Second-growth logging beneficial, sustainable

Re: “Clearcut logging leaves shameful sight,” letter, June 16.

We are promoting the Vancouver Island Spine Trail as a continuous trail from Victoria to Cape Scott, which will pass through both Crown (public) and private lands. We see this trail to be an opportunity, among other things, to educate the public that industrial logging of second-growth timber is both beneficial to our local and provincial economy and sustainable with replanting. Harvesting does look messy to urban eyes, but it is temporary, and the same techniques are used on both Crown and private lands.

Ideally, our trail will pass through an interesting range of terrains and include areas of untouched wilderness, mature second growth, harvesting (at a safe distance), replanted sites and then juvenile stands to demonstrate the complete cycle.

We have been inspired by the success of the Pacific Crest Trail (from Mexico to Canada), the Appalachian Trail and others that demonstrate how popular these long-distance trails have become. We want the same for Vancouver Island.

Bill Feyrer

Vice-president,

Vancouver Island Spine Trail Association

– See more at: http://www.timescolonist.com/opinion/letters/second-growth-logging-beneficial-sustainable-1.2287451#sthash.BmPOAleg.dpuf

1 Comment

Greg Cowman on June 27, 2016 at 10:47 pm

Great sounding project, we need more of them to educate the public.
I like to drive across the prairies in July and see the limitless fields of golden wheat and yellow Canola amoung others. In September, it’s all been clearcut and looks gross with all that dirt and brown stuble exposed to view. Same issue – but different time frame. Agriculture crops can be replaced in a year, a forest takes +/-100 , and can survive many centuries. Urbanites, politicians and others who can only see 5 years down the road need to understand that forests establish, grow, mature, get old and die just like everything else. It just takes alot longer and sometimes you really don’t notice it over the short term unless something happens over a short period. We lose many times more forest area to natural causes of disease, wind, insects and fire every year than is harveseted. The Ft McMurray Fire alone covered more area than is logged in Canada on an annual basis. Forest mangement is about long range planning and the realization of the benefits (economic, social and biological) they can provide for us and future generations. Short term thinking denies everyone those benefits.

Greg Cowman on June 27, 2016 at 10:47 pm

Great sounding project, we need more of them to educate the public.
I like to drive across the prairies in July and see the limitless fields of golden wheat and yellow Canola amoung others. In September, it’s all been clearcut and looks gross with all that dirt and brown stuble exposed to view. Same issue – but different time frame. Agriculture crops can be replaced in a year, a forest takes +/-100 , and can survive many centuries. Urbanites, politicians and others who can only see 5 years down the road need to understand that forests establish, grow, mature, get old and die just like everything else. It just takes alot longer and sometimes you really don’t notice it over the short term unless something happens over a short period. We lose many times more forest area to natural causes of disease, wind, insects and fire every year than is harveseted. The Ft McMurray Fire alone covered more area than is logged in Canada on an annual basis. Forest mangement is about long range planning and the realization of the benefits (economic, social and biological) they can provide for us and future generations. Short term thinking denies everyone those benefits.