British Columbia: When Helicopters show up, landslides are sure to follow

TOFINO — Environmentalists are asking local businesses to oppose a
logging company’s plans to establish four helicopter drop zones in
Clayoquot Sound. The Friends of Clayoquot Sound sent an email through
the Tofino-Long Beach Chamber of Commerce Thursday, asking businesses
to send their concerns about Coulson Forest Products Ltd.’s plans for
waters around Warne Island to the B.C. government by Friday. “Aside
from the logging itself, which we are strongly opposed to, Friends of
Clayoquot Sound’s concerns of this operation are both environmental
and economic,” said Kevin Bruce, FOCS office coordinator, in an email
to the Westcoaster.ca.

Sea mammals, including transient orcas,
frequent the area, he added. “Extreme helicopter noise and boat
traffic of the log drops, processing and towing and debris will hinder
local commercial tourism operators such as kayak, bear/nature watching
companies. These companies are essential to the local economy.”
Although Coulson Forest Products Ltd. has promised to retrieve
floating bark and wood, Bruce said the material will still remain a
problem in the area.

Warne Island is located in Clayoquot Sound and at
the entrance of Tofino Inlet. At least one salmon farming company, the
Creative Salmon Company Ltd. has operations nearby. Ken Matthews,
forestry manager for the Coulson Group of Companies, confirmed the
company has applied to the B.C. government for a foreshore lease so it
can operate the drop zones. Drop zone operates much like a boom and
allow pilots to drop logs in a contained area so they don’t float
away. However, Matthews said heli-logging plans for Gunner Inlet and
even the drop zones may not even happen because of treaty negotiations
between the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation and the B.C. government.
http://www.westcoaster.ca/modules/AMS/article.php?storyid=5894

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