B.C. Timber Sales have altered the boundaries of a proposed logging block to leave a popular climbing area untouched.
Since hikers found forestry flagging on trees last month, the forestry operation slated for land known as the Olesen Creek Drainage – behind the Stawamus Chief and Slahany – has caused a stir in the outdoor recreation community. The proposed 30-hectare cut borders the Stawamus Chief Provincial Park and hit a popular climbing and hiking area known as The Longhouse.
That’s been changed, B.C. Timber Sales planning officer Tom Yasyshen told District of Squamish officials at committee of the whole on Tuesday, Aug. 26. After sitting down with several climbing and outdoor recreation organization, B.C. Timber Sales re-jigged the block to exclude The Longhouse.
The logging goes up and behind existing roads that lead to the backside of the new Sea to Sky Gondola, B.C. Timber Sales forester Chris Nunn said. Timber Sales officials met with the gondola operators in June. The operators’ main concern was viewscapes, Nunn noted. The logging operation will be visible for Wrinkle Rock, an area the gondola has opened up to climbing.
“You see it for roughly a minute if you are going up [the gondola] and looking in the right direction,” Nunn said.
The block will not be visible from downtown Squamish, he noted.
The second growth stand will be re-planted once the logging is completed. Based on information collected on the health of the current stand, the new trees should grow to four to five metres within 10 years, Nunn said.
Looking forward, Johnson suggested that B.C. Timber Sales officials meet with council at least once a year to outline proposed logging operation.
Coun. Susan Chapelle commended B.C. Timber Sales officials for meeting with climbing and user groups. A public meeting explaining the changes may help residents understand the impacts of the new block, she added.
