Nanoose Bay,  British Columbia -- The Wilderness Committee was shocked to learn in BC Supreme Court this past Friday that Timberwest has contracted to buy logs from Snaw-Naw-As Forest Services Ltd's proposed logging of DL33, located near Nanaimo, BC.  DL33 is a red listed Coastal Douglas-fir (CDF) forest. The logging operation is expected to start today. 

"Timberwest is certified by the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI), which says on its website: 'SFI labels are recognized globally and provide a visual cue to help customers source responsibly managed forest products'," said Annette Tanner, Wilderness Committee, Mid Island Spokesperson. 

Tanner also noted that Timberwest's website states: "Protection of biodiversity is a key element of sustainable forest management and TimberWest continually strives to improve efforts to sustain key habitat for plants and wildlife. This endeavor is not only part of delivering on our social and environmental license to operate, it meets the increasing market demand for products from timberlands that have been independently certified as having high standards of environmental management."

The Wilderness Committee asserts that Timberwest is in effect paying for the destruction of this rare remnant of one of the most endangered ecosystems in Canada, the Coastal Douglas-fir forest.   

The Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities (AVICC), which is the municipal and regional government representation of all municipalities and regional districts on Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast, has gone on record supporting the preservation of Nanoose Bay's DL 33. 

The Wilderness Committee has joined with a number of groups and concerned citizens to declare that the proposed logging goes against Timberwest's and FSI's stated policy regarding environmental protection and are demanding that Timberwest take immediate steps to halt the logging of DL33. 

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For more information please contact: Annette Tanner 250-752-6585