The Nanwakolas Council and Western Forest Products Reach Agreement on Old Growth Logging Deferral

An agreement between The Nanwakolas Council, which represents four First Nations, and Western Forest Products has led to the deferral of old-growth logging in a section of forest north of Campbell River for two years.

The deferral includes preservation of 10 square kilometers of forest identified by an old-growth advisory panel as needing protection. Another 15 square kilometers of priority ancient forests were also deferred through other agreements between the nations and the forestry firm.

Nanwakolas Council president Dallas Smith, said in reference to the agreement … First Nations waited for years to ensure their cultural values were incorporated to discussions about forests and all that they hold. Adding that came together with the agreement. Smith said unlike in the past, those solutions will come from First Nations, be rooted in Indigenous values, but still look after the economic concerns of the region.

Smith said another part of their agreement is that any other harvesting will have to be done after approval with all First Nations communities.

Forests Minister Katrine Conroy at a news conference on Wednesday (1-19-22) said, the temporary halt of logging in large sections of old growth is an important measure giving First Nations and the forest industry time and space to develop long-term strategies. “A temporary deferral is a step in a long-term partnership and vision for forest management that will benefit local communities and ecosystem health.”