Wildsight is pleased with BC Timber Sales’ commitment to pause more logging activity in forest habitat critical to endangered deep-snow caribou.
The decision will ensure the Columbia North caribou herd in the Revelstoke-Shuswap region is protected.
Wildsight says this is the largest and southernmost herd in British Columbia.
“BC Timber Sales controls important caribou habitat within their tenures in the Revelstoke-Shuswap region,” said Wildsight Conservation Specialist Eddie Petryshen.
“They have committed to stop developing new timber sales within unprotected core habitat while Indigenous Nations and the Province hold discussions on that caribou range.”
Logging poses a significant threat to the Columbia North herd, and Petryshen says only one third of the animals’ core habitat is protected, even though a draft federal recovery strategy suggests protecting 100 per cent of the area.
“The caribou are a kind of canary in the coal mine, because if we can provide for their needs, we can probably provide for the needs of other sensitive species,” said Petryshen.
“This is the last very viable herd in their southern ranges because they’re still connected to other northern herds, and they overlap with those ecologically significant forests.”
However, BC Timber Sales says this decision only counts for new logging permits.
“Within unprotected core, we are only pursuing blocks that have had existing investments that were nearing completion,” said BC Timber Sales.
“BCTS will not be pursuing new investments in caribou core or unprotected core habitat until caribou planning has been re-engaged and direction is provided.”
Wildsight says this exemption means logging is still possible in a 40-hectare timber block that overlaps with caribou habitat in Nagle Creek.
“If that block is clear-cut, it will further fragment connectivity in the Columbia North herd’s low elevation habitat,” said Petryshen.
“We urge licensees and contractors not to bid on this timber sale and BC Timber Sales to defer logging in this area.”
Wildsight says caribou conservation efforts have moves ahead slowly over the years, with the B.C. government not keeping up with its own recommendations and BC Timber Sales continuing to allow logging in sensitive habitats.
“We’re grateful that BCTS is beginning to listen to the concerns of Indigenous Nations and the public,” said Petryshen.
“The question remains: will other licensees like Louisiana Pacific, Downie Timber, Stella Jones, Revelstoke Community Forest Corporation, Interfor and Gilbert Smith follow BC Timber Sales’ lead?”
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