Hesquiat Lake - by Adrian Dorst
Within the traditional territory of the Hesquiaht First Nation lie two forested watersheds, side by side. Hesquiat Lake Creek and Satchie Creek both flow into the north end of Hesquiat Lake, and together make up the northern extreme of Clayoquot's intact forest. The two watersheds are also among the most urgently threatened of all intact valleys.
Much of the Hesquiat region has already been devastated by clearcut logging and roads now criss-cross the scarred landscape. Satchie and Hesquiat Lake Creeks stand at the threshold where industrial impacts end and virgin rainforest begins. Satchie Creek (2600 hectares) and Hesquiat Lake Creek (1510 ha) contain ideal habitat for the endangered seabird called the marbled murrelet, due to their proximity to the ocean and the presence of undisturbed old-growth forest.
The British Columbia provincial government has approved logging by Interfor in both valleys. In Satchie Creek, Interfor's plans call for 22km of road and 6 cutblocks. In Hesquiat Lake Creek, Interfor's logging plans detail 4km of road and 3 cutblocks. A cut permit is approved for logging in Hesquiat Lake Creek, which means that Interfor is legally entitled to log at any time.
In February 2005, Friends of Clayoquot Sound (FOCS) discovered that Interfor was building a road into Hesquiat Lake Creek. FOCS generated pressure and media coverage, causing Interfor to suspend this road construction indefinitely. Interfor has now also publicly stated that Satchie Creek will not be logged in 2005, but beyond that, we have no assurances about Interfor's future plans for this valley. We are working hard to ensure that the northern end of Clayoquot's ancient forest is not converted into a tree farm for corporate profit.
Click here to view photos from the 2006 Satchie and Hesquiat Lake Expedition
Click on the following to learn more about the Pristine Valleys in Clayoquot's intact old-growth forest:
Friends of Clayoquot Sound
PO Box 489, 331 Neill St., Tofino BC V0R 2Z0
Tel: 250-725-4218 Fax: 250-725-2527
Email: info@focs.ca
Clayoquot's Endangered Forest Click here
Corporate Watch
International Forest Products (Interfor)
Maps
**Map of Intact Clayoquot Valleys
**Vancouver Island Old Growth 1860
**Vancouver Island Old Growth 2004
Backgrounders
What is a Temperate Rainforest?
Amazing Facts About Temperate Rainforests
Clayoquot Sound World Biosphere Reserve
Historical Overview
History of Logging in Clayoquot Sound
Clayoquot Land Use Decision, 1993
Clayoquot Sound Scientific Panel
Photo by Adrian Dorst
The health of the global environment depends on intact ecosystems. It is our responsibility to act as peaceful and courageous advocates for marine and terrestrial life in Clayoquot Sound. Join us!