I take issue with several aspects of the Citizen’s Feb. 18, 2022, article, titled: “Environmental concerns in North Cowichan forest reserve a major issue: report.”
The article quotes consultant Megan Turnock as saying: “Some participants are supportive of the current management of the MFR. Of those in favour of harvesting, many are supportive of a shift towards eco-forestry and more sustainable forms of harvesting.”
This is accurate. Unfortunately, the sub-headline in the online edition adopted a misleading spin: “But many want logging to continue at some level.”
Later, Councillor Tek Manhas – the voice of logging on council – is quoted as saying North Cowichan residents “generally want to see things progress the way they are.”
This statement is not borne out by the report, which is an overwhelming endorsement for conservation and other values over logging.
The article further quotes Coun. Manhas as saying residents are paying for the lost revenue from logging through their property taxes.
It is well known that the money is coming from the forest reserve fund, not property tax hikes.
It is also well known UBC has told council that it stands to earn as much or more from carbon credits than by logging – a win-win option.
Make no mistake, in this new consulting report citizens have spoken out strongly in favour of non-logging values in the forest reserve, including ecology, recreation and viewscapes.
I encourage residents to read the report for themselves: https://bit.ly/34dkXCX.
Larry Pynn,
Maple Bay