The Beaufort Range which separates the Alberni Valley From the east coast of Vancouver Island is now being logged now by Timberwest Forest Co. which bought this private land from Pacific Forest Products in late 1997. Because the trees are growing on privately-owned forest land which is not in a TFL (Tree Forest Licence), there are no logging regulations which have to be followed. The Forest Practices Code does not apply on these privately-managed forest lands.

At the foot of the steep slopes of the Beauforts, many creeks and streams collect rainwater and provide ideal spawning and rearing grounds for many species of fish. If Timberwest does not do their logging exceptionally carefully, heavy rains will bring down debris, gravel and earth either gradually or in debris torrents. Spawning and rearing habitat down stream could be destroyed. The Fish Act regulations about destruction of habitat cannot be enforced until after the fact since there are no fish living in the areas to be logged.

Many land owners on the flat land below the mountains get water for domestic and agricultural use from creeks coming off the mountains. These water supplies could be interrupted.

The forest company wants to cross and then drive a short distance along the Log Train in order to haul the logs out of the Valley from this side. These logs will be going onto the open log market and will bring little economic benefit to the Valley. Part of the Log Train Trail will turn from a recreational non-motorized trail into an industrial road.