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PRWUA Newsletter November, 1998GOVERNMENT SUES COMMUNITY MEMBERSThe government of British Columbia continues its legal action that claims trespass against five Perry Ridge residents who were peacefully protesting on the first day of the August 1997 road action. Although the government1s interim injunction granted in August 1997, was later over-turned by Judge Parrett due to misrepresentation by the government of technical information, the Attorney General now seeks a permanent injunction and damages from individuals who were present on the first day of the road action. These people were exercising their right to peaceful protest and were never arrested after the injunction was granted. The defendants to the gov-ernment1s action have filed a counterclaim alleging damages both present and anticipated from the Perry Ridge road or the proposed logging.
The residents' defence and counterclaim are now in the midst of discovery proceedings where they are examined by the government's lawyers and, in turn. have the opportunity to question representatives of the government. The defence has conducted a complex investigation into the government's ownership of the right-of-way on the Perry Ridge road. These legal proceedings are essential, but they are very costly. The defendants, selected randomly, could have been any of the more than three hundred protesters. These people - our neighbours - must now carry the burden for all who protested. They need our financial and committed support. Please send your donations to: PRWUA, G 10 C 12, RR#1Winlaw BC VOG 2J0, Canada HAZARD MAPPING AND STREAM CHANNEL ASSESSMENTS CONFIRM RESIDENTS WORST FEARSOn October 26, 1998 the Perry Ridge Private Land Hazard Assessment and Stream Channel Assessment was presented in draft form. The Hazard Assessment presented by Kim Green identifies several hazards on Perry Ridge and indicates further study is necessary. Hazards include slumps, slump - earthflows, debris slides and debris flows as well as rockfall. the primary concern identified in this study is the terrain instability associated with glacio-lacustrine sediments. The report states, ''Development that results in significant increase in water yield and peak flow runoff could increase the instability "and "glaciolacustrine clay is particularly sensitive to groundwater saturation and disturbance. This is already well-known to the residents of Perry Ridge who have witnessed first-hand the easy saturation and disturbance of soils. It was at their insistence that the studies be done - the evidence shows their concerns were justified.
Steve Chatwin, Geoscientist also had warnings about debris flow initiation, debris flow transport, debris flood and channel avulsion hazards. Maps identifying these hazards, many of which are rated as high, are included in the report. Mr. Chatwin noted that these streams have NO protection under the Forests Practices Code. He went on to warn of the possibility of a major event such as the Memphis Creek Slide occurring if drainage patterns were intercepted and diverted. Both of these studies considered surface drainage patterns and did not investigate subsurface patterns and hazards. IN BRIEFGovernment Unveils Total Chance Plan for Perry Ridge.The plan calls for:
Kimberly Joins the Sunshine Coast in Demanding Watershed Protection."Hydrologists found there were a total of 285 slides that were directly connected with logging and road-building" Linda Williams Landslides And Clearcuts:What Does The Science Really Say? Recent studies indicate that clearcuts exhibit landslide rates up to 20 times higher than the background landslide rate in forested areas. NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
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