Tolko will now plan to harvest without snow cover in the Brown's Creek Watershed

Tolko had originally planned to log in the Brown's Creek Watershed during the winter, but a road blockade by the Okanagan Indian Band prevented the company from accessing the area by road.

Tolko has a court-approved archaeological plan for logging in the area. The archaeological plan includes harvesting on both a snow pack and without. The company was not able to harvest during winter, so they will now move to harvest in snow-free conditions.

Pleased that the snow is melting, the Okanagan Indian Band has temporarily withdrawn their request to set aside an enforcement order concerning Tolko Industries logging in the Brown's Creek Watershed.

"This was an important concession for Tolko to make, as we have been saying how can you map out historic trails and other artifacts when everything is covered in three to six feet of snow,” says Okanagan Band Chief Fabian Alexis.

Madam Justice Brown has clarified that Tolko has permission to cut only 8 cutblocks.

This dispute between Tolko and the Okanagan Indian Band has been on-going for nearly a decade, with the Okanagan Indian Band citing archaeological and watershed protection concerns, and Tolko worried about the continuing degradation of the wood due to the mountain pine beetle in the area they have a permit to log.

Source:

OKIB withdraws enforcement request (Castanet)