Yesterday, 2 people were looking for "CRD and Community Forest"....
This past Friday, Cariboo RD Area 'F' Director Joan Sorley, with residents from Big Lake, Horsefly/Likely and Miocene in the public gallery, attempted to convince her colleagues to pass a motion to authorize a letter of support for the WL Community Forest on condition that an agreement be sought with respect to revenue and consultation. Director Sorley expressed disappointment that a number of meetings had occurred, commitments were made and those commitments were not acted upon and residents of Big Lake and surrounding communities are seeking a Community Forest that works for everyone and if no solution is forthcoming - then the Community Forest may impact residents to a maximum of 100 years (5 - 20 year renewable community forest license)
City of WL Director (and Mayor) Kerry Cook argued against the motion citing the fact that the application for the WL Community Forest is now before the Minister and went over the history of the WL Community Forest which goes back several years including it being worked on by former WL Mayor Scott Nelson's Council
Area 'J' Director Roger William said he was concerned about 'in-fighting' between non-aboriginal/aboriginal communities but sympathized with the WL Indian Band to getting a Community Forest license in place for their members...
Area 'E' Director Byron Kemp said that he was disappointed with the lack of consultation from the City of WL on the Community Forest, given 20% of it is in Area 'E', even though the previous Director (Steve Mazur) didn't take issue with it during the last term (2008-2011)
100 Mile Director (and Mayor) Mitch Campsall asked Director Sorley if the Big Lake community was taking the same stance towards Tolko/West Fraser as it was towards Williams Lake
Quesnel Director (and Mayor) Mary Sjostrom questioned the need to write a letter of support, given the Ministry of Forests was going to do consultation with all sides (Big Lake & Williams Lake) in any event. A point repeated by CRD Chair Al Richmond
The Board voted to defeat the letter of support motion, as proposed by Director Sorley. The Board also voted to defeat the following motion:
'That the agenda item summary from Bernice Crowe, Executive Assistant, dated November 14, 2012, regarding an item referred from the September 19th and October 24th meetings on the Proposed Williams Lake Community Forest, be received. Further, that a letter be forwarded to the City of Williams Lake and the Williams Lake Indian Band Community informing them that the Cariboo Regional District is deferring their request for the Cariboo Regional District to administer 5% of the net profits generated from the Community Forest application until all communities involved are in agreement. Further, that a letter be forwarded to Minister Steve Thomson, Minister of Forest Lands and Natural Resource Operations informing him that the Cariboo Regional District supports the request from Big Lake, Horsefly and Miocene to meet with him to work towards a more equitable arrangement for the proposed Williams Lake Community Forest.'
As I've said previously - I long suspected the Board will vote to not involve themselves in the fight between Big Lake and Williams Lake/Sugarcane over the proposed WL Community Forest. Meanwhile - I profound regret the tone used by 100 Mile Director Mitch Campsall in his comments. Comparing the request of Big Lake on the WL Community Forest to private forest companies showed that he hadn't read the background documents but kudos to Director Sorley for staying above the fray...
Finally - during a brief recess, Williams Lake Director Kerry Cook boasted to The Rush:
From the City's perspective - the Board made the right decision...
I wonder if the City's Community Forest partner - WL Indian Band and their Chief, Ann Louie, will feel the same way...
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