What’s the issue?
Quartz Creek is Ymir’s only water supply. The creek is not big and in late summer, it’s flow can be critically low.
BC Timber Sales (BCTS) is planning to create 3 cut-blocks of crown land that will include Ymir’s collection pond and water treatment facility. Ymir residents fear that the logging with disrupt their water supply or contaminate their water.
Another concern is that this water supply is the community’s only source of nearby water to battle a wildfire.
Who is impacted by this issue?
In this particular case, the residents of Ymir, loggers, staff and directors at the RDCK, and the staff at BC Timber Sales are all stakeholders, but the fact is that this is an issue that impacts watersheds throughout the region.
What is the ideal?
The ideal scenario is one where the RDCK and the BC government work out a watershed management plan and a set of policies that protect the water, help mitigate wildfires and support the health of the forest through sustainable logging. This may not be ideal for the logging companies if it increase their costs.
What role is the government currently playing?
BC Timber Sales and the RDCK are currently managing the process.
What’s next?
Here’s a summary of coverage on the issue from the Nelson Star:
- May 18, 2017: Ymir mobilizes against logging plan
- Jul 26, 2017: RDCK entangled in watershed logging controversies
- Sept 25, 2017: West Kootenay loggers defend watershed harvesting
- Oct 3, 2017: Ymir watershed delegation headed to Victoria
- Oct 23, 2017: Ymir residents decry planned watershed logging
- Oct 24, 2017: Lower Kootenay Band pledges support for Ymir watershed
- Jan 24, 2018: Logging: who decides what (and how) to cut?
