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Stop logging of old growth forest on Koksilah River

There was some talk that the province might trade this cut block for some other areas

Stop logging of old growth forest on Koksilah River

Just about nine kilometres west of Shawnigan Lake Village there is a wonderful block of old growth trees that are aligned along the river bank. Stunning trees and vey majestic. Apparently many years ago the loggers refused to cut the trees down so they have been left alone. With the changeover to Mosaic, looks like they will be attempting to log in that area.

I realize all these years of being able to hike into the area and enjoy the beauty of the trees was something we kind of took for granted. There was some talk that the province might trade this cut block for some other areas and preserve it as a hiking destination, but that fell by the wayside.

I also realize the companies need to obtain wood sources from the allocated land they have and need to provide jobs and material for home construction. I am not proposing no logging, simply setting aside one of the most beautiful places along the upper reaches of the Koksilah.

I have written to the company head office in Vancouver proposing an option to explore (I do not profess to know the details of setting up something like Cathedral Grove on the way to Tofino) however I think this would be a very positive step by Mosaic and go a long way to building good will and community support.

Rather than leaving a pile of rubble and destruction from the clear cut they could leave a wonderful piece of land surrounding the old growth stand and the beautiful old trees along the river bend as well as providing a wonderful destination for hikers and bikers etc. Imagine instead of the normal cut block leveling you would have Mosaic Grove on the Koksilah River for all to enjoy and treasure for the duration and what a positive response there would be towards Mosaic in the future.

There is an online petition if you wish to support this effort.

Glenn White

Shawnigan Lake

Cowichan Valley Citizen