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FORESTRY
Log Train Trail set for harvesting
Hupacasath consults with user groups as operations are set to begin on their land at the end of May KRISTI DOBSON ALBERNI VALLEY TIMES
Users of the Log Train Trail off Burde Street will soon be seeing signs of active logging in the area. As part of their ongoing economic growth, the Hupacasath First Nation have implemented plans for their forestry-related woodlots. Located at Great Central Lake, along the Beaufort Range and above the Log Train Trail, the plan includes management and small segments of land being logged at a time. Consultants are also working with user groups and residents to minimize objections, clearly outline their plans and balance careful economics with the environment. The Hupacasath held an initial consultation with residents of Beaver Creek recently and will have follow-up meetings before any ribbons are tied and trees cut down. “We had our first meeting with residents who have water licences there,” said forester Warren Lauder. About 30 people who have previously been affected by logging companies showed up at Beaver Creek Hall. The aim was to be transparent in their plans. Resident Terry Shannon felt optimistic.
“We always have some concern, but they seem proactive,” Shannon said. “It’s still early, so time will tell.” Closer to town, a couple of active trail users met with Lauder and consultant Len Apedaile last week. Barb Baker and Judy Carlson represented the Alberni Valley Outdoors Club. The Hupacasath have already begun logging above Beaver Pond and within the next month, will hit the edge of the trail. Logging will be noticeable but the goal is to keep the visible impact minimal. They are using a small block approach, so rather than walking through a complete clearcut, hikers will see pockets of open area along the stretch of former road and rail grade. “As we move further into the narrow mountain bike trails and parts of the woodlot that are used a lot, we will be cognizant of recreational use and want to take that into consideration with our design,” Apedaile said. Along with smaller harvest areas, they are taking into consideration areas of root rot and high wind tunnels that have the potential to knock down trees and cause damage to the ecosystem.
Warren Lauder, forester with the Hupacasath First Nation, stands near an area of the Log Train Trail that will soon be part of logging operations. [KRISTI DOBSON, TIMES]
Signs and maps of the plans have been posted around the trail, including the loop leading to Beaver Pond. “We do appreciate them taking public use into account,” Carlson
said. “We do think they are doing the best they can to get their harvest with the least amount of disturbance. As long as they do it as they say, we can’t really ask for many other concessions than
that.” Logging is expected to being in the trail as early as the end of May. Kristi.Dobson@avtimes.net
DEVELOPMENT
ACRD proceeds with airport plans Expansion proposed to boost Valley’s economy, but drag racers fear losing venue Alberni residents fears for friends in Nepal Another earthquake has increased the urgency for locals with connections to the country. » Alberni Region, 3
New art exhibit features skillful woodwork The next exhibit at the Rollin Art Centre features local Intarsia wood artist, Robert Steven. » Entertainment, 11
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ERIC PLUMMER ALBERNI VALLEY TIMES
The Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District is following through with plans to expand the regional airport, but drag racing enthusiasts behind one of the area’s biggest events fear the development could end Thunder in the Valley. On Wednesday the regional district’s board of directors voted to push the $6 million of financing for the project through an Alternative Approval Process, which entails giving the public a period of 30 days to oppose the development after plans for the runway expansion are advertised in a local newspaper. According to B.C.’s Community Charter, if at least 10 per cent of the electorate in Port Alberni, Beaver Creek, Sproat Lake, Cherry Creek and Beaufort inform the ACRD of opposition to the project, the runway expansion must go to a formal referendum. The regional district hopes to expand the existing runway by 300 metres, adding airport lights and a Global Positioning System to allow aircraft to navigate through heavy cloud cover. Awaiting the public’s approval are plans to borrow up to $6 million from the Municipal
Thunder in the Valley attracts thousands of people to the regional airport for a weekend each summer. Organizers fear the event could be threatened. [SUBMITTED]
Finance Authority and increase the airport’s annual maintenance to $150,000 from the existing $50,000 in upkeep costs. With a 30-year repayment arrangement the development could increase annual property taxes by up to $23 for Valley communities. The ACRD is also seeking government grants to lessen
the reliance on a large loan. “[The loan] will enable the regional district to proceed with the project with or without funding in a timely manner,” stated a recent report on the airport development for ACRD directors. “If the regional district waits to conduct the approval process until news on funding in the fall, the
project would be delayed by six months to a year.” Currently the regional airport located near Sproat Lake is not equipped to handle scheduled passenger flights due to the absence of a GPS and a shorter runway than other active airports on Vancouver Island. This makes Port Alberni one of the few cities in Canada without a dependable regional facility that can service airlines. The Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce has identified an improved airport as a major economic need in the region, but not everyone sees the benefits of developing the facility. Since 2000 drag racers have used the airstrip each summer for Thunder in the Valley. The event draws 4,000-5,000 people, said Bill Surry, president of the Alberni Valley Drag Racing Association, making Thunder in the Valley one of the area’s largest annual events. Local motorheads are concerned a developed airport might not have any room for Thunder in the Valley. “This is our 15th year,” said Surry, noting that any revenue from Thunder in Valley is used to keep the event going. See DEVELOPMENT, Page 3
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