Sylvie [email protected]
A brand new clear cut that is clearly visible from Highway 99 and may be subject to tens of thousands of dollars in fines has angered numerous recreational users of a popular climbing area, and has sparked debate throughout the community.
"I am simply sad and disgusted that in my life I will no longer get to see that little corner of Squamish that I use to watch over every now and again," stated Canmore mountain guide Patrick Delaney.
District staff issued a stop work order March 30 when residents discovered a large swath of the Upper Malamute - located across Highway 99 from the Stawamus Chief - had been clear cut.
The work is in contravention of the municipal site alteration bylaw and property owner Paul Turner of Malamute Holdings Ltd. may be subject to fines of $10,000 per tree removed. Initial estimates state that as many as 500 trees were cut down.
"It's a beautiful area and it certainly looks a whole lot less pretty today than it did four or five days ago," said Mayor Ian Sutherland who visited the site Friday (March 30). "That's why we have a site alteration bylaw in place. It was unfortunate that the landowner didn't follow that bylaw."
The issue is expected to come before council in the first meeting of May, according to Sutherland.
Turner is the primary landowner, and CRB Logging, which employs Turner, has undertaken the tree removal.
Calls to Turner were not returned by publication deadline, but other community members came to his defense Tuesday (April 3).
"Why don't Squamish locals make an uproar about permanent development within our area but they shed tears over a clear cut which will grow back?" asked Lindsey Pitcher in a letter to the Chief.
"I would like to thank Paul Turner of Malamute Holdings Ltd. and CRB logging for employing so many people in Squamish over the years."
It is unclear what is intended for the area, but in past applications to purchase neighbouring Crown land, Malamute Holdings stated it needed property "for the purpose of a quarry/log storage facility," with the land "deemed to be required for the extension of their existing operation."
In an email to members sent Friday (March 30), the Squamish Access Society stated it has determined the work is not part of the nearby Highway 99 upgrades, and that a notice was not given to groups who, in the past and recently, expressed public interest in the land.
"We intend to combine forces with fellow access groups and are in communication with the municipality and interested private and corporate parties," stated the email.
The logging also aroused considerable concern among provincial climbing group, the B.C. Access Society. "The Access Society is gravely concerned by what happened," states the April 5 society newsletter. "Our goal has long been that the upper Malamute, at the heart of Squamish, should be protected for public benefit and use, particularly for climbing, walking, nature viewing, and sightseeing. There has been a lot of work toward that goal over the last few years, and it remains the desired result. We'll continue working toward it."
