Okanagan Band sets up blockade to prevent Tolko's logging

The Okanagan Indian Band set up a blockade this morning near the Brown's Creek Watershed to prevent Tolko Industries from moving logging equipment into the area.

Chief Fabian Alexis said the blockade will remain while both sides talk to their lawyers.

The blockade went up at 7am this morning. Tolko sent representatives to the blockade to see if their equipment would be allowed through. The meeting was described as "cordial", but Tolko was not allowed through and the Okanagan Indian Band refused to accept a copy of the injunction that Tolko attempted to present.

Tolko intends to head back to court to ask for an enforcement order on the logging permits they were issued two and a half years ago by the province.

Alexis said the band is most concerned about the state of the watershed, since it is the primary water source for most of the band's 1800 residents.

Source:
B.C. band fights logging on site of land claim (CBC)
Blockade to remain, Tolko to go to court (Castanet)