Ruby Lake logging update...

Here's the latest news from Ruby Lake...

"Work continues, seven noisy days a week, on the Ruby Lake cutblock.

The "low impact roadbuilding" must be near completion, as we have had several days of blasting (I don't recall any mention of dynamite from Tsain-Ko et al). The road consists of 30 to 60 cm of well packed crushed rock - a better base than most of us have on the public roads in the area.

The ravens and jays in particular continue their raucous complaints while the workers are around, although I expect it will be a quiet spring with bird populations displaced.

I am attaching some recent photos of the area, painful as it is."

troch

Ruby Lake Logging Begins...

The Friends of Egmont has received two updates today and it is time to catch up on events regarding the logging planned for the north end of the Sunshine Coast from Pender Harbour to Egmont.

The first update comes from 'Troch' at Ruby Lake:

"Losing the Battle"

It was with a heavy heart that I started up the road to Ambrose Lake with the sound of chain saws ringing in my ears. A pair of ravens perched in trees at the corner of Timberline and Cedarridge appeared to be as disconcerted as I was. My fears were confirmed as I walked up the road. Tsain-Ko is proceeding with their plans to "harvest" the cutblock at the north end of Ruby Lake.

For those of us who live in the area, the implications await. Bird, amphibian and other wildlife populations will be immediately impacted with the loss of valuable habitat. Anyone getting their drinking water from the north end of Ruby Lake now lives with the threat of changes to water quality, as the marked cutblock extends well down the slope to Ruby Lake. Timberline Road will continue to decay under the strain of loaded trucks. Our air is fouled with the noise and smell of the destruction, carefully orchestrated so as not to involve the summer tourist season - don't want the rest of the world to notice our shame until its too late.

Mature forest is becoming a rarity on the Sunshine Coast. Government sanctioned "management" consists of turning as many trees as possible into nearly worthless lumber as quickly as possible. Safe, clean drinking water is not a right of any resident and the current commitment to global warming can't see the forest for the dollar signs.

I weep with the earth.

troch

(for pre-forest management pics, click on 'Ruby Lake' in the postings column to the right)

Ruby Lake Landholders Association Submission

Presentation to Planning and Development Committee

Sunshine Coast Regional District

Thursday June 21, 2007 Meeting

Agenda Item # 30 Tsain-Ko Logging in Egmont, B.C.

Presenter: Ruby Lake Landholders Association. represented by Catherine McEachern.

BACKGROUND

The Ruby Lake Landholders Association (RLA), is a society formed in 1979 to maintain the ecological nature of Ruby Lake and the surrounding area. It also deals with certain issues relevant to fire protection and safety. It now consists of over 70 members, comprising most of the residents on Ruby Lake, almost all of whom draw their water from Ruby Lake. As most of you are aware the Cove Cay waterworks also draws water from Ruby Lake to service the water needs of Earl’s Cove.

ISSUES:

1. LACK OF NOTICE AND CONSULTATION

I have read the staff report accompanying this agenda Item #30 and want to address one of the most critical concerns of the Landholders Association: lack of proper notice and consultation. Neither Canfor in 2002, nor Tsain-Ko in 2007 have mentioned anywhere that the proposed logging is to take place in the Ruby Lake watershed. As the staff notes indicate, the maps were missing from the 2002 presentation so it is unlikely the effects on the Ruby Lake watershed were considered.

For this reason we cannot accept the staff conclusion: “ Tsain-Ko have carried out a public consultation…”. Canfor also did not appropriately describe the location of the cutblock in relation to Ruby Lake. The only reason Ruby Lake residents are now aware of the location of the proposed logging is by (my) walking the area and observing where the cut marks were in relation to the downslope. And now we are advised by Forestry Services that it has been previously approved and our comments are not relevant.

We are also receiving information that an Area A Water Management Plan is circulating which may involve Sakinaw and Ruby Lakes. The Ruby Lake Landholders Association formally requests the SCRD to provide not only notice but allow representation by the RLA in all such issues relevant to Ruby Lake.

2. INCONSISTENT APPROACH TO WATER QUALITY ISSUES

The SCRD has implemented two significant zoning changes specifically to the Ruby Lake area in the name of protection of water quality: imposing a 30 metre setback from the water (which is not applicable to Sakinaw) and designating Ruby Lake RU5 – a Rural Watershed Protection Zone. Many argue that this “downzoning” has the potential to reduce property values by restricting use. Thus, it seems quite inexplicable that the SCRD is not monitoring road building and logging activity in the watershed that will commence within a month or two. I understand that the SCRD has requested and will review the updated operational plans and the RLA encourages the SCRD to formally monitor the situation Also, Ruby Lake is not a “designated community watershed” (DCW) and will not benefit from the SCRD’s earlier resolution opposing logging in a DCW. We have asked that the licensee agree to implement all the standards and protocols applicable to DCWs to their proposed road building and logging activities north of Ruby Lake and to reduce the cut areas occurring on the downslope.

3. CLEARCUT LOGGING: EFFECT ON TOURISM, ENVIRONMENT AND SCENIC APPEAL

Ruby Lake and the Egmont/Earl’sCove area is considered a picturesque gem on the Sunshine Coast and has recently experienced a surge in local and international visitors as witnessed by the growth in the Ruby Lake Resort and the Bed and Breakfasts established over the last few years. The majority of the cottages and homes on the lake are occupied by retirees and seasonal visitors who come to this area for the pristine scenery and wildlife habitat. In fact, tourism is the number one attraction to this area. Although no data has been supplied on this point, it is most unlikely that this upslope logging will be not be visible by canoers, kayakers and boaters on Ruby Lake. From an environmental perspective alone, surely this is a pristine area of deserving of consideration for protection.

4. ACTION REQUESTED

The RLA asks that this Committee consider for adoption the following resolutions:

1. A formal request be forwarded to: Tsain-Ko, Terminal Forest Products and BC Timber sales asking that adequate prior notice (i.e. concurrent with the initial filing of a draft FSP) be provided to the SCRD, respecting any proposed logging within Electoral Area A.

2. Forestry licensees provide to SCRD staff (in a timely fashion and at least two months prior to logging commences) operational plans relevant to logging in watershed and lake or road- visible areas and that the SCRD monitor logging practices in watershed areas (include post-operational inspections) to adequately protect water quality.

3. This Committee confirms its prior resolution opposing logging in community watersheds.

4. The Ruby Lake Landholders Association be provided with notice and be given an opportunity to provide input and involvement of all matters affecting Ruby Lake, the Ruby Lake watershed and its contiguous lands.

Ruby Lake Watershed

We have just received these photos from Mary B. at Ruby Lake. Here is how she describes the images: "The attached pictures were taken of the proposed Ruby Lake cutblock in February and March of this year. The area to be cut is the high point of the ridge between Ruby Lake and the Agamemnon Channel and plans include the removal of two enormous wild life snags favoured by the eagles and ravens as a launching point for their aerial displays."

As well, Mary writes, " We have the added joy of being a short hike from Interfor's forest management of the Ambrose Lake watershed. It took two years for bird populations to return to normal after that one. Now, Tsain-Ko wants to remove the remaining crown forest areas at Ruby Lake."

Mary raises the issue of wildlife which we must not forget to include in our arguments to save the forests. We have seen a marked increase in the coyote and bear population up this end of the peninsula over the last year and it must be due to the blistering pace of development in the Sechelt and Pender Harbour areas. These animals are moving up into our forests. Where can they go next? There is no point in them swimming across the Narrows because there are no damn trees left on the other side. From Killam Bay down through the rapids to Highland Point inside Sechelt Inlet, the forests on that side have been "managed" into oblivion.