Band To Block Tolko's Access To Road

Peter McIntyre Tuesday, 16 February 2010 14:15 107.5 KISSFM:

Tolko Industries is facing another hurdle in its efforts to log the Browns Creek watershed west of Vernon. The Okanagan Indian Band has sent a letter to company president Brad Thorlakson, saying Tolko logging trucks and crew vehicles will not be allowed to travel south on Westside Road through the band's reserve. Band Chief Fabian Alexis tells Kiss FM, there are other ways into the site, and they're upset Tolko isn't taking the band's archaeological concerns seriously. "Our people were discounted. They made contributing points to the archeoalogist. Tolko was also present and it just seemed our comments and our input was going on deaf ears." Alexis says the band has jurisdiction over that part of the road, and any Tolko vehicles will be stopped, turned back and if necessary impounded."That was kind of the last straw in this matter (Tolko planning to use that part of the road to access the logging site). You don't need to be doing that. We see that as a form of (provocation) so therefore we responded that no you won't be allowed through our reserve."

Tolko's regional Woodlands manager Mark Tamas says it's their understanding that part of Westside Road, is a public road. "We have asked the revelent government agencies to verify its status, so we've gone to the Ministry of Forests and Transportation and we're looking for guidance. In the meantime, we will take alternate routes to and from our harvesting operations." Tamas says having to access the site through Westwold and Falkland will add some extra costs, but they have been used before. Tamas says the plan is to start logging the area soon. "We have started road construction. We're waiting for the contractor to complete his current cutting permit and this is the next cutting permit, so when he's complete, he'll move operations to the Browns Creek area which we anticipate will be in the next few days." Tamas says they have tried to arrange senior level discussions between the two parties, but have yet to hear back from the band. Tolko has government and court approval to log the area which the band says has cultural significance in another logging related court battle, and is also an important watershed.