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1996 FWOC
Resolution
No. 18:
HALT THE "LOGGING WITHOUT PLANNING" IN
BRITISH COLUMBIA
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The coastal temperate
rainforests in British Columbia are one of the world's most productive
and threatened forest types, and supports one of the most abundant
fisheries on earth.
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Ancient temperate
rainforests cover less than 0.2% of the earths land area, and over 20%
of that is growing in British Columbia.
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Only 4% of the primary
forests on public lands in the U.S. remain in the U.S., while 50% of
the coastal temperate rainforests are still standing in British
Columbia.
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Ancient/old-growth
rainforests are critical habitat for the grizzly bears, wolves, salmon,
and the rare white variation of the black bear called the kermode bear.
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Less than 7% of the
coastal temperate rainforest ecosystem has been protected from future
logging in British Columbia.
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Most of the remaining
pristine valleys in coastal British Columbia are slated for having
logging roads built and clearcut logging in the next five years.
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The Federation of Western
Outdoor Clubs and its members and Member Club affiliates request that
the Government of British Columbia defer all logging plans for all
intact valleys and ecosystems within the central Coast Planning Process
(due to commence in the fall of 1996) including the Ahta and Johnson
watersheds on the mainland coast.
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The Federation further
requests that the Government of British Columbia apply the spirit and
the intent of the Clayoquot Scientific Panel's Recommendations to the
entire coastal temperate rainforests of British Columbia where logging
takes place. The Federation also requests that, in doing so,
logging be deferred in the Klakish and East Creek watersheds on
Vancouver Island until comprehensive inventories of the resources, and
a Full Watershed Plan has been completed.
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...................................................................................................................
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FWOC Member Clubs and individual members
are requested to send a copy of this resolution along with any
pertinent comments of their own to:
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British Columbia Premier
The Honorable Glen Clark
Parliament Buildings
Victoria, BC, V8X 1X4
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