Editor,
It is undoubtedly good news that the province has now agreed to annex some 10 hectares of the Malamute Bluff to the Stawamus Chief Provincial Park ["Malamute bluff now protected," The Chief, Oct. 1].
However, many members of the Squamish community may be less happy with certain other aspects of this transaction.
The saga apparently began with the illegal clearing of almost 1,500 trees from a hillside that once beautified the Sea to Sky Highway and offered exceptional views of the Chief.
It is hard to endorse the perspective of our provincial MLA that such clearcutting protected "important wildlife habitat and recreation features."
Moreover, if I follow The Chief article, it appears that not only potential fines of up to $14,139,000 will now be rescinded, but that those who engaged in the illegal logging may receive a tax receipt for $330,000 from Environment Canada's Ecological Gifts program, plus additional Crown lands for their logging.
Does this send an appropriate message to others who may be contemplating illegal clearcutting in scenic and environmentally sensitive parts of our neighbourhood?
Roy Shephard
Brackendale
