B.C. Pursues Native Loggers in Court
10/11/99
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Title: B.C. Pursues Native Loggers in Court
Source: Environment News Service, http://www.ens.lycos.com/
Status: Copyright 1999, contact source for permission to reprint
Date: October 11, 1999
PENTICTON, British Columbia, Canada, October 11, 1999 (ENS) - The
Minister of Forests has decided to seek a compliance order against
the Adams Lake, Spallumcheen, and Neskonlith Indian bands in B.C.
Supreme Court, Forests Minister David Zirnhelt said Friday.
Salmon Arm forest district staff have investigated and documented the
unauthorized harvesting of Crown timber in the Harper Lake area west
of Salmon Arm. The bands have ignored stop-work orders issued by the
district. Seeking a compliance order is the next step under forest
legislation.
The Ministry of Forests is also seeking a compliance order against
the Okanagan Indian Band in B.C. Supreme Court, Zirnhelt said last
Tuesday.
Vernon Forest district staff investigated and documented the
unauthorized harvesting of Crown timber in the Brown's Creek area
west of Vernon. The district issued a stop-work order on Tuesday
September 28, which was ignored by the Okanagan Indian Band.
"The provincial government will continue to act to enforce the law
and end unauthorized harvesting by members of First Nations," said
Zirnhelt. "We remain ready to negotiate these issues, but only when
the negotiations can take place without the threat of unauthorized
harvesting."
The Ministry of Forests will continue to meet its legal obligation to
enforce the Forest Practices Code and follow the enforcement steps
set out in legislation, while avoiding unnecessary confrontations.