The creation of two additional woodlots on the North-East corner of Gambier Island has opened up 25 percent of the island to active logging, anticipated to begin within the next year. To protest, numerous petitions have been created and signed by more than 1200 people. The Islands Trust trustee for Gambier Island, Kate-Louise Stamford says that these petitions and the participation of people within the greater community of Howe Sound on the issue has made an impact, and led the Minister of Forests and Lands and Natural Resource Operations (FLNRO), Steve Thomson, to pause the process that will lead to logging on the newly created woodlot.
Stamford and the Islands Trustee from Keats, Jan Hagedorn met with Minister Thomson last week and asked him to pause the bid process. They also requested that a meeting between the Ministry and key individuals and groups on Gambier.
“This is just a step in the right direction,” says Stamford.
Stamford says that Gambier’s Official Community Plan does support small-scale sustainable logging, but that the Island’s residents were not consulted on the decision to open up these two new community woodlots.
“We are not sure what the province means when it says small scale sustainable logging –25 percent of our island does not look like small scale to us, and it will make a major impact. We also need to know that the Ministry (FLNRO) understands that logging activity is different in the context of an island.”
The area of a single woodlot is 600 hectares (about 3000 acres) and on Gambier one such woodlot already exists, alongside numerous private woodlots. There are other areas of the island that are zoned for forestry, but are not currently being logged.
While a report by Global Television estimated that the Province would make $9000 per year in revenue for the operations wheras the Gambier Conservancy estimated an that the revenue would be $1500 per year.
“I don’t know which is more accurate,” says Stamford. “But either way, it is ridiculous.”
The two new woodlots are considered to be mature growth forests, with some old growth trees still standing, and were last logged about 100 years ago. These lots also surround the community watershed and the main hiking destination on the island, Gambier Lake. Logging these lots will also cut off the communities of Etkin’s point and Douglas Bay from the rest of Gambier.
Stamford says that the petitions against logging reflect the fact that there is a strong appreciation for the value of these lands from people throughout Howe Sound.
“Since this issue came up, I think the local yacht clubs have recognized the importance of Gambier in terms of contributing to the scenery of Howe Sound,” she says. “Another really important recreational use comes from the children’s camps. Whether kids come for an overnight stay or just a day hike, Gambier offers a real wilderness experience that can be accessed by public transportation. Because it is an island, it is safer in a way than the North Shore, you really can’t get too lost here.”
