Some culverts have been plugged on Perry Ridge, the site of contentious logging this spring in the Slocan Valley.
BC Timber Sales manager Ken Scown says it was “pretty clear” the jams weren’t the result of natural forces, although no one has been caught.
“We did have people enter the site and try and plug some culverts,” he says. “The licensee has security up there, but he never tracked the people down.”
Scown says the debris was easily picked out by hand.
Sunshine Logging of Kaslo, which was awarded the contract, has harvested two of four cutblocks, and is just about finished hauling, but Scown isn’t sure when work on the other blocks will begin.
“We’re unclear of his schedule. He may end up going to log for another licensee, so we’re not entirely sure of his plans.”
Other than the culvert issue, Scown says “everything’s going along really well. Things are proceeding as planned.”
Scown says BC Timber Sales staff visit once a week and also have contractors who monitor roadbuilding and harvesting. They haven’t identified any problems.
A protest camp at the site dispersed after an injunction was served in March, but Marilyn Burgoon of the Perry Ridge Water Users Association says residents remain concerned and are keeping a watchful eye.
“We did have a helicopter go up and do some videotaping and [take] some still photographs which we will be sharing with the public at a presentation,” she says.
“Our main activity lately has been fundraising which is going very well as we continue to look at legal strategies and gather independent hydrology assessments. and we now have a bird’s eye view of the blocks and the river.”
Local members of the Sinixt First Nation challenged the logging in court, arguing they had a constitutional right to be consulted. A judge dismissed their application, but they have filed notice of appeal.
“It still amazes me that while the Sinixt await their appeal the judge has given permission and an injunction to allow the very land in question to be developed,” Burgoon says.
She argues the logging poses a threat not only to drinking water, but to bull trout habitat and archaeological sites. She adds they hoped to visit the site with their hydrologist, but did not get a response from Sunshine Logging.