The visual impact of proposed logging near the renowned Stawamus Chief will hurt tourism and impact recreational users, warns Penny Cooper.
Last month, the Squamish resident was alarmed when she found out that B.C. Timber Sales is eying timber sales on forest that borders the Stawamus Chief Provincial Park. The blocks encompass land known as the Olesen Creek Drainage, just behind the Stawamus Chief and Slahany (previously known as the Squaw). It’s an area that’s popular with climbers and hikers and includes a newly established viewpoint area known as Tony’s Memorial Lookout, Cooper said.
“You will see it from the top of the Third Peak,” Cooper said. “It will be visible from the gondola.”
Cooper recently toured the forest, noting it had been “completely flagged.” B.C. Timber’s consultation process seems to have occurred quickly, she added, noting many residents don’t know the land is being considered for logging. She’s opposed to logging bordering an “internationally significant Class A provincial park.”
“It is going to be a huge impact on the community,” she said, noting portions of the cut will likely be visible from downtown.
This area has seen a significant increase in use over the last few years, Cooper said. People escaping the crowded trail to the Chief’s first summit, are venturing out on Slahany Trail. Cooper wants more public consultation, with a focus on the community and recreational users. She said she’s also urging the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations – who oversee B.C. Timber Sales – to reconsider the proposal to log in such a sensitive area.
“These trails are not only used by the community, they are used by visitors,” Cooper said.
“With more tourists coming to the area it will have an effect.”
B.C. Timber Sales is aware of the public concern regarding the proposed logging behind the Stawamus Chief, forestry ministry spokesperson Greig Bethel wrote in an email to the Squamish Chief. Officials have held meetings with the Squamish Nation, Squamish Off-Road Cycling Association (SORCA), Squamish Dirt Bike Association and the Squamish Access Society.
“The next meeting is tentatively scheduled for later this month,”
he stated.
No final decisions on the logging plans have been made. B.C. Timber Sales is assessing options for managing visual impacts from the Chief and will consider modifications to further minimize the sight-scapes, Bethel said, noting selective and retentive logging methods will
be used.
“The cut block is not scheduled to be harvested until next spring at the earliest,” he said.
The Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) has dealt with previous issues regarding a lack of communication between forestry operations and local governments, SLRD chair Patricia Heintzman said. Forestry officials did not bring this proposal to the District
of Squamish’s council, said Heintzman, who also serves as a Squamish councillor.
“Public engagement on projects are not as good as it should be. The SLRD has sent many letters to force the timber companies to be a lot more proactive with communication,” she said.
From the viewpoint of tourism and recreation, there are few worse places to log than beside the Chief, Heintzman said.
Sea to Sky Gondola staff have been in discussions with B.C. Timer Sales, the gondola’s general manager Trevor Dunn said. The forestry organization is completing more analysis on the visual impact of the logging, he noted. As to what it might look like from the gondola, Dunn said it’s tough to say without knowing the full details.
“We don’t know what it might look like,” he said.
