1996
The Year In Review
January 1996
- Final hydrology report for Airy Tyndale received from Al Issacson
- Copy of new PHSP's for New Denver Flats received through Freedom of Information Act. Greg Rowe, MoF, states logging plans for New Denver Flats on hold while the Arrow Lakes people do an archeological overview assessment.
- Private land logging at south end of Perry Ridge behind Mcfadden Creek
- $1,700 raised from fundraising letter drive.
- Water monitoring proposal submitted to FRBC for $70,000.
- SFP releases their five-year development plans and forest renewal proposals. Open houses held on March 11 and 15.
- SFP states they would like to have road permit in place by July to begin road building in Elliot Anderson sometime this summer. First blocks to be cut in 1997.
- Final hydrology report for Perry Ridge received from Al Issacson.
- New Denver Village Council passes a motion stating they support the SVWA monitoring program and they would like us to include Hartley Flats area. Unfortunately, SVWA can only do this for member groups and the Village is not a member.
- SVWA declines to participate in Core sector meetings for permit review process as the Core process is over and the sector reps are not necessarily representing the public at this time. Also SVWA believes it does not address a lot of the issues that we are concerned with. SVWA requests a meeting with Ken Arnett to discuss this.
- SVWA continues to demand that MoF complete landscape level eco-system based planning for the entire Slocan Valley and complete the Special Management Zone guidelines prior to operational planning.
- SFP proceeds with their permit review process for Tyndale, Wakefield, Climax Creeks and TFL #3.
- SVWA requests extension to May 7 deadline for responses to SFP's five-year development plans.
- Over 50 residents write to SFP regarding their concerns with the five-year development plans.
- Community meeting held in Silverton to present studies prepared by community groups regarding logging and environmental concerns in the Valley. Attended by 150 people. Reports given by Jennifer Yeow, John Anderson, Moonbow and Susie Hammond on behalf of SVWA.
- SVWA supplies articles for multi-sector tabloid Our Forest, Our Home coordinated by Ann Sherrod .
- Strategy session held to determine priorities and direction for the coming months.
- Results of May strategy session:
- Action/phone web developed and handouts prepared.
- Demonstration held in Nelson June 12.
- Pro-watershed signs made for public to purchase
- Information table to be set up at Passmore market
- SVWA files complaint with Forest Practices Board regarding time frame of forest development plans not being met by MoF.
- FRBC funding for water monitoring approved.
- Silva's Eco-system Landscape Plan Report is finished.
- Kathy Loxam hired as coordinator.
- Press conferences held in Nelson and Vancouver for Silva's Eco-system Based Landscape plan. Local municipal governments support the plan.
- SVWA files complaint with Forest Practices Board regarding forest development plans being finalized without landscape level planning and Special Management Guidelines having been completed.
- MoF prepares to build 7.7 km of road into Perry Ridge for Small Business and Woodlot expansion.
- Angus Reid hired to conduct a poll of 400 Slocan Valley residents regarding general views concerning environmental and forestry issues.
- MoF states road building will proceed in September in Perry Ridge and they will be advertising for another woodlot and doubling the size of the present woodlot.
- MoF announces their intention to advertise for a woodlot in Hills.
- Results of Angus Reid poll show high level of concern for protection of the environment and support for Silva's eco-system based plan.
- Over 200 personal statements concerning the proposed logging in Valley watersheds collected and presented in local newspapers.
- SVWA files a complaint with the Ombudsman regarding irregularities with Woodlot 496 in Perry Ridge.
- Public meetings held regarding proposed woodlots in Hills and Perry Ridge. Residents express strong opposition to woodlots. MoF states advertising for woodlots is scheduled for September or October.
- Meeting with Corky and some SVWA directors; draft proposal presented to Corky
- SVWA presents government with Proposal for Negotiated Settlement of Slocan Valley Forest Use Conflicts. Other community groups support proposal and forward similar proposals as well.
- Newsletter produced with articles on the Angus Reid poll, Silva plan, New Denver Flats and 'getting the cut out'.
- Road building and cutting permits issued for New Denver Flats October 18.
- Proposal received from MoF for hydrologic study of Perry Ridge. SVWA declines to agree to proposal in light of issuance of permits for New Denver Flats.
- MoF states intention to issue cutting permits for Van Tuyl Creek.
- Kootenay Boundary Land Use Plan Implementation Strategy is finalized. Deadline for public response is January 1, 1997.