Friends of Clayoquot Sound: Logging

Clayoquot Sound Scientific Panel
In late 1993, the BC government tried to off-load the Clayoquot logging controversy onto scientists. It appointed a "Scientific Panel for Sustainable Forest Practices in Clayoquot Sound" and told it to answer the question "how to log Clayoquot Sound" -- instead of "whether to log", which is the real question.

Therein lies the fundamental flaw of the Scientific Panel: it was not allowed to scientifically analyze the conservation needs of Vancouver Island. Principles of conservation biology indicate that all of Clayoquot's intact forest should be protected -- Clayoquot Sound contains the largest area of intact ancient forest left on Vancouver Island, an island that has lost three-quarters of its productive ancient forest to clearcut logging.

In 1995, the Panel came up with 125 recommendations, which the government accepted.

Summary of Main Recommendations of Clayoquot Scientific Panel:

Use an "ecosystem-based" approach to logging in Clayoquot Sound, meaning design logging so that it does not damage ecosystem health.
In each watershed (valley) establish "reserves" that are off-limits to logging in order to preserve ecosystem integrity and community values. Then plan logging in the areas outside of reserves.
Restrict the rate of logging in each valley to an average of 1% of the valley area per year.
At the site level, retain at least 15% of the trees standing in each cutblock (opening) that is logged.

The main positive effect of applying the Panel's guidelines has been to decrease the rate of logging in Clayoquot Sound, from 400,000 cubic metres in 1994 (pre-Panel) to the current 150,000 per year (2007). Logging practices have also improved. For example, clearcuts are smaller and buffers (areas where logging is not permitted) around streams are wider.

But the Panel allows logging of old-growth forest, including logging of intact valleys. It allows "clearcuts with reserves" which have been re-named "variable retention". Wildlife habitat, including that of endangered species, is still being destroyed and fragmented.

The Panel admitted that its guidelines are experimental and that monitoring is needed to evaluate whether the new logging does in fact maintain ecosystem health. However, no such region-wide monitoring exists.

The Scientific Panel's guidelines and the no-logging reserves established are not legislated and therefore vulnerable to being dropped.

For a report on how the Panel's recommendations were being implemented from 1995-1998 (criticisms still valid today) Click here

For a short analysis of the watershed reserves established to date, go to our NEWSLETTER ARTICLES: FALL 2003 (Remember the Science Panel?) and SPRING 2005 (Clayoquot Sound Reserved for Logging)

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