Editor:
Once again the B.C. government is paying lip service to public consultation. Are they coming to Anahim Lake, Nimpo, Alexis Creek or any of the hundred other small communities in the Chilcotin that are the ones about to have their forest and livelihoods chopped down around their ears?
Nope. Sorry folks, the closest consultation will be in Williams Lake, four hours away.
Interesting to note that Williams Lake is also home to the same major logging companies that are busy dividing up the Chilcotin amongst themselves — and they’re not nibbling; they’ll be taking massive chunks at a time. I’ve seen some of the shape-file maps, and it’s absolutely unbelievable.
This is the Highway 20 corridor to Bella Coola that could be the shining star of Tourism BC, with caribou, historic trails, breathtaking vistas and world-renowned fishing. I guess the government thinks that it’s better to ask forgiveness than permission. But how much forgiveness will there be among people across the province when they realize in hindsight that their government allowed B.C.’s last green wildernesses to be mowed down like a lawn?
The people of Williams Lake themselves must surely be appalled when they drive to Horsefly and other local lakes and find there are no longer any trees around them. Lakes with no trees — soon this will be the West Chilcotin, too. So much for “Beautiful B.C.” Will no one wake up and stop this from happening?
Wendy Webb
Anahim Lake
