Victoria Buzz: ‘Old-growth carnage’: Activists concerned over clear-cut forest near Port Alberni (PHOTOS)

July 3, 2024
By: Curtis Blandy
Victoria Buzz

Original article here.

BC old-growth activists have taken before and after photos of a large area of an ancient grove that was clear-cut on Vancouver Island near Port Alberni in the Nahmint Valley.

The Ancient Forest Alliance says that many of the massive trees that were cut down were over 500 years old, some being up to nine feet across.

Now that the grove has been cut, they are urging the BC government to immediately correct misidentified at-risk old-growth forests that could be eligible for logging deferrals.

The Nahmint Valley clear-cut spans 17.4 hectares, roughly 31 football fields, and contains numerous giant, old-growth trees. Some of the trees lost to this clearcut were immense redcedars and rare, old-growth Douglas-fir trees.

The Ancient Forest Alliance also says that an at-risk species, specklebelly lichen, was recently documented in the area and this particular lichen can only be found in old-growth groves.

The old-growth advocates added that BC Timber Sales (BCTS), the BC government’s own logging agency, owned and auctioned off this forest to the highest bidder.

They say that as of this publication, trees are still being felled.

The Ancient Forest Alliance says this area should have never been logged and should have been a part of the millions of hectares protected by deferrals because it was originally identified as an at-risk old-growth forest.

“When I first visited this endangered forest several months ago, I was amazed by its sheer beauty. It was filled with massive old-growth trees, gardens of ferns and wildflowers carpeted the forest floor, and birdsong filled the air. It was like stepping into a lost world,” recounted TJ Watt, campaigner & photographer with the Ancient Forest Alliance.

“When we returned last week, it was old-growth carnage. The shattered bodies of ancient cedars lie where a vibrant and biodiverse ecosystem once stood.”

Watt added that Premier Eby has said he intends to move forward and protect old-growth forests in BC, but there is more that can be done.

Ancient Forest Alliance is calling on Eby to direct BC Timber Sales to lead by example and put an end to clearcutting old-growth.

The BC government has significantly ramped up their efforts to protect these at-risk areas over the past year. These efforts include a commitment to protect 30% of the province’s old-growth by 2030 and allocating significant funding for this endeavour.

What the Ancient Forests Alliance wants BC to do now is to secure First Nations consent and shared decision-making in all areas of the province regarding old-growth, including lands BC Timber Sales manages.

Additionally they are calling on the Province to provide additional funding and deferrals based on ecosystem-based protection targets.

“The monumental stumps and giant fallen logs here in the Nahmint are fresh evidence that major conservation policy and funding gaps remain that the BC NDP government must address,” said Watt.

“We need legally binding ecosystem-based protection targets that would aim new protected areas at the most at-risk ecosystems, such as the big-tree old-growth forests.”

He continued by suggesting that the BC government include this funding in the forthcoming Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health Framework.

Another point of concern for the Ancient Forest Alliance is to help offset lost revenues for First Nations with a $120 million contribution.

“Does the Ministry of Forests believe this is what putting ecosystem health before timber values looks like,” Watt asked in conclusion.

“If there were anywhere you might expect the promised ‘paradigm shift’ in forest management, it would be here in the Nahmint Valley.