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Saul Arbess

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  1. With much of BC Timber Sales' old-growth logging on pause, the Province could direct the publicly-owned agency to focus its logging program on second-growth forests using ecosystem-based management. Background BC Timber Sales (BCTS) was established on June 20, 2003 with a mandate to support a market-based pricing system for the province’s forest resources, by setting cost and price benchmarks for timber harvested from public land in British Columbia. Its creation was a response to US challenges that royalties (stumpage fees) were so low that they were, in fact, an illegal subsidy of the BC forest industry providing an unfair advantage in the softwood lumber trade with the US. Environmental NGOs agreed with the US assessment that resource rents were far too low. One of its primary goals is to generate provincial revenue through the development and open competitive auction of Crown forest, which in turn creates employment opportunities for British Columbians. BCTS manages 21 percent of the allowable annual cut (AAC) and holds the largest percentage of the AAC among tenure and licence holders. BCTS provides seedlings and manages planting contracts for the Forests for Tomorrow program, creating efficiencies that allow the program to deliver more benefits with the same funding. The organization’s forest stewardship plans identify how various forest values will be managed, and its operating plans clearly identify proposed cut blocks and road-building projects. Despite its claims of sustainable forestry, BCTS was cited by the ministry of forest’s own internal Compliance and Enforcement Branch and the Forest Practices Board to be in violation of its own rules for managing old growth. Here is a readable summary of those findings: thenarwhal.ca/indicative-of-a-truly-corrupt-system-government-investigation-reveals-bc-timber-sales-violating-old-growth-logging-rules/. It is interesting to note that neither the branch, nor the Forest Practices Board, have enforcement powers, indicating again the failure to mandate changes in the management of forest practices. Current Status of BCTS On November 2, 2021, the BC government suspended all old-growth logging by BCTS in the areas affected by new deferral recommendations, for an unspecified period. This provides an opportunity, in the pause, to consider the future of BCTS and to move it in a different direction. Investigations by MoF’s Compliance and Enforcement Branch and the Forest Practices Board in the Nahmint Watershed on Vancouver Island have shown BCTS has been in violation of the Vancouver Island Land Use Plan, Higher Level Plan Orders (HLPO) and its own regulations in the management of old growth. BCTS has been entirely committed to the industrial, clearcut model of forestry, despite what is stated on its website. Often, BCTS fails to inform, negotiate or consider modifications to its plans with affected parties, operating like an occupying army on public lands. Controversial clearcut logging of old-growth forest near Schmidt Creek on Vancouver Island, authorized by BC Timber Sales (Photo by Mark Worthing) Proposal The pause in logging old growth on BCTS lands permits government to implement the Old Growth Strategic Review recommendations by committing BCTS to sustainably manage and log only second growth as an example of ecosystem-based management (EBM), operating as a model for progressive forest management, like an agriculture extension service. Second-growth plantations would no longer be considered as fiber mills and sacrifice areas for industry, but to be managed to allow, where possible, the regaining of a semblance of natural forest succession. It would model EBM in its call for bids, and those bids would be required to use this approach. Joint ventures with First Nations, would be given priority, as would at least secondary manufacturing for the approved bids. In this way, proxy bidders from Big Timber, would be excluded, given their present model. The rules would not exclude large industrial applicants, but, unless they transform, they could not meet the bidding criteria. That they would transform is extremely unlikely and the industrial approach would start to unwind, at least on these lands. The above approach would, given its focus on valued-added production, also significantly increase, the number of jobs per thousand cubic meters cut, improving the record that BC holds for the least number of jobs per unit cut of any jurisdiction in Canada and, perhaps, in the world. So let’s consider forest worker employment. On Nov.2, 2021, the government indicated its transition strategy for forest workers displaced by shrinking employment and changed forest practices. In a November 2, 2021 press release, here’s what the minister offered in the way of a transition: “The Province is also bringing together strategically co-ordinated and comprehensive supports to help forest workers, communities and First Nations with the necessary supports to offset job and economic impacts that may follow new harvest restrictions. Programs will include connecting workers with short-term employment opportunities, education and skills training or funds to bridge to retirement. The Province will also work in partnership with business and communities to develop new supports that will assist rural communities to create jobs through diversified economies, infrastructure projects and innovation in industry.” There is very little innovation in this policy, rather a restatement of failed policy from the past. We have to consider the profile of forest workers and options within the forest environment. Many current workers are older and may take enhanced retirement packages. Many younger workers, including those who wish to get into the industry, presently unemployed or laid off, might welcome: genuine silviculture work to increase the value of second growth plantations to mirror natural forest regeneration where possible and reduce forest fire risk; forest ecosystem restoration and opportunities in forest tourism to communicate as guides, through training, of forest values and biodiversity. I am referring here to indigenous and non-indigenous workers. There has historically been resistance to retrain away from forestry and failure of the programs that have taken that approach. I am suggesting programs that would stay within the scope of the industry where many new opportunities exist, especially if we are really moving to a new paradigm. We need to also remember that there is a strong tradition of multiple generations of families working in the industry. Here is an opportunity to get onside with forest workers and provide a sustainable path forward. An interesting model does exists for early retirement and retraining, funded by the province. After helping more than 1,000 forestry workers transition to retirement, the Bridging to Retirement Program has closed as of August 2021. The job placement program will continue to support affected forestry workers through an online platform and three offices in the Interior. Thus, the reform of BCTS, proposed above, plus innovative employment programs and worker retraining and supports, could increase sustainable forest employment, away from the bust or boom, heavily mechanized, unsustainable clearcutting model of the present, that consistently sheds jobs while laying bare the forests of British Columbia. Dr Saul Arbess has been active in the defence of old growth forests in the Fairy Creek area (TFL 46) and the Walbran Valley (TFL 44). In 1993-4, he was a spokesperson for the Conservation Sector at the Vancouver Island Land Use Table, whose recommendations informed the Vancouver Island Land Use Plan (VILUP) and recommended the establishment of new provincial parks on the island. He was also a member of the ENGO’s Forest Caucus at the World Trade Forum’s 1999 Seattle meeting, advocating for the planet’s primary forests.
  2. April 6 EARLY THIS MORNING, an injunction was served on forest defenders camped at four peaceful blockades near Fairy Creek. The injunction, granted April 1, was read by workers for Teal Jones logging company. This action clears the way for RCMP to begin arresting the forest defenders, as early as this afternoon. “We haven’t seen RCMP yet,” said Shawna Knight, a member of the group known as the Rainforest Flying Squad. However she said the group will not stand down, and expects more people will join them as they realize how dire the situation is for old-growth forests. The forest defenders currently have blockades at Caycuse, where it stopped active logging on Easter weekend, and at Fairy Creek, Eden, and Walbran. Saul Arbess is a long-time wilderness conservation campaigner. Photo by Dawna Mueller
  3. August 26, 2020 Two weeks into a campaign to halt logging of ancient rainforests in the last intact watershed of the San Juan River system, activists have set up a third blockade on unceded Pacheedaht Territory. by Saul Arbess and Joshua Wright IN THE MIDST OF AN ONGOING CLIMATE EMERGENCY, logging of the ancient rainforests continues at an unfettered rate. The amount of old-growth forest logged each day on Vancouver Island is equivalent to 32 soccer pitches according to the Wilderness Committee. These forests are not only vital for carbon sequestration, but also fundamental for the integrity of complex, interconnected ecosystems that support keystone and culturally significant species, such as salmon. Alarmingly, less than one percent of largest stature forest was found to be remaining on the Island according to the scientific report BC’s Old Growth Forest: A Last Stand for Biodiversity recently authored by Dr Rachel Holt, Dr Karen Price and David Daust. And most of that is going at an accelerating rate on Vancouver Island, with an estimate of three years remaining before it is all gone, except the meagre areas that have been protected. Grassroots forest defenders from across Vancouver Island have prevented Teal Jones Group from blasting logging roads into the headwaters of the Fairy Creek watershed for the past two weeks. The road would have penetrated the last remaining intact, unlogged tributary in the entire San Juan River system. The tributary is near Port Renfrew on unceded Pacheedaht territory. Last Sunday, August 23, saw a second blockade established east of the Fairy Creek watershed. A third blockade was set up August 24 on a logging road on Edinburgh Mountain (also unceded Pacheedaht Territory). With the exception of Eden Grove on Edinburgh Mountain, contiguous old-growth corridors have been severed between the rich valley bottom and the protected upper reaches. The infamous Big Lonely Doug stands in stark contrast to the clear cut it stands in on Edinburgh, the sole remaining giant fir in the cut. Big Lonely Doug has become an internationally recognized symbol for BC’s devastating logging practices. Just up the mountain, logging is ongoing. This is what the newest blockade will stop. Zoe Cilliers, a forest defender at the blockade, says, “If we pick and choose where our actions line up with our words, our words don’t mean anything. I’m an ecologist; I work with kids, I teach them about old growth, I teach them the value of these ecosystems. Being here means keeping a promise. If I don’t stand for this, how can I stand behind what I say to these kids?” K.L, also at the blockade, states, “Anyone who wonders why people are blockading, they should go and spend some time in an old growth forest, and they will understand. It’s the mosses, the spongy floor, the smell, it’s the stillness, the spaciousness.” Old-growth forest in the Fairy Creek Valley In April 2020, the BC government finalized its commissioned review on the current state of Vancouver Island’s remaining old-growth forests. The report has not yet been released to the public by the Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development who may sit on the report until October for reasons not understood, given the crisis in our forests. Meanwhile, old-growth logging persists; roads are blasted into pristine mountains; massive, ancient trees are falling. Time is of the essence. As protester J.C. says, “Once it’s gone, it’s gone for good. It’s short-sighted to be logging like this.” Gary Merkel, one of two Old Growth Strategic Review commissioners, said in an interview with the Narwhal, last January: “We’re managing ecosystems—that are in some cases thousands of years old—on a four-year political cycle. The management systems change from government to government.” The demands for the Province from the forest defenders at the frontline of the Fairy Creek blockades are the following: (1) Immediately release the recommendations of the Old Growth Strategic Review, which have not been made public since the panel submitted its report in April 2020. (2) The immediate and permanent end of all old-growth logging in BC. (3) Work with sovereign First Nations to implement a comprehensive plan for a sustainable and restorative second-growth forestry model. Saul Arbess has been a forest activist since the late 1980s on southern Vancouver island and a retired professor of anthropology. Josh Wright is a forest activist maintaining a watching brief on old growth destruction across the Pacific Northwest. Support the blockade: https://ca.gofundme.com/f/bc-old-growth-blockade Learn more:
  4. Two weeks into a campaign to halt logging of ancient rainforests in the last intact watershed of the San Juan River system, activists have set up a third blockade on unceded Pacheedaht Territory. by Saul Arbess and Joshua Wright IN THE MIDST OF AN ONGOING CLIMATE EMERGENCY, logging of the ancient rainforests continues at an unfettered rate. The amount of old-growth forest logged each day on Vancouver Island is equivalent to 32 soccer pitches according to the Wilderness Committee. These forests are not only vital for carbon sequestration, but also fundamental for the integrity of complex, interconnected ecosystems that support keystone and culturally significant species, such as salmon. Alarmingly, less than one percent of largest stature forest was found to be remaining on the Island according to the scientific report BC’s Old Growth Forest: A Last Stand for Biodiversity recently authored by Dr Rachel Holt, Dr Karen Price and David Daust. And most of that is going at an accelerating rate on Vancouver Island, with an estimate of three years remaining before it is all gone, except the meagre areas that have been protected. Grassroots forest defenders from across Vancouver Island have prevented Teal Jones Group from blasting logging roads into the headwaters of the Fairy Creek watershed for the past two weeks. The road would have penetrated the last remaining intact, unlogged tributary in the entire San Juan River system. The tributary is near Port Renfrew on unceded Pacheedaht territory. Last Sunday, August 23, saw a second blockade established east of the Fairy Creek watershed. A third blockade was set up August 24 on a logging road on Edinburgh Mountain (also unceded Pacheedaht Territory). With the exception of Eden Grove on Edinburgh Mountain, contiguous old-growth corridors have been severed between the rich valley bottom and the protected upper reaches. The infamous Big Lonely Doug stands in stark contrast to the clear cut it stands in on Edinburgh, the sole remaining giant fir in the cut. Big Lonely Doug has become an internationally recognized symbol for BC’s devastating logging practices. Just up the mountain, logging is ongoing. This is what the newest blockade will stop. Zoe Cilliers, a forest defender at the blockade, says, “If we pick and choose where our actions line up with our words, our words don’t mean anything. I’m an ecologist; I work with kids, I teach them about old growth, I teach them the value of these ecosystems. Being here means keeping a promise. If I don’t stand for this, how can I stand behind what I say to these kids?” K.L, also at the blockade, states, “Anyone who wonders why people are blockading, they should go and spend some time in an old growth forest, and they will understand. It’s the mosses, the spongy floor, the smell, it’s the stillness, the spaciousness.” Old-growth forest in the Fairy Creek Valley In April 2020, the BC government finalized its commissioned review on the current state of Vancouver Island’s remaining old-growth forests. The report has not yet been released to the public by the Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development who may sit on the report until October for reasons not understood, given the crisis in our forests. Meanwhile, old-growth logging persists; roads are blasted into pristine mountains; massive, ancient trees are falling. Time is of the essence. As protester J.C. says, “Once it’s gone, it’s gone for good. It’s short-sighted to be logging like this.” Gary Merkel, one of two Old Growth Strategic Review commissioners, said in an interview with the Narwhal, last January: “We’re managing ecosystems—that are in some cases thousands of years old—on a four-year political cycle. The management systems change from government to government.” The demands for the Province from the forest defenders at the frontline of the Fairy Creek blockades are the following: (1) Immediately release the recommendations of the Old Growth Strategic Review, which have not been made public since the panel submitted its report in April 2020. (2) The immediate and permanent end of all old-growth logging in BC. (3) Work with sovereign First Nations to implement a comprehensive plan for a sustainable and restorative second-growth forestry model. Saul Arbess has been a forest activist since the late 1980s on southern Vancouver island and a retired professor of anthropology. Josh Wright is a forest activist maintaining a watching brief on old growth destruction across the Pacific Northwest. Learn more:
  5. On Sunday August 9, a group of concerned citizens set up a protest camp to block logging road construction into the headwaters of Fairy Creek, the only completely unlogged tributary of the San Juan River. On Tuesday, workers removed their machinery from the site, but at the time of this release, no contact has been made with Teal Jones, the logging company holding Tree Farm Licence 46, that includes Fairy Creek. This action is prompted by anger and frustration that logging of old growth continues unabated in spite of the fact that only 2.7% of the forests capable of growing our iconic giant trees remain standing:(https://veridianecological.files.wordpress.com/2020/05/bcs-old-growth-forest-report-web.pdf). The camp is centred around a 1000+ years-old red cedar that was cut in the Klanawa Valley in 2018. Yellow cedar trees in the Fairy Creek Watershed are some of the oldest trees in B.C. (yellow cedars can live up to 2000 years). Logging in the headwaters will exacerbate flooding in the San Juan River Basin. This blockade is a demand for the protection of the entire Fairy Creek watershed and to pressure the NDP government to release and act upon their Old Growth Report, which they have been holding since May. From this latest flashpoint, we call for an end to the logging of these remnant ancient forests on Vancouver Island and the province as a whole and immediate transition to ecosystem-based logging of the second growth. Dr. Saul Arbess sarbess@shaw.ca
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