This is a great example of why we need a new forestry framework that prioritizes ecological values over commercial ones. The Vancouver Sun reports:
“Kerry Rouck, chief forester for Downie’s owner, Gorman Bros. Lumber Ltd., said it has remained on pause since the province launched the continuing old-growth deferral process that fall.
He said the company values its relationships with local First Nations and the public, and doesn’t want to jeopardize its social licence by logging areas that overlap with provincially recognized at-risk old growth, as well as caribou habitat.
But BC Timber Sales, the provincial corporation responsible for auctioning the harvesting rights for about 20 per cent of B.C.’s annual allowable cut, told Downie it must fulfil its logging contract — or pay full stumpage fees for the trees left standing, Rouck said, referring to payments to the government for logging on public land.”