Log The Plunge!!

[Shakes]

That's right. Our Provincial Government's Ministry of Forests wants to essentaly eradicate what we know as "the Plunge".

Looks like there's finally a threatened trail that people are willing to fight to protect.

link to Squamish Chief article
http://www.squamishchief.com/madison/WQuestion.nsf/SCnews/983D9A8434235F8088256FEA00759CE2?OpenDocument

here's a couple words to the Chief from Squamish Grandady trail master Brad Walkey.

"Let’s start off by saying that I would not normally write to a newspaper but this issue has got to be brought out in the open.
For about eight years I was the trail maintenance director for the Squamish Off Road Cycling Association (SORCA). Part of that job was to act as liason between the local Forestry Office and SORCA. We have always had a good working relationship and have never complained about the impact that logging has had on our trails.
We understand that people have to make a living. As a matter of fact we have gone out of our way to try to inform riders about the areas being worked on, time frames for the work, posted keep out information on our web site etc.
So what has me ticked off enough to write to the editor? We have recently been informed that there are plans to log what is one of the most important trails in our system. The Powerhouse Plunge is not only one of the most unique trails in North America but it is a key component in the Test Of Metal.
So when I talked to Guy Freed at Forestry (in Chilliwack – yes, most of the decisions affecting our forest district are now made in Chilliwack) and asked why this one area could not be left alone, I was told that decent timber is so rare that to meet their quota they had to cut this block. Stunned silence on my part.
What we are being told is that because of the mismanagement of past forestry practices that we, the recreational users of our own land, should have to pay the price today. Sorry, but that doesn’t wash with me.
We are going to fight for this cut to be stopped. Now I don’t think that we are asking for too much here. After all it’s probably not much bigger than the area of Stanley Park. Not so much in such a big province, eh?
So, let’s take a look at the economics of this. The proposed cut has a value of approximately $2 million.
Maybe eight or 10 jobs for three months or so? The Test of Metal and mountain biking contribute several million to Squamish’s economy annually.
Should we allow a myopic government policy and decisions made outside of Squamish to ruin one of the real bright spots in Squamish’s future? I think not! Get on the phone!
It’s time to make some noise and have our voices heard.! Give Guy Freed a call at (604) 702-5738, give Forestry Minister Michael de Jong a call at (250) 387-6240. Call the mayor. E-mail your MLA. In short, make it known that we’re not going to take this one lying down.
In closing I would like to make it very clear that this is not an anti-logging issue.
This is an anti-stupidity issue and I hope that you will join us in our fight to Save the Plunge."
-------

It's election time kids, make some stink and we just might make a diference.:rocker:

[Incorrigible]

How I wish I was there to vote these clowns out of office. That would be Campbell and co. so as to clear up any confusion. Not much regard for the long term effects of their policies on forestry.

[Dantes Inferno]

wow, i learned to ride on the plunge, its one of the most diverse trails in the world. and probably is the only trail that a true beginner and highly advanced rider can have the same amount of fun on. Whoever made the disision to cut that block is on crack. Without the plunge, there is no test, without the test, squamish loses big time profits and sence of community. Ill miss watching riders rip down perth when all the nabours bring out the sprinklers onto the street to shower the riders.

[Uncle Duke]

thats friggin insane.
a very sad sign of the times right there...my heart is with you peoples .... fight the good fight.

[Zedbra]

Diamondhead shall be next.

[Squampton]

diamondhead is being logged, I just don't think they have managed to take out any trails yet

[barry]

diamondhead has no future. you'd agree when you seen the recent logging. the place is totally fucked.

sucks about the plunge, but its so ludacris i have a hard time believing it'll pass. especially with the test of metal behind it. ive heard that the plunge area is one of the lowest first growth forests around, adding one more reason to preserve it, and one more reason for them to log it! (easy accessability?)

[Formulaphoto]

Maybe a compromise can be reached if the whole area can't be saved. In Nelson and a couple of other areas, I've seen where a "buffer zone" has been maintained around an established trail, and the loggers can't take any trees from that buffer zone around the trail. Diamondhead is getting raped by logging right now, but that's nothing new. I just wish they would do selective logging instead of straight clearcut.

W

[bcbud]

There's been loggin on the Head for years. I remember when One Mans Garbage had waring signs all over cause lower down the trail goes right through an old clearcut, anyone seen the plans and how much of the plunge is in jeopardy? And man is the site for the uni massive.....

[Troup]

This blows

[ES-OH-ES]

diamondhead is being logged, I just don't think they have managed to take out any trails yet

bottom of deliverance is gone. its cut up just before that skinny log ride with the bottle caps for grip.

[CraigH]

Is that letter to the editor online somewhere?

[Squampton]

Is that letter to the editor online somewhere?

The one in the Chief? www.squamishchief.com and scroll down the menu on the left

[CraigH]

The one in the Chief? www.squamishchief.com and scroll down the menu on the left

Thanks.

http://www.squamishchief.com/madison/WQuestion.nsf/SCeditorial/A7D52796B226473988256FEA007A996D?OpenDocument

[Dantes Inferno]

i just dont know what to say anymore, but this blows. All i know is ill be in Squish with the rest of ya if anything stupid goes down.

[KeithD]

We can't assume that everyone knows about The Plunge and the just by asking that the people rise up that they will.

I have only been involved with riding for a little over three years and I love it. I haven't riden The Plunge and don't even know where it is. If we want to get people active on this we need some information.

You should want hiking groups, running groups, riding groups, environmentalists and housewives prepared to take action. They will need information and then they will need someone to help them take action. Few will actually phone. A few more will post a letter. Most will sign petitions. There are many clubs that are present in the Whistler/Squamish/Vancouver area. They have access to a great deal human resources that could be mobilized.

Is the Squamish City Council aware and in favour of this? They were very vocal in their support of mountain biking at last years World Mountain Bike Conference in Vancouver.

So who has the ball?

[brian]

here's a copy of the letter the mayor wrote:

Honourable George Abbott
Minister of Sustainable Resource Management
PO Box 9054, Stn. ProvoGovt.
Victoria BC V8W 9E2

Dear Honourable Abbott:
Re: Powerhouse Plunge Logging

It has recently come to my attention that there are plans to log two areas in the vicinity of a mountain bike trail known as the "Power House Plunge" (new AI Woods wood lot). The Plunge was constructed in the fall and winter of 1995 and 1996 for the Squamish "Test of Metal" mountain bike race. This was done with the permission of and funding provided by the Ministry of Forests. The Test of Metal, now in its 10th year, is considered one of the
premiere mountain bike races in all of North America, if not the world. To log this area and leave only a 20 metre buffer on each side of the trail and a minimum of at least one if not two or three road crossings would be a huge detriment to the overall enjoyment of the trail. This trail is also used by Gearjammer, which is the B.C. mountain bike championship race. In
addition the Plunge now sees upwards of 50,000 bikes a year. The Test of Metal contributes approximately $3 million a year to the local Squamish economy - mountain biking in general generates another $5 million. According to my information these 2 timber cuts would have a value at most, of only $2 million and it will take another 60 years until it can be harvested again. That's $2 million every 60 years or $480 million over 60 years. Now, which is better for Squamish and the Provincial Government?

Squamish is moving forward from only a logging/resource town to a more diverse economy, this logging will only serve to wipe out a large part of the growth that we are now experiencing as the Outdoor Recreation Capital of Canada and will have a negative impact on the efforts of Squamish promoting itself at the Outdoor Recreation Capital of Canada.

The Plunge is a cornerstone of the entire Squamish mountain bike trail network. We understand the importance of logging, however given the circumstances of this particular site, we have real concerns for the future of our mountain biking industry.

Let's work together to find a more suitable area to log. I look forward to your reply.
yours truly, ian sutherland
Mayor
cc: Elizabeth Eldridge, Land and Water, BC
Honourable Mick de Jong, Minister of Forests
Cliff Miller, President, Test of Metal Inc.
Joan Mclntrye Pottinger

[brian]

this just showed up in my inbox.

SQUAMISH’S PREMIER MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAIL
SLATED TO BE LOGGED

The Squamish Off Road Cycling Association (SORCA), has recently been informed that there are plans to log one of North America’s premier mountain bike trails – the Power House Plunge.

Why is this trail so important?

The Powerhouse Plunge is one of the premiere trails in Squamish’s mountain bike network, and was recently rated by Men’s Journal as the 3rd best in North America. The legacy of Squamish's trail network is fulfilled through the efforts of many local individuals who put in countless hours building fun, scenic and sustainable trails like the Plunge.

Recreational runners, mountain bikers, and hikers alike enjoy the Plunge, year round for its lush forest scenery. This would be gone if it were logged. People do not come to Squamish to ride through cut blocks. It is the fun, well maintained trails in a forest setting that brings people to Squamish to ride, run, or hike.

The Plunge is also a key component in several mountain bike and trail running races, including the Test Of Metal (www.testofmetal.com). This is one of North America’s most popular mountain bike races – a race that recently sold out all of its 800 spots in only five days. The Test of Metal has become such an important part contributor to Squamish’s economy and the local recreational community that the District of Squamish is considering a proposal to make the Test of Metal course, of which the Plunge is central, a permanent fixture.

According to SORCA’s research, the Ministry of Forest’s plans for the area include two road crossings which SORCA estimates will eliminate approximately 25% of the trail. Also, only a 20m buffer will remain on each side of a trail that provides a unique opportunity to experience being deep in the forest.

There is a potential for the both short and long term impacts on the trail, as the Plunge could be closed to logging due to activity for weeks and maybe months on end. This would not include the time needed to repair trail damage posed by logging activity. Depending on the time of year this could displace numerous recreational users, and potentially have a serious financial impact on Squamish, as these recreationalists head elsewhere.

One must not forget that the proposed cut areas are also directly above the newest groundwater supply for the District of Squamish. This supply is set to become the primary water source for the growing needs of Squamish. The question remains on what impact such a cut will have on this supply?


Non Negotiable


The SORCA executive was shocked when informed of the plans to log the Plunge. SORCA has had always maintained strong working relationship with Forestry and other land managers, both public and private. Members have met with Forestry as recently as late January 2005 to discuss upcoming logging plans in the area. The Plunge itself was built in coordination and partially funded by the Ministry of Forests.

The SORCA executive has met with Lands and Water BC (the Provincial Government agency that owns the land) in the summer of 2004 to discuss and demonstrate the importance of the backcountry in and around Squamish, as a recreational resource. SORCA was informed that "this area was very unlikely to see any logging in the future." We are shocked to find out that a trail as important as the Plunge could be on the block without serious consultation with SORCA.

Recently SORCA executive members contacted the local Squamish Forestry Office and were informed that the decision to establish cut blocks in and around the Plunge, was not made locally in Squamish, but rather at the head office in Chilliwack. The Chilliwack Office was subsequently contacted by members of the SORCA executive to voice their objection to the proposed logging. The executive made suggestions that areas further into the backcountry be considered for logging operations. The Chilliwack office responded that "decent timber is so rare in this area now that, to meet their quota, they had to cut this block even though it is a relatively small cut block."

The SORCA executive was left out of early meetings among the decision-makers (ie Ministry of Forrests and Lands and Waters BC). After some pressure we were finally invited to the table, and will be attending upcoming meetings to further discuss this issue.

Economics

SORCA research suggests that the proposed cut has a value of approximately $2 million. Once this block is cut, it can’t be harvested for another 50 years, translating into an annual return of approximately $40,000.

SORCA has never formally calculated the economic impact of an individual trail, however, it estimates that as Squamish’ signature trail, the Plunge could easily generate over a million dollars a year to the Squamish economy. The Plunge is a key component of the Test of Metal Race which attracts thousands of riders and other recreationalists from all over world on a year round basis.

The economics of pushing the logging interests of BC Timber Sales simply does not equate to the economic benefit that this trail brings to the community of Squamish. Cyclists come form all over the world to use this and other trails in Squamish. They stay in our hotels, eat in our restaurants, shop in Squamish stores. We feel the benefit of preserving this trail for the benefit of the recreational community far outweighs the economic payback of logging this trail.

From SORCA’s perspective, the proposed cut will likely have little impact on Squamish’s economy. The best this cut will likely provide to Squamish is eight to ten jobs for a few months and possibly $500,000 ($10,000 on an annualized basis) of profit for a local contractor, if a local contractor is indeed chosen to complete the contract.

Not Anti-Logging

SORCA wants to clearly indicate that this is not an anti-logging campaign. We have always had a good working relationship with the forestry sector. We understand that people have to make a living, and many persons both recreationalists, and non-recreationalists make their living in the forestry sector.

In the past five years Squamish has lost several trails to logging. SORCA has made it a policy to work with Forestry and local contractors to re-establish trails in and around various cut blocks. We have also have gone out of our way to try to inform riders about the areas being logged, time frames associated to the work, and have informed recreationalists to keep out of worksites. This information has been passed on at various events and through the SORCA website.

In the past SORCA has been involved as a key stakeholder, representing the key interests of the recreational community. SORCA has worked symbiotically with Forestry to ensure that the interests of both groups has been met, but with this latest proposal, to log the Plunge area, SORCA, was not involved in any decision making, or allowed to convey any feedback.

Basis Mismanagement

It is SORCA’s opinion that thousands of recreation users of today are being penalized by the mismanagement of our forests in the past. Are recreational users and the community of Squamish expected to pay the price for a decision that will profit only a handful of people and alter the landscape for a long time?

Future Use of Crown Land

Due to the importance of the Powerhouse Plunge to both mountain bikers, hikers and trail-runners, SORCA is mounting a campaign to stop this proposed cut. We are calling this campaign "Save the Plunge" (STP) and are urging all recreationalists to contact the various parties involved including: Mr. Jerry Kennah at the BC Timber Sales Office in Chilliwack, Mr.Michael de Jong, current Minister for Forests, Ms. Diane Reed, Manager of the Squamish Forest District Office, and please c.c.Mayor Ian Sutherland of the District of Squamish. The contacts for these individuals are listed below. Please refer to www.sorca.ca, the official SORCA website, for updated information.

SORCA has plans to contact all of the respective parties involved, calling for a moratorium on logging, disposition of Crown Land, or other developments in the Squamish area on Crown Land where recreation assets like the Plunge are located. This moratorium would remain until a strategic master land use plan can be developed to effectively integrate the many recreation uses in the area where current and future logging activities may exist.

SORCA has recently engaged Cascade Environmental to develop a master land use plan for mountain biking in the Squamish area. According to SORCA President Cliff Miller, "the time has to come for the Province to truly recognize that the backcountry around Squamish is highly valuable as recreation land. This is already or will soon become the most heavily recreated area in BC given its close proximity to Vancouver and Whistler."

SORCA believes certain areas (not all) are more valuable for public recreation than logging or other development. We also believe in Squamish’s branding as the "Outdoor Recreation Capital of Canada", and we reside in a Province that is working very hard to promote itself as a tourist destination. The time has come for the "powers to be" to develop a land use strategy for the backcountry that ensures the best long-term return to the taxpayers of the BC, not just a quick buck to make the short-term balance sheet look good.

Plan of Action

SORCA has contacted the respected parties in order to be part of the current discussions on the future of the Plunge. We have begun a letter writing campaign to those parties involved to express our concerns.

We are also organizing the STP (Save the Plunge) Mountainbike Race on Saturday, May 7 starting at 11 am. The race will coincide with the opening Squamish’s new Adventure Centre, which will attended by various government officials, including Premiere Gordon Campbell. Come out and ride some of Squamish’s trails, in particular the Powerhouse Plunge. Logon to www.sorca.ca for further information.

We ask that you support us in our efforts to save this resource by forwarding your concerns about logging the Powerhouse Plunge and other great Squamish trails to:

Honourable Michael de Jong,
Minister of Forests
Room 128
Parliament Buildings
Victoria
BC
V8V1X4

Phone: 250*387-6240

Fax: 250 387-1040

E-mail: Mike.deJong.MLA@leg.bc.ca

Mr. Jerry Kennah
BC Timber Sales
Timber Sales Manager
46360 Airport Road
Chilliwack** BC
V2P1A5
Canada

Phone:604 702-5727

Fax: 604 702-5711

E-mail: Jerry.Kennah@gems4.gov.bc.ca


Ms.Diane Reed,
Squamish Forest District Manager
Suite 101
42000 Loggers Lane
Squamish, BC
V0N3G0

Phone: 604*898-2100

Fax: 604 898-2191

E-mail:

Diane.Reed@gems1.gov.bc.ca

Mayor Ian Sutherland,
District of Squamish
Box 310,
Squamish, BC V0N 3G0

Phone: 1-877-892-5217

Fax: (604) 892-1083

E-mail: isutherland@squamish.ca

[Shakes]

Ha - you beat me by two minutes - for a change :)

[CraigH]

here's a copy of the letter the mayor wrote:

....

Is the Mayor's letter online somewhere?

[brian]

i don't think so. it was e-mailed to me. could be in this week's Squamish Chief though. that will be on-line on Friday.

[CraigH]

I've posted links to the 2 articles and the Sorca email on MTBR here:

http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=96118