Weyerhaeuser's new clearcut with freshly fallen, unhauled trees. East Walbran Valley. July 29, 2002. [More images]

For Immediate Release - August 2, 2002

Hard Times? Really?? Weyerhaeuser Logs the West Coast Trail Wilderness in the Upper Walbran Valley at Breakneck Speeds despite Softwood Lumber Duties

The Softwood Lumber duties appear to be having little impact on the rate of logging by Weyerhaeuser in one of Canada's most endangered and politically contentious ancient forests. On an expedition earlier this week to the Upper Walbran Valley by the West Coast of Vancouver Island, Wilderness Committee activists were horrified to discover at least three new, large cutblocks that were quickly logged over the past few weeks by Weyerhaeuser. Other new cutblocks were also likely in the valley but were unexplored due to time constraints. TimberWest also has imminent logging plans for the Upper Walbran.

Both TimberWest and Weyerhaeuser have complained extensively about the Softwood Lumber duties imposed by the US, while taking advantage of the duty-free status of raw log exports to ship off high value old-growth logs to US mills while BC mills sit idle. Whether or not the logs from the new cutblocks in the Upper Walbran will be shipped out of Canada raw is unknown at this time. The Wilderness Committee supports the efforts of local communities in the Cowichan Valley, Port Alberni, and elsewhere in their efforts to stop raw log exports.

The 7500 hectare Upper Walbran is part of an area referred to as the 'West Coast Trail Wilderness' by environmentalists, which includes the adjoining ancient forests of the world-renowned West Coast Trail unit of Pacific Rim National Park, and the Carmanah, Cullite, Logan, Lower Walbran, and Upper Walbran Valleys. Only the Upper Walbran Valley is unprotected in this largest tract of ancient forest south of Barkley Sound and Nanaimo. The West Coast Trail Wilderness, including the Upper Walbran, is a major destination for eco-tourists who spend their dollars in nearby communities, including Cowichan Lake, Honeymoon Bay, Duncan, and Port Renfrew. Logging the Upper Walbran is a foolish erosion of the region's recreational appeal and tourism industry.

The new Weyerhaeuser cutblocks are clearcuts with a sparse smattering of standing trees in them, not much different than conventional clearcuts - although Weyerhaeuser refers to them as "variable retention" cutblocks. The three cutblocks, including a heli-logged cutblock on Mount Walbran, were strewn with freshly cut logs of centuries-old ancient cedars, firs, and hemlocks which had yet to be yarded. Images of the cutblocks will be available for viewing at the WCWC Victoria's website at www.wildernesscommitteevictoria.org later today.

"This is a direct assault on the most spectacular ancient forest in Canada. The West Coast Trail Wilderness has the grandest-sized trees simply because it has the warmest climate, being the farthest south of any major ancient forest in Canada. The 'War in Woods' could very well reignite on Vancouver Island if Weyerhaeuser and TimberWest continue to log in the Upper Walbran," states Ken Wu, campaign director with WCWC Victoria.

The Upper Walbran is currently the most contentious ancient forest on the southern Island, having been the site of numerous nonviolent environmental protests since 1991 which have resulted in the arrests of over 60 concerned citizens. The Lower Walbran Valley was protected in 1994. Excluded from protection was the Upper Walbran, including the Castle Grove, perhaps the most extensive of the cathedral-like ancient red cedar stands in BC, currently threatened by TimberWest. To date, only 6% of Vancouver Island's low elevation ancient forests and 13% of the Island's total land area are protected.

A week ago, Wu faxed a letter to Weyerhaeuser requesting a meeting to discuss the WCWC's concerns about logging in the Upper Walbran. Weyerhaeuser has not replied, as yet.

"While the Wilderness Committee in Victoria has had many campaigns over the years, achieving full park protection for the Upper Walbran is now our number one priority. We'll do whatever it takes to save it. We're willing to talk with Weyerhaeuser, but they'll have to stop logging there if we talk," states Wu.

Later this month, the WCWC will announce the WALBRAN BIG TREE DERBY. Derby participants who discover the largest diameter specimens of selected tree species in the Upper Walbran will receive a cash reward and will have the trees named after them. Undoubtedly, record-sized and near record-sized trees will be discovered. All discoveries will be recorded on a "Walbran Record-Sized Trees Map", which will be made available to other big tree enthusiasts, conservationists, and concerned citizens. More details on the derby will be released in the near future.

For more info, contact:

Ken Wu (250)388-9292 Campaign Director