A protest that led to two arrests near Nelway was driven by frustration over forestry activity and a perceived lack of engagement from BC Timber Sales (BCTS).
Members of the Rosebud Community Watershed Protection Group have been opposing a proposed BCTS haul road near the Rosebud and Lomond Creek watersheds.
The group set up a picket line in the area early Friday morning, which eventually lead to two arrests after demonstrators blocked a contractors access to a worksite.
Dave Lang, a spokesperson for the group, said the protest followed years of failed engagement attempts with BC Timber Sales over logging activity in the area.
“What caused the protest was a lack of engagement by the BC Timber Sales with the community and pushing ahead with what they want to do without really considering the proposals that we have that we would like to see happen,” he said.
Lang said only three people attended the April 24 demonstration. He said the group is worried the proposed road would affect water quality and flow in an area he described as environmentally sensitive, with underground springs that feed local creeks.
“They’re pushing a haul road into our environmental reserve, which is part of our official community plan, and causing destruction to the watershed with no suggestion of any kind of compensation or any of that stuff.”
The group has been advocating for greater protections, including designating the area as a protected ecological reserve and allowing more community input into forestry decisions.
“We’ve been unable to engage them. So this protest was to actually hopefully try and bring them to the table to talk to us and make some changes. Because the way it sits right now, it’s not satisfactory,” Lang added.
Police alleged one of the protest attendees struck an officer in the face while he was being arrested, a claim Lang disputes.
“The allegation was that somebody hit the officer with a tablet, like a $400 tablet. And that’s a complete fabrication. And we have video evidence of that. If and when that person goes to court, that will all come out in front of the judge.”
Lang also raised concerns about how the situation was handled, alleging the group had not been presented with warrants or injunctions before being removed from the site.
“The road builders arrived and then the police arrived shortly thereafter. And within two or three hours, we were physically removed from the site,” Lang said.
“So we believe that the whole arrest process was ill conceived and it wasn’t done properly. There were no warrants or anything or any injunctions or any of that stuff.”
He emphasized his group’s call on the province to improve engagement with the community, in addition to leadership changes within BCTS in the Kootenay region.
“We’re calling from the provincial government to replace the Kootenay, manager of BC Timber Sales, and put somebody in that position that will actually work with the community to make sure that our needs and our concerns and stuff are addressed as part of that planning process.”
He also encouraged residents to contact MLA Brittny Anderson in support of the groups efforts.
“Let them know what your feelings are about that and where you stand on the issue and hopefully we can generate enough support to convince the provincial government to work with us.”
The protest was held just days after the Regional District of Central Kootenay voted to support a request to seek protected status for both watersheds.
In a statement to Vista Radio on April 30, B.C.’s Ministry of Forests said it disagrees with the groups claims that BCTS failed to engage with the community.
The ministry said engagement with Eldorado residents occurred between spring 2021 to fall 2025. During this period, the ministry said two operating plan refferals were distributed outlining proposed road construction activities.
Joint hydrological field reviews were conducted with residents, and the most recent road construction plans were posted on the Forest Operations Map portal.
It added that BC Timber Sales has addressed concerns raised during that process.
“To date, BCTS has engaged professionals to complete two hydrologic assessments, a terrain stability field assessment, a visual impact assessment, and assessments for karst, fish, goshawks and bears,” said the Ministry.
It said recommendations from those assessments are being implemented.
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