Climbing Behind the Chief Threatened by Potential Logging

The balance between industry and recreation is always a struggle, especially in Squamish: Outdoor Recreation Capital of Canada.

By Drew Copeland

British Columbia Timber Sales (BCTS), which oversees logging in the area, is considering the sale of a timber licence for late this year in Oleson Creek Drainage, east of the Stawamus Chief Provincial Park.

A few crags developing in recent years, including Box Canyon and the Longhouse, boarder the proposed cut-block.

A BCTS representative says that no final decision has been made for logging plan SW 144 and that logging could take place in 2015 at the earliest. “Timber Sale Licence for this area remains in the formative stages as BCTS staff consider and incorporate changes suggested by stakeholders.” Including: Squamish Access Society (SAS) and Squamish Off-Road Cycling Association and local First Nations.

Chris Small, a climber and representative of the Squamish Access Society (SAS), is troubled about the potential impacts. He says that he isn’t against logging per se, but the development of a tourism economy and the proposed logging in the Oleson Creek Drainage seem to be at a juxtaposition to each other.

Sonnie Trotter is one of Canada’s leading climbers and said this concerning the potential logging, “This is important to me because Squamish is one of the most beautiful places on earth (I’ve traveled a lot) and this town is changing every year for the better. People. Keep Squamish beautiful and special for generations to come. Keep people coming back and inspiring good people to move to Squamish for what it has to offer.”

On online petition is available to sign here.

-Drew Copeland is a writer based in Squamish. Contact him at copelandwords@gmail.com.