Clear Cut logged mountainside (Photo 9239978 © Steve Estvanik | Dreamstime.com)

By Kevin Rothwell

Water versus wood

Last ditch attempt to stop logging in local watershed

Apr 22, 2021 | 5:00 AM

North Okanagan politicians are demanding the provincial government take immediate action to stop Tolko Industries from logging a timber block just 500 metres from the Duteau Creek water intake above the Headgates Dam.

Duteau Creek Watershed is a critical supply for nearly 60 per cent of Greater Vernon water.

Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO) staff and consultants have presented evidence against the logging operation in the block identified as LV1243 since it was first proposed five years ago, by the Vernon based forest company.

Since 2016 there have been numerous site visits to the site by RDNO staff, Tolko personnel, consultants and provincial government staff.

On April 9, 2021 RDNO received notice that Tolko was planning to move ahead with logging in May.

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“After numerous discussions, meetings and a field reconnaissance review conducted in the past two weeks, staff are extremely concerned with the increased and unacceptable risk imposed on GVW (Greater Vernon Water) infrastructure, water source and water quality,” RDNO Manager of Water Quality Tricia Brett and General Manager of Utilities Zee Marcolin stated in a report to the board.

Regional district directors passed a motion ‘adamantly’ opposing the current proposal to log the Tolko block and instruct staff to undertake the necessary actions to support this opposition.

Staff have been be directed to write a letter to District Manager, Okanagan Shuswap Natural Resource District of the Ministry of Forests, Lands, and Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development opposing the logging

Staff have also been directed to write a letter to the Minister of Forests, Lands, and Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development and the Minister of State for Land and Natural Resources Operations advocating for the prioritization of drinking water protection over timber harvesting in community watersheds.

Now MLA Harwinder Sandhu was part of a protest outside Tolko offices about the issue in April 2019, at which time Tolko also released a statement about the proposed logging.

Administration was careful to point out that this isn’t the RDNO or staff being opposed to logging, and that the positive economic impact is recognized.

“We have some specific concerns with this specific application, and its proximity to our watershed and our infrastructure, so at this stage it’s really to indicate the opposition and slow down, and whatever plans proceed balance both the economic and environmental considerations of our drinking water,” Chief Administrative Officer David Sewell said.