Essays, Articles
and Poetry from Canada's Environmental Protection Movement, especially
concerning the ongoing...
War
on BC Forests
SLOCAN VALLEY NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 31, 2000
CONTACT: Stephan Martineau, (250) 355-2206
Day 6 Trozzo Creek Protest: Another Sad Day For BC's
Water
APPLEDALE, BC -- Today water users protesting the entry
of Slocan Forest Products (SFP) into their watershed were served with
an injunction. "When government and corporations fail to protect
people's water, then where have we come to?" ask Stephan Martineau,
a water user in the Elliott Anderson Christian Trozzo (EACT) watershed.
"It is outrageous that in this day and age such a precious resource
like water, as well as strong community opposition is being overrun
by corporate interest" comments Martineau.
For the last 6 days residents have been protesting road
building by SFP into their watershed. SFP plans to access the watershed
that provides clean drinking water to the residents for timber harvest.
Over 90% of the residents oppose industrial logging in their watershed.
The Slocan Valley has a long history of water users taking a stand
to protect their drinking water. Since 1974 the residents of the Slocan
Valley have been calling for sustainable solutions to land use issues.
In 1996 an Ecosystem-based Plan was developed for the entire valley
providing a community solution that has been endorsed by the majority
of Slocan Valley residents. The government has failed to endorse it.
"It is a sad day when water users have to stand on the road as
a last resort," says Jim Merkel, another EACT watershed resident.
Earlier this morning, before the injunction was served,
local water users decided to repair a section of the l km road Slocan
Forest Products began building last week. The water users had previously
invited two foresters to investigate and identify sedimentation hazard
and repair needed. At dawn several residents volunteered their time
to install 13 water bars, unplug a culvert and ensure proper drainage.
The road will continue to be monitored by the water users.
Today the water users are demanding that their premier
come forward and hear the concerns of water users in the Slocan Valley.
Martineau says "It is time that a community solution be implemented
in the Slocan Valley and that our Premier Ujjal Dosanjh follow through
on his promise to protect the drinking water and the watersheds from
which it comes."
Related
Sites:
- [Slocan Valley Watershed Logging]
[Valhalla
Wilderness Society] [Tin-Men
Magazine]
-
