For Immediate Release ö Monsday, July 9, 2001

WILDERNESS COMMITTEE WINS ANOTHER ONE WEEK INJUNCTION PROHIBITING CATTERMOLE TIMBER FROM LOGGING SPOTTED OWL HABITAT NEAR YALE BC

Government Biologist swears affidavit in support of saving the Spotted Owl

Cattermole Timber admits they want to export the owl's habitat to offshore lumber mills

VANCOUVER - Western Canada Wilderness Committee, (WCWC) represented by Sierra Legal Defense Fund (SLDF) lawyer Devon Page - won in BC Supreme Court a one week extension on an injunction which prohibits Cattermole Timber from logging an area of oldgrowth forest containing critical spotted owl habitat, located just east of Yale BC in Siwash Creek. The current extension runs only to 4pm Monday July 16 at which time the full three-day court case will commence - if a judge is available.

"It was close this morning - we were all sweating cannon balls because it looked as if the court was too backed up to hear our plea for an extension to the injunction - which would have meant that the company could have begun logging the owl's oldgrowth forest habitat this afternoon," explained WCWC Campaign Director Joe Foy. "But then Madam Justice Gil agreed to hear us and the injunction prohibiting logging was extended for another week - what an emotional rollercoaster! It's a tremendous relief!" said Foy.

WCWC learned today that a Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection (formerly Ministry of Environment) spotted owl biologist today swore an affidavit in support of WCWC's application.

The biologist states in her sworn affidavit that, "The last thing I wish to say is that I give this affidavit because I believe that it is my ethical and moral obligation as a professional biologist·"

Also today lawyers representing Cattermole Timber said that WCWC would be responsible (in the event that WCWC loses its court case) for any costs to Cattermole resulting from the delay of logging - costs Cattermole estimates at $175,000.

"We believe this cost estimate to be far too high and we are not deterred from proceeding. The defense of the spotted owl, one of Canada's most endangered species is far too important for us to turn back now," said Foy.

"Cattermole is saying that they have a permit to export top quality Douglas fir logs (from the owl's habitat) to mills outside Canada and that this permit runs out at the end of July. Cattermole is claiming that we should be liable for loss of profits if they miss their deadline and are forced to sell the logs locally so BC millworkers can mill up the wood!" fumed Foy. "Not only does Cattermole want to log the endangered owl's habitat - they openly admit they plan to ship the logs and milling jobs offshore to increase their profits!" he said.

"On Monday July 16 we'll be back in court - fighting to protect this critically endangered species -- and BC wood workers jobs at the same time! This has got to one of the most interesting conservation issues I've ever encountered," mused Foy.

For more information contact:
Devon Page at (604) 685-5618, or
Joe Foy at (604)880-2580 or (604)683-8220