District of Saanich Minutes excerpt regarding Old Growth Logging

OLD GROWTH LOGGING

1410-04 Old Growth Logging

Notice of Motion from Councillor Taylor from the April 12, 2021 Special Council meeting that Council endorse the following resolution and direct staff to forward copies to the Premier of British Columbia, Members of the Legislative Assembly representing constituencies on Vancouver Island, the Capital Regional District Board, municipalities in the Capital Region, and the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities, requesting favourable consideration:

WHEREAS ancient high productivity (big tree) old growth ecosystems are globally one of the most valuable climate mitigation and resiliency assets in terms of carbon storage, sequestration, protection against wildfire, storage of water and bank of biodiversity;

AND WHEREAS, of the miniscule amount (2.7%) of the original high productivity (big tree) old-growth forests that are left (less than 1% of BC’s total current forested area), 75% are still slated to be eliminated through logging;

BE IT RESOLVED THAT the District of Saanich call on the provincial government to immediately defer logging in all high productivity, rare, oldest, and most intact old-growth forests as recommended by the Old-Growth Strategic Review, until all 14 of the panel’s recommendations have been implemented; including deferrals in such at-risk old-growth forests as, the head waters of Fairy Creek, the Upper Walbran Valley, Nahmint Valley, Eden Grove, Edinburgh Mountain, Upper Tsitika Valley, East Creek, KlaskishValley, Nimpkish Lake and the Inland Old-Growth Temperate Rainforest;

AND THAT the District of Saanich formally oppose the logging of at-risk old growth forests;

AND THAT the District of Saanich call on the Government of British Columbia to allocate funding to enact deferrals in an economically just manner, in the full spirit of reconciliation and to support the economic transition of affected First Nations and non-First Nation communities from unsustainable old-growth logging for the development of long-term sustainable local economies.

MOVED by Councillor Taylor and Seconded by Councillor Chambers: “That Council endorse the following resolution and direct staff to forward copies to the Premier of British Columbia, Members of the Legislative Assembly representing constituencies on Vancouver Island, the Capital Regional District Board, municipalities in the Capital Region, and the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities, requesting favourable consideration:

WHEREAS ancient high productivity (big tree) old growth ecosystems are globally one of the most valuable climate mitigation and resiliency assets in terms of carbon storage, sequestration, protection against wildfire, storage of water and bank of biodiversity;

AND WHEREAS, of the miniscule amount (2.7%) of the original high productivity (big tree) old-growth forests that are left (less than 1% of BC’s total current forested area), 75% are still slated to be eliminated through logging;

BE IT RESOLVED THAT the District of Saanich call on the provincial government to immediately defer logging in all high productivity, rare, oldest, and most intact old-growth forests as recommended by the Old-Growth Strategic Review, until all 14 of the panel’s recommendations have been implemented; including deferrals in such at-risk old-growth forests as, the head waters of Fairy Creek, the Upper Walbran Valley, Nahmint Valley, Eden Grove, Edinburgh Mountain, Upper Tsitika Valley, East Creek, KlaskishValley, Nimpkish Lake and the Inland Old-Growth Temperate Rainforest;

AND THAT the District of Saanich formally oppose the logging of at-risk old-growth forests;

AND THAT the District of Saanich call on the Government of British Columbia to allocate funding to enact deferrals in an economically just manner, in the full spirit of reconciliation and to support the economic transition of affected First Nations and non-First Nation communities from unsustainable old-growth logging for the development of long-term sustainable local economies.”

Council discussion ensued with the following comments:

• There is only a small amount of old growth forests left in British Columbia.
• Old growth forests are irreplaceable and are necessary to mitigate climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• Forests are biodiversity rich and provide essential ecosystem services such as regulating workflows.
• There is concern that the recommendation may impact First Nations’ interests.
• There are rural communities dependent on this economy.
• There has been little progress transitioning away from old growth logging in the Province.

MOVED by Councillor Harper and Seconded by Councillor Plant: “That the item “Old Growth Logging” be postponed to a future Council meeting to allow the motion to be revised to address the concerns identified.”

Council discussion ensued with the following comments:

• The recommendation may be perceived by others that Saanich knows the way forward.
• It may be appropriate to include the Capital Regional District in discussions as the property is within its geographical boundaries.
• Stopping old growth logging is necessary to address climate change.
• Some communities are reliant on logging.

The Motion to Postpone was DEFEATED with Mayor Haynes and Councillors Brice, Brownoff, Chambers and Taylor OPPOSED

Council discussion ensued with the following comments:

• The language used in the recommendation takes a stand on the preservation of old growth forest without inadvertantely being disrespectful to First Nations who have a stake in this.
• Advocacy is outside the boundary of the municipality.

The Main Motion was then Put and CARRIED with Councillors de Vries, Harper, Mersereau and Plant OPPOSED