Court ruling will allow Tolko to continue logging

The British Columbia Supreme Court has ruled against the Okanagan Nation's bid to prevent Tolko from logging on the west side of Okanagan Lake.

“We are pleased with the court’s decision and the clarity it provides our company to move forward,” said Mark Tamas, Tolko’s woodlands regional manager, in a release.

“The decision recognized the legal authority of cutting permits provided to us by the province and that the proposed harvesting will meet appropriate environmental safeguards.”

The Okanagan Nation believes their interests have been acknowledged by the court.

“There are restrictions. They (Tolko) can’t just go in and do their usual clearcut activities,” said Fabian Alexis, Okanagan Indian Band chief.

The judge has given both sides two weeks to determine how areas of cultural concern will be protected from logging.

Members of the Okanagan band and the ONA established camps at Browns Creek in October to gather archeological evidence but to also prevent logging from occurring.

Alexis would not speculate on whether the judge’s ruling will lead to the camps being dismantled.

“The camps are still up there but there hasn’t been anyone up there for two weeks,” he said.

“But I can’t say (whether they will be removed) because that’s still pending. I can’t say until we sit down with Tolko.”

According to Tolko, logging is required to deal with the pine beetle infestation and to proceed with reforestation.

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Court ruling allows for logging (Vernon Morning Star)