The recent statements made by Mr. Duncan Kerr, VP Operations and Chief Operating Officer for Western Forest Products that “WFP is not going to go back in and log the areas with a 60% slope because it wouldn’t be cost effective”, may give the impression that Mr. Kerr expects some public sympathy for WFP’s potential loss of revenue.

Perhaps Mr. Kerr should inform the public that WFP was given government approval this year to remove some 28,000 hectares of Crown land from tree farm licences held by WFP on Vancouver Island (website editor insert: see article), including some 12,000 hectares from Tree Farm Licence 25 near the tiny community of Jordan River.

More than 1,800 hectares of that property, including waterfront parcels stretching from Shirley to Jordan River, are now being sold by WFP.

At the waterfront campground in Jordan River, tourists lazed in the sun, taking in the spectacular ocean views and watching a passing whale. But campers and surfers, who prize the waves that roll onto the pebbled beaches, are looking at the end of an era. The area containing the campground cabins, beaches, headlands and surrounding hills are up for sale.

When B.C. Forests Minister Rich Coleman announced the deal "to bring stability to the company," he was accused of bailing out the firm without getting fair value for taxpayers It has not been decided whether the proceeds will be invested in the company or go to pay down its debt says Mr. Kerr.

Mr. Lee Doney, who was once the Deputy Minister of Forests, now serves as a WFP Director.

Mr. Doney and Mr. Kerr, a question, “was this transfer of public crown lands in the best interests of BC taxpayers or WFP?”

John Bebbington