New debate over Great Bear Rainforest
April 4, 2002
(Victoria, BC) – Environmental groups accuse the provincial government of failing to honour its commitment to preserve what they call the Great Bear Rainforest. On April 4, 2001, former NDP Premier Ujjal Dosanjh announced plans to protect large areas along B.C.‘s Central Coast, home of the Kermode or Spirit Bear. The province designated large areas for protection or special management while a consultation process continued.
Now, a year later, the Raincoast Conservation Society says there’s little sign of progress.
“The Liberal government has failed to honour the agreement,“says spokesperson Chris Genovali. “They have failed to legislate the 20 designated protected areas.”
“Throughout the Great Bear Rainforest, which we have documented by photography and film, there is clearcut logging occurring,” says Genovali.
The Minister for Sustainable Resource Management, Stan Hagen, says there’s been “tremendous” progress and he expects to be making an announcement next month.
“Any of the areas that were designated as protected and that have not been adjusted by the First Nations will certainly be protected,” he says.