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Woods War II

KONRAD YAKABUSKI

Globe and Mail Update

Latest comment posted at 5:40 AM EST 29/10/08

Clayoquot Sound was a historic green victory. But now the coalition that barred forestry from Canada's last, best place has come unstuck. With natives logging for themselves, will things come to blows amid the old growth? ...Read the full article

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  1. Eric Enno Tamm from Vancouver, writes: This is a well researched and informative article about a very complex issue involving some of Canada's greatest challenges, namely the environment and the plight of First Nations.

    I'd like to point out one small typo regarding Ecotrust Canada. The article says the organization's mission is to build the "conversation economy." While we do promote dialogue, especially between First Nations and environmental groups, our mission is actually to "build the conservation economy."

    For more information, check out www.ecotrust.ca.

    Eric Enno Tamm
    Communications Manager
    Ecotrust Canada
    eric@ecotrust.ca
  2. lary waldman from Qualicum Beach, Canada writes: First I would like to see in my lifetime, that all the money squandered by the super rich, and not re invested in community be repaid, so that my children and Grandchildren are not burdened with a huge debt, mostly rung up by my generation. Second I would like to see the oceans free of Industrial mining ships, that mine not for rocks but fish. From what I have read, there are many fish stocks, and the oceans they live in going extinct as I sit and write this. Third, I would like to see a complete ban on logging in British Columbia. Nothing ever comes out good, when after millions are spent on negotiations, first nation people still live without hope seeking to dull their pain. I would like to see a robust community working to recapture their nature diversity, paid for by the Canadian People. I am not sure what Lawyers have charged over the last 57 years to first nations people, but I am certain if other dicaplines had been paid to work with the first nations a lot of the problems we see today would be on the wane. Lets leave the forest alone, it built the Province even the Country, it needs to rest now, so the my recently born grandchild, may find working there a source of magical natural substances for what ails mankind.I know the people that want to cut down the logs, feel like they are chocoholics in a bowl of Hershey Kisses they cannot eat, but so be eat. Get some therpy, because we must once and for all change, for the beterment, of those not yet borne.The first nation / tree harvesters are just going to have to find a different way to make a living. If that living is to be made in the forest, then let the forest remain untouched at the end of the day.

    Lary Waldman
  3. Juan Acevedes from vancouver, Canada writes: lary waldman: if I may ask, your house is made of...? And what would you have people build their houses with, if not wood? concrete, steel, plastic? do you think any of these are environmentally friendly? besides being an ideal construction material, wood is renewable and requires much less energy to process than any alternative.
  4. Josh Taylor from St. John's Dublin, writes: Juan,

    All wood is not equal though. Some wood comes from old growth forests, others from sensitive areas of old growth. We have cut on enough land that we don't have to cut anymore old growth as long as we replant.

    Trees and land are public resources (mostly). They should be replanted and reused. 12-15 years for a plot to mature. How long have we been cutting? We could have cut some areas over 10 times.

    We need to think sustainably. The world is too small.
  5. Old Guy On Big Point from Canada writes: A very informative piece on the complexity of the whole mess. It seems to me that the native loggers should be given an opportunity to carry out harvesting according to the very strict controls in one of these pristine areas and then an assessment could be carried out to determine if the impact is as minimal as they claim. But.... this would require the environmental groups to concede that the this method of logging is not the same as the methods employed by the big logging companies and it sounds like that is doubtful. In my opinion their aim is to win at all costs, no matter who they hurt.
  6. Judy Skidmore from The Bush, Canada writes: All three players, corporate forestry, native loggers and environmentalists are highly strategic, the corporate forestry probably the least.
    Native loggers join with environmentalists to eject the corporates, and then take the forest over in a few years.
    The environmentalists go off to find another forest to fill their donation coffers.
    The corporates mostly watch and try to find profits in their ever shrinking public land jackpot.
    It the forest game in Canada.
  7. Red-necked and persecuted from Canada writes: If they get to log, it will be clear cut and there won't be a tree for miles. Wait and see. Our native friends are not guardians of the environment - they never were despite all the rhetoric. Nomadic tribes used to camp and totally destroy the surrounds, then simply pack up, move on, and do it all over again somewhere else. Drive through a reserve, any reserve and you'll see "conservation" in action.
  8. Rob G from Calgary, Canada writes: Most people seem to be quite confident that Natives are just naturally better stewards of the environment than are whites. I've seen what can happen on a reservation when logging started, the clearcut matches any of the worst results from corporate clearcutting and there is no attempt to replant. For all of those liberal types who are saying "Yes" to native logging in Clayoquot, check in ten years and see how it's going. I think you'll be shocked by the result.
  9. Jonathan T from Milton, Canada writes: " David Simon from Canada writes: In the words of Midnight Oil: "It belongs to them, let's give it back."

    White environmentalists out! "

    Racist Biggot
  10. Jonathan T from Milton, Canada writes: The rich business man, aboriginal may they be, will take all and leave these communities in question with nothing. How can you pay a community a minimal salary to quickly destroy itself and say that their people will profit from it? Your rivers and streams will be polluted. Your vista will forever be spoiled. You will be left with no forests for yourself, to manage and protect, for your own children. Your children's land and home will be worthless.

    Don't follow the rest of the world in a path of unsustainability. The world around you lives on the edge of their own demise. In a century, the wealth that was once flaunted in your face will no longer be. The population of the world will plummit. Those with land and a pristine environment will be the ones that everyone envies. Let your children be the rich ones. Your forests are worth much more alive then dead.

    You once fought for your land. It was the aboriginal spirit that stopped all projects that compromised Canada's environment. Compromising your culture or environment, even if it meant you profited, was not an option. It was said to us that you believed your were borrowing the land from your children. Canadians like me owe more than just a debt of gratitude. Your leadership changed Canada. Now is your time to leverage that leadership. Teach the rest of Canada the true meaning of wealth. Continue to teach sustainabilty. Teach us that there is a people so great that they value not money, but culture and wisdom. Teach us who you are, or at least were. Please don't change. There is no happiness in money.

    If Clayquot sound falls, your voice will fall. You will no longer be different. You will be like everyone else. Lost in a world of economics. A world of no truths and irrational exuberance. A world that rationalizes everything to a fictional science. A world that places faith in statistics and facts while ignoring the search for truth.
  11. The Central Screwtinizer from Ottawawa, Canada writes: Gee, I heard no mention of depleted west coast salmon stocks and eagle butchery for feathers...
  12. Paul Sheridan from Hawkestone, ON, Canada writes: You can put lipstick on a pig.....but, it's still a pig. No matter what or whose name you put on the chainsaw, feller or helicopter.....trees is gonna fall. As a former MB employee, I recall at an 'enviro' meeting....the chief forester detailing a tract of land given to a First Nations company in Clayquot. The model set out was to be a sustainable venture for 12-15 years approximately. It was logged out in under one year. As far as the choice to purchase FSC lumber is concerned....price dictates purchases 99% every time. Also, with the crisis of beetle-kill in the interior and the need to process it.....and the forest industry in the tank from coast to coast......Clayquot to most is a non-issue.
  13. r john mckinley from Canada writes: !2-15yrs to mature lol try 60-80 years out east

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