Cherryville residents appear to remain united in opposition to a proposed logging road.
About 70 people attended a meeting Thursday about B.C. Timber Sales’ plans for a road and logging on Cherry Ridge.
“Representatives from BCTS weren’t there to explain things to people,” said Eugene Foisy, Cherryville’s electoral area director.
BCTS officials have insisted that proper soil and hydrological assessments have been done and there is no risk of a slide impacting residents in the valley bottom.
However, many residents aren’t convinced a thorough review has been done and a slide could place residents and community facilities at risk.
“We are waiting to see if BCTS proceeds with the road,” said Foisy, adding that residents are determining their next steps to protest the road.
“If they hold off, we will go ahead with a (soil and hydrological) study, If they don’t, people will have to decide where they go with this.”
Last month, some residents blocked the road contractor from entering the construction site.
Foisy insists his community isn’t opposed to logging as it depends on forestry economically, but there is a concern because slides have occurred there before.
“If we’re wrong, we’re wrong, but satisfy us (with a study),” he said.
BCTS has no timeline for road construction.
“Our contractor will proceed when he feels the time is appropriate,” said Colin Johnston, woodlands manager.
“There is no plan to delay construction.”
Residents of Cherryville met with Okanagan Indian Band representatives Friday to discuss Cherry Creek logging.
“They continue to work toward the goal of restoring the salmon populations to Cherry Creek and other Shuswap drainages,” said Hank Cameron, a resident, of the OKIB.
