WINDY BAY's resplendent old growth is surrounded by clearcuts as logging progresses unchecked
New Federal Government continues push for National Parks in South Moresby
B.C. Gov't must make first move
The fate of the southern sixth of the Queen Charlotte archipelago has long been a political football. Many federal politicians have joined the fight to save this still natural area, world famous for its unique biology and wildly beautiful scenery.
In 1980, Ian Waddell, Vancouver-Kingsway M.P. for the N.D.P. presented a private member's bill calling for establishment of a South Moresby National Park. Although it never came to a vote, it gained `in principle' support from a majority of the House members including the Conservative Opposition under Joe Clark.
In the spring of 1984 Charles Caccia, Minister of the Environment during the last days of the Liberal Government, proposed that the Federal Government cooperate with the B.C. Government to establish two National Parks in the region. Tony Brummet, B.C. Minister of Lands, Parks and Housing, never replied. Insiders say he did not want to play ball with the outgoing Liberals.
In June, M.P. Gary Gurbin, who was shadow minister of environment at the time, outlined the Conservative position in a letter to Islands Protection Society, the Queen Charlotte environment group championing the South Moresby cause. He said:
"... I would like to confirm that the area is viewed as a unique and sensitive natural ecological system that deserves respect and protection, and we feel a 'Canadian' responsibility.... In short, the Federal Progressive Conservative Party, if in a position to do so following a federal election, would be prepared to actively participate with the British Columbia Government in the establishment of a 'Park' at South Moresby."
Conservationists are asking the new Minister of the Environment, Suzanne Blais-Grenier to follow-up on this pre-election promise.
A logging truck hauls away another load of virgin timber on LYELL ISLAND
Cabinet trip to Moresby 'a disaster'
Five B.C. Cabinet Ministers, including Tony Brummet, chairman of the Environment Land Use Committee, visited South Moresby last June. Weather dampened their experience. A tour by helicopter midst the clouds and fog gave them only glimpses of the area's splendour.
Their one-day boat trip into South Moresby was a disaster. They missed the giant old-growth trees, going ashore only at Rose Harbour and Talunkwan Island-sites of former industrial activity.
Tom Waterland, Minister of Forests wrote "this looks like a `clear-cut' decision to me" in the ship's log. He subsequently approved the controversial cut blocks on Lyell Island just south of Windy Bay, one highly visible from the proposed National Marine Park.
Notably absent on the trip was Claude Richmond, Minister of Tourism. With tourism fast becoming the backbone of the Queen Charlotte economy, Islands Protection Society asks that he visit South Moresby before helping decide its fate.
