Re: “Old-growth logging could trigger protests: group,” June 9.
The preservationists seeking to stop licensed logging of areas surrounding the Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park have targeted the wrong organization, as they well know. If Teal Jones has a logging licence from the provincial government to log those old-growth trees, then it is required by the provincial government to log them. It is not an option for Teal Jones, although it is given discretion as to the timing.
So go after the provincial government.
The fact is: Those trees are outside the park, not inside it. If the Wilderness Committee wants the government to put all remaining old growth on Vancouver Island into parks, let them advance that proposal publicly and let the debate begin over the cost in jobs, stumpage and revenues. If they want all land around parks also made into parks until the whole island is a park, then let them argue that out in the open.
Going after individual forestry companies as if they were displaying childish vices like greed while actually doing their job, employing people, providing wood products to build homes and offices, would be silly if it weren’t so destructive.
Steve Weatherbe
Victoria
