiasts visiting the spectacular Lillooet River Valley.

Barry Penner himself was scheduled to helicopter into the Lillooet River Valley on Monday May 4 to visit with First Nations, and presumably to talk with the protesters. Unfortunately Mr. Penner cancelled his trip at the last minute.

On the weekend of May 9 and 10, activists from Belgium, France and Germany will join forces with Wilderness Committee volunteers and staff to protest Mr. Penners ongoing support for run of river hydro and clearcut logging in areas designated for the protection of spotted owls in the Lillooet River Valley.

Protest camp leader Andy Miller, Staff Scientist at the Wilderness Committee, was excited at the prospect of turning Mr Penners poor environmental record, and his blatant attack on BCs last spotted owls into a global issue. "The international activists really lent a new spirit to the campaign to protect the spotted owl and stop run of river hydro projects", said Miller. "It really helped all of us appreciate how special our western Canadian natural environment is, and how worthy it is of protection."

Only 4 owls remain in the wild in BC, down from a historic estimate of 1000 owls prior to the advent of clearcut logging. However, there are 17 owl sites including the site @ Fire Mountain that are still considered active by the BC government because owls were observed as recently as 2005. The Wilderness Committee feels the minister should advocate for the complete protection of the owls few remaining high quality habitat areas, including Fire Mountain.

For more information contact Joe Foy @ (604) 880-2580 or Andy Miller @ 604-992-3099