Popular mountain biking trail set for logging
Steven Hill
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Members of Squamish's biking community voiced outrage after it was announced Thursday (Jan. 12) a key section of the Test of Metal mountain bike route had been approved for logging.
The area known as the Powerhouse Plunge was approved for sale, according to emails received by Mayor Ian Sutherland and Squamish Off Road Cycling Association (SORCA) president Cliff Miller.
"I got an email this morning from my staff saying that the approving officer had approved the timber cut for BC Timber Sales," said Sutherland. "BC Timber Sales had applied to be given approval to log in that area, and now they have been given that approval."
Jim Gilliam, planning forester with BC Timber Sales, said the next step in the process after Thursday's approval was to put the block up for sale.
"The block goes into a sales schedule and will be sold in due course," he said
Sutherland expressed his shock and concern over the decision, and the fact it was decided by someone outside of the area.
"We are very disappointed and quite upset," he said. "Someone on the Sunshine Coast, who was given the power to deal with the issue, has approved it.
"It makes no sense to me that anyone would allow logging to take place there," he added. "It makes even less sense that the power to make that decision was given to someone who lives and works on the Sunshine Coast."
He said attempts were made to stop the sale last year, when news of the impending logging first arose.
"We made many representations in Victoria to try to prevent this from happening," he said. "We have great concerns about our water supply and great concerns about the impact of this on the Test of Metal, and outdoor recreation in general. It is ironic that the Test of Metal course that goes through there was partially financed by Forest Renewal BC, so they have given with one hand what they are taking away with another."
Sutherland said he would act immediately to try to prevent logging from taking place in the area.
"I'm not sure when it is going ahead, but we are going to continue to make the argument that it is a stupid and insane thing to do," he said, noting that about 80 per cent of the town's water supply comes from the same area. "Our concern is that everyone wants the cleanest and safest water possible. When there is any activity in that area, you risk jeopardizing the water supply. It is a small risk, but the risk is there. That is why we can't understand why anyone would think logging there is a good idea."
Miller said he was also shocked by the decision.
"This has just become SORCA's biggest priority," he said. "Ministry of Forests has been sitting on this decision for four or five months. We knew there was a decision pending, but we are certainly disappointed they decided to proceed with the sale."
Miller said any logging in the Powerhouse Plunge would have an effect on biking in the area.
"It certainly is going to impact the visual aspect of riding through the area, if nothing else," he said. "Right now, there is a huge push on promoting tourism in the province, and for somebody to come from the United States, or somewhere out of the area, and ride through a heavily forested area one year and then come back the next year and ride through a clearcut - what is the impression going to be of the area?"
But he wasn't sure if the decision would impact this year's Test of Metal race.
"To the best of my understanding it will not affect this year's TOM," he said. "The Test of Metal is one thing but the bigger issue is mountain biking in Squamish in general. The problem is there is no plan for our backyard, with regards to the Ministry of Forests."
A meeting is planned for today (Jan. 13) with various community stakeholders, including SORCA and DOS.
"At least we want this decision made at a local level, and not by someone who does not live in Squamish," said Sutherland. "We are going to have a meeting tomorrow afternoon and talk about it with people in the community and then we will talk to our MLA Joan McIntyre and bring her up to speed on where we are at. She has been very supportive so far of our desire to prevent logging in this area. We will have to go to Victoria again and hopefully get people to see why this isn't a very smart thing to do."Miller said there was still time to galvanize the community, re-launch the Save The Plunge (STP) initiative and get the decision reversed.
"The SORCA executive will probably get together on Monday," said Miller. "They have to put it out to tender and get it approved, so we probably have a couple of months to move on this."
