From: maggie paquet
Date: 2003/03/13 Thu PM 07:08:48 EST
To: AV Times News and Editor
Subject: Letter to Editor re Log Train Trail
Letter to the Editor, AV Times
TimberWest wants to use 4 kms of the Log Train Trail as a logging road for five
years. They plan to haul 10-12 truckloads/day in summer.
Wisely, the ACRD’s Log Train Trail Advisory Committee decided that use is
incompatible with recreational use and could compromise public safety. They’re
right. Logging trucks, horses, hikers, and bikers is not a safe mix. Here’s some
other important considerations:
The narrowness of the Trail will make it impossible for any other users to share
the Trail while the trucks are on it. Quite likely, they’ll have to widen it to
accommodate the trucks, meaning they’d have to cut adjacent trees, many of which
are dogwoods and maples. Not only would this change the character of the trail,
but these trees are important habitat for numerous wildlife species, including
birds. The Forests ministry is considering designating adjacent Crown Land an
Old-growth Recruitment Area. Old-growth Douglas fir is so under-represented in
our Valley now, it is recognized that some second-growth must be allowed to
mature to restore the balance. TimberWest's widening of the Log Train Trail
would further encroach on it.
I don’t think the Highways ministry should allow one company to use that trail
to the extent that it prevents use of the trail by the public.
This trail has been designated a regional park and is used by a broad spectrum
of British Columbians. It has historic and educational value that goes beyond
"just another logging road." There is a national historic site associated with
it; one that local taxpayers have poured a lot of money in to help ensure its
financial success and viability as a major tourist attraction for our region. It
has irreplaceable value to the tourism-based economy of Clayoquot Sound and
Vancouver Island—an industry which, unlike logging, is growing annually.
There are important fresh water and fisheries issues, such as all the
restoration work for coho, that will be compromised downstream of this proposed
use.
The only difference this plan will make to TimberWest relates to its financial
bottom line. TimberWest is one of the main companies involved in exporting raw
logs. This tells me they don't care about the Valley and the people who live in
it, except for the few involved in transporting logs and jobs out of the Valley
and out of the country.
If you are concerned, please contact your local, regional, and provincial
politicians and let them know what you think.
Maggie Paquet
