For over a decade the pristine and globally rare ancient forests of Clayoquot Sound have not faced the threat of the chainsaw, thanks to a written agreement between the principal logging company operating in Clayoquot Sound, Iisaak Forest Resources, and a number of environment groups, including the Wilderness Committee. The agreement, known as the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), states that the unlogged watersheds of Clayoquot Sound are off limits to logging.

But we have recently learned that Iisaak is planning to break the MOU agreement by logging in a pristine old growth valley on Flores Island, right in the heart of Clayoquot Sound. The company has marked out its planned cutting areas and is preparing right now to obtain logging road and cutting permits from the Provincial Government. Logging could begin early next year!

Flores Island is Clayoquot Sound's largest island and is blanketed in ancient forests over much of its landscape. In the 1990s, the Wilderness Committee worked with partners, including the Ahousaht First Nation, to construct the amazing Wild Side Hiking Trail all along the western beaches of Flores Island. It would be a disaster to see logging ruin the pristine ancient forests on Flores now, after all the effort that has gone into protecting this area and all of Clayoquot over the years.

The area Iisaak wants to log is part of an awe-inspiring ancient forest. It would be such heartbreak to lose it - but if we act NOW we can stop this shortsighted logging plan. Your letter will make a difference.

Write the Minister of Natural Resource Operations, Steve Thomson now and let him know how strongly you feel that no road or cut permits be issued for Flores Island or any other intact areas in Clayoquot Sound's rare, ancient temperate rainforest.

Together we can get this done!

Joe Foy | National Campaign Director
Wilderness Committee