May 15 2008
Logging at my favorite Lake!!!
I have been informed that one of my favorite lake in BC has been practically destroyed by logging.
I am sooooo mad, I sent an e-mail to those who I think have the power to do something about it.
I am writing this post to get others to send and e-mail in protest as well.
This is what I wrote.
To Whom it may concern;
Hello, my name is Rick Passek. I live in Surrey BC. I am an Author, Flyfishing Instructor, and Guide. I have recently been informed that one of the most beautiful lakes in the province has been practically destroyed.
I have been informed that there has been MASSIVE logging in the area, and that the Forestry campsite is all but gone. I have been told that the Fishing signs and picnic tables are thrown onto the ground at the edge of the lake. There is over 2 feet of mud and debris where the campground use to be.
Community lake is located north of Kamloops off the Knouff lake road, and is a pristine mountain lake that hold Large Kamloops Rainbow trout. The lake has been a favorite of myself and MANY other flyfishers for many years, and by what I have been told, you can’t even get into the lake anymore due to the Mess left by loggers.
Could one of you please get back to me about what happened there. I know that the area has been devastated by the Mountain Pine Beatle and that logging is one of the only ways of combating this pest, but to leave a area in such condition is unacceptable!!!
These are the e-mail addresses that I sent it to.
premier@gov.bc.ca (Gordon Campbell)
rich.coleman.mla@leg.bc.ca (Forestry Minister)
stan.hagen.mla@leg.bc.ca (Minister of Tourism)
barry.penner.mla@leg.bc.ca (Minister of Environment)
Please send them an e-mail about this. This really Gets me MAD!!!
Rick Passek “The Flyfish Fanatic™”
This is the ultimate bummer. Please let us know if it was due to pine beetles, or not. I know timber is big biz. out West, but you’d think that they could leave a couple of few acres around the lake intact.
Sorry to hear the bad news.
Yes the logging is due to the Pine Beetle Infestation.
I don’t really have an issue with the logging, with the damage the Pine Beetle has done in our province, it is needed so that the area does not go up in flames if a fire starts.
My Issue is how the logging companies leave the campground after they are done. This has always been a beautiful lake with a nice small forestry campground, but know that the logging has been done the campground is all but destroyed. There is 2-4 feet deep mud all over the place and pieces of trees and logging “Leftovers” all over the place.
Thanks for your interest.
Rick Passek
Rick, this seems to be a practice of another logging company out here in the Kootenays as well a few years ago. It was a shame as there was logging debris and mud everywhere which made the area completely impassable. Once which used to be a beautiful fly fishing lake is now a mud pit. What a shame that some of these companies are still doing this. I haven’t seen this happening to this extreme again here but it’s obvious it is still happening other places. I hope this can be resolved. Good luck.