Cut logs are finding a new log sort in town, leaving the Squamish Estuary some extra breathing room.
In 2007, the Skwewil’em Squamish Estuary Wildlife Management Area (WMA) set out to restore West-Barr Contracting Ltd.’s log sort lease area in the estuary back to a productive wetland habitat. The local forestry company is currently in the midst of moving its operations from the wetland to the southeast side of the Mamquam Blind Channel near downtown Squamish. West-Barr’s estuary log sort is to be completely decommissioned and relocated to the new Site B by October 13.
The old site is to be returned to a state near to what it previously was when West-Barr came to occupy the land in 1988, according to district spokesperson Christina Moore. The process will include removal of all buildings, foundations, equipment, pilings, logs, loose debris, grading the site and contributing $5,000 toward vegetating the site and promoting riparian growth.
When the move is finished, it will mark the removal of the last industrial operation from the 673 hectare Skwewil’em Squamish Estuary WMA.
The impetus for this restoration has roots in the Squamish Estuary Co-ordinating Committee. Founded in 1982, the committee aimed to guide land and water uses in the estuary by balancing government, industry and private interests. It helped produce the 1999 Squamish Estuary Management Plan (SEMP) and subsequently, the 2007Skwewil’em Squamish Estuary WMA.
These documents were passed onto The Squamish Chief by Moore who added that, “the decommissioning of the log sort is an agreement between West Barr and the province.”
“Wetlands account for only 5.6 per cent of British Columbia’s land base and are one of the most rare and biologically productive ecosystem types on the British Columbia coast. The Skwelwil’em Squamish Estuary WMA is a very important addition to wetland protected areas,” states the Skwewil’em Squamish Estuary WMA.
