Your message for forests

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To: BC Minister of Forests Katrine Conroy
cc: Premier John Horgan
Hon. Josie Osborne, Municipal Affairs
Nicholas Simons, MLA for Powell River-Sunshine Coast
Brittny Anderson, MLA for Nelson-Creston
Adam Olsen, MLA for Saanich North and the Islands
John Rustad, Opposition Critic for Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development

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Dear Minister Conroy,
cc: Hon. John Horgan, Premier,
Hon. Josie Osborne, Municipal Affairs,
Nicholas Simons, MLA for Powell River-Sunshine Coast,
Brittny Anderson, MLA for Nelson-Creston,
Adam Olsen, MLA for Saanich North and the Islands,
John Rustad, Opposition Critic for Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development

I’m writing to request that you take immediate action to reform the Private Managed Forest Land Act.
 
The lack of regulations for private land logging has shifted the burden to communities, forcing British Columbians to pay the price for lax provincial rules that let big companies claim tax breaks after clearcutting vast areas. Water, wildlife, and community recreation suffer in community after community when private land logging destroys forests. The Union of BC Municipalities has passed 15 resolutions dating back to 1991 asking the province to reform private land logging regulations, yet to date, no real action has been taken.

On the Sunshine Coast, we knew that our watershed was threatened by private clearcuts, but there was nothing we could do. Our local governments tried to stop it but also could not find a way to defend our clean drinking water because of the existing outdated legislation. After the clearcuts, tests showed our clean drinking water had been negatively impacted.

The Private Managed Forest Land Act has no requirement for forest harvesting to be sustainable and no limit on cut for landowners; short-term gain is prioritized over long-term sustainability. Environmental protections are lacking, with minimal stream and water protections and no requirements to maintain wildlife habitat. Landowners are not required to consider downstream values or to consult with affected residents, communities, and local government. We need stream and water protections, and requirements to maintain biodiversity such as old growth and wildlife habitat.

Communities should not have to face the impact from weak provincial regulations. Across BC, communities are having to defend their water sources from private clearcuts. Private managed forest logging plans should be subject to a public consultation process.

Thank you for taking my concerns seriously.

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