August 14

FYI 

At this time WFP has frozen all logging activities in the watershed,  while lawyers from all sides look at the situation.   We do not know how long they will suspend their activities.  Pat 

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I would like to clarify that the order only has full effect in the steepest and smallest cutblocks.  These are the red cedar heli blocks in Chapman Valley. 

The largest and highest altitude cutblocks are only affected by monitoring and stream buffers in areas within the watershed.  These blocks "cap" the plateau.  They form a continuous clearcut of the last and only old growth yellow cedar in this portion of the watershed.  They extend well beyond the watershed boundaries.  The blocks are surrounded on 3 sides by clearcuts and on the 4th side by Chapman Valley as the attached photos show.  They include almost all of the taller, lighter green yellow cedars.

The true headwaters of the watershed are the clouds which deliver water to the highest altitude areas.  These slow growing trees and surrounding swampy ground seed and retain the mountaintop clouds and fogs which are present here through much of the year.  So even though portions of the cutblocks are outside the watershed, this entire area is an essential part of the watershed ecosystem, passing water both up, down and cross slope.

This forest is primarily yellow cedar with many snags and veteran trees with rotten cores. The water is shallow and pervasive, with many small creeks and areas of skunk cabbage, etc.  There are also some larger creeks.

I believe that this area can be protected through continued process through higher levels of governement. The SCRD health board has acted to the extent of its powers, and MoF's only power seems to be issuing cutting permits.

There is a MASSIVE new road network in place within these blocks.  It is reasonable to assume WFP will engage in aggressive heavy equipment assisted falling in order to make preservation a null issue.  Some of this machinery is in place, and a clearcutting has started deep inside the cutblock.

These blocks can be accessed easily on foot or by bicycle from the gated four way intersection on the way to Dakota Ridge.  There are only gentle slopes, making for an easy 10 minute walk.  Also many blueberries are present in the old cutblocks.  The road into the cutblocks are on the first uphill fork after going west from the four way.  There is a tremendous view of Georgia straight spanning from Sidney to Comox from the new road fork.

Some issues are:

- Public awareness needs to be raised re: the limitations of the Health Board order.

- The watershed boundary defines the effect of
the order.  It seems detailed inaccurately on maps and on the ground.

- Wind and temperature increase dramatically in clearcuts, leading to MUCH dryer conditions and hence less cloud seeding in our watershed valley.

- The areas surrounding our "on the ground" watershed boundary need protection as clouds do not flow on the ground.

- The onset of fall rains will cease WFPs operations, so any delay may save trees and preserve the integrity of our watershed.

- The Sechelt Nation has not yet acted to preserve areas.  Perhaps they can be encouraged to do so.

Best Regards!
Jay Page