Controversial logging on part of Mount Macpherson has begun, BC Timber Sales confirmed.
Rob Mohr, a forester with BC Timber Sales, said in an e-mail that logging started Thursday, Sept. 8, and is expected to take three to four weeks.
“The licencee has posted trail closure signs to prevent access to the active logging area,” he wrote. “These are detailed on a map which is posted on the Revelstoke Cycling Association website and all kiosks.”
The harvesting means the TNT and Ridge Walk mountain bike trails will be closed during the day, but Mohr says TNT will be open in the evening and on weekends, unless logging is taking place.
BC Timber Sales is harvesting a cut block around the TNT and Ridge Walk mountain bike trails, and Main Loop Nordic skiing trail at Mount Macpherson.
The logging plans have been met with opposition, with a petition asking for a new land use plan for the area garnering 2,741 signatures so far.
A group called Save Macpherson was formed this year to further the goals of the petition.
Spokesperson Carol Prince wrote in an e-mail they were dissapointed BCTS was going ahead with the logging, “despite the proven and demonstrated benefits (recreational, economic, cultural) to the local community of the Macpherson recreational area.”
She said they will continue to advocate for more local say in land-use planning.
“This block is an example of decision making that brings limited benefits to the local community and instead ravages an important local community resource that has seen countless hours of paid and volunteer investment as well as grant moneys from all levels of government,” she wrote. “In all, it’s disappointing to see that despite the efforts of user groups working within the system, the ability to effectively halt or suspend the logging until a publicly acceptable solution was found was never an option that was presented by BCTS during its consultation process.”
BC Timber Sales responded to community concerns by modifying its logging plans to maintain a buffer around the TNT and Ridgewalk trails. They noted the area was part of the working forest and intended to be logged.
Image: This map shows the logging plan for the Macpherson. A buffer will be kept in place around most of the mountain bike trails. ~ By BC Timber Sales
