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Photo caption: Elphinstone Logging Focus (ELF) supporters visit a controversial cutblock in June 2013, which they believe may be in danger of clearcutting. Photo submitted
ELF reports cutblock will risk environmental integrity of area
Elphinstone Logging Focus (ELF) believes that proposed logging on the slopes of Mt. Elphinstone will trigger multiple negative impacts, including: damaging an historic trail, cutting away at endangered frog habitat and loss of a key section of the Mt. Elphinstone Provincial Park expansion proposal.
Currently, BC Timber Sales (BCTS) has Block A87126 flagged across the TrailFest Wagon Road Trail (Wagon Trail), critical habitat for the endangered Coastal-Tailed frog, and an upper midsection of the Mt. Elphinstone Park expansion.
In 2009, The Quad Riders Association of B.C. received funding from the National Trails Coalition (NTC) to construct three bridges along Wagon Trail as part of its mandate to build an “iconic Canada-wide trail system.” BCTS logging is planned for a few hundred meters east of the first NTC funded bridge. The NTC funded work on the Wagon Trail reflects the trail’s local and national significance; its ‘Gazette’ status means it must appear on all official maps.
“Simply put, what remains of Wagon Trail must be preserved at all costs,” says ELF’s Ross Muirhead. “Logging has destroyed the integrity of this trail in numerous sections, and what remains must be left as compensation. Wagon Trail is one of the finest trails on the Sunshine Coast, and we’re certain the community will get behind us to fight for its protection.”
Hans Penner, also of ELF, added that “BCTS logging will also affect critical habitat for the endangered (blue listed) Coastal-Tailed frog. Ministry of Environment biologists identified the East and West Gough Creek as (draft) Wildlife Habitat Areas (WHA) to protect their habitat and populations. . Unfortunately, this is the exact area targeted by this proposed logging.”
For more information: www.loggingfocus.org
