4 ~ Sunday, June 20, 1993 - North Shore News Old growth alr THE FOREST Alliance’s Pat Moore tells me that ‘there are huge tracts of old growth on Grouse Mountain, Hollyburn, and all the way up the coast to Prince Rupert. The assertion that it is nearly ali gone or is about to be nearly all gone is a myth.” That would be wonderful to SELES RTRTOCAS believe, but other sources, such as . former B.C. Director of a eb Ecological Reserves, Bristol Foster, argue that ‘‘only 5,07! Hi fe hectares of old growth is protected un er in the ecological reserve system (out of a total reserve area of 154,670 hectares — mostly ocean, bog and alpine habitats).”’ Moreover, ‘‘only 2% of the remaining old-growth forests is sitka spruce, 8% Douglas fir. The cream of the forest is almost gone.’ He also notes that while groups such as the Nature Trust and the Nature Conservancy of Canada have succeeded in protecting tiny pockets of old growth, ‘these small protected areas have the same deficiency as many ecological reserves, namely the ‘island effect" — small isiands of naturalness in a sea of develop- ment invariably and permanently lose species.”* Writing in Endangered Spaces, The Future of Canada’s Wilderness, Foster adds: *'This is why we must better understand the minimum critical arca needed to protect genetic resources, and strive for parks and reserves that are as large as possible as a hedge against further species loss."* He also puts his finger on the central political and economic problem: ‘‘...longstanding pro- posals to protect old growth are hampered since the companies STRICTLY PERSONAL works,'' writes Foster. Certainly, there is always “*reforestation."' I put that word in quotation marks because the tree plantation that grows up in the ruins of the old growth is not a forest like the one that was felled. Forest companies insist that they are planting two or three trees for every one they cut, but, as David Suzuki pointed out ina recent column, a large clear-cut area is not the kind of environ- ment where young trees normally regenerate. (And, in any event, only one or two commercially useful species are planted, && Most of the trees cut in Canada were logged in the last two decades. 99 that own licences to log the trees demand compensation, and prefer to trade for other trees rather than receive cash. But as the last of the ancient forests is felled, it is becoming impossible to find trees to trade.” ; By comparison, incidentally, while B.C.’s forestry industry is doing everything in its power to resist efforts to expand our na- tional and provincial park systems ~~ the level is now at a pathetic 6.4% -— Washington State has al- ready protected 11.3% of its area, Alberta 8.2%, and Alaska, a far-seeing 37.9%. . Do we stand out as being ‘‘pro- gressive’’? No way! Pat tells me that his efforts, while ‘working within the system,’’ have been largely aimed at achieving a strategy of sus- tainability (as opposed to the “eco-fascist’’ approach of urban elitists like me who say ‘‘stop cut- ting old growth entirely’’). “Sustainability”? and “renewability’’ are words thrown around a lot by loggers, but what do they mean in practice, besides being a smokescreen for business as usual? And it is actually not just business ‘‘as usual.’ Most of the trees cut in Canada were logged in the last two decades. - We are talking about a terrify- ing acceleration in the rate of clear-cutting, which is almost ex- clusively the method used in B.C. In the wake of a clear-cut operation, the blueprint for the interlocking, symbiotic relation- ships that created a forest that could live long enough to become “old growth”’ in the first place is obliterated, and we do not know how to reproduce such a wonder. “Itis like throwing away some . of the cogs and wheels before we even know how the watch en genetically selected for rapid growth.) Suzuki cites a recent study by Reese Walter, under the direction of C.P, Channing, at the Univer- sity of B.C., which shows that the roots of planted trees differ significantly from roots in natu- rally growing trees. By comparing the root systems ' of container-grown Dousias firs and lodegpole pines 11 years after _ planting with those of naturally- ' grown trees, he found the con- tainer plants to be deformed with far fewer developed sinker roots and rootlets. There is a growing body of evi- dence that suggests the productivi- ty of so-called managed forests is falling worldwide. The monocultures of Norway spruce, for example, are far more prone to disease than several species of trees in mixed forests. Chinese fir, it has been found, cannot be planted more than two HONEST HARD WORK BARBARA DAHL : TO WORK FOR YOU g 983-2518 P'NO GIMMICKS — JUST } fut “BARBIE DOLL” i “ZREMIK® 1s 1st NARROWS § Ost gone or three times in the same site because the soil can no longer support normal growth. This could easily happen to B.C. Dougias fir. Pat Moore tells me that ‘‘a real effort is under way to reform forest practice,’ something that “should become apparent in good time.”’ My reaction, I'm afraid, is the same as that of naturalist Foster, who could oniy shake his head when told by B.C. Forest Pro- ducts mouthpieces that the com- pany ‘‘has learned from its mistakes’’ in the process of denuding the mountains on the road to Tofino, causing massive landslides, and ‘‘can doa better job now.’ Writes Foster: ‘‘Few are gullible enough to believe this oid refrain.”” Of course. | am obviously suf- fering from the same malaise as four out of 10 people in B.C., who, according to a recent Angus Reid poll, trust the forest industry Jess than any other sector of society, including the chemical, mining and financial industries. Next: Clayoquot or r Clear-Cut? * Town Hall Meeting Upper Capilano Wednesday, June 23 You and your neighbours in Edgemont, Grouse Woods, Capilano, Highlands, Join Mayor J. Murray Dykeman and Councillors Rick Buchols, Ernest Crist, James Cuthbert, Joan Gadsby, Janice Harris and Paul Turner at an Open House to share information, plans and concerns about your community and your neighbourhood. Get the latest on: District Official Plan Environmental programs and recycling @ Community programs, including Block Watch and fire prevention Neighbourhood programs Drop into Handsworth School 1044 Edgewood Road, Wednesday, June 23, between 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. : phone ter parking sappestinns) : ‘Forest Canyon Cleveland are invited to a Town Meeting in your community. DO NOT OWN ONE “I do not own one, but my husband does. | wouldn't give him one, so a “friend” gave him one for Christmas. ° ‘He thought it was the best Christmas present ever! Better than what | gave him. } think he looks weird with it!” Quored from . Comiments Card, ; OPEN Vancouver Boat Show '93 A ON SIR EOMUND HILLARY. “The conquerer of Evarost” in his trusty old "Tilley" Our mission; To make the best trav | and adventure clothing in Ae world ... in Cantata Store Hours: 405: 30 Man. thes sat. , ol 12-5 Juas thru Auguat Vancouv Aprth Vancouver." 1537 W. Breadwey 1732-4287 . 1194 Marins Or, 937-6424.” (12 bloc’ west of Granvisie, {sictp ovsil Dohlad gas station, .. ¢ “KE comet Masiea & Pasnterton) instead of using your car, walk to the store. Doanerrandon your bicycle. Take tite bus to work, orcarpool it. Greater Vancouver Regional istrict What’s Happening In Your District Serving our community safely Join us during Canadian Occupational Health and Safety Week for a hands-on look at safety procedures and equipment used when working to provide services in the District of North Vancouver. See displays and demonstrations, including: % confined space entry % small power tools ¢ handling hazardous materials 4 communications technology _ % personal protective equipment June 22 and 24 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Seylynn Hall, Mountain Hwy and Fern Hills, and « New doors open at the Hall The “front door”. of Municipal Hall may be closed during renovations, but it’s business as usual — entrance is now from the east parking lot. A mailbox is also located here for convenierit drop-off of tax payments. Tax deadline is July 5. For more information please call 987-7131.