At the three-hour Dec. 11 meeting, the Western Canada Wilderness Committee, Mid-Island Chapter presented concerns regarding Weyerhaeuser's proposed plans to log the Little Qualicum River Floodplain and lot 10 located within the Little Qualicum River Community Watershed. The list of concerns stemmed from a previous November 22 public meeting attended by over 130 people including Qualicum Beach Town Council, representatives from First Nations, Silvaculturists, Fish & Game clubs, Commercial Fishermen Associations, Residents' Associations, various local environmental and community groups and residents who voiced concerns and questions about Weyerhaeuser's proposed logging plans.

"We will not log without the support from the community," stated Weyerhaeuser Vice-President Linda Coady at the end of the meeting.

Western Canada Wilderness Committee, Mid-Island Chapter chairperson Annette Tanner was relieved by the brief reprieve given to allow for community input. It is so few times that people get a chance to make a difference. It's Christmas and people are busy, but an immediate response is required from the community so that this opportunity is not lost. We have been given a wonderful chance to have a choice," Tanner adds.

The objectives from the meeting included:

l) - preserving DL 10 and the surrounding Little Qualicum River Floodplain.

2) - requesting Weyerhaeuser to initiate a little Qualicum Watershed Assessment and adhere to a resource management plan based on that assessment that determines the rate of logging, the kind of logging and the location of logging in the future. Such a plan would protect other resources including the wild salmon species and rich biodiversity in the Little Qualicum River Watershed

3) - establishing a regional park that encompasses lot 10 and the surrounding parcels of land (to be purchased from Weyerhaeuser) along the Little Qualicum River floodplain and adjacent steep banks up to the railroad trestle to protect the river and provide recreational enjoyment.

Weyerhaeuser will ask the Town of Qualicum Beach to express the wishes of the community. It is important to phone, fax, email or write to local political leaders or to the Western Canada Wilderness Committee (Fax: 752-7085, Email: wcwcqb@nanaimo.ark.com) to register your voice. Most of the Little Qualicum River Watershed is located within the RDN districts, F, G and H and therefore it is urgent that all community leaders are contacted.