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Logging compromise benefits area

When Hal and Trudy Dyck first noticed the footprints in the snow on their property in February 2012, little did they know…

When Hal and Trudy Dyck first noticed the footprints in the snow on their property in February 2012, little did they know what drama would soon unfold.  A phone call confirmed that B.C. Timber Sales (BCTS) was planning to extensively log in the White Lake area. This news spread like wildfire, and with that, the community sprang into action.

A meeting was organized with Jim Wright of BCTS, who provided maps, an information sheet, and a walk through some of the cutblocks to point out the trees to be left. The maps represented community consultations held in 1996-7.

Concerns about the logging plans were voiced, but it became apparent that “nothing can be done to change this.” The area was subject to a Ministry of Forests, Lands, and Natural Resource Operations logging plan.

It had been through consultations, and even though it was some 15 years later, and the White Lake community had changed significantly in that time, the plan was to push forward regardless.

Several additional meetings were held with BCTS, to no avail.

In July 2012 a community meeting was attended by some 70 residents who were concerned, angry and frustrated. A television station from Kelowna interviewed locals and carried a news story on air. A petition was started, asking for a one-year moratorium until a proper community response could be presented.

The completed petition was signed by some 372 area residents as well as 600 to 700 non-residents.

Alf Davy and Bryon Every became very active proponents for change, and with their ample energy and perseverance, they were successful in meeting with George Abbott MLA, and Steve Thomson, the Minister of MFLNRO. While these politicians were not unsympathetic, there were no commitments made at that time to change any of the BCTS plans. A new strategy and a new approach were needed.

The first step was to reincarnate the White Lake Residents Association (WLRA). With new membership and a hot issue to address, a new executive was formed.  A delegation appeared at the August 2012 CSRD Board meeting. A motion was passed supporting the community’s request for meaningful discussion with the provincial authorities.

As representatives of WLRA, Alf Davy and Bryon Every travelled to Victoria to press their case at the highest levels. Numerous emails and telephone conversations were held. Rather than continuing to demand for a complete stop to all logging it was decided that the primary focus would be on the most visible land immediately behind the White Lake Community Hall. If the logging couldn’t be stopped, perhaps improving the plans and increasing the percentage of retention trees would have a good effect.

When this new strategy was proposed, people finally listened. The discussions evolved to focus on the percentage of trees that would be retained, and how the cutting could be selectively managed to avoid highly visible impacts.

Now that the logging in K1K7 has occurred, the wisdom of that strategy is evident. With the 50 per cent retention rate it’s hard to tell the area was logged at all.

Notes have been sent to Steve Thomson of MFLNRO and Colin Johnston of BCTS, praising their collaborative approach as being a model for community relationships with government. This speaks to the critical importance of community associations representing their members’ interests to all levels of government.

With the right approach and attitude, a seemingly impossible hurdle was successfully overcome. Given this outstanding work, I would encourage all White Lake residents to actively support the WLRA. There are plans to continue logging in the White Lake area in the future. Additional negotiations with government may need to occur, so we’ll see whether there will be a part two to this story.

If you would like to share your thoughts about this or future articles, or if you would like to participate in our community advisory panel surveys, please contact me via email at pdemenok@csrd.bc.ca.

- Paul Demenok is the Area C director for the Columbia Shuswap Regional District