Written by Peter McIntyre Friday, 19 February 2010 15:45107.5 KISSFM:
The chief of the Okanagan Indian Band says "all options are on the table" when it comes to protecting his community's water supply. Fabian Alexis is concerned about the impact logging by Tolko Industries will have on the Browns Creek watershed which supplies up to 1,800 people who live on the reserve. He says a meeting of band members will be held Saturday at the Head of the Lake Hall (11am to 1pm) to discuss the next course of action. He tells Kiss FM, "There has been some discussions about possible road checks and maybe also of possible blockades." Alexis says they have established a checkpoint on the portion of Westside Road that they have jurisdiction over, saying they're incensed that Tolko contractors have continued to use the road despite signs posted on the reserve. Okanagan Nation Grand Chief Stewart Philip accuses Forest Minister Pat Bell of showing "callous indifference" to the community's health, saying Bell appears more concerned about short term profits for Tolko. "It's been in the courts with respect to the Wilson case for the last ten years. It's in legal dispute and we're shocked that the province, the Ministry of Forests and certainly Tolko don't fully understand that fact but in the event that we get a mandate to use whatever means are available to protect the watershed, we certainly intend to do that." The company has government and court approval to proceed with logging without interference.
The chief of the Okanagan Indian Band says "all options are on the table" when it comes to protecting his community's water supply. Fabian Alexis is concerned about the impact logging by Tolko Industries will have on the Browns Creek watershed which supplies up to 1,800 people who live on the reserve. He says a meeting of band members will be held Saturday at the Head of the Lake Hall (11am to 1pm) to discuss the next course of action. He tells Kiss FM, "There has been some discussions about possible road checks and maybe also of possible blockades." Alexis says they have established a checkpoint on the portion of Westside Road that they have jurisdiction over, saying they're incensed that Tolko contractors have continued to use the road despite signs posted on the reserve. Okanagan Nation Grand Chief Stewart Philip accuses Forest Minister Pat Bell of showing "callous indifference" to the community's health, saying Bell appears more concerned about short term profits for Tolko. "It's been in the courts with respect to the Wilson case for the last ten years. It's in legal dispute and we're shocked that the province, the Ministry of Forests and certainly Tolko don't fully understand that fact but in the event that we get a mandate to use whatever means are available to protect the watershed, we certainly intend to do that." The company has government and court approval to proceed with logging without interference.
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