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B.C. forest practices continue to damage salmon habitatSeptember 28, 2005 - VANCOUVER - An investigation of logging practices in the Kalum Forest District by the David Suzuki Foundation has found many apparent violations of the Fisheries Act. In May of this year, David Suzuki Foundation biologists conducted a series of watershed inspections in the forest region near Terrace. Their purpose was to assess the impact of recent and historic logging on fish habitat. They also examined infrastructure and road development work and its impact on nearby waterways. “We were already concerned that B.C.’s fish habitat was being degraded. Our visit to Kalum only reinforced our fears,” says Bill Wareham, acting director of marine conservation with the David Suzuki Foundation. “New provincial regulations have weakened the protection of salmon habitat, and the current practice of industry self-regulation is not working.” Foundation field staff noted inadequate drainage systems, road surface erosion and landslide debris within stream channels. There were also creeks seeping onto roadways and many fish streams were actually running down forest service roads. All of these problems pose a serious threat to the survival of salmon. The Foundation reported all of their findings to the B.C. Ministry of Forests and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO). A trip back to Kalum in early September of this year has revealed that little has been done to date. “Not much has changed since our last visit. There’s a real lack of coordination between federal and provincial conservation departments, and it has only made matters worse. It’s clear that current protection strategies are failing. The DFO needs to take their habitat protection mandate more seriously,” says Mr.Wareham. The Foundation is in the process of collecting data from forests in the Lower Mainland, Central Coast and Northern Vancouver Island. The group will assess if the situation at Kalum is representative to what is going on in the rest of the province. Further reports will be released in 2006. “In order to protect our fish and forests, the DFO and the Province of B.C. must work together to monitor and enforce the Fisheries Act,” says Mr. Wareham. # # # The Kalum Forest District report is available online at: For more information, contact:
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