Page 5 • December 20th, 2024 • Chase Sunflower
LETTER TO THE EDITOR by Marjorie Hamilton
A recent post to raise funds for legal support raised the hackles
and touched the hearts of many people in the Chase community.
BC Timber Sales (BCTS) has been developing plans to clear
cut across the apex of Chum Creek Watershed since May 2022.
Supplying fresh water to the Skimikin and Turtle Valley areas, it is
one of three watersheds lying on the face of Ptarmigan Hills and Mt
Chase, above the village of Chase. The entire range is a series of
shallow and deep aquifers, a mystery to the forestry professionals
accustomed to harvesting without the “watchdogging” of the local
residents. All three watersheds are “under the knife” as plans to
clearcut the area proceeds.
The only water resources legally recognized in current forestry
regulations are surface water channels and lakes. Recognition
as a Community Watershed was squelched more than 30 years
ago. Springs and aquifers are neither understood nor considered
when developing forest cut blocks. BCTS is clearly following this
breach in awareness. The shallow groundwater channels of the
region have been safeguarding this freshwater system from the
extreme heat and drought of our new climate and are about to
become unearthed.
Due to the forestry practices since the 1980’s, BC Forestry
has been forced into the backyards of people living adjacent to
the forests. The residents in the Skimikin and Ptarmigan Hills
area have been voicing concern, collecting data and preparing to
protect the water resources and wildlife habitat for more than two
years. This is a new dynamic which has surprised and been a
source of angst for BCTS.
The watershed system feeds the 2nd largest aquifer in the
Province, #230. This aquifer is rated as highly vulnerable, and
ultimately flows through Chum Lake, Chum Creek and onward
to the Little River and South Thompson. Two comprehensive
hydrological assessments were carried out in 2019 during the
battle to dump biosolids over the area. Both assessments stated
more scientific research is necessary to understand the dynamics
of the water system. There is speculation this water system may
be lost before it is understood.
The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is a key player in
this struggle to protect the land. Butler Road, a public road, cuts
through the middle of an area of land the NCC has been entrusted
to protect. The oversized vehicles transporting equipment, will
ultimately damage a riparian area as they negotiate tight turns
over a freshwater stream, as well as the forest nestled alongside
the road. The road over the stream is 9’ wide, the trailer 10’ wide.
The NCC is also currently allowing BCTS and contractors, to cross
a stretch of their privately owned nature reserve to reach Crown
land. The damage has already begun.
It may be good time to ask the NCC about their environmental principles.
Ultimately, this is a story of real people, struggling to protect the
freshwater resources and wildlife habitat above the village of Chase. As
our climate continues to heat up and resources dwindle, it will not likely be
the last.