enviro: Elk Creek loggers could face roadblocks
Stephen Hui, CUP British Columbia Bureau

Although logging has already begun at Elk Creek, opponents say they will not back down without a fight.

First Nations communities and environmentalists attach great value to this rainforest, about 10 kilometres east of Chilliwack, British Columbia, and are vowing to escalate their protests in a last ditch effort to stop the logging. That could mean blockades, according to a former chief of the Cheam Nation.

"Quite often, we find the quickest way to resolve anything is through direct action," said elder June Quipp.

The Cheam are part of the Pilalt Tribe whose territory covers not only the Elk Creek watershed, but also a large part of the Fraser Valley and surrounding mountains. They maintain that any logging, as well as the development of a proposed ski resort, within their Aboriginal title lands must have their permission.

"They have not got our consent to start developing the mountain," Quipp said. "And, when it's that big an impact, the highest court in Canada says they have to have our consent. Otherwise, they are breaking the law and it's theft in the highest degree."

Two cut blocks covering 110 hectares are slated for partial logging by Cattermole Timber. Chilliwack forest district manager Kerry Grozier, who was not available for comment at press time, approved the company's logging plan.

In a report detailing the reasons for his decision, Grozier says the plan "adequately manages and conserves the forest resources to which it applies." The report also claims sufficient consultation with First Nations occurred in the form of correspondence, field trips, and meetings.

The Cheam Nation disagrees.

"The consultation they use is not meaningful," Quipp said. "They put the process in motion, but that's all it is. We might as well not even talk for the amount of consideration we get."

For the Cheam, Elk Creek is the site of one of many land disputes in the Pilalt Territory. The Ch-lhl-kway-uhk Tribe, Soowahlie First Nation, and Stó:lo Nation also assert that the watershed lies within their territories and are subject to their Aboriginal rights and title.

"These issues have been ongoing since contact," said Denise Aleck, a Cheam researcher and band member.

Elk Mountain is just one of the summits overlooking the village of Cheam.

"They're all just part of our life," Quipp said, "and we don't differentiate between any of them as being part of our territory and areas that are sacred to us."

"It's left a lot of disheartened people," Aleck said, "and from what I can see, it's not just our community - it's non-Native local residents as well."

Environmentalists are calling for the creation of a protected area around Elk Creek, subject to First Nations' consent. They say that the forest is a habitat for four endangered species and boasts the tallest old-growth trees remaining in the Fraser Valley.

According to Joe Foy, national campaign coordinator of the Western Canada Wilderness Committee, logging is going ahead despite the public outcry generated by its proposal.

"They got several hundred - just under 1,000 - responses," Foy said, "and virtually all the responses asked them not to log the area."

Over 500 people visited the area this year in weekend tours organised by the Elk Creek Conservation Coalition.

"So, we thought once again we had proven beyond doubt that there was a huge interest in this place to be left as it is," said Gabriella Friesen, a member of the group. "Then we were absolutely shocked to come back from holidays in August and find that there had been an announcement to approve logging."

Canadian University Press

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