Tolko responds to watershed logging concerns

Apr 23, 2021 | 12:34 PM

Vernon-based Tolko Industries has told Vernon Matters that the company is still in discussion with the Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO) over a controversial logging plan.

Regional district directors passed a motion Wednesday night (April 21) calling for a halt to any plans to log a forest block, just 500 metres above the Duteau Creek Water System main intake.

Duteau Creek supplies 60 per cent of Greater Vernon water.

“We all depend on the Duteau Creek community watershed for our water supply, and this is why Tolko has worked hard to develop a good relationship with the Duteau Creek Watershed Technical Advisory Committee and the Regional District,” Chris Downey, Tolko Communications Advisor, responded.

The company says the proposed harvest block is located within the Timber Harvesting Land Base (THLB) and the Chief Forester of B.C. uses the THLB to determine annual harvest levels. Tolko’s staff geoscientist field-reviewed the site and produced his professional evaluation and report, which indicated that it would be safe to harvest in the area.

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“We have shared our reports with RDNO,” Downey said.

RDNO staff and independent consultants brought in by Greater Vernon Water are in disagreement over those reports.

“One benefit to harvesting this area would be the ability to create a fire break after harvesting and clean-up. Additionally, old logging roads would be removed along with our temporary new road at the end of the process and the area would be replanted,” Downey added. “Several planning assessments were completed and support Tolko moving forward in the process. Although we requested a road construction permit from the Government of B.C. this month, we have not yet submitted a cutting permit application.”

Tolko indicated they had received a letter from RDNO and are evaluating it and have been meeting with regional district staff.

RDNO staff have been also been in contact with the district manager of the Okanagan Shuswap Natural Resource District of the Ministry of Forests, Lands, and Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development opposing the logging.

RDNO has also written letters 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.

Local MLA Harwinder Sandhu has been copied on the correspondence. She was involved in a protest outside Tolko offices in Vernon over the same issue in 2019.

by Kevin Rothwell

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