The provincial government is rejecting an environmental watchdogB次元官网网址檚 claim that a north Island logging firm is effectively engaging in B次元官网网址渃overtB次元官网网址� logging of an old growth forest on the northwest coast.

And it plans to take no action at this time in response to a Sierra Club request that the operation be put on hold until Lemare Lake Logging shares its plan for harvesting in the East Creek area adjacent Brooks Peninsula.

Provincial laws require that such plans be made available to anyone who asks and Sierra Club campaigner Mark Worthing said logging site plans are routinely requested and routinely provided by most logging firms, often by email.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 pretty regular. Most of the bigger outfits just post their plans online,B次元官网网址� he said.

ThatB次元官网网址檚 why he was surprised when an initial inquiry to see the East Creek plan in December was met with what he described as suspicion and a of corporate requests for credentials, Sierra Club requests for MLA and ministry intervention, refusals to provide documents by email or fax, unreturned messages, cancelled appointments and inflexibility in scheduling a meeting.

B次元官网网址淎nd (they) flat out refused to provide plans when a concerned community member arrived at the office asking to see site plans,B次元官网网址� Worthing said.

Lemare  general manager Eric Dutcyvich said by email that he was unavailable for an interview with Black Press but added readers can be assured the firm is doing everything by the book.

B次元官网网址淎s is our standard practice, we are following all of the forest stewardship guidelines and regulations that govern our operations. This includes giving the public the opportunity to view our site plans within a reasonable time,B次元官网网址� he said.

An emailed statement from the Ministry of Forests, Land and Natural Resource Operations communications department indicated ministry staff have been in contact with the firm about these concerns.

B次元官网网址淚t is the ministryB次元官网网址檚 understanding that Lemare Lake Logging has made the site plans available,B次元官网网址� the email states. B次元官网网址淲e are under the impression that Sierra Club and Lemare Lake Logging had scheduled a meeting.B次元官网网址�

According to the ministry, it has never investigated a complaint regarding access to site plans. Making plans available is considered important and refusal to comply can result in a fine of up to $10,000.

B次元官网网址淟ogging is occurring on Crown land, therefore the public has a right to know how those public lands are being managed,B次元官网网址� the email reads.

But Worthing said the Sierra Club is still waiting.

B次元官网网址淗ow many months would you attempt to acquire plans from a company you were legally entitled to before you gave up?B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 quite busy, and don't have time to pester and pester a company that is in non-compliance. In my opinion, that's the government's job.B次元官网网址�

He said the Sierra Club requested the plans after a visit to the area. East Creek is part of what the club describes as the largest remaining ancient rainforest on northern Vancouver Island. The club is from what it considers lack of proper stewardship.

The ministry states inspectors have made more than 10 visits to the site and discovered a few non-compliance issues regarding roads and timber marking that have been addressed by the licensee.

B次元官网网址淚t seems like they know they'll get something less than a slap on the wrist while they buy themselves more time to log like there is no tomorrow in East Creek,B次元官网网址� Worthing said. B次元官网网址淚 expect better behaviour from companies logging crown-land ancient rainforest, and governments meant to regulate that.B次元官网网址�

A formal complaint has been filed with the BC Forest Practices Board.