"This clearly malicious act was further evidence that Cattermole Timber
has as little regard for diversity of opinion as it does for the
ecological diversity it is crushing at Elk Creek," said Jen Harris from
the forest protection camp.

Meanwhile, Cattermole was being ordered by the City of Chilliwack to halt logging operations on Nixon road until a new public input forum could take place at City Hall. This development vindicates the position of forest defenders and the EC3 that Cattermole's industrial logging operations at the top of Nixon road are an illegal and dangerous attempt to circumvent the public input process.

Forest protector Stefan Schmidt said "Cattermole has blown its cover this time. It is now plain to see that they consider public input, safety, and the interests of the local people to be merely an inconvenience that should be ignored, if at all possible."

In spite of all this, the RCMP continued to act as personal escorts for
Cattermole trucks while suppressing the political expression of concerned people. They have failed to lay charges over violent assaults in which people were injured, but have acted swiftly to manhandle and intimidate protesters. The police have repeatedly acted with force to help Cattermole Timber turn a quick profit, while declaring open season to attack forest defenders.

Nearly two months after formal complaints were filed, no charges have been laid against loggers who assaulted non-violent forest protectors with a
bundle of metal spikes and forcibly stole and destroyed a video camera and eye-glasses.

"Something is terribly wrong here," said forest protector Marissa Bourgeois. "The property and profits of a corporation are receiving higher police priority than the physical safety of people who have been attacked and injured. The Constitutionaly protected Right to Protest is being trampelled on by police who are protecting an illegal and dangerous industrial operation. "

A lone forest protector sleeping in the camp was awoken by three
Cattermole employees carrying their axes. The forest workers had
recently been legislated back to work from an IWA strike action
attempting to protect wages and benefits like pay for travel time to
remote sites. A crew of six disciplined workers, who said they had been called to work late the previous night, proceeded to fell the tree sit, cut up the climbing ropes, then to 'select' and slay the best of the trees in the area.

Two vehicles used by forest protectors on Nixon road were found, after
short periods of travel, to have flat tires. The CAA worker who repaired the tire said that the valve had been "deliberately tampered with." By the time forest protectors could return to their camp, the whole area, habitat to four endangered species, was in shambles. Trees lay uprooted across what was once a clear-flowing stream. Many of the trees left standing bore large scars from the impact of falling trees, and a beetle was already observed attacking one such wound.

Some large trees fell within 20 meters of the tents in the camp, with one crashing tree showering the lone forest defender with debris. Workers are prohibited by Worker Compensation Board Safety Regulations from falling within two tree lengths (or 90 meters) of other people.
Now is a critical time to say enough is enough! We cannot continue to
allow profit-driven corporations to pillage our planet's sacred life
support systems. With the last intact ecosystems and the potential for
reaching a meaningful resolution to First Nations' Title issues hanging
in the balance, it is high time that we overhaul our approach to forests in a way that acknowledges First Nations' Title and culture, ecosystem health, recreation, and community jobs secured by sustainable long-term forest practices. Decision makers in BC must wake up and act swiftly to resolve this long-standing issue.

It is not too late to plot a better course for the pristine old-growth
headwaters of Elk Creek, Dunville and Nevin Creeks, and undeveloped
Chipmunk Ridge. Our common future depends on our ability to respond
quickly and sincerely to the profound challenges posed by the broader
ecological and social crises that are manifesting themselves so
poignantly in Elk Creek.

Released by the Elk Creek Action Group.

For more information contact:

Elk Creek Action Group - Marissa Bourgeois: 604-689-5076 (leave a
message)

Cheam elder - June Quipp: 604-794-5715

Elk Creek Conservation Coalition -
Diane Moen: 604-794-3812, Verna Pigou: 604-794-3111

Western Canada Wilderness Committee - 604-683-8220, 604-880-2580