1993 RESOLUTIONS
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| 1993
FWOC RESOLUTION #1 |
|
_PROTECTION OF CLAYOQUOT SOUND, BRITISH
COLUMBIA_
|
| Clayoquot Sound on
Vancouver Island, British Columbia, is a complex combination of marine,
freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems, including five unlogged
watershed of over 125,000 acres. In this area there are still
intact expanses of ancient forests, important fisheries and magnificent
scenic resources. Over 700,000 people visit Clayoquot Sound
annually. |
| On the one hand the
government of British Columbia committed itself to investigating the
designation of Clayoquot Sound as a UNESCO Biosphere Preserve. On
the other hand, on April 13, 1993, the government granted extensive
cutting rights to two timber companies. Already over 20% of
Clayoquot Sound has been logged. Now those companies will have
access to 74 out of every 100 ancient trees in the area with
corresponding destruction to land and water resources. These
rights were granted without consulting the native inhabitants, who have
never ceded the land nor signed their rights away by treaty.
These traditional occupiers of the Sound are Nuu-chah-nulth, who make
up 43% of the population. |
| Because the citizens of
British Columbia have only limited legal opportunities to sue their
government, protests against the deforestation of Clayoquot sound have
taken the form of demonstrations, including blocking logging
operations. This has led to wholesale arrests and the
mistreatment of demonstrators. |
| The Federation of
Western
Outdoor Clubs calls on the Premier of British Columbia to terminate the
industrial logging agreements in Clayoquot Sound, to establish some
form of protection for the Sound such as a Federal gazetted Tribal Park
and to negotiate with the Nuu-chah-nulth on their land
claims. Protection of the ancient forest with all its
biodiversity and the establishment of a co-management arrangement with
the native inhabitants will benefit the citizens of British Columbia
for many years to come. |
| Address of Premier Michael
Harcourt: Parliament Buildings Victoria, B.C., V8V 1X4 |
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