â–ş Listen Live
â–ş Listen Live

Wildsight calls for halt to Argenta Face logging

A Kootenay conservation group is calling for a delay to logging in the Argenta area, arguing that it endangers nesting and migratory birds.

Cooper Creek Cedar is slated to begin work on the Argenta Face, which lies between Argenta and Johnsons Landing at the north end of Kootenay Lake.

But Wildsight says at a minimum, the work should be deferred until the spring ends.

“This logging is slated to begin during the start of the nesting and migratory bird season,” conservation specialist Eddie Petryshen said in a news release, noting the federal Migratory Birds Convention Act offers protection for birds and their nests.

Petryshen says nesting season begins in April and ends in August and pointed to a report prepared for the company by biologist Brenda Herbison that recommended avoiding harvesting from April to July.

A group of protesters blocked Salisbury Forestry Service Road last week, which leads to the cutblocks in question. Cooper Creek Cedar woodlands manager Bill Kestell says he expects police to enforce an injunction obtained in previous years to clear the roadblock and allow the company to do their work. But he doesn’t know when that will happen.

Kestell also pointed to Herbison’s report, which assesses risks to mountain caribou and other wildlife, but declined further comment.

Petryshen said while Wildsight is calling for the company to delay its plans, it is also asking the provincial government to “show leadership and resolve this longstanding land conflict … The province has committed to changing the paradigm in BC forestry; resolving this issue could help to rebuild public trust on forestry issues.”

Some residents have called for the Argenta Face to be added to the Purcell Wilderness Conservancy.

Greg Nesteroff
Greg Nesteroff
Greg has been working in West Kootenay news media off and on since 1998. When he's not on the air, he's busy writing about local history. He'll soon publish a book about the man who founded the ghost town of Sandon.

Continue Reading

chnv Now playing play

ckkc Now playing play

- Advertisement -

Related Articles

- Advertisement -

Latest News

More than 12,500 public service workers taking job action as BCGEU ramps up strike

The B.C. General Employees Union is again ramping up job action, amid what it says is now the longest public service strike in the province's history.

RCMP and CFIA convoy locks down ostrich farm, owners arrested

The owners of Universal Ostrich farm in Edgewood, BC were removed from the property and arrested by RCMP Tuesday afternoon.

B.C. mayors say they need more help with burdens of housing, street disorder

Street disorder, addictions and homelessness are a major topic as local government leaders and other officials gathered for the annual Union of B.C. Municipalities convention.

Elenore Sturko booted from Conservative caucus after Rustad survives leadership review

Surrey-Cloverdale MLA Elenore Sturko will sit as an Independent after leader John Rustad kicked her out of the Conservative caucus. 

John Rustad survives B.C. Conservative leadership review

John Rustad has survived a leadership review by the B.C. Conservatives. 
- Advertisement -