Forester challenges review’s ‘rhetoric’ Dear Editor: Mike Steele’s book review on the Western Canada Wilderness Committee's latest book on the Clayoquot Sound reads more like an ill-conceived press release by the preservationist group itself. Contained within this harangue is one comment about the forest industry that could be considered truthful: Fletcher Challenge Canada does indeed have a Tree Farm Licence (TFL) in the Clayo- quot area. However, there are at least three other organizations with tenures in the Clayoquot Sound and Fietcher Challenge Canada’s is by no means the larg- est. Steele’s haphazard flogging of preservationist rhetoric reveals how far removed he is from the issue of land-use in this province. He describes the Clayoquot Sound area as being ‘‘virtually undisturbed for 2,000 to 3,000 years’’ and that an ‘‘offshore’’ company currently has plans to destroy this pristine wilderness. The Clayoquot Sound area, like every other inch of British Col- umbia, has been visited by a host of disturbances over the past sev- eral millennia — from_ earth- quakes to ferest fires. Forests evolve through disturbances. Forest management activities — such as clearcutting — do rot permanently disrupt our robust coastal ecosystems. ' On May 18, 1955, Fletcher Challenge Canada’s predecessor company was granted a Tree Farm Licence in the Clayoquot Sound area to harvest trees based on principles ‘of sustained yield and multiple use resource manage- ment. All appropriate federal and provincial authorities are con- tinually consulted regarding the impact of harvesting cn non- timber resources. Taking government guidelines one step further, the company has participated in the Clayoquot Sound Sustainable Development Task Force since its formation in Mailbox LETTERS TO the editor must in- clude your name, written legibly, your full address and telephone number. Due to space constraints the 1989,* and is now represented on the just-established steering com- mittee. This group is working towards a sustainable development plan that community, native, en- vironmental and industry groups can ali endorse. Is this the forest planning that Mr. Steele designates ‘‘pcor forest planning, border(ing) on the crim- inai?’’ Mr. Steele claims that it is “tunnecessary”’ to harvest timber in the Clayoquot Sound. Unfor- tunately, the question of land-use and wilderness preservation in British Columbia is far more complicated than Mr. Steele real- izes. According to the Council of Forest Industries of B.C., a one per cent reduction to the produc- tive and economically accessible forest Jand base would resuit in 2,600 lost jobs and a loss to the government of 16 million dollars per year in revenue. He should aiso be aware that the ‘‘working forest’? —- forested land which is productive and ac- cessible — comprises only about 27 per cent of the total land base in British Columbia, and only 30 per cent of this has been iogged. Similarly, a significant portion of TFL 46 is outside of the working forest. Reductions to the working forest in this area carry serious implications for the regional economy. As a final insult, Steele calls Fletcher Challenge Canada ‘‘an offshore company.’’ Fletcher Challenge Canada comprises al! of the operations of Fletcher Challenge Canada Limited (formerly BCFP) and Crown Forest industries. While it is a fact that the parent company is based in New Zealand, our man- agers, foresters, engineers, and technicians are all residents of this province and are committed to a healthy forest environment. Steve Lorimer, RPF Environmental Forester Fletcher Challenge Canada policy News cannot publish all letters. Published jetters may be edited . for brevity, clarity, accuracy, le- gality and taste. Campaign to Elect David Schreck is holding a St. Patrick’s Day Brunch on Sunday, March 17, 11:00 a.m. at Cheers Restaurant Mike Harcourt is our guest speaker. Tickets must be purchased in advance. North Vancouver Lonsdale New Democrats phone 980-5957 Wednesday, February 27, 1991 — North Shore News - 7 ARDAGH HUNTER TURNER Barristers & Solicitors Personal Injury FREE INITIAL CONSULTATICN Criminal! Matters Only FAX 926-3181 986-4366 986.9286 #300-1401 LONSDALE NORTH VANCOUVER, BC. AFTER HOURS bets OE sexiexcel March 9th — RE-ELECT JOAN - NVAN DISTRICT ALDERMAN [_- 4 GADSBY, JoanE. [XX DRAPERIES BY S. LAURSEN CUSTOM DRAPERIES AND VALANCES Labour $7.50 per panel unlined, $8.50 lined CUSTOM BEDSPREADS AND COVERS Low, low prices on blinds and tracks For FREE Estimates Call 987-2966 Serving the North Shore for 19 years The next best thing to being on council yourself District resident for over 26 years Married with two chiidren Advanced Life Support Paramedic e Strong Municipal Leadership _© Environmenial Programs ¢ Increased Emergency Preoaredness e Balanced Community Development e Fair Taxation Campaign Hotline 929-4489 Did you know researchers at B.C’s Children’s Hospital are perfecting techniques to transplant insulin- ail, producing cells and cure diabetes! 7-\e Children’s Hospital Putting smiles back where they belong. CAP WEEK Sie Art Exhibition An exhibition of paintings by Pierre Coupey, editor of the Capilano Review, continues until March 2 at the Studio Art Gallery, 1 Building. Capilano College. Gallery hours are 9:30 - 4 p.m., Monday, through Friday. Be Music that Soothes all lls Musicians who enjoy helping people can learn about the Bachelor of Music Therapy program at an information session Wednesday, March 6, from 7:30 to 9 p.m., in Room H-106. Call 984-4951 for details. ¥e- Women and Science Lecture What do the “Hourglass Effect,” glass ceilings and high seepage rates have to do with women in science, engineering and techology? Whar is the feminist recipe for success? Dr. Hilda Ching will answer these questions in her lecture, Women in Science — Diversity and Difference, on Thursday, Marcl: 7 at 7:30 p.m. in Room 4117. For information on this free event call Shirley Freund at 986-1911, local 2369. Be> Your Support Makes a Difference Comprised of dedicated volunteers, the Capilano College Foundation is committed to helping students build for furure success. The Foundation proudly recognizes the valuable contributions of the many people who make a difference. rg a 4 C.1. (Chuck) Mitten President, Mitten Realty Ltd. Chuck Mitten joined the Capilano College Foundation Board in September 1990. He has worked 29 years in real estate and is past president of the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver. He brings to the foundation an enthusiastic interest in developing scholarships for real estate-related courses. For more information about the Foundation, please contact Randi Duke, Executive Director, at 984-4983. CAPILANO COLLEGE 2055 Purcell Way North Vancouver British Columbia