TUESDAY December 16, 2014 Vol. 29 • No. 100 ••• $1.25 inc. G.S.T.
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Recent flood re-ignites clear-cutting debate Local tree planter blames flooding on deforestation; scientist disagrees Scott Stanfield Record Staff
The recent multi-day storm that flooded parts of the Comox Valley has re-ignited arguments that claim deforestation is a major contributor to the problem. Courtenay resident Rick James, for one, is saddened and frustrated when he considers the east coast of Vancouver Island. Once resembling Cathedral Grove, he says the area now contains less than one per cent of first growth timber. “It goes back to the Esquimalt/Nanaimo land grant,” said James, a career tree planter. “We’re not looking at Crown land, we’re looking at private
Nativity sets from around the world ... Page 3
Students compete in China ... Page 9 Exclusive interview with NDP leader Thomas Mulcair ...Page 30 A big thumbs up to all the emergency workers and Comox Valley Search and Rescue, for the work done during last week’s major storm. Vandals did substantial damage to the cross overlooking the Mountain Ridge Tree Farm on Friday night.
This aerial view shows the deforestation along the banks of the Cruikshank River.
property. The southeast part of Vancouver Island, this is the primest habitat for growing Douglas fir anywhere on the planet, and we’ve pissed it all away.” He blames forest companies for clear cutting in and around Mount Washington, the Tsolum headwaters and Comox Lake, among other areas, thereby causing flooding. James says the low-lying valley has disappeared in the Cruikshank River, which is a major drain that runs into Comox Lake. Also noteworthy is the north side of Mount Washington that has been stripped bare. “There’s nothing there to hold back the waters coming off those hills,” James said. “This is an environmental disaster. It’s not climate change, and it’s not BC Hydro’s fault.” TimberWest’s chief forester Domenico Iannidinardo — who questions the evidence on which James bases his claims — says water management is a primary driver of the company’s forest planning and operating activities. “There is a variety of independent science that is incorporated into our planning,” said Iannidinardo, who notes that natural flooding has historically occurred in the Puntledge River. Science indicates forestry in this part of the world can be expected to have negligible influence on stream flows in large, multi-day storms. Iannidinardo also notes that rainfall intensities are trending higher than previous 50-year averages, and that climate variability correlates with ocean currents.
... see FLOOD ■ 6
PHOTO BY ERIN HALUSCHAK
Students from École Puntledge Park Elementary took to the gym Friday to package more than 650 bags filled with warm clothes, toiletries, cookies and more to hand out to those less fortunate in the Comox Valley, Victoria and Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.
EDAS project a community affair Erin Haluschak Record Staff
It may look like an assembly line, but workers are in their pyjamas, music is playing, and laughter and smiles abound. Students from École Puntledge Park Elementary took to the gym Friday to package more than 650 bags filled with warm clothes, toiletries, cookies and more to
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hand out to those less fortunate in the Comox Valley, Victoria and Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. “In the past six weeks, the kids have been painting bags, making homemade cards and basically the community has been helping collect donations,” explained Chantal Stefan, teacher and founder of Everyone Deserves A Smile.
... see EDAS ■ 6
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